Weekly Round-up: 8 Mar 2026
All the latest news, events, and results for NFCC Members from the previous week of two-wheeled adventures…
Gravel’n’GroggThere’s nothing worse than turning up to your first GnG ride, and finding out Matthew Knight chose the most technically challenging route in the book for the evening… More suitable for an MTB than a gravel bike, of the six riders who turned up for the 6 pm Lyndhurst start, none of them denied the choice of the Dilton Farm route this week, just as soon as Matthew finished meddling with his rattly rear mudguard, that is. Heading out of Lyndhurst to the west of the A337 in what could have easily been confused for daylight, it was noticeably warmer than it had been, highlighted by four of the six riders in shorts, but a trouble-free ride to Brockenhurst. |
 On reaching Brock, the group grew by two, with Mike joining for his first GnG, and Stu having accidentally come out with someone else’s legs – there was no stopping him this week! A quick tarmac detour to avoid the worst of Royden Woods, it wasn’t long until the crunch of New Forest gravel was audible once again. After swooping through the woods, the route takes in a short, sharp, root-filled, bumpy off-road climb, which reduced the pack to a line of individuals sensibly pacing their own way to the top. Lit by the remains of a total lunar eclipse, a quick traverse across a field and onto a tight track with fences on either side, where Mike’s front wheel was taken out by a log buried in the mud, and he had an unexpected encounter with a fence. |
 Skipping through a road closure in Boldre and back on the gravel of Thistle Lane through Dilton Farm, the group made it safely to Roundhill Campsite, where we discovered Mike’s rear mudguard had ejected the very bolts that were essential for being attached to his frame… less than ideal. A quick repair was implemented with a sacrificed inner-tube before the ride recommenced and headed for the apres-ride refreshments in earnest. If you thought the final few KMs were going to be trouble-free, you’re going to be disappointed. An extra stop to reattach the previously reattached mudguard, followed by a track-side derailleur adjustment for Graham to enable him to get out of the little-ring, before a final extra stop to totally remove and pocket the previously attached, reattached, then reattached mudguard again, was all it took to reach the end of the route.Mega fun was had by all, and great camaraderie was shown by everyone on a perfect evening for riding bikes. |
Saturday Club RideThe decidedly iffy forecast meant that the number registered for this week’s club ride was down about 50% from last week. The least surprising absentee was Bus Pass Graham. Fresh back from several weeks sunny riding in the Canaries he made some claim about a dubious Spanish Lurgy he picked up on the plane home. Truth be told, his weather app showed a 0.1% chance on 0.1mm rain in the next 100 hours, so he opted for additional duvet time as his previous rap sheet will show to no surprise. We did a bike inspection before the ride which everyone passed with flying colours. There was less oil on a dozen or so chains than Mark’s chain alone carried last week. How he ever passed a kit inspection in his army career we’ll never know! |
 The number of riders was on that threshold of a one or two peloton ride, so we headed off as a single unit with a rough plan to naturally form into two as the ride progressed and the hills sort out the wheat from the chaff. We headed east for a loop around East Boldre / East End and then Lepe, Calshot and back for coffee at Steff’s at around 56Km. Here we took over the Steff’s to Go area and consumed, quaffed and gorged ready for the second half. We then went west for a second loop via Lyndhurst, Bolderwood, Poulner, Crow and back to Brock for a 109Km ride. |
 The weather was none too clement being both a bit drizzly and having a cold north easterly to deal with. This took particular toll on Joe O and Matt K who are living representations of the “more meat on a butcher’s pencil” idiom who decided they needed to pedal harder to keep warm. The weather was also opportunity for Sean the Kitman to remind everyone of the greatness of the club kit and extol the virtues of the Gabba jerseys that were order of the day for those who combined sartorial elegance with practicality. His exultations were so great is was documented that if he has any more children they will be christened “Castelli Gabba Cash Before Order Molo”. |
 We have had the pleasure of Smithy returning to the peloton after a recent medical procedure and not being in the barrel since November! We had opined that maybe when the cardiac surgeons had him under anaesthetic the neurosurgeons had had a go too as he had been riding so sensibly since his return. However, normal service was resumed this week as he powered up the early climbs, rode heroic turns on the front and then the least surprising news of the day was him dying a thousand deaths on the last couple of climbs. Welcome back to your spiritual home Smithy! On the return leg we largely re-assembled into a single peloton and the remaining riders made it back to Brock.Thanks to all for turning out on a grizzly day, the well prepped bikes, smartly dressed riders and the bonhomie we’ve come to expect and enjoy. – Barry. |
Sunday Club RideGrey skies did nothing to dampen spirits as fifteen riders lined up at the start, a fine turnout by any measure, and all the more impressive given that the stand-in ride leader had somewhat neglected to post on the website. Must try harder. The weather forecast, with its now familiar tendency towards false promise, once again denied us the slim chance of deploying the summer steeds, so the winter bikes it was all round. With protestations as to who would join group one complete, three broadly equal numbered groups rolled out and made the most of the initial tail wind. |
| It was excellent to see some returning faces in the lineup, several members making their first appearance since Christmas, having been kept away by either the misfortune of injury or the altogether more enviable pursuit of sunnier climes. Either way, they were warmly welcomed back. The New Forest delivered its usual mix of potholes and the occasional pony holding its ground. Group one had a rather more eventful outing than most, encountering a higher than usual concentration of drivers of questionable ability, though it must be said that every pothole was navigated with equal skill and considerably more grace than some of the motorists on display. |
| All groups did well with no notable incidents to report, and coffees were very much earned. Group one deployed doubles, an entirely reasonable call, partly to allow Rich W, who by all accounts had essentially cycled to the café with cake as his primary objective, sufficient time to do full justice to his chosen slice. No judgement whatsoever. Priorities are priorities. – James A. |
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. |
