One Wheeler was still rather sore following recent medical treatment, another had managed to pick up a virus, while a third saw this cold, damp and windy Saturday as an opportunity to put in some work building his vintage curly Hetchins. A fourth rider set out to follow a shorter route to the refuelling stop, but ended up doing fifty miles straight round non-stop; he later regretted not going to the cafe.
So, only Mark Mc and Neil Mc completed the club run route to the Chrysalis Cafe at BugzUK, located on the climb of Nowhere Lane, between Blackwater Equestrian and the main Fakenham Road at Sparhamhill. This new venue enjoys a good reputation as a refreshment break for cyclists and the Wheelers duo confirmed this.
The longer outward route was assisted by a lot of strong north north easterly wind, travelling by way of Briston, Hindolveston, Wood Norton, Stibbard, Ryburgh, the Wensum valley, North Elmham, the valley of the Blackwater and Bylaugh, before turning into the very cold northerly on the long climb up to Sparham village and the descent to Nowhere Lane. The homeward leg turned east and then south east for a while, via the Witchinghams, before a cold slog back north into the stiff wind while anticipating hopefully some signs of seasonal warmth.
PC to PC was 55 miles. Average speed 14.4 mph. Considerably faster out than back.
North Norfolk Wheelers 