Month: April 2024

Ride Report by Neil M
Three Wheelers met at PC on a cold, windy, drizzly morning which felt more like early February than late April. Chris was out again and raring to go despite his painful hip, so thoughts of feet up in the warm and a nice pot of tea were cast aside in the face of such determination.

We set off down the hill through East Beckham and on to Gresham, Susted and Hanworth to cross the A140 and head North of Gunton Park toward Thorpe Market. Following a brief section of the Cromer road we were back into the lanes past Gunton Station, Trunch, Knapton and Edingthorpe to the outskirts of Bacton.

In best getting-the-miles-in tradition the easy route to Walcott was ignored and we turned inland again to head South through Witton and past East Ruston Vicarage gardens to skirt Happisburgh. It is always good so see the iconic lighthouse on a ride and that was our cue to turn North to Ostend and then up the coast road to the other Lighthouse; the pub this time.

We had been avoiding the Lighthouse over the winter due to the heating not being on; surely it would have warmed up by late April? Well, it was such a cold day that it wasn’t exactly warm in the pub – apart from the radiator in the Gents, which was roasting! It was fine though, warm enough to be welcoming after the ride.

We were pleased to see 3 more Wheelers had already arrived and bagged a table for us all. Neil S, Graham A and Graham J had taken a more direct route and were well ensconced with hot drinks when we arrived. Oddly the three early arrivals all ordered sandwiches and the three later ones all ordered baked potatoes, so the grim weather must have got us thinking alike. The food arrived very quickly and was much appreciated after the cold ride.

After lunch Neil S and the two Grahams decided to take the coast road back toward Cromer as they all wanted to get back quickly. The remaining three set out on the return route inland heading down to Honing then through Worstead and round the lanes North of Swanton Abbot. Mark then suggested an alternative to avoid carrying on to Tuttington and re-treading the route of the previous Saturday’s diversion which went through Aylsham. We agreed with this, so turned North through Felmingham and Colby to cross the A140 at Erpingham and pick up the planned route again at Calthorpe.

Neil M left the group just past The Saracen’s Head at Wolterton to head for home via Mannington Hall. The remaining pair carried on through Matlaske and then decided to head direct to Sheringham via Barningham Winter and Red Barn lane, missing out the original route which was to head via Baconsthorpe, Hempstead and Bodham.

All in all, a chilly damp ride, but a nice lunch and no incidents, punctures or mechanicals.

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Neil M, Neil S, Graham A, Graham J
Miles: 53 to 58 miles at an average 15.2 mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 1st May – Hoveton Hall
Saturday 4th May – Poppylands, Horsey
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/

Report by Ride Leader Mark M
After a three week injury enforced absence, Chris decided to ease himself back into cycling on a day with a particularly strong and cold northerly wind and over a very hilly route. Fortunately the route was mainly an east to west circuit, so the full on headwind sections were generally fairly short.
From PC we went to Bodham, then dropped down to Weybourne, where we met Clive. Then it was uphill past the garden centre and on to Holt and down the A148 to Letheringsett Mill, across the ford bridge and up to Sharrington.
On the way to Sharrington, Clive had a rear tubeless puncture, luckily his full mudguard caught the resulting latex spray. On investigation the hole was too small to take a plug, yet the sealant (Stans) failed to fulfil the makers claims. After some time the sealant flow reduced, either due to it finally working or all having been lost. The tyre was pumped up and we continued on with fingers crossed.
At Gunthorpe we had to pump up the tyre again and that lasted all the way to the café. On to Thursford and Great Snoring, (missing out the Little Snoring airfield loop), then across the badly eroded footpath and bridge at Houghton St Giles to North Barsham and our most westerly point, South Creake.
Then we went via Quarles and saw Holkham’s Triumphal Arch before turning for Egmeer and Little Walsingham, arriving at Norton’s after 34 miles.
Arriving later than usual, the café was busy but we were happy to be in the warm and dry while we waited for our lunches, having had a few showers including hail on the way.
After lunch we topped up the tyre again and set off for Great Walsingham, Hindringham, Bale, Field Dalling and Saxlingham, where Clive headed back to Blakeney. That left two to enjoy the descent down to Glandford, before the climb up Hurdle Lane to Bayfield. Here we took the road through the barns down to the Holt Road and across to Bridge road. Here we took our second shortcut and instead of going down to Kelling and back up to High Kelling, we stayed on Bridge Road to High Kelling, then West Beckham and home via Upper Sheringham.

PC to PC was 55.5 miles instead of the planned 59 miles, with a 13.9 mph average.
Riders: Chris S, Clive A, Mark M leading

Saturday 27th April – The Lighthouse, Walcott
Wednesday 1st May – Hoveton Hall
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/

Report by Mark M
Another ride on a dry day, with a cold and strong northerly wind. Ideal for the mainly southerly route, though less so for the return journey home.
Mark left PC for the short ride to Gresham to meet Doug and then it was down to Aldborough, Erpingham and Ingworth to meet Neil Mc. Across the A140 to Banningham and then south to Brampton, Hainford and Spixworth. From here we turned east, crossing the busy Coltishall then Wroxham roads before getting onto the rolling road through Woodbastwick, Ranworth, where we had a stop to view the boats, then on to South Walsham and Fairhaven Water Gardens and tearoom.

With the wind assistance we had made good time, getting into the café at noon. We had just ordered our lunches when Malcolm arrived, he had faced the headwind from St Olaves and across the Reedham ferry to join us. Lunchtime topics included how his broken femur had been fixed with a titanium rod being hammered down the centre of it.
After a good value lunch, Malcolm got to enjoy the tailwind as he headed for Acle and Stokesby on his circular route back. We now headed west on a fairly busy road for Little Plumstead and Salhouse. Just before Little Plumstead, Doug’s rear tubeless tyre that he had plugged previously, started leaking air and sealant from the same now failing plug. Once again it didn’t take long to stick in another plug and add a bit more air, though I remain a tubeless sceptic.

Once we got going again, it was back across the Wroxham road and then to Crostwick to cross the Coltishall road and on to more familiar roads through Frettenham, Little Hautbois to Badersfield.
At the Skeyton Goat, the navigator missed the turn and went to Tuttington instead of Felmingham and then changed the route to reduce the miles into the headwind.
So we then went via Dunkirk to Ingworth and took the lane across Scarrow Beck (huge holes in the road at the ford) up to Calthorpe. Here Neil turned for Mannington Hall and home, leaving two to head for Wickmere, Thurgarton and the final split at Sustead.

PC to PC was 60.6 miles instead of the planned 64m with an average speed of 14.9mph, helped by a very fast 16.4mph downwind leg.
Riders: Doug H, Neil Mc, Mark M, Malcolm S.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 24th April – Nortons, Walsingham
Saturday 27th April – The Lighthouse, Walcott
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/

Report by Ride Leader Ian A
With ongoing injuries and holidays, just two Wheelers met at PC on a cold and windy morning, but at least the heavy rain and hail storms had passed through and we had a dry ride.
Possibly due to the ride leader’s excitement at having managed to get new Hunt wheels ordered on Sunday, delivered and fitted to his workhorse gravel bike after bashing beyond repair the old rear wheel, he forgot to check whether the cafe at Hoveton Hall was open. But Mark had. And it wasn’t. Opens next Sunday.
So we decided to detour to the nearby Courtyard Cafe at Wroxham Barns, Hoveton which was pretty much on the route anyway. The route took us through East Beckham and the familiar lanes via Lower Gresham, Sustead, Aldborough and on to Alby Common. We called in on Brian P to see how he was – much improved and hoping to be riding before Summer is out, which will be a brilliant recovery, but still frustrated at not being able to walk far or do much. But apparently he CAN manage the washing up… Declining the offer of coffee (and after admiring Elizabeths’s impressive running medal collection!) we pressed on west to Suffield then south skirting Felmingham and on to Swanton Abbot, Sloley and through Tunstead to reach Wroxham Barns.

So that leg had been downwind and downhill. A hearty lunch was therefore required to fuel up for the return leg. Mark opted for what appeared to be a Sunday Roast Pork dinner in a baguette plus a large brownie, while Ian had a brie and cranberry toasted ciabatta sandwich with a biscotti cookie. All was tasty, served up quickly and the coffee was good. It got busy while we were eating and it appeared that it was chucking out time at a local nursery judging by the volume (in all senses) of 3 & 4 year olds suddenly.

After lunch we deviated from the planned route for the first few miles to explore the off-road lane round the ‘other side’ of the old RAF Coltishall airfield. A further workout and shakedown for the new wheels. At Badersfield we rejoined the planned route and went through Skeyton then on to Tuttingham, Banningham, Ingworth, Matlaske and up to the familiar radio mast and down to the Rectory Road junction by Hill Farm where Ian turned left for High Kelling and Mark turned right to head back to PC and Sheringham. And yes it was much harder work in the afternoon and Mark’s diesel engine was as useful as ever.

PC to PC was 48 miles at an average speed of 14mph
Riders: Mark M and Ian A leading (kind of)

Saturday 20th April – Fairhaven Tearoom, South Walsham
Wednesday 24th – Nortons, Walsingham
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/

Report by Mark M
With injury and holidays depleting numbers, three Wheelers met at PC on a breezy and cool morning. With the forecast suggesting a balmy 20 degrees later in the day, all three were feeling a little underdressed and hoped the sun would soon warm the day up.
With the south westerly wind helping us along as we headed east through Gresham, Metton, Northrepps to Mundesley where we had arranged to pick up Doug. Doug was collecting his bike from Woods Cycles of Mundesley after a bottom bracket replacement and timed it so he could join us and test out the new BB. As a Wheeler he was also pleased to receive a 10% discount on parts and labour from Woods Cycles.

We crossed the golf course on the way to Trunch and Knapton, then through Bacton Wood to Old Hall Road which is still closed to vehicles, though walkers and cyclists can limbo under the barriers at each end to get through. Then it was Crostwight, Ridlington and up to Bacton to a surprisingly quiet Watsons.

Early arrivals at the café were Graham A and Neil S, who had taken a similar though slightly more direct route and had time to have their lunch before we arrived. Neil S showed us a video clip of Brian P looking very well and happy, pedalling away on a stationary bicycle that he had helped to organise. Brian has just started to take some short walks and the bike will help him regain some strength and mobility.
Just as we were thinking of leaving, Malcolm arrived, so I saw that as an excuse for more tea and a piece of cake, while we had a chat and discussed options for new wheels for Ian. Once outside again, of the five bikes remaining, three were titanium, gleaming in the sun, I will admit to having Ti envy!
So we sent Malcolm off to complete his 70ish mile circuit to home, while we headed into a stiff headwind to Spa Common, then down to Worstead, across to Skeyton and up to Colby and across to Calthorpe. Here Doug turned for Aldborough and onwards to Cromer and at Wickmere Neil Mc continued on for Corpusty, leaving two to head for Matlaske and the final split at Red Barn Lane.

PC to PC was 57 miles at a 15.5mph average
Riders: Neil Mc, Ian A, Mark M, Graham A, Neil S, Malcolm S

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 17th April – Hoveton Hall
Saturday 20th April – Fairhaven Tearoom, South Walsham
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/

Report by Ride Leader Chris S
Only two Wheelers, Mark M and Chris S, met up at PC. Whilst the weather was sunny topping out at around 13 degrees centigrade there was a strong south westerly wind.

Unsurprisingly the outward route headed straight into the wind. A third wheeler, Ian A, was waiting patiently at High Kelling. The outward route took in Wiveton, Glanford, Field Dalling, Bale, Hindringham with an early stop after 19 miles at Binham Palour for a late breakfast/early brunch. The roads were generally dry with only one major flood encountered just after Hindringham. Of course, all three wheelers ordered the superb full breakfast with Mark M also ordering a man-sized pot of tea which unsurprisingly led to the inevitable stop on the route back.

Feeling fully re-energised the three continued further west into the wind through Warham, Wighton, Great & Little Walsingham to West Barsham before turning east to Thursford. Although no longer heading directly into the wind there was still a strong side wind at times. The ride then continued through Gunthorpe, Hunworth and Hempstead where Ian turned off taking a more direct route back to High Kelling. This left just Mark and Chris to ride back to PC passing through Baconsthorpe, Bessingham and Gresham.

Pc to PC 52 miles. Average speed 14.6mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Ian A.

Postscript
Whilst the ride was uneventful after Ian left the ride to return to High Kelling he unfortunately hit a pothole whilst riding downhill south of the pond on the Selbrigg Road. He was trying to avoid the mud and sand on the road at the time. Whilst he managed to stay on the bike the front wheel was badly dented and buckled but still rideable. Good luck Ian bashing out the dent and re-truing the wheel or in the worst case sourcing a new wheel.

Saturday 13th April – Watsons, Bacton
Wednesday 17th April – Hoveton Hall
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/