Month: November 2023

Report by Ride Leader Ian A
This is the one where the ride leader neither started or finished at PC… Well the offer was made to meet at the Selbrigg Road junction which is close to home and gave me more time to chip the early morning frozen sleet off my bike.
So Mark and Chris set off from PC on a very chilly morning with the promise of a few showers later in the morning (which we duly got) and some flooded roads (which we also ‘enjoyed’) and meandered via West Beckham and Lower Bodham to pick up Ian. Ian then led the way through Hempstead, Plumstead, Edgefield, then heading west to skirt Briston, continuing through Melton Constable, where we turned north through the pretty village of Briningham, then onto Brinton and Sharrington.
A few miles back we’d removed our rain jackets as the weak sun had managed to warm us up (a bit), but at the A148 junction at Sharrington, Mark and I put ours back on as it was now raining. Chris, however, was test-riding his new DHB Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec Jacket which claims to be warm, breathable and waterproof so kept his rain jacket stowed. (And later in the pub Chris declared it indeed was all three. Mind you, he had about 17 baselayers underneath…)
Onwards then through pretty Saxlingham and Field Dalling. On reaching Binham, we took the Stiffkey Road towards, well, Stiffkey, but turned right to hurtle through Cockthorpe, past Langham Dome, and then via Langham, Blakeney and Wiveton to reach the Three Swallows after 33 miles. We parked our bikes in the garden (nicely decked out but not really a day to be sat outside!) and entered the bar area. We spurned the open fire (far too cosy), and found a table near the bar. They do a ‘lunch spesh’ – a choice of food and a drink for £11. Ham, Egg & Chips and a pint of Landlord seemed a no brainer for two of us and was excellent. Chris opted for soup and a pot of tea. Hmm… Not sure what was the smallest, the soup bowl, the teacup or the teapot.

After lunch and a quick photoshoot, we took the main drag up to Holt where we detoured to check progress on Duncan’s build – both front and rear perspectives so a thorough examination. Looks like a great party house (hint) and a modern looking building with an impressive array of solar panels now the roof is on.
Spurning the temptation to wave farewell to the others and turn for High Kelling at this point, the ride leader dutifully led the trio onwards across the bypass and up the Hempstead Road (actually I think Mark was leading the peloton by now) into Baconsthorpe and on to North Barningham where yes, dear reader, Plum Lane is STILL under about 8 inches of water. Oh well, better to find out near home rather than near the start. At the top of Plum Lane I turned left to head back to High Kelling, leaving Mark & Chris to continue back to PC via Red Barn Lane.

PC to PC was 46 miles at an average speed of 14.4mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M with Ian A leading
That Jacket: https://www.wiggle.com/p/dhb-aeron-lab-mens-all-winter-polartec-jacket

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 2nd Dec – Holkham
Wednesday 6th Dec – Reepham
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 Wheelers departed from Pretty Corner while one more joined the route a few miles down the road for the NNW club run to The Courtyard Cafe at Pensthorpe. On a cold and windy day, softened by more sunshine than anticipated, the bunch detoured round by Mannington Hall to Corpusty, over the exposed ground to Wood Dalling, along the sheltered Odessa lane to Guestwick, down Skitfield Road, through Wood Norton and Stibbard, descending to the Wensum, before a stiff final couple of miles over the three Flanders-like bergs (aka Clay Hill, Burrow Hill and Langor Hill). During the refuelling break, the conversation turned to the relative merits of various groupsets.

The return trip saw Graham J and Harvey ease off the back a bit for a steady ride home. The vanguard of four took advantage of a lot of tailwind to push on via Kettlestone, Croxton, Hindolveston, Thurning, Blackwater Bridge, Heath Road (where Neil Mc turned for home), Ramsgate Street and Cross Green before a conventional ride back via Baconsthorpe (from where Ian A headed to High Kelling) to Bodham Hill and West Beckham.

Riders: Chris; Graham J; Harvey; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc.

This was the first of the ‘winter’ sub-50 miles club runs (PC to PC), but individual distances ranged from 49 miles to 60 miles.

Four riders met at PC on a dry, dull but breezy morning for our first visit to the Recruiting Sergeant in Horstead, just over the bridge from Coltishall and another popular lunch spot, The Rising Sun.
With the shorter rides at this time of year, it was a longer 28 mile leg out to get us there for 12 noon when lunch started. So it was a meandering ride south on mainly dry roads taking in Aldborough, Itteringham, Ingworth to Aylsham. With the sky getting brighter and spirits rising we continued to Brampton, Stratton Strawless, Frettenham across the busy B1150 to Horstead Mill, where a couple of kayakers were enjoying the increased river flow and to our destination.
We were able to get from the carpark into the pub courtyard and large garden to safely leave our bikes before heading into the dimly lit/atmospheric pub.
It is obviously a popular pub as it was already fairly busy when we arrived at 12 and continued to fill up over our stay, impressive for a Wednesday lunch in November.
We were spoiled for choice with the extensive menu and impressed by the generous portions and quality of the food when it arrived. I had a traditional steamed suet steak and kidney pudding with mash and peas and it was enough to feed two people, which was excellent, though I did have to leave some of the pastry, fearing I may not be able to cycle home.

We had been expecting Malcolm to join us, he later reported that he had a late start and would probably have missed us, but he still enjoyed the dry weather and managed a 53 mile loop before getting home for tea and mince pies.

Our route back was a slower and shorter 20 mile route out of Horstead to Mayton Wood, Lamas, Banningham, Gunton Park, Hanworth to Gresham, where our routes split with Ian and Andrew continuing west and Chris and I heading back to PC.

PC to PC 47.4 miles at an average speed of 14.7mph
Riders: Andrew B, Ian A, Chris S, Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 25th Nov – Pensthorpe
Wednesday 29th Nov – 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/

Well, I guess nobody else had new wet weather gear they wanted to test, because today was ideal, not too cold, nicely wet and roads like rivers.
At PC the strong southerly was blowing sheets of heavy drizzle across the fields as I set off, but that didn’t last too long and by the time I reached Hanworth it had stopped for a while. That meant it was dry when I stopped to have a chat with Harvey, who was making his way home after going out early to catch more of the morning rain.
The steady group had opted to ride on the calm and sunny Friday, in the end it was Harvey and Brian and they went to the excellent Chrysalis Café at Sparhamhill.
On my way east via Thorpe Market, Trunch, Knapton, Bacton Church to Witton, as well as light showers there were plenty of floods across the road, but all fairly shallow and could be coasted or pedalled through and the new overshoes were working well.
At Witton, almost within sight of the pub, there was the usual bonus loop, which on this occasion went south to East Ruston Gardens before heading back up to Happisburgh, Ostend and finally to The Lighthouse. For good measure it rained continuously on this loop and then on the main road (it had a white line instead of grass in the middle) between Happisburgh and the Ostend turning, I went through a flood that went halfway up my shins and nearly stopped me. I have to report that the new overshoes failed the submariner test and some water trickled in. At least I would be able to dry out while I had lunch.
I arrived at The Lighthouse bang on 12 noon and was the only person in there until I was leaving and one other person came in. The Lighthouse was doing its bit for net zero by apparently not turning on the heating, yay! To take my mind off the fact that I was neither warming up or drying out, I had the Chef’s Special ribeye steak and a couple of pints of Wherry, excellent.
Reinvigorated I set off into the afternoon gloom, pleased to see that the rain had stopped, in fact it stayed dry all the way home. The route took me south through Honing to Dilham and then onto the westward leg. When I reached Upper Street, I decided to see if the coffee truck at the Squirrelwood equestrian centre on the Sloley road was open, having been past a number of times and never stopped. It was open and I had a good Americano and a Millionaires Slice, dessert done.

After Skeyton I turned north, finally getting a tail wind and I took my rain jacket off so I didn’t get too hot, then it was up to Colby, Erpingham where I’m sure I saw some sun and then the usual Aldborough route back to PC.

New rain jacket, that worked well and was reasonably breathable: Galibier Tempest 2 https://www.galibier.cc/product/tempest-pro-2-cycling-jacket/
New winter overshoes, did a good job, taller and better leg seal than my previous overshoes.: Galibier Arctic 3 Overshoe https://www.galibier.cc/product/arctic-3-cycling-overshoes/

PC to PC 55 miles at an average 14.4 mph
Riders: Mark M, Harvey T enroute.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 22nd Nov – Recruiting Sergeant, Horstead
Saturday 25th Nov – Pensthorpe
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/

Report by Ride Leader Chris S
There was a good turn out with five riders meeting up at Pretty Corner. The weather was dry and sunny for a change but with a brisk to strong south westerly wind which increased in strength throughout the day.

The outward leg took the group through Gresham and Susted where Graham A joined the group then onwards through Aldborough, Suffield, Swanton Abbot, Sloley and on to Wroxham Barns. The condition of some of the smaller lanes was poor to say the least with a mixture of mud and wet leaves making the surface very slippery and slowing down the group.

Although the original destination was Hoveton Hall this was changed to the Courtyard Café at Wroxham Barns on account of the former being closed for the winter. However after arriving at the café early at approximately 11.45am a good hot lunch was enjoyed. Malcolm also turned up having cycled from St Olaves.

The return journey was via Coltishall with a steady climb along Hautbois Road to Badersfield. The wind strengthened veering west making it harder work. At Skeyton, Graham opted to take a sorter and less windy route back to Cromer. The rest of the group continued onto Tuttington, Banningham, Ingham and Calthorpe where Duncan then turned off. The ride then continued to Matlaske and onto Barningham Road where Andrew and Ian turned off left to head back to High Kelling. This left only Mark and Chris to finish the ride to PC

Total Distance 46.7 miles Average 14.3mph
Riders: Chris S (Leader), Duncan S, Mark M, Andrew B, Ian A, Graham A and Malcolm S at lunch, (Malcolm’s total was 53miles)

Reminder to complete the short Club Survey:
https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2023/11/15/the-club-invites-you-to-take-this-short-questionnaire-to-help-inform-the-committee-thanks/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 18th Nov – Lighthouse, Walcott
Wednesday 22nd Nov – Recruiting Sergeant, Horstead
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/

And then there were ten. After recent concerns about falling numbers, exacerbated by unprecedented levels of illness and injury, it was a double figures turnout in sharp, bright conditions for the first of the shorter GMT weekend club runs. Only three Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner, but, as anticipated, two more groups joined the route at the three and five mile markers. It was a fairly stiff headwind out, riding roughly parallel to the coast, by way of Salthouse Heath, Glandford, the back road up Wiveton Downs, Langham, Cockthorpe, Binham (where Jim experienced a minor chute), Warham, Wighton, Copy’s Green, Great Walsingham and a detour west onto the Old Wells Road.

The Norton Centre cafe was busy, with a lot of hungry pilgrims, as well and a large group of loud and excitable Liverpudlian women, who Brian thought were “obviously discussing the Holy Bible”. The food and drink were of high quality, including one Wheeler’s choice of tea with salad cream. Today’s big bunch were well rewarded after the break with glorious sunshine and an exhilarating tailwind on a route that took them via the Snorings, Thursford church, Briningham, from where Andrew turned for home, Burgh Parva, Hindolveston, Burnthouse, Briston (Jim had a short ride home to Melton from here) and Cross Green, where Neil Mc turned south for Corpusty and a steady riding bunch of four headed over the Edgefield Range to various points east.

Group: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham A; Harvey; Jim; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S;

Distances: this shorter ‘winter’ route was about 54 miles, while individual distances ridden ranged from about 43 miles to 67 miles.

Despite the wet forecast and drizzle from before the start, three Wheelers, allegedly of sound mind, met at PC for the ride to Purdy’s at Woodgate garden centre. The strong southerly wind ensured we didn’t have to wait too long between showers.
Fortunately our route meandered east to Northrepps, Hungry Hill and Trunch before heading west to Suffield. Here we turned south into the wind for a few miles to get down to Tuttington before heading west again to reach Aylsham via the hole in the hedge at Dunkirk.
Spurred on by the thought of shelter and hot food we cranked through a busy Aylsham to reach a deserted Woodgate car park, no problem getting a table then, except that Purdy’s was closed.
We didn’t hang around trying to find out why it closed, instead we set off for a bonus mile and a half ride up to Aylsham Garden Centre on the A140, which was open. As we parked the bikes, an ancient steam powered car arrived, which turned the focus of attention away from the weather and extra miles to wondering why anyone would take such an old and valuable vehicle out in the rain, it didn’t even have any windows, just a hood.
Aylsham Garden Centre is undergoing a major expansion, which had demolished part of the old café and it was busy. We found the last large table and enjoyed very good food, tea, cake and managed to warm up and dry out a bit.
As we set off for home we were bathed not in the sunshine that the ride leader had predicted but more drizzle, but now we did have the wind behind us as we made our way through Aylsham again and on to Oulton. Next was Itteringham, Plumstead, Hempstead and Selbrigg pond to drop Andrew off, before the remaining duo continued to Bodham Hill, where the drizzle turned into proper rain for the final couple of miles back.
No flooded roads today, though very wet and a lot of leaf mulch about.

PC to PC 47.5 miles at an average of 14.1 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 11th Nov – Norton’s Walsingham
Wednesday 15th Nov – Hoveton Hall
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/

The poor weather forecasts leading up to Saturday, led to Harvey’s Steady Group delaying their ride to Sunday and only Chris and Mark meeting at PC on a much improved Saturday morning. While there, Geoff P stopped for a chat, on his ride to Junction 21 at Themelthorpe, a bit of rain won’t stop Geoff!

We were using Harvey’s original 61mile route which took us down through the flood by the pigs on Plum Lane to Little Barningham and then across to Edgefield. As we were going through the woods Jane Armstrong was cycling the other way, I managed a quick hello as we sped past each other.
As we entered Foxley we met Harvey, who had already done most of the route in the reverse direction, so he joined us for a few miles before continuing on his was home to rack up a 50 mile ride as a warm up for Sunday. He had caught a couple of heavier showers in the morning that we missed, though we did find some light showers on the way to the café.
Our route took us to Worthing, so we stopped at the bridge to check the river, which was at the top of the bank with a lot of flooding across the fields in the distance. We were then heading into the gusty SE wind as we went via Bylaugh to Sparham and then the café. We arrived and ordered while the café was quiet, but it soon had a number of families arrive for lunch. We had a good lunch, cake and two mugs of tea before we decided to venture out once more. It was heavy drizzle/light rain as we left and that persisted for the next hour and a half as we took another southerly loop through Lyng to Ringland before stopping at Attlebridge to check the river, which was flooding the meadows.

Now we were heading north, so had the benefit of a good tail wind as we took the regular route back, through Cawston, Itteringham to PC.
On the way to Itteringham, the rain stopped and the sun came out, initially creating a weak rainbow in the distance and then lighting up the woodlands ahead of us, highlighting the autumn colours. That didn’t last long before more clouds took over, but we made it back home before the next band of rain came through. A quick look at the Bure at Itteringham bridge showed the level looking just a little higher than normal.

All in all, not a bad day out, not too cold or too wet and PC to PC was 61 miles at 14.8 mph average.
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, with Geoff P, Jane A and Harvey T enroute.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 8th Nov – Purdys, Aylsham
Saturday11th Nov – Norton’s, Walsingham
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/