After a couple of very wet and windy days, Saturday was calm, dry and unseasonably mild, with some occasional sunshine for good measure. So the five Wheelers that met at PC were looking forward to enjoying the good conditions, though we would find that there was a lot of water on the roads and a number of flooded sections.
The first leg of the route was mainly south, taking us through Itteringham then Oulton Street and to within sight of the main Holt Road when Chris’s crank arm decided to fall off. Unfortunately the securing bolt required a 10mm hex key and the largest we had available was 8mm. So we pointed Chris back in the direction of Oulton Street and various farm buildings to see if he could find someone with the correct key, failing that he would have to call home for rescue.
The remaining four bravely carried on through Cawston, Swannington to Attlebridge where we stopped to admire the Wensum in full flood, dirty brown and surging under the bridge. Then it was a loop round to Ringland, round Attlebridge airfield and down Cadder’s Hill through a huge flood at the bottom and into Lyng. Again the Wensum was in flood and as we climbed the hill out of Lyng we could see a huge expanse of flood plain covered in water.
We had not been at Chrysalis café many minutes when Brian and Neil S arrived, having used a mix of road and muddy trails for their route. They reported that they had seen Chris and stopped to help, though they had nothing larger than 8mm.
Before we had reached the cake and extra coffee round, Chris arrived. He had found a farmer with a 10mm key, fixed his bike, followed the full route and made it in time for lunch, Chapeau Chris!
After lunch Brian and Neil S headed for Whitwell and the Marriott’s Way, while the reformed five went through Sparham, down the hill and through another great flood and then up to Bawdeswell, Themelthorpe, Foulsham to Briston where Neil Mc turned for home. Just the other side of Briston, Clive turned towards Stody and on to Blakeney, leaving three to head for Edgefield, Baconsthorpe, Bodham Hill where Andrew turned off, while Mark and Chris went via Upper Sheringham to home.
PC to PC was 55 miles at an average of 15 mph.
Riders: Andrew B, Clive A, Neil Mc, Chris S, Mark M, Brian P, Neil S.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 14th Feb – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Saturday 17th Feb – 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 