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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 