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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 