Month: March 2023

Despite the grey skies and forecast of afternoon rain, four Wheelers and two guest riders met at PC, with another Wheeler picked up at Lower Southrepps.
Our clockwise route took us down to North Walsham where guest Ian, who has been out with us before, left to follow a shorter route up to Holt.
As our route continued through Worstead to Ashmanhaugh the roads became wetter and muddier and provoked renewed discussion on the value of rear mudguard extensions!
As usual, The Rising Sun looked after us well with quick service and good filling food, though while we were eating, the forecast rain had started and continued for the first few miles of the return leg as far as Badersfield. So even though the rain had stopped, the roads were full of puddles and we splashed our way through Tuttington and across the A140 through the hole in the hedge to Dunkirk.
The southerly wind continued to assist us through Ingworth to Calthorpe, where Graham A branched off for home, leaving five to continue to Matlaske and the next parting of the ways at Baconsthorpe, where Ian A, Andrew B and guest Clive set off for Selbrigg lake and some impromptu toad spotting. The final duo went by West Beckham back to PC to end an enjoyable ride despite the damp conditions.

PC to PC was 50 miles at a 14.3 mph avg.
Riders: Ian A, Andrew B, Chris S, Graham A, Mark M and guests Ian and Clive.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 1st – See website on 31st
Wednesday 5th – Binham Parlour
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

A last minute notification that staff shortages at Jane’s, East Rudham had enforced Saturday closure led to a switch of venue to the Lighthouse Inn, which is always a reliable alternative. With a very strong and gusty westerly blowing, as well as a threat of squally showers, only four Wheelers were out from Pretty Corner, collecting one more on the Burgh Road at Aylsham. From here it was a fast wind-assisted ride out to the east coast, by way of Burgh, Skeyton, Swanton Abbott, Sloley, Frankfort, Dilham, Honing, the mile-long avenue of cream daffodils and Witton Bridge to the pub. The group of five lost a member near Crostwight church, where Harvey, not wanting to stop today, headed back west into the persistent gusty wind.

After a comfortable break with the usual high quality food, the foursome followed the plotted return route as far as Bacton Woods, where Mark and Neil decided to continue west as far as Hanworth, thereby giving the latter a shorter route back home to Kerdiston, as the wind slowly eased, but the heavy showers intensified. Club runs into the north eastern segment of Norfolk have always been a bit awkward for Neil, but he is soon to move house to within eight miles of PC. Meanwhile Chris and Ian continued along the planned contorted route via Gimingham, Trimingham, Southrepps Hall, Northrepps Hall, Metton, Sustead and Aylmerton to Gresham church. So, a rather scrappy day, but at least a few people managed to fit in a hard-working ride on the last day of GMT.

Group: Chris; Harvey; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 52 miles to 63 miles (Ian). Despite significantly higher levels of energy being expended on the return leg, it turned out to be 2.6 mph slower.

A strong south westerly and a leaden sky greeted four Wheelers at PC and the forecast sunshine seemed unlikely, though after 30 minutes or so, the sun came out and stayed out for the rest of Andrew’s ride to Gressenhall. Andrew took extreme action to avoid writing the ride report, more on that later.
To cover the miles we had a fairly direct route south and west, taking us through Gresham, Matlask, Itteringham (where the pub is up for lease), Heydon Park, Reepham to the crossing of the A1067 at Sparham.
At Elsing we turned west and into the easier crosswind to our destination at The White Swan. Having arrived just a few minutes after the 12 noon opening we were the first customers through the door and were well looked after by the staff.

With a good selection of food and drinks to choose from, we each managed to have something different and were all pleased with the quality of the meals. Chris even claimed the soup was the best he had tried and his dessert looked very good as well. During our meal, a good few other customers turned up, so it was good to see a pub doing well in the current conditions, where closures seem to be happening almost daily.
So after a very good lunch we set off, knowing that we would have a tailwind all the way home and it did make a big difference.
We went up to Brisley Green, then to Broom Green before a stop at the picturesque Bintree Mill, where we watched a red kite soaring in the wind.

From there it was through Foulsham, Thurning to Saxthorpe and onto the Matlaske road for home. We were enjoying the wind assistance and 20mph+ speeds and shortly after the S bends, Andrew hit a lump in the road, lost control and crashed, Chris fortunately just managed to avoid riding over him. Remarkably Andrew got back to his feet without any apparent major damage and his bike seemed fairly unscathed as well, just requiring some rear mech adjustments to get it working again.
A post ride update from Andrew – he went to Cromer Minor Injuries unit for a check-up and luckily got away with minor cuts and bruises.
After that excitement we re-routed to Plumstead and Baconsthorpe to get Andrew home in the shortest distance.

PC to PC 56 miles at a 14.5 mph avg.
Riders: Ian A (photos), Chris S, Mark M and Andrew B leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 25th – Jane’s, East Rudham
Wednesday 29th – Rising Sun, Coltishall
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Seven Wheelers set off from Pretty Corner to pick up one more around the nine mile mark at Ingworth. The bunch pushed into a fresh S.S.E. wind in mild showery conditions, by way of Banningham, Tuttington, Swanton Hill, Worstead, Honing, Brumstead Common, Ingham and Sea Palling to the Dunes Cafe, where Malcolm was waiting after his ride up from the Broads. The cafe was quieter than usual, which presumably had something to do with a poorish forecast for today succeeded by an excellent forecast for Sunday. During the refreshment break, Ian A took the opportunity to claim his prize as the winner of the recent ‘Spot the Bird’ competition.

To avoid the traffic snarling up behind us, the nine rider bunch split into three bits for the first couple of miles main road section to the turn off north west of Sea Palling. As a consequence of these splits, Malcolm and Neil S failed to see the leaders turn right at Calthorpe Fen, while the duo off the back were unable to whistle/shout them back. After waiting a few minutes for the anticipated return of Neil, Brian and Harvey had to chase him down in order to save him detouring via Acle en route to his Beeston Regis destination. Bidding farewell to the southbound Malcolm, the trio set out to rejoin the planned route at Ingham. It was all plain sailing on a helpful wind until Crostwight, where Neil’s rear mech, which had looked hazardously bent all day, sheared off at the hanger. So, it was split the chain, remove thirteen links**, detach the derailleur, tie the cable to the seat stays, rejoin the chain with a Quick Link, and thereby convert the bike to a 39-25 single gear machine. It was then a shorter route back, dropping off Brian at Alby Common, leaving Harvey to guide Neil to a point where he could shortcut home via Aylmerton and West Runton.

Meanwhile the main group continued on the planned route to Calthorpe Street, Lessingham, Crostwight, Ebridge Mill, White Horse Common, Swafield, Thorpe Market, Hanworth Common and Sustead church to Gresham church. Lone ranger Malcolm completed a circuit by way of Yarmouth, Hemsby, Waxham, Hickling, Potter Heigham, Acle and Halvergate church.

Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Ian A; Harvey; Chris S; Brian; Andrew. + Malcolm at the cafe and a few miles of the return route.

Distances: 53 miles to 80 miles.

** PS – The Chain Length Calculator reckons 100 links for 39-25 on 410 mm chain stays.

Ride Report by Ride Leader Ian A
On a chilly but sunny day with lightish winds, 5 Wheelers met at PC for a modest 44 mile loop via the Artisan Cafe at Alby. It was good to see Kevin H out after a prolonged absence.
The route took us on the familiar lanes to Saxthorpe via Baconsthorpe, then skirting Heydon and south to Southgate (which seemed apt). The ride leader had recce’d the original route and subsequently tweaked it in a couple of places to avoid some main road stretches, before having it loaded to the Club website. Unfortunately he had omitted to update his own version, so a couple of slightly confusing navigational moments were rescued by a gentle hand on the tiller by the ever helpful (if slightly smug) Mark…

From Oulton Street we went through the pretty village of Silvergate which took us to the magnificent frontage of Blickling Hall, joining the ‘normally a bit busier’ main(ish) road and turning for Ingworth and Erpingham and onto the cafe at Alby Arts & Crafts Centre. The welcome was zealous to say the least! But overall the staff were very friendly and efficient and the general consensus was that the food (and coffee) was very good. Graham’s soup was, unfortunately, not quite up to scratch. But then again, plus ca change…

After a brief gentle descent down the grassy & moist (OK, muddy) Blacksmith’s Lane beside the cafe, Graham had collected quite a clod between mudguard and front wheel. After much fettling with several sticks of various lengths and thicknesses (true in all walks of life) plus some helpful advice from comrades, the wheel refused to free itself. So off it came and the problem was finally sorted. Ian asked what he should do with the stick he was still holding? No comment. Or certainly nothing printable.
After Thwaite Common, we turned East to Suffield then via Antingham and north to Southrepps (slightly less apt). More gentle tiller work from Mark at Antingham… Then onto Northrepps where Graham turned for Cromer, and the remaining 4 took the usual route via Metton to Gresham Church where Duncan headed back to Corpusty and Kevin headed back via West Beckham and Upper Sheringham. The remaining 2 Wheelers went on to East Beckham where Mark headed back to PC and Ian turned for home via West Beckham.

PC to PC 44 miles
5 Riders: Ian A(leading & photos), Duncan S, Graham A, Kevin H & Mark M.

Editor’s Comment – Many thanks to Ian for leading his first Wheelers ride, hopefully the experience didn’t put him off and he will lead more rides in the future.

With sub-zero overnight temperatures following Friday’s snow and sleet and a yellow warning for ice on wet roads, this week’s club run was postponed until Sunday. Many of the more shaded lanes were indeed icy until at least 11.00.

At least three potential riders were abroad this week and two more were committed to family affairs, so only four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner for the run to the Courtyard Cafe. It was a hard slog out into the strong W.S.W. wind, over the heaths and Wiveton Downs to Langham and Binham, then via Walsingham ford, Bunker’s Hill, Blunt’s Corner and the long descent to North Creake, where, after 24 miles, the small group turned first north and then east to pick up a strong tailwind from Burnham Thorpe up the long climb to South Holkham and the descent to the refreshment stop. After a comfortable break dominated by discussions about curly Hetchins and the relative merits of 52/42, 53/39 and 50/34 chainsets, it was out through the East Lodge gate and a wind-assisted ride back by way of Wells, Warham, Binham, Field Dalling, Saxlingham, Sharrington, Brinton, Stody, Briston, Edgefield, Plumstead and North Barningham.

Group: Graham A; Harvey; Mark; Neil S. – Brian fitted in a couple of hours on the sunny Saturday afternoon.

Distances: 60 miles to 72 miles.

Three Wheelers braved the cold conditions to meet at PC. With a lot less frost and ice than forecast and the start delayed to 10:30am, the roads were dry and clear. The cold easterly wind meant temperatures stayed around 4C, with the occasional light snow flurry for good measure.
The route out was south westerly and mainly wind assisted, through Edgefield, Wood Dalling, Foulsham, Billingford and up the Dereham Road to Hamptons Cafe.

Hamptons was very warm, had a great choice of food and cake options, so it was not too surprising that it was busy.
We were given a table so long as we were finished within an hour as it was booked. With our order taken quickly and the food arriving promptly, we had time for sandwiches, jacket potato and then after some deliberation, cake and 2nd coffees, all with time to spare.

It felt a lot colder when we ventured back outside. We soon crossed the A1067 through the hole in the hedge to continue through Bawdeswell and along the Reepham Road to Jordan Green. Then on to Whitwell, past Booton Church and on to Cawston, where Duncan turned for home. The remaining duo continued through Ingworth, Wickmere, Hanworth, Sustead, avoided the crowds as they left Gresham school and back to PC.
All in all a much better day than forecast, with dry roads and no showers.

PC to PC, 51 miles at an average speed of 14.5 mph
Riders: Chris S, Duncan S and Mark M leading.

Upcoming Club Runs –
Saturday 11th – Courtyard Café, Holkham
Wednesday 15th – Artisans Café, Alby
Routes for club runs and Wednesday rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Six riders out from Pretty Corner picked up one more at the five mile marker, but one Wheeler was forced by the effects of an old back injury to turn for home from Cawston. Aided by a stiff north westerly, the group of six continued south via Swannington, the old Wensum bridge at Attlebridge, Marl Hill, the long descent to Ringland, the steep climb to Merryhill and onto Telegraph Hill, Weston Green, Lenwade and the steeply undulating lanes through Great Witchingham to a busy Reepham Station Cafe, where a fit-looking Geoff was waiting after following the traditional route from Sheringham. The bunch of seven Wheelers managed to commandeer two small tables in the side room for some good quality nourishment.

While Geoff headed directly back, the bunch set out initially southwards before turning north and north west by way of Whitwell Hall, Jordan Green, Themelthorpe and Foulsham. The more north easterly direction of travel from Skitfield Lane gave the bunch welcome relief from the nagging headwind en route to Thurning, where Neil Mc turned for his last few miles home while the remaining five looped round by Rookery Farm into Briston, where the leading trio didn’t like the look of Mack’s Loke after the recent rains, so continued north east on the more conventional ways to The Old White Horse, Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and West Beckham. Meanwhile Brian had stopped to chat to NNW timekeeper John C., after which the rearguard pair decided that it would be fruitless to pursue the vanguard, so stuck to the planned route along the Mack’s Loke shortcut, Roper’s Farm (inexplicably serious flooding), a fast mile on the B1354 and up Ramsgate Street to five lane ends, where Brian turned for Barningham Green, Erpingham and home.

On another cold day of mainly light showers, the only heavier spell of rain was over the couple of miles between Telegraph Hill and Weston Green.

Group: Neil Mc; Mark; Ian A; Harvey; Chris; Brian. + Neil S (Beeston Regis to Cawston and back) and Geoff (direct routes to and from the cafe).

Distances (main group): 60 miles to 68 miles (Brian).

Despite the wet start to the day, four Wheelers braved the weather and met at PC for the ride to Junction 21.
With a moderate NE wind and showers forecast, the riders were prepared with rain jackets and warm clothing. The showers started as soon as we did and continued throughout the day, some were heavy and prolonged and were often followed by blue sky and warm sunshine, so our spirits rose and fell together with the temperature.
Our route to the café would be a wind assisted, long and meandering 32 miles. The first section took us via Erpingham to Ingworth then past the scene of Graham A’s icy crash to Itteringham Common and on to Heydon Park. Here Graham A had a front puncture (Vittoria), fortunately this was one of the sunny periods, so it was warm and peaceful in the park while we watched Graham and offered helpful advice.
Just a mile further on it started to rain heavily as we made our through Cawston, past the church to Booton House (childhood home of Stephen Fry), Brandiston, Swannington and the Witchinghams.
With stomachs rumbling and fingers crossed that the café would be open we set off for the last few miles down Nowhere Lane to Jordan Green and Themelthorpe.

As we arrived we saw Geoff P waving to us from inside. We soon joined Geoff in the warmth, he had seen we were going to Junction 21 and thought he would meet us and we had a good chat as we waited for our lunch. Geoff set off for home as we had our lunch, which was followed by more coffee and cake for some.
It felt cold when we ventured back outside, pulling on wet gloves and setting off for the shorter leg home. Foulsham, Guestwick, Thurning were passed in a mix of rain or sunshine, to Duncan’s turn off point at Town Close. While the remaining three continued to Edgefield, Plumstead, Barningham Winter where Graham turned off, up to Bodham Hill and back to PC.

PC to PC 55 miles at an average speed of 13.2 mph
Riders: Graham A, Chris S, Duncan S, Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 4th – Reepham Station
Wednesday 8th – Hamptons, Bawdeswell
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/