Weekly Round-up: 19 Oct 2025
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel ‘n’ GrogRiding bikes in the woods before popping in to a local establishment for a spot of hydration seems to be becoming a popular way for NFCC Members to spend their Tuesday evenings recently. Departing at 6pm, this week’s team of six left on an anti-clockwise loop through the deep dark woods before picking up two more riders in Brock. An uneventful but very enjoyable ride back to Lyndhurst before refreshments and some brave riders continuting through the dark ride on home too. |
Saturday Club RideThis week’s club ride was a steady 100Km route around the forest. We started off with a single peloton but kept picking up riders along the way so at Thorney Hill when more joined, we split into two groups. Weather was fine with a stiff wind to contend with all day. The ride headed south-west for a route around Bransgore, and then north for coffee at The Potting Shed. Here both groups, or more correctly Group Two and the Remnants of Group One met up. |
 Post coffee, it was a single group for some head and crosswind practice both ways across Ocknell’s Plain. Well oiled machines, no mechanicals, how would we fill the barrel this week? We did explain to Colin that in order to be fully indoctrinated into the club ride it is mandatory to get a week in the barrel. Colin duly stepped up with a colour combination that added Canary Yellow to the club’s carefully chosen colour palette. The “it’s good enough for Vinnegaard” defence did not wash. In case that wasn’t enough, he paired it with some long socks which looked dangerously close to being Plus Fours and violating another Club Ride rule by causing golf chat. Welcome to the barrel Colin, you’re one of us now! |
 As usual in the second half, the ride started to shed riders but there were still five in the group when we got back to Brock. Thanks all for another fun Saturday and another dry week before it’s mudguards all round.– Barry |
Wessex Cyclocross Rd.7: KingsclereWith the well-seasoned cyclocross riders complaining that conditions have been too easy this year, this weeks race at Kingsclere was the first sign of the “proper cross conditions” they’ve all been waiting for. The well-draining yet ice-rink slippy track sits among a small valley where a few hills meet, with a mix of long uphill drags, twisty hairpin corners, and a new section of off-camber up-down-ups where it was debated if it was faster to run or to ride. Despite the sought-after conditions, just Emma Shepherd and Phill Brown were racing in the torrential wind and rain this week. Emma’s race started just in time for a prolonged but steady shower to keep everyone on their toes. |
 Despite the conditions, Emma chose the “Run” option for the new technical part of the course and that led her to a solid 4th place to take a step on the extended podium in the Women’s Senior race. Later in the day, Phill got the first pick of the gridding spots and was ready to race from the front. Before the end of the first lap, Phill managed to battle his way to the front of the pack and settle in to a strong rhythm. Temporarily loosing the lead for a lap, Brown had time to take on an energy gel, gather his thoughts and set off in pursuit of the one rider that got ahead of him. less than a lap later he was back in the lead with a new fire in his belly that took him to cross the line first and pick up his first cyclocross race victory. |
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. |
