Nine riders set out from Pretty Corner to collect one more along the Matlaske Road, from where it was straight through Corpusty, the climb over Holly Heath to the Blackwater bridge and Thurning church. From here the route followed a fairly direct line into a fresh westerly through the Snorings and the steeply undulating roads through the three Barshams and the descent into the Stiffkey valley. From North Barsham, five followed the plotted five mile loop via Waterden and the Roman road to Haggard’s Lodge, while the other half of the bunch continued straight down the valley to a busy Norton Cafe. Unsurprisingly in this second week of February the massed snowdrops in the Priory grounds were at their impressive best.
After the refreshment break, the group of ten reassembled for a shorter route back that went by way of Thursford, Gunthorpe – (from where Neil Mc continued southwards towards his home base), Sharrington and Little Thornage to Letheringsett, where Graham A and guest rider Nick turned onto the A148. The rump of the bunch pushed on down the valley of the Glaven, crossed the footbridge at Glandford, ascended the stiff climb of Bridgefoot Lane, crossed Salthouse Heath and onwards to West Beckham and Red Barn Lane, shedding riders on the way.
Graham, who had opted for a shorter ride back from Letheringsett crossroads, suffered the misfortune of a rear wheel puncture on Bodham Hill, so ended up chatting to Brian and Harvey at the junction of Osier Lane before the parting of the ways.
Following his recent successful operation, Andrew was going like a train.
Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Ian; Harvey; Graham A; Chris; Brian; Andrew & Nick from Chelmsford.
The basic plotted route from PC to PC was 55 miles. Some did more, while others settled for less.
North Norfolk Wheelers 