Weekly Round-up: 13 July 2025
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
Ten Series Rd. 6 – P161Back in Beaulieu this week for round 6 of the NFCC Ten Series on P161. Full results from the night can be found by CLICKING HERE, and overall standings for the Ten Series can be found by CLICKING HERE. |
RCR Goodwood Summer Series Rd.8Another night of missing the breakaway for Phill Brown at the final round of the RCR Goodwood Summer Series. A break of 7 formed earlier in the race than Brown expected, and despite some of the usual antagonists not being involved, somehow they managed to get away fro the bunch. No matter how hard Phill tried, he couldn’t get across to the break, and the only rider strong enough to work with him from the group was a marked man, so there was no chance of that happening. Riding on the front of the bunch right to the line, Brown managed to cross the line 4th from the bunch for 11th place on the night, securing 7th in the overall series. |
 Phill Brown wasn’t the only one wearing an NFCC jersey at Goodwood this week, with Henry Lloyd-Williams making his circuit racing debut. Riding in a solid position in the Cat4 bunch, Henry held on well to the main group and stretched his legs on the last lap, attempting to make a break for the line, but despite his best efforts, the group were moving faster than he expected through the chicane and Henry crossed the line for 21st place. Chapeau! |
Saturday Club RideA change to the usual format this week as the club ride went offshore for a circuit of the Isle of Wight as we like to do once or twice a year. Sixteen riders assembled at Lymington for the 0900 ferry crossing to Yarmouth. The numbers made for two good-sized pelotons and accommodated the wishes of the riders who wanted to ride at a pace best suited to them. The planned route on the island is only about 110Km but with over 1500M of climbing it is a challenging ride. My Wahoo advised me that there were 33 hills to deal with. |
 Before we left Lymington, we had the barrel sorted, although a couple of riders made late attempts further into the ride. Neil S had noticed that his gear cable has been frayed for some time but thought he could get another twenty years or so out of it. This proved to be a fallacy, and he was now on a bike which effectively had two gears and was definitely sub-optimal for the hills of the Isle of Wight. Being a wise and resourceful man, he called ahead to a bike shop in Freshwater and ascertained that they had the right cable in stock. So, he rode solo to the LBS and, with the help of Google Maps and Wahoo, managed to rendezvous with the rest of the group at the lunch stop in Bembridge. |
 Back in the pelotons, both rides headed east to the Floating Bridge in Cowes to make the crossing to the east of the island. This was after about only an hour of riding and the first whinges were coming “how far to the lunch stop” etc. We carried on round our circuitous route to the planned lunch stop in Bembridge. Group One had placed their orders but as there was a long wait for food Group Two carried on and found an excellent bakery in Bembridge and enjoyed an alfresco lunch. |
 Replete and with full bottles we headed west and hoped for a nice tailwind as it felt like a headwind all morning. Another water stop was made at a local supermarket and both Groups met up as Group Two was ahead due to a much quicker lunch stop. Straight into another hill and Micheal made a bid for the barrel by trying to do a hill start on a 12% hill and get clipped in from a dead stop. Luckily, he was strong enough and skilful enough to make it, but he did look in peril for a few seconds and was fortunate he didn’t come to a sticky end as Barry had it in perfect view with his front-facing camera. |
 The views from the Military Road were amazing with the azure blue of the English Channel looking more like the Mediterranean than its usual less appealing hue. Another bottle refill was required in Freshwater Bay and here we said goodbye to Steve, James and Jay. Jay had to leave at this point as his two bottles of Factor 50 had been used and the ride risk assessment stated that any gingers could only be out for a maximum of four hours in that heat. |
 The remaining riders headed to the westernmost point on the island for views of The Needles, Alum Bay and the Battery which was well worth the bonus climb at the end. Mechanical marvel, Matt K after riding over 100Km, climbing and descending all day made the climb to the Battery and found that his front wheel Quick Release was loose. Normally this would be slam dunk into the barrel but as we have come to expect this from Matt it only gets a passing mention. Then it was a nice rollback into Yarmouth for a well earned ice cream before boarding the 1605 ferry. |
| Back on the mainland, Sean was going into full Mrs Doyle mode, persuading the more easily led riders that it would round off the day nicely if we headed off to the Brew Forest for a few quiet beers. We duly rocked up at the establishment to find a mini festival in full flow, so we were compelled to stay awhile… [some would say long enough for search parties to be rallied after riders not making it home at their expected/promised time, but who are we to start rumours…] A great ride in great weather was enjoyed by all. Graham F and Phill B both rounded up to 100 miles plus, but kudos to all for taking on the Isle of Wight challenge on such a hot day. – Barry |
British Masters National Circuit Racing ChampionshipsIn an unprecedented week for NFCC, a third individual was reported to be racing on track with Rupert Williams fighting for a national champion jersey at the British Masters National Circuit Racing Championships at OddDown near Bath. Racing in the I Category, Rupert, whose age we won’t disclose (but begins with a 7…), has been honing his skills on the Thursday Evening Chain Gang training riders in preparing to have a stab at the title. Despite his best efforts, it just wasn’t to be for Rupert this year, when the elastic broke to the leading trio in the race in the last few laps, leaving Rupert to power home to 4th place on the day. |
Sunday Club RideA beautiful day drew out another Stella turnout for this week’s Sunday club ride. Group one regulars looked particularly eager for the off, as, with jaws and eyes fixed, they jostled for position in the neutral zone. Some of the gnarled veterans of the group had already kindly volunteered Young Hamish to lead the group out into the rare Easterly headwinds. Group two made its usual relaxed start out of Brock via the Blamer lawn’s Brock ‘Beach’ Tourists were already positioning towels on their favourite patches of glass littered real estate. The leech-infested waters of Lymington river has of course drawn tourists, hirudinologists and locals alike for centuries both for its crystal brown waters but to witness the age old ritual of small and frightened children being encouraged to leap from perfect safety into shallow waters onto an uneven shale bank. Bringing traditions into the modern age however an App is now available for booking appointments at Lymington minor injuries unit ahead of time. |
 Both groups enjoyed perfect weather from the off, it was like being on holiday. Group two’ demographic frailties led to a well-earned wee stop at Lepe and went into full tourist mode, taking photos and, against all protocol, generally relaxing. From this point, it was plain sailing with, for once, the promised tailwind taking us most of the way home. Group two lost a few waterside-based riders at Beaulieu, halving its female contingent to 2. In contrast to Group 2’s social shenanigans, it was the total opposite in Group one, with some regular Saturday riders who were along for a relaxed ride questioning the 40km/h+ pace back across the forest towards Beaulieu, before a total hammering across the open forest from Hatchett Pond to coffee. Both rides finally reached Setley Ridge and enjoyed the usual vittles. Chat was had. Some controversial (…you know who you are, golfers), some not so controversial.Another classic Sunday club ride. – Phil H |
RTTC National 100m Time Trial ChampionshipsNFCC’s Time Trial Superstars Gary Lock and Sien vdp put solid times on the board at the RTTC National 100 Mile Championship in Gloucestershire on July 13. Sien was the only female road bike rider to record a time on the day – the de facto national road bike champ? – covering the 100-mile course in 05:06:13 despite not feeling 100%. Gary had an excellent ride to finish in 11th place, covering 100 miles in 04:00:02. |
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. |
