Ride Report by Neil Mc
Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a cool, calm Saturday morning. The weather was forecast as dry and thankfully it remained that way all day, which was a pleasant relief after the many soakings of 2024 so far.
The ride was to “Un Cafe” at Beeston St Andrew Garden Centre, a new venue to all riding. The outward route went via Gresham, Bessingham, Adborough and down to Ingworth where we turned east to cross the A140 and on to Banningham. Much care was taken to avoid flooded potholes after Brian’s recent mishap just north of Banningham.
After Banningham we went through Skeyton to Scottow and then doglegged round through Market Street to cross the railway and pass through Coltishall and Horstead where we took to the lanes again. We kept off the North Walsham road by taking a route out the back of Crostwick, but finally had to pop out opposite Spixworth and join the B1150 down to the Broadland Northway. The traffic wasn’t too bad as it turned out, but it was a bit tedious waiting for a safe gap to cross the Northway via the central cycle refuge. Fortunately the garden centre was very close to the junction so we were there very shortly afterward.
The cafe was a pleasant surprise, nicer than a standard garden centre and bustling with other patrons. We found Graham A and Neil S there already having ridden independently to the main group. The food was tasty with a good choice of light meals and cakes at a reasonable price. We arrived with the lunchtime rush so service was a little slow, but they managed to catch up and we weren’t forgotten.
Graham and Neil left before the group to make their own way back, the rest of us departed on the B1150 toward Norwich. Soon a right onto Beeston lane took us on to Buxton Road where we headed north again to take the bridge over the Northway and pass west of Spixworth. This was a much nicer (and safer) way to cross the Northway and it would make sense to use this both ways to the cafe in future.
The return took a quick route through Hainford, Stratton Strawless, Buxton and Brampton where we turned west to cross the A140 just before Marsham. A swift run through Eastgate, Cawston and up to Heydon followed where Neil Mc left to head for home. The remaining group rode through Heydon Park on to Oulton, Itteringham and then back to PC via Barningham Winter and Red Barn Lane.
PC to PC 56 miles at 15.7 mph average
Riders: Ian A, Chris S, Mark M, Neil Mc with Graham A and Neil S riding independently.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 20th March – Bayfield Hall, Glandford
Saturday 23rd March – Dunes Café, Waxham
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 