Chris S, Andrew B and Mark M left PC to pick up Graham A at Gresham on a hot morning, cooled by a moderate south westerly wind. Our longer leg out to Hamptons would generally be heading SW and into the wind, but that did mean the wind would be helping us home on the return leg.
As we rode through Itteringham Common, Andrew’s Specialized tubular metal saddle rail broke and fell off to be lost in the undergrowth. As we stopped to investigate, it had not broken at the seat clamp but on the bend up to the rear of the saddle and then fallen out of the retaining boss on the saddle, the other side remained intact. Too many cakes perhaps?
So Andrew left us to head slowly for home, while the remaining three continued onwards. On our way to Oulton Street we picked up Duncan S who had been busy with house build admin first thing and unable to make the PC start, so back to four Wheelers again.
We continued to Swannington, Alderford, Great Witchingham, Sparham Hill, Lyng, Bylaugh and up the Dereham Road almost to the A1067 to Hamptons.
We sat at tables outside, sheltered from the wind but able to observe the increasing number of black clouds scudding across overhead. This was our second visit to Hamptons, the first being in March this year, and unfortunately likely our last as they are due to close permanently this September.
The service was quick and the menu varied, we all chose from the wide choice of available sandwiches and were very impressed when they arrived, stuffed full of the filling of choice, with some crisps and salad leaves, tasty and filling.
After lunch we set off for the 20 miles home, crossing the main road and through the hedge into Bawdeswell, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Thurning and dropping Duncan off at Town Close/Little London. Then on to Edgefield Street, Edgefield, via Pond Hills to Hempstead, Baconsthorpe, North Barningham, where Graham turned for Gresham and home, leaving two to complete the course back to PC.
Surprisingly, despite the rain clouds we didn’t get any rain at all.
PC to PC 55 miles at an average speed of 13mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Graham A, Duncan S, Mark M leading
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hills
Wednesday 19th – Walled Garden, Little Plumstead
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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 