Weekly Round-up: 23 Mar 2025
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
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 There were sufficient numbers for two full pelotons to head off in an easterly direction and set off for a hopefully non-eventful club ride. That hope lasted about 20 minutes when James became the first victim of a ride that might go down as puncture fest 2025. This was a self-inflicted wound as he was out for a winter club ride with a set up with super lightweight Tubilito inner tubes which resulted in the first of many punctures for the day. After Group Two passed Group One in Pilley, Ray decided to join in the puncture fun. Demonstrating the level of diligence he showed in the level of preparation required for Paris Brest Paris and London Edinburgh London by having a duff pump and relying on Matt K of all people for spares to get him back on the road. Matt then demonstrated the risks of being super skinny by nearly falling through a cattle grid whilst Ray effected his second repair. |
 Whilst this was going on Phil H decided to join the puncture fest with a tube replacement followed by a second one due to a bad repair. Being a well documented weight weenie Phil only carries one spare tube which given his track record is absolute folly. This meant that a patch repair was required to get Group One moving again. His aversion to carrying excess weight is well known and hence despite his track record he only carries one spare inner tube rather than twelve which would be more prudent. Phil’s weight obsession means that he would sport a full head of hair, but he Googled the weight of a man’s hair and decided that that was an excess 50-100g he could do without. If anyone wants to wrench (pun intended) the trophy from Phil, they will need to step up with some new levels of torque wrench treachery. Both pelotons carried on, Group Two took a wrong turn at the Royal Oak near Hill Top. This was despite Barry being on the front and being the person that planned the route taking a wrong turn in an attempt to get to the coffee stop quicker and forcing nine riders to make an unplanned U Turn. At least Group Two did follow the route. The reprobates in Group One short circuited the route and just headed for the coffee stop at Steff’s in Beaulieu rather than taking the loop around Applemore. This travesty, despite all the other transgressions means that the whole of Group One are in the barrel this week. |
 When we reached the café we found Smithy who had been on his own Magical Mystery Tour trying to find Group Two and had just settled for coffee and cake whilst waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. We did have a few mechanicals to report. Neil S unwisely decided to change his chain late on Friday. Unfortunately, he routed the chain through the rear derailleur incorrectly, so we had to endure about three hours of mechanical noise from that until the coffee stop. Luckily Neil was well prepared for a repair by having Phil J on the ride who effected a repair whilst coffee was taken. Not to be outdone by the mechanical cacophony, Axum had a front chain ring with fewer good teeth than someone receiving a telegram from the King who had spent a lifetime using Coca Cola as a mouthwash. Not surprising given his mega mileage but that chain ring does need to join Phil H’s landfill of broken bike parts. |
 Adrian tried to join in the mechanical fun with a saddle that was becoming a stranger to the seatpost, but this was amateur level compared to the mechanical incompetence of his peers. At this stage we had completed most of the club ride and the remainder was relatively incident free. A few riders, Robert, Axum (of course) and James all rounded up to 100 miles plus so kudos to them.Thanks, as ever for the usual bonhomie, shared work on the front and the sharing of spare parts to aid the mechanical repairs. – Barry. |
Sunday Club RideWith 12 at the starting gate, we split into two groups and set out on a reverse version of one of our new Sunday club routes. All seemed well for at least several seconds before noticing that group one had gone the wrong way. It was only after muttering something uncomplimentary that I realised that it could be something to do with my having auto reversed an existing route which included the roll down the hill to the car park after the coffee stop. My bad as the young folk might say. The route was a little hillier than usual but, as most rides seem to, did include the Col de Bolderwood. It was a particularly lively ascent by the group, particularly John B whose recent addiction to vitamin D supplements and chia seeds seems to be paying off. Everyone seemed in fine fettle apart from yours truly, its theoretical leader whose legs and tyre pumping arm were thoroughly banjaxed from the previous days exertions. It was going to be a long couple of hours… |
 Group one caught group two and sailed on by before making the mistake of following the actual route along kewlake rd. Group two, let’s say accidentally took the slightly shorter route and caught group one up again. Reaching Bramshaw Hill should have been the time to get the pipe and slippers out and enjoy the tailwind home but Tomasz Schaffenacker’s North Easterly disappointingly failed to materialise. Reaching the cafe, it was felt good to complete a ride without requiring a backpack of inner tubes and so we settled down to some well earned vittles. No sooner had my coffee arrived than we were startled by the loud bang and hiss of a very rapidly deflating tyre. It came as no surprise that it was my bike. Only I can get a flat tyre when I’m sitting more than 10 feet away from it, sigh.– Phil H |
 Misery on the Milly – P056It was off to the Isle of Wight for Sien vdP this week for a 22 mile TT, with free ferry tickets curtesy of hosting club’s Wightlink CRT namesake sponsor. Excellent conditions (warm, and a unusual northerly wind), smooth roads, and an incredibly well organised event made for a great time trial. A rolling out and back course, “Misery on the Milly” follows the A3055 along the southern end of the island, with ascents that are just the right length/gradient for getting your legs into. Had a blast, and happy to announce that with a result of 59m57s NFCC now holds the female course record for P056! Need to practice smiling for the camera next time though. Wightlink RTC are holding a six-part Thursday evening series in the summer, with free/subsidised ferry tickets for mainland riders. Something for the NFCC riders to consider: the warm welcome of the hosting club and the wonderful roads will make it well worth the fery ride out and back. |
 Southern XC Rd.1: MatterleyNFCC’s mud lover Jay T made his way to Matterly Basin on Sunday morning for the first round of the Southern XC Mountain Bike Series. Starting strong, Jay led the field for the first lap of the race before settling into a rhythm with the leading bunch. A big push on the last lap left a sprint finish as the only conclusion of the race, with Jay just missing the last step of the podium and finishing in 4th 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. |
Saturday Club Ride
