Ride Report by Ian A
Editor’s note – Mark and Neil had a chat with Geoff P at PC, looking well, he was off to Barningham Crown to enjoy lunch in the sun. Hope you enjoyed it Geoff.
Mark and Neil met at PC on an overcast and cool morning and set off in long sleeved jerseys and jackets. However, when they arrived at High Kelling via West Beckham, they found the sun was shining, it was pleasantly warm and Ian was baring all! After a short discussion on the weather-related benefits of living in High Kelling, the threesome set off over the NNR bridge and onto Wiveton and then predominantly eastwards with a gentle tailwind all the way.
The route took us through Langham, Binham and then onto Wighton where we stopped to admire the impressive exhibits at the Scarecrow Festival. Little Miss Muffet was a little sinister and there were many excellent other examples.
We continued on some pretty lanes to Burnham Thorpe and then decided to detour into and through (a not too busy) Burnham Market where we encountered our first flood of the day as the River Burn was running high. Ian got wet feet and a wet rear and was bemoaning his decision to remove his mudguards for the ride…
We then turned southwest through Docking and Fring and the turn to Great Bircham Windmill. The tearooms were busy but they have an efficient ordering system. We found a table outside in the shade and both the breakfasts and the quiche with salad were very good. (I have to also comment that the road surfaces on the lanes do seem to get better as you move into West Norfolk!)
Refuelled and refreshed we now faced the prospect of a headwind all the way back to PC. Fortunately the wind wasn’t too strong and the left hand hedges gave us some shelter for much of the way.
The return leg went via Syderstone, South Creake and up to North Barsham and Houghton St. Giles where we turned east to Great Snoring. The River Stiffkey was in full-flood at Houghton St. Giles and we had to dismount to walk over the footbridge due to the levels of water and mud. From Great Snoring it was the well-ridden route of Thursford, Gunthorpe, Brinton, Stody, Hunworth and the climb up to Edgefield. Our last wet and muddy encounter was on the Gunthorpe Road up to Brinton which was also a bit unexpected. So yes, dear reader, a bike wash was necessary afterwards. At Edgefield, Neil turned off to head downhill to Corpusty, leaving Ian and Mark to return via Baconsthorpe and Hill Farm at the bottom of New Road, where Ian turned left for home, and Mark continued back to PC and Sheringham.
Overall an excellent, pretty route with a few smatterings of wet muddiness.
PC to PC was 66 miles with an average speed of 15.3mph
Riders: Ian A, Mark M, Neil M
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 15th May – Stanfield Old Dairy
Saturday 18th May – Mardlers’ Rest, Gressenhall
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 