Weekly Round-up: 5 Apr 2026
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel’n’GroggWe’ve seen some sights with the tomfoolery that can occur on a Gravel’n’Grogg rides, but Graham arriving this week wearing his helmet while driving his car was a new one for all of us… A bemused group of four others joined Graham at the start in Lyndhurst, with the welcome return of The Shepherds after hibernation. It was just this group of five riders for the full route this week, with no half-timers joining the group in Brock. |
 A pleasant ride around the original route, now that the clocks have changed, with no need for lights for the whole route. An almost trouble-free ride with just a single puncture for helmet-on-while-in-the-car-guy, but tubeless sealant and an electric pump kept the delay to an absolute minimum. The group were pleased to complete the route in good time and be met with a VIP guest at the end of the ride. |
| Please note: With the return of Club time trials in the week commencing 13th April, Gravel’n’Grogg rides will switch to a Thursday evening as of Thursday 16th April. |
Saturday Club RideA windy and drizzly start for this weeks 120Km ride to the Chalke Valley. Definitely worse than the forecast but not as bad as the micro climate that appears only to affect Smithy’s house. As usual we got the news that Ringwood was under siege from Storm Dave and that he would make a late start. There is a Venn diagram that has an overlap between a ride that starts with an ascent of Bolderwood and any form of precipitation. That is where you can always find a Smithy! A few riders missing due to Enforced Family Fun this weekend but enough to make two decent sized pelotons./td> |
 We welcomed a brace of Nick’s for their first club ride and hope to see them again soon. This made a welcome change to the glut of Phil’s and Matt’s in the Saturday pelotons. Group One also picked up Ben T at Stoney Cross airfield and that particular group made good use of the tailwind and averaged well over 30KMh on the way to coffee at Broad Chalke. We also picked up Coffee Stop Richard as we normally do when heading north./td> |
 Group Two picked up a puncture as the ride leader thought it would be a great idea to go down the rather gnarly Slab Lane at Redlynch. Tubeless sealant did its job with the aid of a DynaPlug the damage was repaired. Bus Pass Graham was quick to whip out his new toy. Another convert to the electric inflator gang. This is why we need the pension triple lock to ensure that our seniors are able to buy life’s essentials!/td> |
 Back on the road with a short delay and off to rendezvous with Group One at the coffee stop. Hopefully not sub judice but the normally sleepy village of Broad Chalke was awash with police cars, a dog handler and a bunch of alleged miscreants off to the station. Keep your eyes on the schedules as Broad Chalke might soon be the location of a new TV series called CSI Broad Chalke!/td> |
 Back on the road and it was a long climb from Ebbesbourne Wake to Sixpenny Handley. The good news was that the rain had stopped, the bad news was that it was headwind all the way back. Second Coffee Club started bleating about making a stop in Cranbourne. The iron fist of the ride leader decreed that second coffee could not take place within ninety minutes of a previous stop. There was talk of a ride slow to make it take ninety minutes to get to Cranbourne but sanity prevailed, and a compromise agreement of a second coffee stop in Brockenhurst agreed./td> |
 Nothing obviously barrel worthy this week on the road. But I’m sure I saw a rider register for the ride and change his mind at the last minute. Being of a non charitable nature I’m assuming this was just weather avoidance and not worthy of a club rider to that has to be the barrel this week. They will know who they are, so we look forward to an apology next time out.Kudos as ever to the groups for the usual camaraderie, sharing of the wind and bonhomie. Extra kudos to Matt K and BPG who I think were the only riders to clock up a century this week. – Barry. |
Sunday Club RideNumbers were a little light this week, sufficient for just two groups. Easter weekend commitments and a dry but drab forecast had clearly deterring several Sunday regulars. There were quite a few late sign-up cancellations as better offers were considered and quickly accepted (all noted). Those who made it were ‘rewarded’ with a relatively quiet forest, a modest amount of sunshine and a strong wind. The wind had very nearly led to a late cancellation but contradicting reports from several weather apps meant I was able to chose the most optimistic version of storm David’s impact. Thankfully, like the week before, it was all (mostly) hype. |
 Two orderly, and well drilled groups made light work of the cross head wind. Certainly in group 1 it was heads down, not much said, with the odd rescue as the pace at the front dropped due to the persistent effort. The return over Braggers and through Burley was much nicer and what’s not love about a tail wind finish. It appeared that many of both groups were on the clock with limited numbers back at Setley Ridge when group two arrived. Easter bunnies, egg hunts and Sunday roasts presumably accounting for those that headed off early. Nevertheless,Neale and Graham from Group had 1 had waited patiently to fulfill their shepherding duties for the final riders, nothing to do with copious amounts of coffee on offer. |
 Nice to see Matt, Eloise and Barry E among the many out making the most of a relatively sunny April day. Thanks to Jayne for the majority of the write up given I was one of the individuals taking the early route home. A great ride in pleasant company as always.– James A. |
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. |
