Month: May 2023

Ride Report by Ian A
PC – Holkham Hall plus bonus extras!
On a sunny and calm day, 4 riders met at PC for the ride to Holkham Hall. It was a pleasant surprise to see Jim, who has been absent for a while due to a focus on his running and a recent 6 week Greek Odyssey in his mobile home looking up Shirley Valentine or some such.
Our route took us down the Barningham Road, then across to Edgefield, through Stody and Gunthorpe (where, coincidentally, the ride leader’s better half was having acupuncture). We then reached Thursford and took the fast and direct Thursford Road to the Walsinghams. Jim bade us farewell at this point for his return to Melton Constable. After the gentle drag out of Little Walsingham the route took the remaining 3 riders down the Wells Road – definitely one to be avoided in the Summer – but only for a mile and a half before turning left for Holkham Park.

Great views in the park as it was warm & sunny and many young goslings were by the lake – Canada and Barnacle Geese were both seen. The cafe wasn’t too busy and we were quickly served with tasty food and decent coffee. There is a handy bike service station outside the cafe with a track pump, basic tools and an even more basic bike stand. But it’s a good thing. Our route out of the NE corner of the Park took us through a field of sheep with numerous very cute young lambs. All say “Aaaahhh”. Then after a few months say “Aah, Bisto! Where’s the mint sauce!”
We detoured in Wells down to the LIfeboat Station, tutted at the smelly old vintage bus that has replaced the train and Mark reminisced about his waterskiing days… After a quick shifty at the Lobster pots down the East End at the other end of Wells, we took the Warham Road and came back to Holt via Binham, Langham and Wiveton.

Duncan, hiding at the back of the bunch for most of the day, took it upon himself to tow the group at a good lick up the climbs of Bridgefoot Lane and the Cley Road into Holt. Admirable stuff. Yet another detour in Holt to view Duncan’s new build – okay, you have to use your imagination for now as it’s still a ‘work in progress’ but we’re sure it will be great for ‘The Big Move In’ next January.
We then crossed the bypass and took the Hempstead Road past the old Mill and said our goodbyes to Duncan who headed back to Corpusty via Hempstead and Edgefield. The remaining 2 riders went past Selbrigg Pond – where they confirmed that the resident swans had hatched 5 cygnets over the last day or two. Still in the nest at this stage. At the top of Selbrigg Road, Ian turned left for High Kelling, leaving Mark to ride solo back to PC

Riders: Duncan, Ian (leading), Jim and Mark
PC to PC was 53 miles

Upcoming Club Run: Saturday 13th – Waxham Barn
Wednesday Ride: 17th – Great Massingham
Routes for club runs and rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

For a few years now, the circulation of downloadable route files has enabled the club run bunch to split naturally on the road into a keen vanguard group and a more senior steady riding rearguard. With two of the regulars currently undergoing courses of medical treatment, the need for sensibly regulated effort from the poursuivants has become more critical. So, the carefully considered plan today was for six steady, but sustained, riders to join the plotted route at the 4.6 miles mark, allow the anticipated five hard riders to sweep them up, then follow the route for some time before splitting, in order to head for two separate destinations for the refuelling break.

Problem: only three of the hard riders turned out today and one of them (Ian) was going only as far as Reepham before turning for his home base in High Kelling. Consequence: only Mark and Chris completed the scheduled club run, riding by way of Corpusty, Reepham, Whitwell, Lyng, Cadder’s Hill, East Tuddenham, Welborne, Barnham Broom and the stiff climb up to Colton church to a quiet Goat Shed Cafe to the south of Honingham, where they enjoyed substantial refreshments, while watching the new season’s kids enjoying the mild spring weather. The return route took them round the back of Mattishall, the A47 bridge, Elsing Hall, Sparham, Kerdiston and the quiet lanes via Briston, Edgefield and Baconsthorpe. A good solid ride of 63 miles.

Meanwhile, the touring element stuck to a lot of lanes, climbing over to Peaseland Green and Primrose Green before descending to the quiet cafe at Lyng Stores. The return ride climbed again to the high plains before crossing the Wensum and keeping on the back lanes through Swannington, Brandiston, Cawston, Itteringham, Wolterton, Wickmere, Matlaske, Bessingham and Gresham. Just south of Swannington, Neil S suffered a front tyre sidewall blowout, which required careful patching. Three of the bunch assumed that the explosive noise emanated from a misfiring passing motor bike, before they realised that something was amiss. The damage resulted from improperly balanced vintage brakes causing the 13.6 mm deep cuboid Mafac blocks to rub along the side of the tyre.

This secondary (larger) group, consisting of Brian, Graham A, Graham J, Neil S and Harvey, covered distances ranging from 52 miles to 60 miles.

Five Wheelers met at PC on a dry, sunny morning, though a cold easterly wind kept the temperatures fairly low all day.
We took a direct route to Itteringham and then looped via Heydon Park to Cawston and on to Swannington. Then we headed west to Alderford and the lanes around Great Witchingham, reaching our destination at the insect zoo: https://www.bugzuk.com/parc/ after 23 miles.
The café was quiet and we had the option of seating both outside and in, we chose inside. The menu had plenty of choice and the prices were very reasonable. The only insects on display in the café are some excellent photos displayed on the walls.

After lunch we crossed the A1067 and headed down to Lyng, then up Cadders Hill, past the motocross circuit and back across the A1067 at Attlebridge. Then a pleasant ride through the woods to Felthorpe, before turning north for Cawston and Oulton Street, where Duncan turned for home.
The remaining four continued on to Blickling, Ingworth, across Scarrow Beck to Wickmere and on to Sustead Church. Here Graham turned for home and a little later at Gresham, Andrew did the same, leaving two to return to PC.

PC to PC was 52.5 miles at an average of 14.2 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Duncan S, Chris S, Graham A and Mark M leading.

Upcoming Club Runs and Rides –
Saturday 6th – The Goat Shed at Honingham
Wednesday 10th – Holkham Hall
Routes for club runs and Wednesday rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/