Though milder this weekend after the cold snap, last Saturday’s ice and freezing fog were succeeded by rain and strong wind. There were no takers for the traditional Saturday club run. However, some of the more senior flexitime Wheelers took advantage of Friday’s sunshine to complete a version of the scheduled ride out to Mundesley’s No.17 Cafe. Brian, Neil S and Harvey set out a little later than usual to follow the basic route by way of Sustead, Northrepps, Clapham Dams, Trimingham, Gimingham, the Harvey Estate and Trunch to the cafe on the coast, which was, unsurprisingly much quieter on a December Friday (literally one man and his dog) than for the previous visit on an October Saturday. Waiting patiently?! at the cafe was Graham A, who had missed the start by a minute or two and ridden directly to Mundesley; on reflection, this was probably because the starting trio had set out in an unscheduled direction, while the victim would be assuming he would be approaching them on the published plotted route if he happened to be delayed for any reason. Being sheltered from a stiff south westerly, Mundesley was surprisingly warm for December. On departure, the bunch followed a more southerly loop as far as Briggate, where Graham punctured a rear Vittoria. Back on the road again, it was via Worstead and Skeyton to Felmingham, where Graham continued north, destination Cromer, while the others turned down Brick Kiln Lane for Suffield, Colby, Erpingham and Aldborough for the split, from where one rider (having failed to fit lights only twelve days short of the Winter Solstice) had to engage the big ring and race the fading light for a final eleven miles home.
Distances ranged from 40 miles to 65 miles.
North Norfolk Wheelers 