Club Run to The Crown, Trunch 11/01/2023

A dry and sunny morning with a strong south westerly, greeted four Wheelers at PC and then another at Gresham Church, for our first visit to Trunch Crown. A pub that we often pass at either end of a ride but has not been our destination until today. Our ride leader had spotted that they were offering a choice of pies and veg for £10 during January, so a route was planned.
To ensure that we ready for pies, the route to Trunch was 32 miles. It used a lot of back lanes, which after yesterday’s heavy rain were flooded in places and very muddy. In particular was the lane past Brian P’s which looked as if it had already been ploughed and then a branch, part attached to a tree was blocking the road. We were able to get past by taking to the verge and carrying bikes over the obstruction, but no vehicles would be able to get through.

Shortly after at Colby, Andrew B had a rear puncture (Marathon Plus), so three riders continued on the route while two spent 19 minutes removing a large thorn before continuing.

The route meandered through Felmingham, Swanton Abbott, Worstead, then a less used route across the North Walsham bypass and Sandy Hills to Meeting Hill, then Spa Common, Mill Road to Knapton and Trunch.
The two laggards, fearing all the pies would be eaten, had pressed on, straight-lining the route to Swanton Abbott and at Spa Common continuing through North Walsham, Swafield to Trunch, cutting 3miles off the route, arriving at the pub first!

For a Wednesday in January, the pub was busy with people having lunch and locals giving their dogs a rest. The food was very good and the pie portions large. I’m sure we will visit again.
With rain forecast for late afternoon, we reluctantly left and found the sun had gone and the wind had increased making the short return leg fairly tough.
We went via Gimingham, Hungry Hill, Northrepps, into Cromer dropping off Graham A, past the zoo, up to and through Felbrigg park and on to Gresham for the split, with two heading west and two heading north to PC.

PC to PC was 50 miles
Riders – Andrew B, Ian A, Chris S, Graham A and Mark M

Upcoming Club Run – Saturday 14th, Purdy’s at Aylsham
Further Ride – Wednesday 18th – Old Reading Rooms at Kelling
Routes for club runs and rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/