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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 