Weekly Round-up: 19 Apr 2026
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel’n’GroggThe return of Phil H seems to get a lot of mentions in this week’s round-up, so we’ll pretend he didn’t turn up to G’n’G and get himself lost in the woods for his first ride back with the club. A group of 7 assembled at the start point with Phill G straddling his shiny new red bike on its maiden outing with the Club. The planned freshly-revised Dilton Farm route took a westerly route from Lyndhurst to Brock via Pinkney Lane and the trails that followed to Bolderford Bridge, before collecting three further riders at the halfway point. |
 One extra rider was running late and promised to meet on route, but having not read the memo properly, ended up chasing the old version of the route and wasn’t seen until the ride concluded at the pub – he may have just been there all along! A short delay at the level crossing at Brock was soon forgotten as the group floated along the bluebell-lined trails of Royden Woods. A quick crossing of the Lymington River made way for more bluebell-lined trails uphill towards Dilton Farm, where several riders were lucky enough to see a family of baby badgers exploring. |
 The drama-free ride soon came to an end with a deflated rear tyre (again!) for Graham, but having not fixed the hole that caught him out for the previous three weeks, he was quick to re-inflate and get moving again. [It was at this point Phil H did a disappearing act] Not too long after, Richard P’s tyre chose to eject sealant all over him with a sizeable cut to his rear tyre that required a 2-man plugging job. The final hill to Lyndhurst then caught Emma Shepherd out, with her chain jamming between cogs and bringing her to an immediate halt, but again, only a minor delay. Finally rolling into the Nondie’s, we discovered Barry and Phil H jubilantly sat with a beer like they hadn’t even turned a pedal… |
Saturday Club RideAfter our recent excursions out of the forest, it was time to spend a sunny Saturday enjoying the local roads. Sixteen riders thought likewise which gave us two perfectly sized pelotons. There was a small difference of opinion as to how to dress for the day. Shorts were the order of the day for 94% of the riders, but Smithy was the sole naysayer. With the forecast of 12C he seemed to be dressed for -12C. It is quite possible that this lack of numerical acumen was what promoted his early retirement from the Financial Services industry last year. We welcomed back Phil H after his winter down under. We had missed Phil’s meticulous mechanical preparations and enjoyed a largely trouble free winter. He thought it fit to remind us of his engineering prowess by not checking the bike that had been laid up for six months until heading out on Saturday morning and then expressed surprise when his braking was compromised by air in the hydraulic fluid. Luckily, he was in Group One and they never slow down so brakes are not needed! Welcome back Phil and mechanical mishaps are always candidates for the barrel so enjoy your week of infamy. |
 All went to plan and after 56Km we all met up for coffee at Steff’s in Beaulieu which was an al fresco affair. Group One had averaged over 33KMh at this stage and predictably dispersed at this stage. Given that this behaviour of burning twice as bright for half as long is a repeated trait of this group, they will henceforth be known as Group 0.5 as they only ever manage half a ride. At this stage we said adios to Nick and Adrian who was on his first club ride for some time. Rupert peeled off at Brock and Phil J at Wootton Bridge which was understandable given that he had a 200Km Audax planned for Sunday. We picked up Matt K from the first group at Burley which was part of his plan to complete his third consecutive Saturday century ride. Century kudos also due to Paul H this week. There was still a good sized peloton that made it back to Brock for the full 120Km of the planned ride. |
T here was no bleating about a second coffee stop this week with Phill B and BPG away enjoying some Mallorcan sunshine. Left to their own devices and no adult supervision they managed a 4 hour 37 ride on their first day. Added to that was 3 hours 48 of stationary time so it’s safe to say that no coffee stops were missed by The Odd Couple on tour. Thanks to all for the company and riding. Some strong turns at the front from many riders were appreciated, as despite the sun it was a windy and challenging day especially on the second half of the ride.– Barry. |
Hard Boiled AudaxRay Claridge Reports: |
Sunday Club RideClear blue skies and a cool breeze welcomed an impressive 24 riders to the start line for this weeks Sunday club ride. On a personal note, good to be back in the peloton after 3 months away and also to welcome back several riders after their own lengthy absences. It must be spring because when the call for group one volunteers to assemble was given, no fewer than 10 riders leapt to attention and were off in the blink of an eye. Group two, the ‘Goldilocks’ group seemed equally perky, setting forth with a spring in their step and with the intention of completing an extra mini loop prior to the coffee stop. Group three, brought up the rear. Normally made up of gnarled veterans but this week including the youthful Axum G and relatively youthful Luke R. Luke was packing a rear bag the size of a Buick and it turned out that he was just using the club ride to get a free draft to within striking distance of his fathers house to help with some gardening. |
| As usual the groups were pretty relaxed until the horridly steep bit on Bolderwood when otherwise sensible people tend to get a rush of blood and feel the need to ‘give it the beans’. Todays top-dog by some considerable distance was Dan the Sultan Soutan, followed by Glen P and Richard B. In group 3 Peter N made the pace with Gary P and Axum G in hot pursuit. Progress north was mainly marred by a chilly headwind but we consoled ourselves with thoughts of the certainty of a perma-tail-wind home. Even so, the slow average pace on the outward leg was a little wearing but it did provide plenty of time for a good catch-up with fellow club members. At the half way point Luke bade his farewells before cycling serenely in the same direction as the rest of the group but eventually slipped the surly bonds that tied him to the group and made his escape. |
| At this point there was no avoiding the fact that Col de Pipers wait would have to be ascended. Those of us who have newly polished up the summer racing bikes soon remembered that roadbikes tend to have less sympathetic gearing than our winter gravel bikes. Group one obviously couldn’t resist another sprint up a short hill with Ed B bringing home the honours this time. Group 3 managed to lose the newly returned David B for a while at this point with their erstwhile group leader showing his lack of accounting skills. If life was fair then all we needed to do from this point was to remain upright for a coast home but somehow there still appeared to be a slight headwind. Jane was quite rightly not happy about this but happily the tailwind did appear for the length of the old airfield. |
| Heading back to Brock we crossed paths with hundreds of oddly matched cyclists and their bikes, surely some kind of event? and dozens of peeved looking motorists. Back at Setley ridge the first two groups were already tucking into their traditional 4 course lunches and endless coffee rounds. Whilst the sun had been out all morning it was only really now that it seemed to generate some heat so we all took some time to enjoy that and the usual chat. Great company as always on a lovely crisp Spring morning. All in all, good to be home. – Phil H. |
Southern XC: Crow Hill Graham Sharman Reports: |
 By lap three I’d settled down, found a rhythm, and just about made peace with the bike rattling my soul. Towards the end I Spotted a chance to overtake on an open section, went for it—and then it all got interesting. On the descent, a lapped rider came through, I got unsighted, hit a dip (complete with a mystery root I swear wasn’t there before), and promptly parted company with the bike. It went one way, I went the other, and we both took the course tape with us for good measure. Luckily nothing solid to hit, and a fellow rider helped me back up. Quick straighten of the now very abstract handlebars, and off again. Adrenaline kicked in, I chased him back down, and we rolled over the line together with a well-earned fist bump. Battered, dusty, and a few scrapes richer—but great fun. Looking forward to being reunited with the race bike… and maybe keeping the wheels pointing the same direction next time. |
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. |
