Holidays, medical problems and family affairs combined to keep the numbers low on this August Bank Holiday weekend. Only Mark and Neil Mc set out from Pretty Corner, while Harvey joined the route at Gresham church. It was a fine day for riding north east Norfolk’s quiet network of narrow lanes.
‘Gimingham, Trimingham, Knapton and Trunch, Northrepps, Southrepps lie all in a bunch.’ (Anon)
After Knapton it was on to Edingthorpe Green, Spa Common, White Horse Common, Briggate, Honing, squeezing past seven separate Anglian Water barriers along the closed road through East Ruston onto Brumstead Common, Lessingham Star, Happisburgh Common, Hill 60 and Ostend to the Lighthouse Inn to refuel in the beer garden.. Fifteen minutes later Malcolm arrived after riding up from the southern Broads via Great Yarmouth. As so often, the conversation amongst the finely-tuned athletes of North Norfolk Wheelers turned to illness and medical matters. Following the rest and refreshments Malcolm headed back south via Stalham, Catfield, Potter Heigham, Martham and Yarmouth, completing 62 miles for the day. The other three headed inland by way of Witton bridge to Honing and Dilham, from where Harvey continued westwards on a shorter route in order to get back for 3.30. The two PC starters continued along the plotted route round by Beeston St Lawrence, Tunstead church and Sloley before travelling directly westwards to Aylsham, Abel Heath and Oulton, where Neil Mc continued west to Corpusty and Mark turned north for Itteringham, Barningham and the rolling roads back to Sheringham, passing the PC meeting place at 68.5 miles. Storm clouds gathered ominously during the latter part of this ride. Mark managed to avoid the eastern edge of the unstable weather, while Harvey caught only about six or seven minutes rain further west, along the southern edge of it all, before the heavier rain arrived from about 3.45.
Riding this route today it occurred that some of the absentees would have really enjoyed this ride on quiet dry lanes in fresh, bright late summer weather. It is probably worth repeating the run on some mutually convenient day; perhaps in good weather in late spring.
Distances today: 62 miles to 81 miles.
North Norfolk Wheelers 