Weekly Round-up: 10 Nov 2024
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel ‘n’ Grog TuesdayWe are keeping the gravel n grog rides going, for now at least and another mild evening drew out 5 riders into the darkness for this weeks ride. Most of us are still trying to work out our best options for lights, mine keep running out of battery or randomly turning themselves off and Andrew D had the kind of set up on his forehead that you’d normally find on the front of a gun toting Australian’s 4×4 in Kangaroo territory. |
Inter-club Women’s Ride: NFCC/Sotonia/SUCCOrganised by Emily from SUCC, three riders from NFCC joined an inter-club women’s ride from 99Bikes in Totton. Following a familiar route out to Lepe, with a coffee stop in Beaulieu on the way back, the ride set out to help strengthen the bond between the local clubs and their women riders. Hopefully this will be the first of many… |
Saturday Club RideAnother unseasonably dry week meant another uncharacteristic dose of goodwill from the ride leader declaring that the mudguard amnesty would be extended again. The planned route was a hilly 107Km to the north of the forest making this most of the conditions to go further afield. In all about twenty riders turned up, with some missing the start with the groups both departing before 0900… a timely reminder of the need to meet up at 0850 for an 0900 start so we can sort out the groups for the day. We did welcome a few riders who we had not seen for a while including Reece who was back visiting the forest and searching for some flatter rides than those he’s been doing in Lancashire. |
 We were missing Sean who had registered for the start. Sadly, on the way to the start he had an unfortunate incident which resulted in a broken helmet. With his newly acquired status as an honary Flandarian hard man he rose from his prone position and declared it was but a scratch. Sway Road definitely has some Sean Rash now. Luckily, Phill B was on hand and Sean was able to ride back home to tend to his wounds. Hope you’re mended soon Sean. |
 Two pelotons left Brockenhurst, but on the first hill out of Brock the cry of “puncture” could be heard from the back of Group Two. Smithy was the unfortunate cyclist, Paul and Neil stayed with him and the others found a safe position further up the road. Changing an inner tube is a five minute job, but not with Smithy. A full 30 minutes expired in a Harrisesque display that left the rest of the group doing burpees to keep warm and Ray who was due to meet us at Isley Cross started riding solo to avoid hypothermia. Why did this simple repair take so long I hear you ask? Well, it comes from Smithy’s many years as an accountant. Jobs that take five minutes are spun out to thirty when there is a client paying by the minute and it’s hard to break the habit of a lifetime. But whatever the excuse, it’s a return to the barrel for Smithy which is his first one since the incident with the exploding saddle clamp and the ride home sans saddle. |
 We headed north and were due to meet up at the Broughton Community Shop for coffee. Due to the lengthy stop for group two, we missed each other but it worked out OK. The shop had kindly reserved a large table for us, and it was just big enough for a single peloton so worked out well and we didn’t overwhelm the shop as we have done in the past. |
 After coffee there was a rather hilly (and steep) start to the second part of the ride plus what might me our last chance to ascend Dean Hill before we start riding closer to home for the winter rides. Group One carried on as Group One does with riders going off the front and generally trying to batter each other. I don’t think anyone rounded up to 100 miles plus this week, but it was another enjoyable day out in some nice dry weather with plenty of autumnal colours to enjoy. |
 Graham regaled us with the story of the lost teeth on his trip to France last week which would have been a slam dunk for the barrel in perpetuity if he was on the club ride. We enjoyed the stories about him only having portage, veloute, bullion or consommé for the remainder of his trip. And when the waiter asked him how he wanted his steak he said liquified sil vous plait! |
 Thanks to all the riders registering in Spond for the ride, it’s really helpful having an idea of numbers, likely Group One / Group Two riders and being able to let the cafes know what to plan for.– Barry |
Sunday Club RideRemembrance Sunday as usual meant a lower than usual turnout for this Sundays club ride. About 8 of us set out in a single group on a lovely, mild Autumnal morning. We soon picked up a couple more riders on route and passed a determined looking James N riding in the opposite direction. Not much of note to mention but a pleasant morning’s ride nonetheless. It’s rare at this time of the year to have calm, dry and windless conditions so nice to make the most of it. Welcome to Richard on his first ride with the club and potential new recruit Colin, who joined us at the cafe. |
Wessex CX 24/25 – Rd.8: Newbury ShowgroundA new vencue for most of the NFCC Wessex Leagure Riders this week with a trip to Newbury Showground. Find out how the riders from Team NFCC finished by CLICKING HERE. |
Get Involved:If you find yourself out and about representing NFCC, don’t forget to jot down a few words, snap a few photos and send them over to press@newforestcc.co.uk. |
