Weekly Round-up: 21 Dec 2025
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel ‘n’ GroggWhat do you call 10 cyclists riding around in the woods, in the dark, in the winter? …we’ve no idea either, but being NFCC, you can guarantee at least three of them were called Phill! That’s right, 10 [insert descriptor here] riders made it out for Gravel’n’grogg this week, and despite the soggy ground conditions, everyone who had mudguards had a great time! Graham on the other hand looked like he had a fight with a muc-spreader and lost in quite a dramatic fashion! |
 It was almost another trouble-free, puncture-free ride until we hit the road back to Emery Down, where we discovered four punctures in the same tyre for Andrew. In true TopGear fashion, all but two Phills rode on to the pub and left their fallen comrade behind with nothing more than a Dyna-plug and an electric mini-pump to right the issues. It wasn’t long before the dynamic trio were back riding again, and Andrew’s tyre thankfully held out to make it to the pub where a beer was waiting for him on the table. |
Saturday Club RideA decent turnout for a December ride this week on a chilly but pleasant morning. There were enough riders for two pelotons, and a bit of gentle arm twisting corralled enough riders to join Group One. The ride was a modest 92Km mostly the north of the region. The route also took in the majority of the climbing before the coffee stop. The ride up Bolderwood, across Ocknell’s Plain, through Langford and onto Lover was nice and steady. Then we entered a challenging part of the ride with a number of short climbs before we reached the coffee stop at The Potting Shed. There was a Road Closed sign near Godshill where the ford was high earlier in the week but thankfully that was passable without the need to use the footbridge. When we reached the coffee stop, we were joined by café regulars Peter and Richard. |
 Replete with cake and some seasonal mince pie slices we headed south and were forewarned by Bus Pass Graham that the road between the Alice Lisle and Poulner was flooded, and here we did need a tactical dismount to use the footbridge. The ride looped around the lanes south and west of Bransgore and it looks like the drainage work around there has made those lanes more viable for winter rides. Second Coffee Club started their bleating around Derrett’s Lane and finally broke ranks as we hit Burley for an unplanned stop at Shappen Café. The other riders after enduring four hours of the usual garrulous output from Graham and Phill B decided that this was only going to get worse with even more caffeine and sugar so decided to head onto Brock and rides end. |
 Most of the riders reported that the conditions were “heavy” with the amount of mud and debris on the roads plus numerous pockets of dense cold air. This was definitely reflected in the average pace this week.In the seasonal spirit of goodwill there is nobody in the barrel this week. Indeed, there are plaudits and bouquets for all the riders for the quality of bike preparation this winter. Quality mudguards are de rigueur. Substantial, robust winter tyres are the norm. As a result, we have had a very low number of mechanicals this year. Kudos and thanks to all the riders for this. Happy Christmas all and hopefully the weather will let us get out on the 27th. – Barry |
Sunday Club RideFor most cycling clubs the turnout for rides around Christmas is a bit hit and miss. Normal people tend to have plans at this time of year, families gathering to toast crumpets around a fiery hearth, the wrapping of Christmas gifts, spending quality time with hated relations, the erection and decoration of hand grown organic Christmas trees and dragging home massive genetically mutant turkeys on a sled from the gout ridden but cheerful butchers. Non of this nonsense for the hardcore scrooges of the NFCC however as 18 turned up on a morning as grey as Santas beard for a shortish jaunt around the forest. |
 I say 18 but one didn’t get over the start line as Graham M’s tyre had sprung a slow leak that would seal or even show itself in the form of sealant. The unfortunate G had to make a slow retreat back home, eventually finding that some pierced rime tape was the culprit. Two groups set out, both at a fairly modest pace, picking up extra riders on route. Group two got about halfway around before John B’s saddle decided that it would turn itself loose, forcing him to move around on the seat like he was riding a bucking bronco. As Budge fixed his ride the conversation naturally turned to the merits or otherwise of sausages, which I think the majority attending were surprised to hear from Claire’s dentist, are supposedly bad for your teeth. |
| On that bombshell, and with Budge re-seated we headed off for a short period before those at the front looked around to find that they were strangely alone. Eventually a search party was sent and never returned, after some time an emissary was sent from the lost group to tell us to press ahead whilst a puncture was fixed. Along with the emissary, a text had been sent to explain the loss of half the group. Unfortunately that message never reached its target due to being addressed to the wrong Phil. I guess one Phil is as good as the next, even if they aren’t on the ride. Over time everyone got moving again and finally made the cafe about 30 minutes late. |
 Group one had already been there long enough to have dined, drank their fill of coffee and to Knock up an impromptu arm wrestling competition. Steve B was apparently the victor but only because the clubs reigning arm wrestling champion wasn’t in attendance at that point. I feel confident in challenging Steve B to put up or shut up, at a time of his convenience, particularly as I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read these write-ups. Fun ride and a great laugh. Particularly hearing about how little everyone enjoys Christmas and wishes they didn’t have to bother.Bah humbug. – 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. |
