Month: June 2023

Six Wheelers met at PC on a hot, overcast and humid morning for the clockwise loop to Heydon. For a change of scenery we went through Felbrigg Park, down to Cromer Zoo, through a couple of housing estates to The Avenue and on to Northrepps. Then south to Tuttington where Graham J turned north for home in order to keep an appointment, while the rest turned west for Dunkirk, Oulton Street and on to Heydon. Both the Tea Rooms and the Earle Arms had plenty of people sitting outside and we claimed the last outside table at the pub that had an umbrella, though it did require some jerry-rigging to get it to stay up and open.

The Earle Arms had a good choice of meals from good full sandwiches, a specials board through to full three course meals. All the food we had arrived quickly, was tasty and good value and the local Hindringham beer also got the thumbs up. Andrew was very impressed with the sugar scuttle, see photo.

Our return leg took us through Heydon Park to Oulton and on the way to Irmingland, Andrew B had a front puncture (Vittoria Zaffiro), ignoring the helpful advice he was receiving, Andrew made quick work of changing the tube and we continued on to Corpusty where we dropped off Duncan S and Neil Mc.
The remaining three, continued up to Edgefield, on to Plumstead Green before turning for Hempstead. Having ignored multiple signs that the road was closed and having got passed Hole Farm without any issues, we had just about reached the junction with School Lane when we came across the closure due to prep work for the cable corridor. Fortunately the guys working were quite happy to let us walk through, we did see signs and a cctv camera at the closure point, as they don’t want motorised traffic trying to get through.
We stopped at Selbrigg pond, firstly for a throng of school kids crossing the road and then to take a look at the swans. Currently four very grey cygnets, I believe five hatched and we also saw lots of small fish and minnows near the edge. With the nature box checked, Andrew and Ian turned for home, leaving me to complete the loop to PC.

PC to PC 49 miles at an average speed of 14mph
Riders: Graham J, Duncan S, Neil Mc, Andrew B, Ian A (photography), Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th – Natural Surroundings, Bayfield
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Exhibits from Peter Martin’s exhibition of Tour de France memorabilia at Thorpe Market church – (more pictures in Club Runs Photo Gallery, courtesy of Ian ‘Snapper’ A.).

With three riders away and Ian A delayed by a puncture in the garage, only Mark, Neil Mc and guest rider Ben from Beds. set out on a short first leg, which took them via Hanworth Common to the very impressive exhibition of Tour de France memorabilia on display this weekend in Thorpe Market church. They were joined there by an earlier departing ‘steady’ group consisting of Neil S, Graham A, Brian, Lucinda S and Harvey, as well as the delayed Ian. After chatting with various enthusiasts, both bunches set out for some real cycling, following a lot of lanes by way of Bradfield, Trunch, Knapton (from where Neil S was forced by persistent back pain to head for home), White Horse Common, Briggate, Worstead, Ashmanaugh and Bylaugh Green to the Piece of Cake cafe, which was a rare mistake by the organiser!

Meanwhile, Malcolm, who had ridden up from the southern Broads, had gone to the usual venue at the No.77 Cafe and had to be retrieved before the expanded bunch headed off for the return trip. Soon after Heggatt Hall, en route for Granny Bard’s Lane, the bunch split again into two smaller groups for the ride back north through Frettenham, Stratton Strawless, Buxton, Oxnead, Burgh, Tuttington and Banningham, where the steady backmarkers continued north to Colby (from where Graham headed for home), Brian’s house and a final split that saw one rider heading directly back to Sheringham, while the remaining Wheeler followed a number of detours that took in Thwaite Common, Calthorpe, Wolterton, Squallham, Matlaske, Barningham Winter, Bodham Hill and Lower Bodham. From Banningham, the vanguard group rode back to PC via Ingworth, Blickling watermill, Itteringham, Little Barningham, Plumstead, Baconsthorpe church and Bodham Hill.

A total of ten riders out today.

Distances: 45 miles to 67 miles.

Ride Report by Ian A

“This was the longest day. Which is not a reflection of today’s company. Just that it was the Summer Solstice. And so it was that on a warm midsummer’s day morning with light winds, 3 Wheelers and newbie Shelley set off from PC, picking up Graham at the top of Red Barn Lane. The group of 5 continued on via Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Briston, Hindolveston, Great Ryburgh, cutting down to Whissonsett to give Fakenham a wide birth. We crossed the Swaffham Road at South Raynham, then went through pretty West Raynham and shortly reached East Rudham. The gentle wind had been a small hindrance most of the way there. Jane’s wasn’t too busy and we got a table outside, wrestling with the sunshade to provide some shelter. For some of us anyway. Most of us opted for the very nice sausage, lettuce & tomato sarnies (is an SLT rather than a BLT a thing?). Whilst the fellas were mindful of their waistlines, Shelley went for cake too… The coffee was good also, so a very good stop NB Jane’s is only open Tue-Fri, so let’s hope it survives.

After lunch we immediately crossed the A148 and looked forward to a gentle tailwind most of the way back. The route took us through South Creake and onto Little Walsingham, Thursford, Stody, Hunworth and Edgefield. (At one point a group of 5 or 6 cows had jumped a ditch from their field and were blocking the lane, but the spearhead group managed to persuade/scare them into returning without further incident.) The Hunworth Road towards Edgefield, whilst normally sandy, was a bit deeper at one point causing one of us to slip but the jury is out as to whether it was a proper “off”. Duncan departed for Corpusty at the Rectory Road/Holt Road junction, smugly informing the rest of us it was all downhill for him. From Edgefield, the remaining 4 continued back to PC by retracing the outward leg. Ian turned left for High Kelling by Hill Farm at the bottom of New Road, leaving the remaining 3 to find their own way back on the final 2.5 miles to PC. Interestingly, despite the helping breeze, the average speed on the return leg was only a fraction higher than on the way out. Maybe general fatigue (for some!) was to blame? I think we all agreed it was a good ride and a pretty route. Aren’t they all?!

We hope to see Shelley and her very bling Trek Madone out midweek on a regular basis.

PC to PC was 64 miles at an average speed (for the majority) of just over 15mph

Ian (leading/photography) plus Duncan, Graham A, Mark, Shelley

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 28th – Earle Arms, Heydon
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Ian, Chris, Jim, Mark, Neil Mc refuelling at The Mardler’s Rest.

Graham, Harvey, Sue, Brian, Neil S + Malcolm in the cafe getting more chips.

With some of the more senior Wheelers looking for a steadier ride and a couple of the fast lads currently under medical treatment, there was a sensible split into two smaller groups for the club run down to The Mardler’s Rest Cafe at the former Mitford Poor Law Union workhouse at Gressenhall. So, only three set out from Pretty Corner for the shorter outward leg. This soon became four when Chris, Ian and Mark picked up Neil Mc at The Old White Horse at Edgefield. This compact group set a brisk pace in a generally helpful ENE wind, clipping down to Little London, up Heath Road, over some poor quality road surfaces around Wood Dalling, then on through Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree and Billingford, crossing the Blackwater at Worthing watermill (resting briefly to watch a Highland cow keeping cool and hydrated in the river), up the pretty valley road for a while, before a short detour around Beetley to the cafe where the steady group were already ensconced, along with Malcolm and Sue, in their role as cultural tourists. As ever at this time of year, it was extremely pleasant sitting in the sheltered courtyard watching numerous swifts performing aerobatically around the former workhouse buildings.

The longer route back took in a big loop to the south west by way of quiet lanes through Longham, Bittering and Stanfield before heading north to Whissonsett and Colkirk and then east and north east to Ryburgh, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Nethergate, Craymere, Briston, Edgefield (where Neil Mc headed for home), then a few more twists and turns before the drag up to Bodham Hill and Red Barn Lane. The basic distance from PC to PC was 64 miles.

In the interests of mutual convenience, the steady group consisting of Brian, Graham, Neil, Jim and Harvey, assembled at 10.00 at The Old White Horse before following the day’s plotted route for an early arrival at the refreshment stop. By mutual consent, they then started off home on the set route, but then cut out a significant portion of the longer ride back. This enabled them to complete a good distance while accommodating riders from as far apart as Melton Constable and the south east side of Cromer. As a special treat, the club runs co-ordinator was given a load of grief by two groups today instead of just the usual one.

Six riders met at Pretty Corner on a beautiful sunning day for a run to All Things Nice Cafe at Cawston. This included newcomers Shelly and Nigel who were welcomed to the club. The route took us through West Beckham, Bodham, Hempstead, Edgefield, Briston, Guestwick and Reepham. Shelly and Nigel had to split off part way through the ride due to other commitments but hope to join us again for future rides. On arrival at All Things Nice we met up with Ian who had made is own way there having had a long ride the day before and we all enjoyed a good lunch. It’s good to see the cafe back on the schedule following reopening after Covid as it was a former favourite. After lunch we made our way back through Oulton Street, Ingworth, Banningham, Felmingham, North Walsham, Antingham, Thorpe Market, Hanworth, Bessingam and Gresham. Graham and Andrew spilt off just before the end to make their own way home, with Mark and Chris going back to PC.

PC to PC 51 miles

Average speed 13.8 mph

Total Elevation 1600ft

Mark, Graham A, Chris, Nigel, Shelly and Andrew leading.

On easily the warmest day of the year so far, it was a fast, wind-assisted ride out to the Courtyard Cafe at Holkham Hall. A compact group of four Wheelers rode by way of Stody, over the ridge to Gunthorpe, crossing Little Snoring airfield, Great Snoring, the steep Canister Hall descent into the Stiffkey valley at Houghton St Giles, the series of climbs and descents to the Burn valley at North Creake, from where the foursome turned into the blustery ESE wind and up the long ascent to South Holkham before descending rapidly through Holkham Park to their refuelling break in the shaded courtyard, where they were surprised to see Harvey sitting out of the sun supping a large beaker of tea. Over substantial refreshments, it was reported that Graham A is progressing well following his recent operation.

On departure through Holkham’s east gate, it was decided that Harvey would accompany Jim back to Briningham and Burgh Parva. The remaining trio pushed on into the wind along a published route that travelled via Wells, Warham, Wighton, Binham, Cockthorpe Common, Langham, Summer House Hill, Wiveton, the long drag up Rectory Road onto Salthouse Heath for Bridge Road and Bodham Hill.

Group: Mark; Neil Mc; Jim (who is looking to start a steady seniors’ group); Chris (just back from riding some of the biggest Pyrenean cols – assisted by a 1250cc engine).

Distances: 63 miles to 69 miles.

Unfortunately (for the victim) a painful cycling-related hip bursitis has forced the current club runs organiser to ease off. Consequently, future club runs will be organised by Mark, Andrew, Neil, Chris and Ian.

Another overcast day with a cool north easterly wind greeted two Wheelers at Pretty Corner, for the ride to the recently reopened Darby’s pub in Swanton Morley.
The wind assisted outward and longer leg took us south via Aldborough, Blickling, Cawston, Attlebridge to Weston Longville. Just as we turned on to the Weston Longville road we spotted a tall bush completely covered in webbing, possibly created by Ermine Moth caterpillars (thanks Ian)
Here we headed west past the café at Elsing and on to Swanton Morley at around 29 miles and ready for lunch.

The pub was fairly busy with most people eating and we found a good sized table in front of an old cooking range built into the chimney. The menu had a good selection from sandwiches, light lunches to full meals and was reasonably priced. They no longer have a selection of cakes though. If the sun had been out we would probably have sat at one of the many tables outside, some of which were sheltered under a marquee.
As we set off for home, the sun made a very brief appearance, not long enough to improve the temperature though. We went to Billingford, Foxley and north via Craymere Beck to Briston. Just before Craymere Beck we came across a field full of bright red poppies which were worthy of a photo stop.

After Edgefield we took the scenic Pond Hills Road to Hempstead, where Ian continued for home and I turned for Baconsthorpe. As I passed the solar farm at the top of Bodham Hill, three escapee sheep ran off down the road, pursued by a shepherdess in a truck. I stopped to help block the road for a few minutes to see if they could be rounded up, but they had found better things to eat and wouldn’t budge, so she said she would come back for them later.

PC to PC 54 miles at an average speed of 13.1 mph
Riders: Ian A, Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 10th – Holkham Hall
Wednesday 14th – All Things Nice, Cawston
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

June sunshine at the Chrysalis Cafe.

It is a shame that only Mark and Ian could make it to PC on a day of welcome warm sunshine and fresh north easterly breeze. This duo were however joined by Ian Fletcher for a while. The route to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe, located on the BugzUK site at Sparhamhill, was by way of Itteringham, Cawston, Swannington, Attlebridge, Ringland, Merry Hill, Telegraph Hill, Weston Green, Frans Green, Collin Green, Primrose Green, Peaseland Green, Elsing, Fustyweed (where some selfish so ‘n’ so has nicked the village sign), Lyng and Pockthorpe. On arrival at the Chrysalis, the two Wheelers were surprised to see Harvey sitting in the sun sipping a large beaker of tea. After an extended refreshment break, with extra cake and beverages, three riders headed over the ridge to Sparham Hole on the Wensum, climbed up to Bawdeswell, skirted the Fakenham road through Foxley village, shedding one rider at Themelthorpe, then pushed the fresh wind home via Hindolveston, Burgh Parva, Briningham, Stody, Hunworth, Starling’s Hill, the edge of Edgefield, over the Range to Plumstead Green, Baconsthorpe church, Up Wood and Bodham Hill.

The basic route from PC to PC was 60 miles.

Next week, Holkham Courtyard via North Creake. Link to route file on website.