Weekly Round-up: 3 Aug 2025
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
15 Challenge Aggregate Rd.3 (rescheduled)The rain came again just in time for round three of the 15 Challenge Aggregate. Despite a reasonably good show of hands of riders signing up to take part on the evening, the weather gods just did not want the third round of the series to take place, and the Chief Timekeeper declared the event a non-starter. |
Gravel ‘n’ GrogA slightly dodgy forecast meant that Chaingang was a no-go this week. We did however offer the chance to enjoy the peaceful tracks in an epic storm. Just three including Steve B on his debut, set out from Lyndhurst in o.k weather, although Phil H had already received an epic soaking on route. Still, it was pretty warm and what was the worst that could happen? About ten minutes in the worst happened, a period of rainfall so biblical that it had Noah shaking his head and making his excuses. By the time we reached Brock, just 15 minutes later the village was under water. Roads were rivers and rivers were lakes. Thunder and lightning was cracking off around us like it was firework night. We hid under the garages canope and had pretty much decided to call it a day when it suddenly dried up as soon as it had started. Matt came to join us, so abandonment was no longer an option, so we set off with a ‘see how it goes’ attitude. Turned out fine! Made our way around to the Waterloo Arms for an ale or two and then home. |
Saturday Club RideIn the unlikely event of Barry not being available to graciously lead the Saturday ride for a change, this week’s route just happened to be one of the longest and hilliest of the year so far… What a coincidence! A hardy group of 12 riders made the start, with a few others having declared their intentions of joining the various groups as they passed along the route. Matt Smith was the first to join fold at Milkham Junction, with Mark Cowling picked up from The Lamb Inn at Nomansland, and a rogue Richard Parker found lurking in the lanes of deepest, darkest Wiltshire. |
 The late joiners missed the first of the usual Saturday Shenanigans with James only making it to Puttles Bridge before declaring a puncture. Frustratingly, tubeless didn’t manage to save the day, and a split sidewall left him limping his way back home. Group two had made their way past the stricken group one and held the lead on the road before the inevitable catch just before Milkham Junction. Smithy couldn’t believe his luck when he had two groups to choose from, and there is still no word from him on whether he made the right choice… |
 Heading north and making a valiant escape from the forest, the groups weaved through Nomansland, Redlynch, and Downton, before taking the lanes around Trafalgar Park towards Salisbury. Robert Sweatman suffered a mistimed gear-change, resulting in his chain becoming firmly stuck between his chainrings and frame. What could have been a ride-ending situation was quickly resolved with a mildly dramatic roadside chainset removal and refit in a pit-stop F1 teams would be envious of. |
 Back on the road and ticking off the kilometres on a rolling parcourse with a tedious headwind, group one arrived at the planned cafe stop just shy of 70km in at The Army Flying Museum to a smug little face smiling over the balcony having spent a mere 50km riding to the cafe with a tailwind – we’d never been happier to see Barry who revelled in the barrage of complaints comments about the route chosen for his absence… |
 A drama-free ride back towards the forest through Stockbridge, Houghton, and Mottisfont turned the opposite way to home and trailed off west for Dean Hill. James Wells initiated the famed dispersion of group one, taking the direct route home from Dunbridge rather than battling back across the forest. After another interlude at the level crossing, a quick trip over Dean Hill and then through Whiteparish, it was Robert and Mark who peeled off early and called it a day before reaching Redlynch for the second time. Down to just three, the remains of Group one passed Matt Smoth coming the opposite way through Redshoot before Phil Grant took the Emery Down Route home leaving Dan “Tommy Tourmalet” Soutan and Phill B the only riders from group one completing the route and clocking up over 100 miles on the day, with Matt M the only rider completing the full route from group two.As ever, an excellent way to spend a Saturday… – Phill B. |
Sunday Club RideIt was a cooler and more overcast morning than we have become accustomed to, but 24 riders still made the start for this week’s Sunday club ride. Two, too large for comfort, groups headed out as usual. One rider from group one lost, first his Garmin, which had fallen off its mount and then his fellow riders. The group had noted his absence and was waiting in plain view just after the turn at Balmer Lawn, but the unfortunate Gavin was so intent on getting back on to the group that he was head down hammering it up the A337. He was going at such a rate of knots that there was no chance of catching him. Luckily he now has access to SPOND and the routes so should be o.k if future mishaps occur. Meanwhile group two made lively progress up and around to Ashurst. Seemed easy, possibly too easy as everyone was chatting away like it was some kind of social event rather than a hardcore athletic training session. |
 Things soon got harder though as a few hills and headwinds started to emerge. When we got to the climb up Bolderwood’s reverse side those, who until then had seemed happy with riding in your erstwhile leaders slipstream made their bid for glory. Not sure who won the Bolderwood cup as I was too far down the hill at that point but some serious efforts had been thrown in. Group two somehow mislaid David B somewhere between Bolderwood and Setley ridge but happily he reappeared at the cafe showing that you can’t keep a good man down if cake is up. Group one meanwhile had lost Ed who had suffered an exploding spoke and was forced to hobble home on square wheels. At the cafe a somewhat reluctant sun finally made a cameo appearance to everyone’s delight.Another enjoyable ride in great company as always. – Phil H |
 RTTC National 25 Mile ChampionshipIt goes without saying that Sien vdP has impressed everyone with their time trial antics once again this year, and despite clocking up a plethora of results that us mere mortals could only wish for, Sien was only 127 seconds away from the RTTC National 25 Mile Road Bike Championship title this weekend. Taking place in Stilton, Cambridgeshire, the N1/25C saw riders complete an out-and-back course along the B1043 with numerous roundabouts to navigate on each of the five legs, making it a real technical challenge… Sien crossed the line in just 01h06m56s for third place on the day, just a shade over 2 minutes away from the title-winning time of 01h04m49s. |
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. |
