Weekly Round-up: 01 Dec 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 a good group riders into the darkness this week. As usual some libations were taken at the Vibrant tap and some completed their rides home whilst the really lucky few got a barely deserved lift home. |
Saturday Club RideAfter the recent dry weeks it was mudguards on and winter bikes for this week’s club ride. The planned route this was a typical 100Km forest ride as we make things a bit shorter and closer to home in mid-winter. Sixteen riders turned up for the start. So, it was a two peloton ride that left Brockenhurst beforr both instantly being stopped by the level crossing for what felt like an eternity. The rides progressed towards Hatchet Pond but Group Two unluckily caught a large group of runners crossing the road at Roundhill who were doing a half marathon. This resulted in a good five minutes stationary waiting for all the riders to cross. |
 The ride did a loop around East Boldre and Sowley before heading towards Lepe and Calshot. Matt M did some good work on the front but alarmingly was either indicting incorrectly at every turn or just taking the wrong turn. Whether Matt had loaded the route in reverse or had it trying to route us to the start we don’t know. The committee that puts riders into the barrel is always grateful for new ways of being nominated and this one reaches that bar. |
 Matt was pushed perilously close by a number of other miscreants. Graham missed the start and caught us near Sowley. He claimed a puncture which is fair enough. But at the coffee stop at Steff’s he took the last steak pasty that the ride leader had his eye on which marked his card. Both groups met up at the coffee stop and were able to enjoy refreshments outside as it was very mild. |
 On the subject of perennial barrel dwellers, Smithy was flying up the first couple of hills like a man on a mission. Group Two regulars have seen this behaviour a thousand times and predictably he paid the price later on dying a thousand deaths on the hills after the coffee stop. But have no fear, he was telling us he’s ordered a new winter bike and we look forward to the performance gains next week. |
 All was going well as we ascended Bolderwood from the Emery Down side. A momentary lapse of concentration from Sean and Matt K resulted in Sean hitting the tarmac again. Thankfully he and the bike were OK and we continued back to Brock and a number of riders assembled for the Second Coffee Club at The Absent Pony as usual. With meticulous planning the rain came just after ride end so we counted our blessings for being able to get a decent ride in decent weather despite it being the last day of November.– Barry |
Wessex CX 24-25 Rd.10: SouthamptonAnother wet week meant another muddy cyclocross round for the Wessex League. Luckily this week it was a little closer to home on a familiar course at Southampton Sports Centre Find out how Team NFCC got on 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. |
