Weekly Round-up: 17 Nov 2024
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
Saturday Club RideAmazingly the dry weather continued and so did Barry’s goodwill, extending the mudguard amnesty for an unprecedented third week. Fourteen riders made the start this week and when the whistle was blown most riders took one step backwards, so it was a four / ten split for Group One/Group Two… Phill B was the last refusenik to move to winter tights, so he was doing his utmost to get a winter tan despite it being a cool but very pleasant November day. |
 After the last couple of weeks venturing outside of the National Park, this week was a 120 km forest ride to the north and then the east to take it what may be the last chance to enjoy the wonderful autumn colours. The two groups headed north and were joined by Richard P who was determined not to miss the chance of more cake at The Potting Shed. Some pubs have tankards for their regulars. Richard spends so much time at the Potting Shed he’s even got his own cake fork behind the counter! Sartorial elegance amongst the club’s peloton does take a dive in winter, as practicality rules over aesthetics, so the groups were not the usual uniform colour block moving through the forest but the groups maintained good formations as ever. |
 One thing about colour blocks is that some riders are a bit obsessive about colour matching. For instance, there is nothing that Sean thinks cannot be improved by more green. Phil J for example, believes that you cannot have too much of the lime green that Cannondale use. He is now taking this to extremes by even matching the colour of the liquid in his bottles to match his bike. What makes this worse is that it doesn’t look like an energy drink but samples for his urologist! |
 There was some mechanical noise from Group Two. Phil H has been telling us how he has been waxing his components to make them smoother but it’s a conversation that none of us wanted to have. With his usual mechanical aplomb, he had changed his chain this week but ignored the other ageing components of the drivetrain so we were treated to the noise of a jumping chain and swearing rider for the duration. All fifteen riders made it to the coffee stop and soon after coffee, Chris departed, Phill B joined Group Two and Reece and Robert headed off for a 2-Up. |
 Heading south we started to shed riders who had other duties or were close to home. The last five made it back to Brock for the Second Coffee Club at The Absent Pony. Phil H and Graham rounded up to 100 miles plus so chapeau to them. All this way and nothing barrel-worthy? Phil’s bike? Not really that’s NFH (Normal for Harris!). The barrel has a long-standing tradition of being neither fair nor democratic. So based on the fact that Graham and Smithy were behind me for 99% of the time and I couldn’t see or hear them, there must have been something that I didn’t see or hear, so they’re both in the barrel together for no known reason, but there’s bound to be something with their reputation!Thanks all for another top ride. – Barry |
OffCamber XCNFCC’s cyclocross aficionado Jay T left his drop bars at home and pumped up his fat tyres to take part in the OffCamber Cycles XC race a The Inside Park, Blandford on Sunday morning. Although as it turns out, he may have pumped up his tyres a little too much… Not quite having time for a full warm-up lap, Jay felt his pressure was a bit too high for the rooty and bumpy course, claiming full-sus would’ve been a better choice for the course. Despite the rough ride, Jay reported having good fun in near-perfect conditions, racing hard against some well-known local riders and crossing the line for sixth place. |
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. |
