Weekly Round-up: 14 Sep 2025
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel n GrogAnother great turnout for Tuesday evening’s Gravel n Grog. This weeks route took in the slightly longer route out west but still finishing at approximately 7.30 at what, henceforth I am going to refer to as ‘the clubhouse’. Steve B maintained his perfect record of getting a puncture on every ride in September, but fixed it so quickly (practice makes perfect) that we reached our rendezvous point with the Brockenhites just 20 seconds late. Despite our relaxed ‘no drop’ philosophy it as another pretty lively ride finishing just after 7.30. The football fans amongst us ( just me) got to watch England dismantle Serbia on the clubhouse screen and we all enjoyed a couple of ales before heading homeward. |
Saturday Club RideBen T had a puncture. |
FWCC CX Team RelayFour of NFCC’s finest formed a team for the Fareham Wheelers Cyclocross Team Relay Test event on Saturday at Fairthorne Manor, near Botley. Sticking to the grassy section of the main cyclocross course, the eight lap, four person relay required rides to high-five to “pass the baton” after completing no more than one lap at a time. Jay Tee headed the team, using his power, experience, and skill as the first man out for the team to gain a significant advantage on the first lap. Joe Shepherd followed, growing the advantage before a second turn for both Jay and then Joe again. With over three minutes in hand, it was left to Emma Shepherd and Phill Brown to seal the deal and hold the lead for the final four laps. Fortunately, the hard work by the more experienced trio left plenty of time for Phill to ride the final lap and stay ahead of the competition, with the NFCC team winning the event on the day. |
Sunday Club RideMy rather apocalyptic forecast for Sundays club ride helped to reduce this weeks turnout to a mere 7 members and one group. As it turned out it was no more than a bit meh, although chilly getting down to the start. In another brilliant feat of route planning I had managed to avoid the New Forest marathon route, only to clash with our own clubs open Time Trial. A quick re-route meant that we got to wave at a few clubmates as they suffered through the final stages of the P164 and were rewarded with some waves back, or at least I think that’s what they were. Apart from witnessing the near decapitation of another TTer by an undertaking motorist there wasn’t much more to report from the ride other than that we did as usual have a good laugh and that the lemon muffins at Rosie Lee’s are as hard to resist as they are to burn off. |
Wessex Cyclocross Rd.2: Fairthorne ManorA day of mixed conditions met four of NFCC’s cyclocross riders at Fairthorne Manor on the banks of the River Hamble for round two of the Wessex Cyclocross league. This week’s course was predominantly grass, with a short tarmac section and a few ventures into the woods, which chewed up tremendously as the day went on. First up for the club was Matt Knight in the Masters 40-49 Open for 40 minutes of “Fun”. Matt was unfortunately held up by crash in lap 1 and a flat in lap 2 (burped all the air out on a root) but reported being saved by a random pump from an angel in pits. He fought hard throughout the race and crossed the line 37th from a competitive field of over 50 riders. Next up, Emma Shepherd had an outstanding performance in the Senior Women’s race, finishing in 3rd place. The weather took a turn for the worse later in the day and made the final race, the senior men, a real representation of ‘cross… |
 Ice-rink like conditions greeted Joe Shepherd and Phill Brown in the grassy sections, and the deep, dark woods turned into a single-rut muddy nightmare. After a solid performance at round one for both riders, Brown was gridded on the front row with Shepherd securing a spot on row two. The duo started well, with Brown momentarily taking the lead for a few corners on lap 1, before both riders settled into their rhythms in the unstoppable downpour. Brown managed to hang on to the leading duo before succumbing to his inexperience and losing time over the hurdles and slippery corners, finally losing third spot but hanging on to finish fourth in his second-ever ‘cross race. Joe used his experience and ability to keep himself upright (for most of the race, anyway!) and fought off a late charge with a solid sprint finish, crossing the line 0.17 ahead of his rival for 10th place. |
NFCC Autumn 10With a very noticeable chill to start the day we had 6 non-starters for the Autumn 10 but there were still 17 clubs represented, including 5 NFCC riders. An additional hazard was temporary traffic lights blocking off one side of the road where the surface was damaged from a burnt-out car. The air was ‘dead’ causing a few riders breathing difficulties and times were consequently a bit slower than expected. Quite often horses impede progress but today it was horse boxes in a slow and erratic convoy that gave some people trouble! The Beaulieu Road Hotel was a pleasant venue but the coffee ran out a bit early! Many thanks to Ben for the organisation and all the helpers who turned out on a chilly morning to make the tt run smoothly. |
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. |
