Weekly Round-up: 04 Jan 2026
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel ‘n’ GroggDespite a surplus of Phil’s being signed up for Tuesday Night’s Gravel ‘n’ Grogg, just three of them (…some would say that’s still too many?!) actually made it to the start line… Phil ‘The Mechanic’ Jones was the unfortunate namesake who didn’t quite make it, having had a puncture on route to the meeting point, he wisely chose turning back for home to be the best option on probably the coldest night we’ve had out yet. Not long after passing through Brock, we discovered a soggy tyre for Graham, who efficiently used his electric mini-pump to get him moving again in no time. |
 The weather took it’s toll on Matt’s hands about halfway though the route as the freezing temperatures set in… nobody was brave enough to remind him of the extra pair of thick winter gloves he had in his jersey pocket! Not only did Matt’s hands suffer but Phil Harris seemed to once again forget the route… well twice again. Something strange must have been in the air as photographic evidence will show Phil H even ventured far enough to the front of the ride to open a gate too! |
 Despite the mocking and the lack of directional recognition in the dark, ‘west’ route is fast becoming a favourite on a Tuesday evening with the perfect mix of hills and gravel, with minimal tarmac interrupting the flow. Special mention must be made to Phil G, who, after arriving with Christmas Lights last week, came with directional indicators this week… whatever next! |
NYD Gravel RideWith the Met Office finally adopting the Phil Harris Misery Index, they kindly informed Barry that Saturday would be a 13 out of 10 due to freezing temperatures and the presence of ice, making a road-based club ride unsafe and unwise… In lieu of missing the planned Saturday miles, Barry rustled together an off-road gravel/MTB ride for New Year’s Day while the mercury was a degree or two higher. Eight riders made it out on a mix of machines, with the plan of everyone sticking together and riding at the pace of the slowest rider. |
 Following the old railway out of Brockenhurst, it wasn’t long until the group made their way through Wootton Coppice and Brownhill Enclosure, and on through the woods to Holmsley. Spectacularly, Phill Brown displayed his ability is not as great as his ambition once again while riding through a big long rut across the heath, and took a dive and a slide across the wet ground any footballer would be proud of, covering himself head to toe in mud… how he always manages it when there’s no cameras around, we’ll never know! |
 After heading towards Burley but joining the old railway before getting there – in the opposite direction to earlier – the peloton had to weave their way through masses who were out for their New Year’s Day walks… bonus points to those who had bells on their bikes! Reaching Wilverly Inclosure, the dreaded puncture shout came from James. The group stopped to allow him to action a repair, but in his new-year wisdom, he presumed the hole in his inner-tube would magically self-repair if he just put some more air in it… 4.2km, three further stops, and 35 mins later, the group was one man down (Jay went home to avoid hypothermia) but finally rolling again. Congratulations on being the first name in the barrel this year, James, you certainly earned it! |
 After finally looping back around and making it to Burley, the group reduced further at the planned cafe stop due to the lengthy wait for coffee – that James paid for, chapeau! The final five departed after 40 mins in the cafe, with James taking the direct route home, and Phill G continuing to Bolderwood, leaving just three hardy souls to complete the route. Challenging conditions on a cold day, but great fun was had by all, cheery Barry! |
Wessex Cx Rd. 11: Andover SupercrossThe course at Andover Supercross is always a favourite with the NFCC cyclocross cohort, but the colder-than-usual conditions left just three club members in attendance. The frozen, slippery ground made the usually tough sections even tougher, and as the day went on, the course got more and more challenging. In the Senior Women’s race, Emma Shepherd battled through the cold for a solid sixth place. In the final race of the day, Joe Shepherd battled through the larger-than-usual 50-rider field to finish in 22nd place, with Phill Brown limping around with a puncture from lap 2, having to make two pit-stops to re-inflate his front tyre, finally crossing the line in 15th place. |
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. |
