NFCC Weekly Round-up

Weekly Round-up: 12 Apr 2026

13th April 2026 Latest news

All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…

Gravel’n’Grogg

The light evenings are certainly welcome for Gravel’n’Grogg rides, encouraging more members to venture out onto the trails. This week, a team of four started the ride with a trouble-free cruise along the trails to Brockenhurst before collecting five more riders for a return to “The Old Railway” route for the first time in a while. The route hasn’t had too much use on an evening for the last few months, but it seemed to go down well with those in attendance. Before we’d departed the 1830 meet point, Barry recognised he was significantly overdressed for the conditions, having left the house prepared for 2030 weather, not 1830. The contrast between Barry’s Gabba, winter jersey, tights, and gloves and those in little more than shorts and a jersey was quite spectacular!

The final Tuesday evening GnG route followed the old railway out of Brockenhurst towards Burley with a few tarmac sections to navigate through the village, before returning to the crunch stuff we all love at Woods Corner. Another minor “Is it actually going down, though?” moment for Graham gave the group a chance to catch their breath just before Burley, but that was as close as we could get to reporting any misdemeanours on another stellar evening. Please be aware that the ride moves to Thursday evenings as of April 16th 2026 – anyone who turns up two days early gets to cover the bar tab on Thursday!

Saturday Club Ride

Another strong turnout for this week’s club ride which was a 120Km ride north to the Broughton / Stockbridge area. With a large sportive in the forest, it’s normally best to ride on different roads and avoid the masses and we took that option. Opinion was divided on a fresh morning with 50% of the riders in shorts. Given that most of the flesh on show was goose-pimpled and looked like oven ready chicken those in tights looked the smuggest. We headed out east in two full pelotons with plans to meet at the Community Shop in Broughton for coffee.

Group One predictably held their now customary 30KMh plus pace which was also a good way of keeping warm as there was more of a windchill than most of us had bargained for. Group Two was steadier and shortly after a yellow card for talking about golf in the peloton Smithy peeled off at West Wellow. Amazingly he had a prior engagement which always seems to happen when there is more than 1000M of climbing planned. All went to plan and we duly rendezvoused at the café which was slightly overrun with a village function and our two groups. All managed to get fed and watered so everyone left replete.

I am indebted to Bus Pass Graham for some route advice that he proffered last time we were out that way. We tackled the Kings Sombourne / Stockbridge loop the opposite way to usual and that proved to be popular with the majority. On the subject of BPG last week I commented on the pension triple lock being used to fund essentials for seniors living. He continued his spree this week by taking off his oversocks on the way back to reveal a pair of box fresh spanking new white bike shoes that really did bling. Group One were vexed by the age old question: how many cyclists does it take to free a chain that has come off the sprocket. Paul posed the challenge and the photographic evidence is at least four are required to dissemble his freehub to get him back on the road. This was the most barrel worthy fail of the week so congratulations Paul.

Group Two were battling with the headwind on the way back, after grovelling up Bramble Hill a prayer was offered requesting that Phill B would join us near the end of the route like he usually does before Second Coffee Club and tow us across the airfield. He let us down and didn’t appear until the top of Bolderwood, so BPG stepped forward did the heroes turn and pulled the full 4Km across Ocknell’s Plain. Second Coffee Club duly met in Brock to put the world to rights. There was some unseemly willy waving between BPG and Phill as to who would do the longest ride. Phill won that particular duel, but BPG easily won the combined mileage plus age prize. Matt K also joined them with another impressive century ride.

We look forward to welcoming back Phil H after his winter down under. Checking with the Saturday regulars it seems like a lot have booked foreign holidays next week which seems like too many for a coincidence. We look forward to his return and the return to unsporting sprints for the coffee queue which have been absent for three months.
Thanks, as usual to all for the camaraderie, banter and quality group riding.
– Barry.

Sunday Club Ride

A bumper turnout of 16 riders and a welcome to Nick, joining us from the Chilterns and already adjusting to the relative flatlands of the Forest. Also good to see Glen in the flesh, having spent a considerable portion of the winter subjecting himself to the indoor turbo trainer. Before we’d even clipped in, the wind claimed an early victim. Andrew’s bike was blown over at home, shearing the gear hanger and ending his morning before it had properly begun. While this was discussed, Budge delivered an impromptu strip show, the details of which are best left unspoken. Given the volume of cyclists expected on the roads, the New Forest Sportive was running their route in parallel; a three group format was agreed. On reflection, this arrangement was perhaps a bit harsh on Rod, Graham, Neil, and Neale, who found themselves constituting a smaller group of their own. Nevertheless, they returned in good spirits and made excellent progress, keeping the larger group one in their sights almost all the way round.

The route had been locked in to avoid sharing roads with the sportive, which meant committing to a return leg into what was unlikely to be a forgiving wind. Progress out of Brock was immediately tested. A substantial gathering of cows had positioned themselves precisely at the point in the hill to make it a moderate danger for the descending sportive riders. Cyclists, cars, and cattle briefly competed for the same piece of road in a manner that could charitably be described as chaos. The situation was not improved by an inpatient group of what Dan referred to as Instagram cyclists. Presumably, this is simply the term applied to anyone presenting better on a bike than the rest of us (surely this isn’t possible). Travelling in the opposite direction to the sportive proved, on the whole, a reasonable strategy. The occasional irritated driver was encountered, though no more than is considered normal. Jayne captured some excellent action shots of Group Three. In Groups One and Two, nobody attempted photography for fear of being left alone in the wind to be ceremoniously dropped.

The small number of sportive riders still on the road from Hatchet Pond were treated to Group One’s interpretation of a chain gang. It’s unlikely to have impressed them or indeed anyone called Phil. Let’s just say the official first chain gang of the year a week on Thursday (23rd) will hopefully offer an opportunity for further development. We are all looking forward to swapping stories of Strava stalking and doggy discos with stories of bushcraft and deadly animals as we welcome our glorious leader, Mr Harris, back next week. Thanks to all who put up with my light-touch leadership and dismal photo game for the last 12 weeks. It has been a pleasure.
– James A.

Circuit of Wool TT

Time trail sumpremo Sien VdP too to the lanes of Dorset for the Circuit of Wool TT on Sunday. The deja-vu inducing 42km course is described as “sporting” thanks to the many undulations around the 2.5 lap circuit. Windy conditions on the day didn’t hold Sien back, crossing the line as the fastest female on the day, and winner of the Female Road Bike category.

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.