Weekly Round-up: 1 Mar 2026
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel’n’GroggIs there anything quite as exciting as a golden sunny evening and riding off into the woods on your bike with your friends… Well, apparently there is, as only four riders made it out for this week’s Gravel’n’Grogg despite a much-needed break in the weather. A group consisting of 50% Phill, 25% Matthew, and a 25% Graham followed the “west” route this week and had a totally trouble-free ride – becoming unusual when Matthew is present! Phill B whinged and whined his way around the route as usual, this week for having left his “big light” at home, but thankfully, the mere candle he had attached to his handlebars even managed to light his way home after the standard-issue debrief. Graham S made a rookie mistake turning up with a pannier rack on his bike, and on multiple occasions found others hanging on to the back for a tow up the inclines… |
Saturday Club RideClub riders are a bit like daffodil bulbs in winter. When the weather is bad, they are nowhere to be seen, first sign of good weather and their little heads pop up and they’re everywhere! It was so this Saturday as about twenty four riders assembled for a 103Km ride to the Chalke Valley. This presented the first problem of the day, riders were asked to form into three pelotons and what followed was a scene from an Emo gig where numerous riders seemed intent on shoe gazing rather than catching the ride leaders eye! Eventually enough “volunteers” were press ganged and we headed north. |
 All went well until north of Rockbourne where Mark’s rear derailleur had a terminal failure. Jonesy, to whom were were doubly grateful, firstly for fitting a new silent bottom bracket, secondly for the mechanical acumen to convert Mark’s stricken steed to a single speed. Tom and Neil S kindly offered appropriate spares to shorten the chain, and the hero mechanic got his “reward” with months of Mark’s chain muck on his hands. We wished Mark well for his return home which he heroically made on his single speed and then did a run off the bike when he got home. We’re waiting to see if he’s going to adopt the single speed world and if he turns up on his next club ride with tattoos, piercings and a hipster beard. Despite the impressive ride home Mark is in the barrel this week for the state of his drivetrain. |
 We all headed up to the Chalke Valley Stores for coffee and cake. This despite a heinous mapping error by Barry that instructed riders take a short cut to Knowle Hill and miss the coffee. Luckily there were enough riders in all groups with noses like Bloodhounds when it comes to coffee, so they all ignored the route and made it to the café. Many of the riders ordered double and triple cake and by the time the third group arrived it was a fight for the last crumbs. We should probably think about changing the club logo to a plague of locusts. We also said “gread leat” to Sean at this point. He had had his allotted ten minutes gloating about last week’s rugby to every non celt on the ride, so his mission was over. |
 We headed back over Knowle Hill and through Martin and appreciated some of the local intelligence we had received about some sub-optimal road surfaces. At Sandleheath we made a route diversion to avoid the flood plain at Harbridge thanks to more good advice. Joe suffered from some cramping on the way back and there were some challenges with the pace for a few riders on the return as we enjoyed some welcome tailwinds. St Phil peeled off at Bolderwood claiming tyre delamination but was probably under curfew for nappy changing duties. Having seen his efficiency with changing an inner tube we’re certain he’s got this new routine drilled with his usual efficiency by now. Roads were filthy as usual; wind was challenging as usual. But the riders’ spirits, camaraderie and willingness to take turns on the front were also usual so another enjoyable club ride.Thanks to all for making it so. – Barry. |
Sunday Club RideIn complete contrast to Saturday’s glorious spring sunshine, Sunday delivered another dose of rain, wind, and general misery — honestly, what is going on with Sundays? Did Phil H take the sun with him? Spond showed early signs of understandable hesitation, but three hardy souls still joined Budge, who had already committed and was en route to Brock before most of us had even looked outside. The out‑and‑back route did its job of warming us up, though enthusiasm dipped sharply when we turned into a block headwind after Nomansland. The group held together along most of the runway until Budge made the wise, and widely envied, decision to head straight home. Andrew followed soon after, lured by the promise of coffee at the top of Bolderwood. That left Stuart and me to push on into Brock for double coffees and a very welcome bacon and egg muffin. Despite the weather’s best efforts, it turned into a good ride with good company. Here’s hoping future Sundays remember how to do sunshine. |
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. |
