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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 