Month: April 2023

Neil Mc, Mark & Andrew at the Mardler’s Rest. (Off camera – Ian, Chris, Neil S, Harvey & Graham A).

Eight North Norfolk Wheelers headed out from PC to enjoy some ideal spring weather on the road to Gressenhall Museum. The 29.4 miles (from PC) outward route went by way of Plumstead Green, over the Range to Edgefield, descended to Briston, over the Craymere ford, Burnthouse, Guestwick, Foxley, Bawdeswell and Elsing Lane (Graham A departed from the bunch here to refuel at Elsing before completing his planned 55 miles ride for the day. Everyone wishes him well for his upcoming course of treatment). The remaining seven then followed the valleys of the Wensum and the Blackwater through Bylaugh, Worthing and Gorgate to the Mardler’s Rest cafe, where they are still managing to peg prices back to pre-‘cost of living crisis’ levels.

The rather longer homeward leg progressed in mesmerising spring weather, featuring a genuine warmth not experienced since early October. After the rolling roads through Hoe, Swanton Morley and Elsing, it was along some of the lower stretches of the Wensum, as far as the old bridge at Attlebridge, before climbing over to Upgate and Swannington, a detour to Haveringland church and the Ratcatcher’s and then a straight run back to PC via Cawston and Itteringham.

Distances: 64 miles to 74 miles.

Ride Report by first time ride leader Chris S
Three riders met at PC for a ride to Stables Café, at Blickling Hall. The weather was somewhat cold for late April with the temperature struggling to get into double digits. However, despite being cold there was little breeze and only a few very light rain showers. The outward route took in Gresham, Sustead (where Graham joined the ride), Hanworth, Erpingham, Tuttington, Aylsham and Blickling. Arrival at the café was just before midday and the lunchtime rush. Service was very prompt and efficient.
The return journey was equally cold passing through Oulton, Corpusty, Briston, Selbrigg (where Andrew left the group) and back to PC.

The distance covered was 47.9 miles in 3 hours 24 minutes.
Riders: Chris S Leading, Mark M, Andrew B and Graham A.
Editor’s Comment – Many thanks to Chris for leading his first Wheelers ride. A great route, no one got lost and at lunch he “volunteered” to lead a ride in May!

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 29th – Club Run to Gressenhall
Wednesday 3rd – TBA
Routes for club runs & rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Eight riders met at Pretty Corner on a cool spring morning for the weekend club run to No.77 Cafe at the back of Coltishall Red Lion. The route down to the north east sector of the Broads went by way of Gresham, Bessingham, Alby Hill, Suffield, little used lanes through to Swanton Abbott, Sloley, Tunstead, Crowgate, Beeston St. Lawrence, Neatishead, Irstead (three malingerers cut off 1.5 miles here by nipping round the back of Threehammer Common), Hoveton Hall and Belaugh Green. The cafe was busy as usual, but two inside tables were available. Over the refuelling break the conversation ranged from coronations to the Cisco Kid.

Increasing warm sunshine made for a pleasant ride back, starting off round the back of St. James to Hautbois, through a couple of Saturday rat runs to get back onto quieter lanes around Hainford and Stratton Strawless, the edge of Buxton, Dudwick and Botany Bay to Cawston (Neil Mc’s point of departure), Heydon Park, Oulton, Irmingland (the malingering trio cut out the loop here to get back ahead of the lead bunch), Corpusty and a direct eight miles back to PC.

Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Ian; Harvey; Chris; Brian + Clive from Chester.

Distances: 62 miles to 77 miles.

Somewhere en route today one rider passed the 50,000 miles mark on NNW weekend club runs (plus an unspecified number of the Wednesday rides back in the days when CJ and Maggie K, as well as two Geoff Ps were regular participants). This cumulative distance includes eleven rides of 100 miles or more, either solely as club run or club run with extras.

During this period, other past and present Wheelers who have completed one or more century rides on a club run or club run plus are: – Ben M; Brian P; Bruce Mac; Duncan E; Duncan O; Guy T; Ian S; John H; Luke M; Neil S; Paul B.

L-R: – Clive, Neil Mc, Chris, Neil S, Brian, A.N. Other + Mark (out the back) & Ian (camera)

Ride Report by Ride Leader Ian A
The one where the shepherd lost not only his flock but also lost his way in the metaphorical field. And one rider continues to single-handedly boost the share price of Exxon-Mobil and Polymer Corporation. More anon…

7 Wheelers met at PC for what promised to be a ‘sunny but with a chilly wind’ ride to Hoveton Hall. The route took us through Gresham and Metton where we picked up Graham A and carried on to Aldborough, Suffield and skirted Felmingham to Swanton Abbot. At which point, Andrew’s rear Gatorskin punctured. Again. The decision was made for 5 to crack on while 2 stayed back to watch/help Andrew with a repair.
Shortly afterwards, when the spearhead group of 5 met the busy North Walsham Road, most wanted to head straight over it but the ride leader’s version of the route carried on down the main road. Alas, he had his old version of the route – AGAIN!! (As Mark ‘glass always half-full’ later pointed out ‘at least you maintained your 100% record’. Which is a fair comment.) The other 4 dutifully followed the ride leader but he soon realised his error and signalled to turn around and go the correct and quieter way. 2 of the 5 duly did, but when the ride leader stopped to make a U-turn, he was persuaded by the remaining 2 to take an ‘alternative’ route via the next left off the main road rather than turn round. So by this point the group of 8 was now split into 3… However, with the ride leader fretting for a few miles that all had gone to doo-doos, all was well shortly afterwards as the 3 groups arrived at the Garden Kitchen Cafe at Hoveton Hall Gardens within ten minutes of each other. Phew. And Malcolm joined us for lunch.

Despite having booked a table inside, we chose to sit outside in the sun and the food was good, if a little slow in coming. After lunch we waved Malcolm off and then John as they headed to their respective homes and the remaining 7 headed back through Coltishall, Badersfield, Skeyton, Tuttington, Ingworth and Calthorpe where Graham A turned for Cromer. Shortly afterwards, Duncan turned for Corpusty and the remaining 5 riders headed back towards PC through the familiar lanes via Matlaske and North Barningham. On reaching Mill Lane, the ride leader and Andrew turned left for High Kelling with the remaining riders turning right for PC and back to the Sheringham environs.
PS – a special mention for Malcolm as the first Wheeler spotted in shorts so far this year!

Group: Ian A (leading), Andrew B, Chris S, Duncan S, Graham A, Graham J, John S, Mark M. plus Malcolm S at lunch.

PC to PC was 49 miles.

Upcoming events-
Saturday 22nd club run – No.77, Coltishall
Wednesday 26th ride – Blickling Hall
Routes for club runs and rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Eight Wheelers turned out at Pretty Corner for a club run down to the Courtyard Cafe at Pensthorpe. Only a few miles into the route three of the group decided to take a shortcut to rendezvous with the vanguard at the cafe. This soon became a double shortcut after one of the trio punctured on Wiveton bridge. The main bunch of five pushed on west via Langham, Cockthorpe Common, Battledore Hill, Warham, Walsingham, the Stiffkey valley, the Barshams, Sculthorpe watermill, Hempton and the south east corner of Fakenham. It was good to sit out in the spring sunshine in the courtyard, which was sheltered from a fresh north easterly wind.

Group: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham J; Harvey; Ian A; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 59 miles to 67 miles.

Two punctures (both Gatorskins).

Ride Report by Ride Leader Graham A

Five riders left Pretty Corner on a fine day with a hint of showers in a gusty SW breeze. We reached the coast road at Overstrand after taking a direct route via E Beckham, Sustead , Metton and Northrepps Hall. After the Sidestrand hill we turned off towards Southrepps and reached Trunch. Alas, the Trimingham “golf ball” landmark on the horizon had been dismantled.
The route then went to Banningham via Bradfield church, Antingham, Suffield and Colby. The B1145 took us to the A140 where we crossed over onto the old B1145 to Aylsham. We went south on the old Norwich Road to the Cawston Road. To put in a couple of extra miles the group went on a loop where water and mud was an annoyance. Purdy’s cafe was close by. On arrival we found Andrew B who had ridden solo after a morning appointment. So we were now six.

The cafe was busy at about 12.30 and my attempt to book a table earlier was ignored and irrelevant. We found a sheltered spot outside under a large gazebo where we enjoyed our refreshments.

The return route went back towards Aylsham where we found the Heydon Road and went westwards to Oulton Street and Oulton village, turning right and then northwards to Itteringham. The ride leader was feeling painfully tired by now and had to peel off for Cromer leaving the remaining five riders to go back to PC via Matlaske, N Barningham etc.

About 42 miles. Graham A (ride leader), Graham J, Mark M, Ian A, Chris S, and Andrew B.

One Wheeler was sensibly taking it easy while awaiting the full results of recent medical tests. Two more had holiday weekend commitments. Seven assembled at Pretty Corner on a cold dry morning, but Neil Mc and Scott were out for the morning only, heading for home from the Corpusty area. It was a pleasant surprise to see Scott out again following a long absence from the bunch. For the remaining five, the route down to The King’s Cafe was largely wind-assisted, heading generally south westwards to the centre of Norfolk through Reepham, over Whitwell Common to Sparham, descending to cross the Wensum and on through Elsing, North Tuddenham, Mattishall, along Cutthroat Lane to Yaxham and the little lanes leading to the large village of Shipdham and the former King’s Head pub, known locally as The King Billy*. It was an inside table today, out of the chilly north easterly. On exiting the cafe, Brian became involved in bartering for a classic bike made in Dronfield, North Derbyshire.

The group then pushed the breeze back along the lanes by way of Daffy Green to the A47 underpass at Scarning to access the Podmore ford on the quiet back roads to Gressenhall, from where it was a fairly direct route up the Blackwater to Worthing watermill, Billingford, Foulsham, Guestwick, Craymere ford, Briston and the familiar direct route to Bodham Hill and Red Barn Lane. Having downloaded the day’s route file, Mark and Chris pushed on for home from the Gressenhall area, while the rump of three followed on, enjoying the welcome afternoon sunshine.

Group: Brian; Chris; Harvey; Mark; Neil S + Neil Mc and Scott out for the morning.

Distances: 67 miles to 78 miles (Brian, building up the miles following his recent intrusive medical treatment).

*Which, on 9th August 1900 ‘was found to be in a filthy state with two horses (sic) heads and other horse parts strewn about. Some pigs were feeding on the horse flesh. … He (Isaac Skipper) was ordered to abate the nuisance at once and pay the costs of 15s’.

Five riders met at Pretty Corner on a nice spring day for a breakfast run to The Parlour (which is served until 11:45am). The planned route took us through Plumstead, Edgefield, Briston, Brinton, Gunthorpe, Thursford and Hindringham. We arrived in good time for a late breakfast, with most opting for the Full English, which was excellent. We had only been there for five minutes when Chris appeared, having had to go back for a mechanical problem on route to PC but had then done the route on his own. We were then joined by Robert and John who had made their own way to the venue, making a grand total of eight members for lunch. After lunch we made our way back through Langham, Kelling, High Kelling, Hempstead, Backonsthorpe, Bessingham, Sustead and Gresham. Unfortunately, we managed to lose Graham on route to Kelling, so bad mark for the leader. Kevin left us at Baconsthorpe to make is own way back home, with Andrew and Ian doing the same at Gresingham. Overall a good ride on a fine day for cycling.

PC to PC 44 miles

Average speed 14.4 mph

Total Elevation 1900ft

Andrew B, Mark, Chris, Graham A, Ian and Kevin.