Weekly Round-up: 25 Jan 2026
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Saturday Club RideA surprisingly large turnout this week considering a number of regulars were either heading for winter sun or helping build the Cyclo Cross course at Crow. Also, surprising given that the weather forecast has worsened at the last minute with strong winds being just below the threshold for cancelling a club ride. We welcomed back St Phil of Lyndhurst for his first Saturday club ride since the arrival of Isla. He did explain that Lucy had extracted a high price for his escape with him doing the 2AM and 5AM nappy changes. Fortunately, the excellent pictures that Phil supplied for the club ride do not include those images. Years of epic through the night rides and catching odd bits of sleep in ditches and bus shelters has equipped him well for these duties. |
 The assembled riders formed into two groups for a planned 103Km forest ride. At the first hill group two was split with the strong headwind having an effect and as some of the riders said this was expected and to ride on, we were now three groups. The three riders of Group Two then rode on with minute turns on the front and with a sneaky shortcut along St Leonards Road were able to rendezvous with Group One. More headwinds out to Lepe, and a bit of sketchy riding across the sand that had blown onshore and onto the road. Mark peeled off here as he had a note from his coach saying he could only do two hours. A quick route fail at Blackfield by Barry not being able to follow his own course, then we stopped for coffee at Steff’s in Beaulieu where it was pleasant enough for us to sit outside. At this point we said adios to James and Ben who had family duties to attend to (it was definitely not a case of those two not being able to cope with the pace!) |
 At this point it feels like time to award to Order of the Barrel for this week. There are a couple of runners up with Dan and James’ rear mudguards which are definitely in the “could do better” category. Regular readers of this drivel will know that the barrel is always keen for new and novel ways to get inducted. This one did not materialise until Phil sent through the photos of the ride. Step forward Ben and his blinding rear light. Captured for posterity in JPEG form, the image intense redness at rear dead centre can only be described as the backend of a Baboon! |
 The ride duly headed north to Lyndhurst where Phil peeled off for another nappy change. We headed up to Bolderwood via Emery Down and with the weather closing in a short cut back to Brock was agreed on by the last remaining four riders. Extra kudos to Phil J for a) riding a bike that wasn’t squeaking and b) being the only rider to complete the full planned distance this week.Congratulations to all for riding well in difficult conditions and keeping the humour. – Barry. |
Sunday Club RideIt is fair to say the weather forecast deteriorated significantly since the route was published. However, even accepting those abroad and at the cyclocross, I’m not sure I was expecting just three hardy individuals to arrive at the start under blue skies. My hopes of a civilised, chatty and social ride were quickly dashed, when, in the true spirit of Sunday ride inclusivity it was voted that I would ride in group 1 (alone) and that Bill and Andrew would only slow me down. Accepting the inevitability that we’d all likely separate at some point due to the weather I set off for what was actually a very pleasant, if not a bit lonely, ride. Just a few showers but large period of blue sky. Strava indicates Andrew and Bill completed most of the route before the weather deteriorated. |
Wessex CX Rd. 13: CrowThis weekend saw the final round of the Wessex CX league at Crow in the west of the forest. This event is one that is jointly organised by NFCC, Poole Wheelers, Bournemouth Arrow and Jubilee Wheelers. Firstly massive thanks must go to all who were involved in course setup on Friday and Saturday as well as marshalling and packing up the course on Sunday, these events are impossible without the goodwill of the volunteers, riders and supporters who make them what they are. It was great to see NFCC out in force on Sunday in both racing and supporting roles. |
 7 New Forest riders took to the start line, a special mention must go to Mitch George for his first ever race in the U8s, hopefully the first of many! The V40 race included 3 NFCC alums, Matthew Knight, a Wessex regular, Alex Setchell, who is more often found on the boards of the velodrome, and Graham Sharman, a veteran of the southern XC series who was getting used to riding off-road on a wholly inappropriate bicycle (with even less appropriate tyres).Alex and Graham soon got to grips with the course which was becoming attritional as the mud became sticky in some places and slippy in others. Graham could be heard shouting ‘so much fun!’ as he hurtled through the wooded singletrack section and this enthusiasm earned him a 40th place finish. Alex S, while not quite as enthusiastic during the race powered his way through the mud, managing to turn right as well as left to finish 35th, he confirmed after the event that it was definitely type 2 fun. Mathew Knight has been on consistent form this season in the Wessex League and put in another good performance in challenging conditions to finish 29th in a large field. |
 NFCC were represented in the Female race by the always reliable Emma Shepherd. Emma has confessed that she ‘does not mind a bit of mud’ and this was demonstrated by her excellent ride to 3rd place in the senior category. This result seals an excellent 4th place in the senior female league. |
 The final race of the day had a lot riding on it for New Forest CC with Phill Brown going for the overall league win as well as the team competition still to be decided, with New Forest holding a lead over 2 other teams still in contention. Unfortunately for Phil his inexperience in the conditions and a day of marshalling left him struggling from the gun and he was left fighting to stay in the top 10. Joe Shepherd however seemed to thrive in the mud and after the first 2 laps had opened up a gap ahead of his teammate, an unfamiliar situation for all involved. Phill rallied with encouragement from the NFCC inclined marshals track side and managed to come out at the front of a group which contained two potential challengers to New Forest’s Team Competition lead. Joe and Phill’s 9th and 10th places have secured Wessex League silverware for the club for the first time in a number of years. Even more impressive is Phill’s overall 2nd place (by 2 points) in what has been his first season of Cyclocross. Chapeau.
The Wessex League will return in September 2026, when conditions ought to be more conducive to riding than running. |
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. |
