Weekly Round-up: 20 Jan 2025
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel n GrogGravel and grog, the club ride which was introduced to fill the yawning gap after the TT season and the autumn has become the ride that won’t die, somehow struggling its way into its sixth month. Despite the cold, dark and occasionally wet conditions, folk keep turning up. What it could be that attracts so many on freezing nights to sample the produce available at the Vibrant tap is hard to quantify but to paraphrase from Jeff Wayne’s, War of the Worlds musical ‘Still they come, for booze’. This week’s ride featured no punctures, crashes or bar fights, and despite the opposing views on the sporting merits of darts, everyone appeared to have a good evening. Can Gravel and Grog make it into the spring? Can the ever-empty Vibrant Tap? No one knows, that’s part of the fun. |
Saturday Club RideAfter what seemed like an eternity of icy conditions causing the cancellation of club rides, we were back in the saddle this week for the first ride of 2025. There must have been a pent-up demand to get out as around 20 riders turned up for the 93Km ride around the forest. We were missing a few regulars who had sought sanctuary in warmer climes, but those that were too poor, had real work to do or are just hardier more than made up for the absent snowflakes. As well as Saturday regulars we were joined by others who more normally frequent the Sunday rides so a warm welcome to those members. |
 We assembled at the usual start point and Phil H performed his well-practised routine of finding out that his bike sounded like a bag of spanners on the ride to the start and that 0850 was the perfect time to turn his bike upside down and start a service. Luckily, he is very experienced in this and was ready to start at 0859 and 59 seconds so we were good to go. Two groups headed out east with the usual selection and fortunately well matched in numbers. Group 2 unluckily got caught at the level crossing in Brock and spent many minutes watching traffic. |
 Group 2 were more than impressed by Smithy’s new bike. Most impressive were mudguards that set new standards of courteousness to other riders. It’s just a shame that there aren’t normally riders behind him to take advantage of that! But, wait, this might be changing. Our regular groupetto companion was on the front for large chunks of the ride so maybe all that Zwift training is paying off or now that he’s retired, he’s getting EPO on free prescription? All went to plan, and we met up at The Potting Shed for coffee. Of course, we picked up Richard P when we could smell the coffee. The café coped brilliantly with 20 riders turning up when the forecast was only 12 so a thank you note will be going off to them. |
 With all riders in such good order, it needed someone to step forward for the barrel this week. The ride report scribe was grateful to Matt M for a kit combination that I think marks him out as the current national champion of either Lithuania, Benin or Congo.It was great to be back out again and even better to be in the company of the club riders. Hopefully more of the same next week. – Barry |
Sunday Club RideIt was cold, think Stalingrad 1942. Somehow 9-ish club members found the willpower to drag themselves in their bearskin-onesie-clad bodies from beneath their toastiest duvets to make the start line. It would have been ten attendees but Andrew somehow misread his list entitled ‘Things to remember to take on Sunday club rides when I go by car’ 1. The right shoes. He had to hammer it home pick up ‘the right shoes’ and pick up the ride near Beaulieu, which was a good effort IMO. |
| Great to see a few fairly regular riders who hadn’t been for a while due to family/work commitments and some ill health. That after all is what the Sunday club rides were started to help accommodate. Also good to welcome Graham on his first weekend club ride. Despite the finger-numbing and feet-tingling conditions, it was an enjoyable chatty ride which as usual finished at Setley Ridge Cafe which had a lot of space in the toasty interior. Sadly for all concerned that space was all reserved for people who plan ahead and we were subsequently turned out onto the Volga to speed-eat our vittles of choice. Great ride despite the peri-hypothermia. – Phil H |
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. |
