Month: October 2023

Due to other commitments, only Chris and Mark were available to meet at PC, on a cool but bright morning with the forecast sun beginning to break through hazy clouds blown by a light south westerly.
We went through Hanworth, Thorpe Market to Lower Southrepps where we met Graham A, out on a 20 mile ride, regaining his fitness after his recent op.
He had also just met Harvey’s steady group, consisting of Brian, Graham J and Jim, but no Harvey as he had turned back due to a mechanical.
Knowing that Harvey is the only one of the group that knows the route, the chances of them reaching the café before it closed had reduced considerably!
Despite them being just up the road, we never met them as we followed the route through Bradfield, Trunch, Paston, Witton to Happisburgh and then the 6 miles to Waxham. In Sea Palling there was a huge flood on the way into the village and we had to take to the pavement to bypass the worst of it.
As we arrived at Dunes, Neil S was sat outside enjoying his lunch, he had his covid jab in the morning and had taken the coast road to join us.
I was just finishing my baguette when Brian, Jim and Graham arrived. They were unable to tell us where they had been or how far they had gone, but were pleased to have arrived.

Brian told us that Harvey was on his new bike and had a problem with the seat post slipping down, apparently he realised it was an issue when his knees were touching his chin. We were all sure that Harvey would be back on the road and would probably meet us somewhere on the homeward route.
After a particularly long lunch stop enjoying the company and the sun, it was time to head for home, some following the route others their nose.

The return route took us on the loop up to Ingham, Brumstead and East Ruston Common. Here we did meet Harvey on the new bike, a very good looking Mercian. The problem had been with the seat clamp bolt, it just needed to be removed, given a stern talking to and refitting.
So, the three of us continued to Worstead and Swanton Abbott, where Harvey continued to Aylsham and home (after 84 miles) and we turned for Tuttington, Banningham, Ingworth and the regular route north back to PC.
We assume that the steady group made it home and are not going round in circles in the depths of the Norfolk countryside.
At Aldborough the motorbike garage was open with bikes and people outside, so we stopped to have a look and a chat. A very interesting collection, which included a Sunbeam frame with a flat four VW engine and a Moto Guzzi 850 T3.

PC to PC was 62 miles at an average speed of 14.9 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Neil S, Jim H, Graham J, Brian P, Harvey T, with Graham A and Geoff P enroute.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 1st Nov – Banningham Crown
Saturday 4th Nov – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
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/

Five riders met at PC for the ride to Litcham as well as Geoff P and Robert N, who were going to Junction 21 at Themelthorpe. All of us had to negotiate the deep flood by the pigs at the top of Plum Lane, there were a number of damp feet afterwards!
We were fortunate to have a virtually wind free day and a lot of warm sunshine, very different to last Saturday morning.
Our fairly direct route took us down to Corpusty, Bintree, Billingford and to Worthing, where a stop at the bridge showed that the water level had gone down by at least 3 feet and the river was now well within the river banks again.
We resisted the call of quiche as we went past Gressenhall and took a diversion to Beeston to take a look at the recently re-opened community pub, the Ploughshare. It looks very good and has plenty of seating inside and out, so is one to put on the list for next year.
A couple of miles further and we reached Litcham and the Deli is beside the church, so we parked the bikes in the churchyard and went in for lunch. The building goes back a long way has a decent amount of seating and a good selection of savoury items, paninis and great cakes.

We all enjoyed our generous lunches and were pleased that Chris S had suggested the venue.

From Litcham to Fakenham was about 8 miles on the same road, which seemed odd as we don’t usually do more than two or three miles without turning onto a new road or stopping at a junction.
After Fakenham it was Great Snoring, Hindringham and Bale, where Clive left us. At Sharrington we changed our route to avoid the fords at Hunworth as Andrew had found them in full flood on Saturday, so went via Stody and Briston to Edgefield, then Hempstead and Selbrigg, where Ian and Andrew turned for home, leaving Chris and Mark to complete the circuit.

PC to PC was 64 miles at 15.1 mph average
Riders: Ian A (photos), Andrew B, Chris S, Clive and Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 28th – Dunes Café, Waxham
Wednesday 1st – Banningham Crown
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/

Unauthorised deflation at Foulsham.

Mark and Chris met at Pretty Corner before riding down to pick up Neil Mc at Cross Green. Brian and Harvey joined the route at around seven miles. There was a brief encounter with Andrew, who was out for a short ride following laser eye treatment early in the week and whose dark sunglasses gave him the appearance of a late-20th century Italian roadman. Much of the outward route was very familiar to North Norfolk Wheelers, travelling basically south west to Craymere, Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree, Billingford, Worthing and Gressenhall, where three Wheelers were tempted into the Mardler’s Rest by thoughts of warm quiche and hot tea on a dank and drizzly day. The rest of the route for the remaining duo was along less well known lanes via the Podmore ford, Scarning and Daffy Green to the King’s Cafe at Shipdham, at the heart of Norfolk. The return leg took the back ways into Yaxham, then along Cutthroat Lane, up the Stone Road to the eastern fringe of Dereham, Etling Green, Elsing, Fustyweed, Lyng and over the ridge to Reepham before deviating from the plotted route, heading more eastwards towards Brian’s home base. From Gressenhall the main group cut across by way of Woodgate and Hunters Hall to rejoin the set route at Elsing. Neil Mc departed at Corpusty leaving Mark and Chris to negotiate the last of the flooded dips through the Barninghams and back to PC and Sheringham town.

Following Friday’s deluge, it was a day of predominantly light rain with some fairly brief heavier bursts. Basically, the further south west you ventured the wetter it became. The Shipdham contingent were pretty wet by the time they arrived at the cafe. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of surface water about. The Blackwater, the Wensum and the Tud all filled their natural flood plains with some impressive floods. A few places today would have been impassable six/eight hours earlier, particularly at river crossings, such as the Podmore ford, where it was evident that the water had backed right up the slope to the junction, which would have rendered the footbridge inaccessible during the early hours.

One puncture: Durano Plus.

Distances: 40 miles to 75 miles.

Ride Report by Ride Leader Ian A.
It was a bright but windy day (18-20mph ESE). And it’s complicated, so pay attention. This is the one where one of the three swallows at Cley disappeared and the remaining two turned into magpies and popped up at Blakeney instead. See, I told you so.
Mark was the only rider expected at PC so set off to pick up Ian at the junction for Selbrigg Pond. The route then went via Hempstead and Pond HiIlls Road, skirting Edgefield and Briston and on to Melton Constable, then north to Blakeney. Maybe it was the pair’s excitement at the prospect of ham, egg & chips and a pint for only £11 at The Three Swallows at Cley, or maybe the prevailing tailwind too, but they were on track to arrive 30 minutes before opening time(!) so decided to go the the Two Magpies cafe in Blakeney instead… (You see dear reader, it all makes sense now!)
With a good view over Blakeney Marshes from the window seats, they enjoyed good coffee while waiting for sausage rolls to arrive. And they waited. After 30 minutes they chased up the order (which had clearly been lost) and after a further 10 minutes they arrived – hot on the outside but stone cold on the inside. But tasty. So they ate them anyway. And the ride leader managed a very good brownie too. (Consistently chaotic service from this chain at both Holt and Blakeney.)
Heading out of Blakeney they tried to spot the new cafe ‘Folks’ but looked up the High Street and it’s actually on Westgate Street – it gets good reviews so probably worth a return trip. From Blakeney the route headed to Wiveton, Newgate (Three Swallows) and then the long drag to Holt into a head/crosswind all the way. Heading out of Holt on the Hempstead Road, the route crossed the outward leg and went on to Baconsthorpe, Plumstead, Matlaske and Aldborough. It then swung north to Bessingham and Gresham, where Ian turned for home, leaving Mark to head back via PC.
A decent route with bright weather but the strong wind made it hard going on the return leg.
Mark plus Ian A leading.
PC to PC was 42 miles (14.6mph average)

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 21st – King’s Café, Shipdham
Wednesday 25th -Litcham Deli
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/

It was a bright and windy day for the club run to No.17 Cafe at Mundesley, which is housed in the front half of the former Cafe Jonet. Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner, while five more joined the route a bit further down the road. Assisted by a stiff westerly, the longer outward leg was fairly fast, riding by way of Barningham Winter, Thwaite, Alby Common, Suffield, Felmingham, Swanton Abbott, Scottow, Frankfort, Worstead, Meeting Hill, White Horse Common, Spa Common, Knapton and Trunch. No.17 is an interesting enterprise, with sparse accommodation and serving basically baguettes, jacket potatoes and doughnuts. The range of fillings is impressive however, the quality is top class and the prices are surprisingly cheap in these inflationary times.

Stiff climbs and a stiff headwind were features of a return leg that also benefited from beautiful autumn sunshine. It was also a very contorted route, which travelled via Paston, Little London, Swafield, Bradfield, Gimingham, Trimingham (from where the convalescent Graham headed for home), Clapham Dams, Northrepps, Metton, Sustead (where Neil Mc turned off) and Lower Gresham. Some of the steadier riders cut off the plotted route in order to accompany Brian back to Alby Common, before continuing westwards to Thwaite Hill and Aldborough, where Neil S turned north for the coast, leaving two to continue to Plumstead Green, where they split for their respective destinations.

Riders: Neil Mc; Mark; Ian; Chris; Neil S; Jim; Harvey; Graham A; Brian.

Distances: 47 miles to 73 miles.

Ride Report by Ride Leader Andrew B
Three riders met at Pretty Corner, for a run to the Artisan Cafe, Alby on a warm Autumn day with the threat of rain about lunchtime.
The route took us through East Beckham, Lower Gresham, Aylmerton (where we met up with Graham as pre-arranged), Felbrigg Estate, Cromer, Northrepps, Southrepps Lower Street, Antingham, Colby and Erpingham. There was definitely a Halloween theme as we passed a stall of pumpkins on the way. On arrival at the Cafe we found a table inside and all enjoyed an excellent lunch.

On leaving we noticed further evidence of Halloween preparation with a field of pumpkins.

Graham decided to leave us and make is own way home from Erpingham, with the remaining riders continuing on to Ingworth, then through Blickling estate which was a change from the route as the rain had finally started. The route then took us through Itteringham, Wolterton, Wickmere, Lower Street, Barningham and onto West Beckham, were Ian and Andrew left for home, leaving Mark to make is way back to PC alone.
Luckily, although there was some light rain we all managed to stay fairly dry and we missed the heavy deluge later in the evening!

Mark, Ian, Graham A and Andrew leading.
PC to PC 43 miles
Average speed 13.0 mph
Total Elevation 1700 ft

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 14th – No 17, Mundesley
Wednesday 18th – Three Swallows, Cley
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/

Only two miles to the cafe.

A short break in Holkham courtyard.

Andrew, Chris and Mark set out from PC to collect Neil Mc at Cross Green for this weekend’s club run to the Courtyard Cafe on the Holkham Estate. They were joined at the cafe by Ian and Harvey, both of whom had ridden the set route solo. The morning ride visited Stody, Brinton, Sharrington, Bale, Hindringham, Great Snoring, three Barshams, Waterden and the Triumphal Arch before the long descent to the refreshment break outside in the courtyard, where Andrew showed his pictures from a recent extended holiday in western Canada.

After a fairly short break, the bunch headed back through the top end of Wells to the Walsingham road before cutting across to Warham and then a southerly loop down to Copy’s Green, Great Walsingham, the Snorings, over the airfield to Thursford Green, Gunthorpe (where Neil Mc turned for home), then north for Sharrington (where Harvey left the route to take a longer, steady ride back), the Thornages, Letheringsett, Wiveton, the long climb out of the Glaven valley, over the heath to High Kelling (where Andrew and Ian headed for home), leaving the last pair to ride the final five miles to PC.

Although the forecast balmy Indian Summer weather never materialised, it was a soft and breezy day for riding a bike along a lot of north Norfolk lanes. There were certainly a lot of bikes about today, including heavily laden tourists, three tandems and what looked like a Dutch Velomobiel Snoek aerodynamic recumbent (at Thursford).

Distances: it was 64 miles from PC to PC, but individual distances ranged from 55 miles to 80 miles.

Ride Report by Ride Leader Chris S
There was a good turn out for Wednesday’s ride to East Rudham with seven riders meeting up at Pretty Corner. The group included Graham A who is now back on his bike following his recent operation and Andrew B who has just returned from Toronto and was still suffering the after effects of jet lag. In addition, three veteran members including Geoff P arrived at PC having arranged a shorter ride.

The weather was cool but sunny with a moderate south westerly wind. Unfortunately the outward journey was head on to the wind taking the group through Edgefield, Briston, Fulmondeston, Great Ryburgh and onwards to East Rudham. Graham A and Andrew B left the group at Great Ryburgh stopping for refreshments at the local shop before taking a shorter route home.

After an enjoyable lunch at the recently opened Biagio’s (formerly Jane’s Café) at East Rudham, the ride continued further west into the wind to South Raynham before turning back in an easterly direction with a very welcome tail wind. The roads in the afternoon appeared to have suffered badly from Monday night’s storm with lots of deep sand having been washed on to the road causing numerous front and rear wheel slides. This was followed by some deep mud which a local farmer was attempting to scrape off the road at the entrance to his farm. The route back went through Whissonsett, across the A1067 to Guestwick, Corpusty and East Beckham. Duncan S dropped off at Corpusty whilst Clive turned off at Barningham Winter to head back to Blakeney. Ian A took a left turn at Mill Road leaving only Chris S and Mark M to return to PC.

Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Graham A, Clive, Andrew B, Duncan S and Chris S (Ride Leader)
Total Distance: 62 miles at an average speed of 15mph.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 7th – Holkham Hall
Wednesday 11th – Artisan Café, Alby
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/