On a day 45 mph gusts and forecasts of heavy showers, only Mark and Chris departed from Pretty Corner. The ‘steady’ group (represented today by only Brian and Harvey) started a bit further down the road and tacked in and out of the wind along a lot of little lanes before picking up the later stages of a plotted route that headed south by way of Cawston and Felthorpe before crossing the Wensum at Attlebridge, climbing over to Ringland, up the stiff drag of Merry Hill, towards Weston Longville, over the high country to Primrose Green, the steep descent into Lyng and the final lung opener up Sparhamhill to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe at BugzUK for some top class food and a conversation that focused on Spain.
The foursome then set off back together, but soon split in two through Sparham village, on a return route that travelled via Elsing Lane, Bawdeswell, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Wood Dalling, Heath Road, Edgefield, Hempstead, Selbrigg and the final drag up over Bodham Hill. The steady pair headed east from the Guestwick area to get within striking distance of Brian’s home parish.
Despite various predictions and a lot of threatening cloud, there was only one period of significant rainfall, a sustained squally cloudburst —– which was exciting to watch through the cafe window.
Distances: 58 miles to 70 miles.
North Norfolk Wheelers 