Weekly Round-up: 21 Apr 2024
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
NFCC Ten Series Rd.2: P182Twelve riders cross the finish line at round 2 of the NFCC 2024 Ten Series on P182 Jeremy Hubbard of Sotonia was the fastest overall in 24m59s Sien van der Plank fastest woman in 28m30s. Full results can be found by CLICKING HERE. A gallery of images can be found by CLICKING HERE. |
BikeShed Race Series @ Thruxton: Rd.2Hoping for a better result this week, Phill Brown made his way back to Thruxton for round 2 of the BikeShed Race Series. Managing to hang on in there with the peloton for the duration this week, Brown crossed the line in the middle of the bunch sprint for a solid 25th position after just under an hour of racing at over 45km/h. |
Pronto Bikes Castle Combe 10m TTWith the new club skin suit still nowhere to be seen, a last-minute Amazon purchase was a risky move. NFCC’s James Noah visited Castle Bome for the Pronto Bikes 10m TT on the infamous race circuit and reported: Luckily the fit was ok and if nothing else it will make me feel fast! A stiff breeze was blowing from the N/W and was going to make pacing it interesting. Having a few warm-up laps helped me get the lay of the land and then over to the far side of the track to the start. I went off a bit hot (to be expected) but managed to reign it in for an even effort over the five and a half laps. 18th place overall and 7th in my age Category. |
Saturday Club RideDespite a large contingent of regular Saturday riders being in Italy for the club training camp, we had a healthy number turn up for this week’s Saturday ride. Eleven assembled, including a new rider, Pierre, who had just moved to the area and was looking for a new club to join. We set out from Brockenhurst as one group on what turned out to be a surprisingly hilly 127 km route, considering we stayed within the boundaries of the Forest. It might be coincidental, but this often seems to be the case when Barry plans a ride he knows he won’t be riding himself. The sunshine was deceptive as there was a bitterly cold northeasterly wind. This likely prompted us to maintain the moderately brisk pace, mostly to generate some warmth. |
 At the Potting Shed cafe, Axum transfixed everyone with the sheer number of calories he consumed in such a short span of time. First a pile of scrambled eggs on toast, followed by a wedge of Dorset apple cake and a brick-sized flapjack, all washed down with a latte, a pot of tea, and a tumbler of water! It became apparent he wasn’t feeling his usual chirpy self, and this was an attempt to ward off an impending bonk. It turns out that a 120 km ride on the roads of the South Downs immediately before a night shift, then getting only two hours of sleep on a small hospital sofa before rushing out to join the Saturday ride on a gravel bike with an unsociably dry chain, isn’t the best preparation. |
 On leaving the cafe, we had already covered half the route and left behind most of the headwind. We still had the most hilly sections of Godshill and Wood Green to contend with before we could enjoy a net tailwind home. Pierre admitted he hadn’t done his homework and underestimated the distance, assuming the ride would be a maximum of 80 km, not almost 130. He never seemed to struggle and rode well in the group, but his Strava post afterwards described feeling “like a Labrador in the middle of a pack of huskies”.Axum’s fueling seemed to work, at least initially, but I think it’s fair to say the last 40 km must have been quite the internal battle. In the end, a few riders finished with over 100 miles on the clock, including Axum, whose ability to absorb calories is only matched by his determination to achieve at least one century ride per week. |
Sunday Off-Road Club RideThe Sunday sunshine welcomed 20 of us as we gathered in the car park and the north wind ensured we wouldn’t overheat as we split into two groups for a loop of the forest roads. This was a ride where most of the hills come nearer the start so we had a chance to warm up a bit. Going up ten bends to Wootton Bridge it didn’t seem like the wind was going to help us anywhere but convivial natterìngs kept us moving behind John J in his metronomic style. We swished through Sway and on through Shirley Holms to Pilley Hill and Norley Wood. At East End I always expect to turn left, but of course the route takes us right, past Sowley pond to Bucklers Hard before braving the potholes of Cripple gate lane and back to Hatchett pond. |
 The usual mad dash to Brockenhurst ensued and the groups reconvened at Setley Ridge for well earned coffee and cake. The sun really warmed us as we ate and drank but the wind cooled us again as five of us headed north and homeward. At the A35 Steve and Sean turned left but Stewart, Phil and I couldn’t resist a crack at Bolderwood. Needless to say I brought up the rear by a considerable margin. Phil split for home after Slufters and Stewart patiently accompanied me to Moyles Court then turned off to complete his century, kudos to him! A great morning out on dry roads for a change with no incidents to either report or make fun of! |
BJW 42km Time TrialThere wouldn’t be a report for a local time trial without mentioning NFCC shining star that is Sien van der Plank taking another victory. This week, the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 42km TT was no match for the red and green jersey of van der Plank who stopped the watch on the women’s field at just 1h12m35s. |
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. |
