Weekly Round-up: 4 May 2025
All the latest news, events, and results from NFCC Members from this week’s two-wheeled adventures…
NFCC 15 Challenge Rd.1: P164-15Round one of the NFCC 15 Challenge saw 21 riders take on the lap-and-a-bit P164-15 course. The full results can be found by CLICKING HERE and a gallery of images can be seen by CLICKING HERE . |
Bike Shed Racing @ Thruxton Rd.$The final round of Tuesday Evening Circuit Racing at Thruxton with round 4 of the Bike Shed Racing Series coming to a conclusion. Phill Brown was there in NFCC kit again, and after an attacking start to the race, it wasn’t until lap 5 that the breakaway finally formed and Brown gave his all to be a part of it. Just four riders managed to escape and stay ahead of the chasing pack, with Phill finishing fourth on the night. The overall standings for the series combine every rider that has crossed the start line, scoring points for starting, finishing, a mid-rice prime lap, and also final position. Having been at the pointy end in all four rounds, Brown finished 4th overall in the series from 175 riders. |
Thursday Evening Chain Gang8 made the start for 40 minutes in the ‘pain amplifier’ last Thursday. Glen P made his first start in the fast group and seemed to take to it as ‘the manor born’ as we headed out to the A35. In near perfect conditions, the pace seemed a little pedestrian to begin with but steadily ramped up as we headed towards Burley. Rupert stuck it out until close to the turning point whilst the remaining seven stuck close together and really began to put the hammer down on the return leg. Unusually the group remained in-split on Wilverley rise and a casual glance at the average pace showed that it was going to be a pretty quick one. The final leg back into Brock was hotter than a buttered kipper, Henry and James N just getting away from the chasing group at this point. Average pace was around 37kph. Great ride with everyone doing their bit for a smooth and safe Chainy. Remember, if you fancy a slower chain-gang group, put your name down early so others will know its worth turning up. |
Saturday Club RideWith a sunny day forecast and Bank Holiday traffic to contend with it was an easy decision to plan this week’s ride for a trip out of the forest. The planned route was just over 140Km and reasonably hilly. Seventeen riders made the start with plans to pick up Ben T en route. The usual pre ride natter took place and Phil H regaled us with his travails disassembling and reassembling his groupset. These tales of Phil’s ambition over competency are guaranteed to be barrel fodder so it seems that everyone thought the barrel was a done deal before we started. But no, Phil’s immaculately turned out steed performed impeccably throughout the ride (history tells us this will not last). |
 We were a well turned-out group this week with all but one, shame on you Ben G being the only one not in club kit. There were a couple of the 90th anniversary jerseys on show (Sean and Barry – probably the two largest that the club sold) and kitman Sean had found some matching socks, coordinated shoes to show that he takes his job seriously and how it should be done. We headed north out of the forest through West Wellow and had to deal with a couple of miles of newly laid tarmac which should be lovely next time we ride it. Then a hilly section through Lockerley, Titherley and onto Broughton for well earned coffee and cake. Phill B and Micheal J took Dan on a diversion to add another hill to the route pre coffee as he wanted to pop his Dean Hill cherry. All still on plan and we all met up at Broughton. |
 The volunteers at the Community Shop looked after us well as usual and it took some motivation to make everyone leave their place in the sun and get back on their bikes. As it was a long ride, a hot day and quite a way between the coffee stop and ride end a second stop was scheduled at The Moody Cow in Fordingbridge. Even with the proximity of the promised ice cream stop there was an additional stop required to fill bottles at Wood Green. This also had the added benefit of being able to see a miniature steam fare in progress. The fayre purchased at The Moody Cow was varied with ice creams, beers, chips amongst many of the health-conscious purchases. |
 Replete, we now headed back on the final leg to Brock. As usual we did start to shed riders towards the end, but a good number made it to the finish. Numerous riders rounded up to 100 miles plus and Phil J takes the plaudits this week smashing through the 200Km mark. All these miles, all these riders and nothing barrel worthy this week despite many of its alumni being on the road. Kudos to all.– Barry |
Sunday Club Ride15 made the startline, on a cooler morning than we have become accustomed to. Good to welcome back Gareth and new Sunday rider Steve M. Gareth braved group one which, for once appears to have been a relatively sedate affair. A sizeable group 2 headed out into a bracing headwind to Hatchett pond, picking up Alexs B on route to St Leonard’s. The St Leonard’s loop completed, we set off up Beaulieu hill, Stuart W breaking away impressively before the regroup at the hill top. |
| In the hour that it took to reach Lepe, I’d estimate we had been in a headwind for 59 minutes. As I believe in fair play, I was therefore expecting a leisurely yet speedy sail home. I had in fact ‘promised’ a tailwind finish. No such thing. For starters, progress was halted by a particularly stubborn donkey who had positioned herself to exactly fill one lane of busy traffic at the top of Beaulieu hill. Once she had deigned to budge we were able to make progress into the still, confusingly unhelpful wind. This continued all the way along Beaulieu rd until it got worse entering Brock’. A few murmurings about ‘broken promises’ were heard at this point and potential leadership coup’s’ may have been discussed. Despite this and the horror of having to ascend church hill lane at the end of a ride, we made it to the cafe for some well earned vittels. – Phil H. |
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. |
