Month: July 2024

Ride report by Chris S

On a warm sunny Wednesday with temperatures reaching over 20 degrees Celsius and no forecast of rain (quite a rarity this year!) three Wheelers, Mark M, Duncan S and Chris S set off from PC. The initial route passed through Gresham, Sustead and Southrepps where Graham A then joined the group.

The route then continued on through North Walsham, Honing, Dilham, Neatishead, Ashmanhaugh before reaching Hoveton Hall Garden Kitchen Café. Here the four were joined by Malcolm S who had cycled up from St Olaves taking the river crossing at Reedham Ferry. A light lunch was enjoyed in the shade before setting off again. Malcolm S headed south leaving the other four Wheelers to head back northwards.

The route followed a short section of the Bure Valley Railway where the group managed to beat the steam locomotive No. 7, Spitfire, to the level crossing and then admire it as it passed with waving holidaymakers. The 15” gauge heritage Bure Valley Railway runs between Wroxham & Aylsham on the old railway bed of the East Norfolk Railway which was originally constructed in 1880 (history lesson over!).

The homeward journey then passed through Tunstead, Worstead, Knapton and Trunch where the group stopped outside the Crown Pub to commiserate with some locals about its recent closure. Sadly the Wheelers will no longer be able to partake in their excellent pies during the winter months!

At Northrepps Graham A turned off to head back to Cromer whilst the remaining Wheelers continued through Felbrigg, Hanworth and Baconsthorpe where Duncan S turned off toward Holt. This left only two Wheelers to ride through the Beckhams (West & East not to be confused with David and Victoria!) back to PC. No shortcuts this time via Upper Sheringham!

PC to PC 62.8 miles Average Speed 15.1mph

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Duncan S, Graham A joined by Malcolm S for lunch

Upcoming Rides – 
Saturday 3rd August – Café Verde, Mattishall
Wednesday 7th August – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
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/

Ride report by Mark M
On an ideal day for cycling, five Wheelers met at PC and went via Baconsthorpe to Edgefield to pick up Neil Mc, before continuing to Briston, Stody and across a busy A148 to Bale. Chris who was complaining about a lack of fitness as he had not been on his bike for a few weeks, kept leaving us all behind, so when we reached Hindringham he went on ahead to get us a shady table at Holkham.
The rest continued to Gt Snoring, down to East Barsham up the steep hill to the church and on to West and North Barsham, Waterden, Quarles and to the Triumphal Arch. With such a clear day, the Triumphal Arch framed a great view to the Obelisk, the sea and distant wind turbines. Holkham Park was busy though the café was fairly quiet and we found Chris finishing his lunch in the shade. We all had a good lunch though remarked that prices had gone up since our last visit.
We left Holkham through the east gate and went through a very busy Wells, heading for Warham, turning at the pub for Copys Green and the Walsinghams. Chris still had energy to burn so he set off to complete the route alone. The rest continued to Gt Snoring, Little Snoring and around the airfield to Thursford Green, Gunthorpe to Sharrington.
From Sharrington the route went to Letheringsett, up the hill to Bayfield Brecks and Glandford, Cley Newgate, up to High Kelling, Bodham Hill and PC.
As I wasn’t feeling very good, I opted to go the slightly easier and shorter route of Thornage, Hunworth Hill, Edgefield, Baconsthorpe, Bodham Hill, PC.
Doug chose to follow the full route, Graham went with him to Letheringsett, then took the main road to Holt. Myself and the two Neils made our way up to Edgefield where Neil Mc turned for home, leaving two to continue to PC.
Both Chris and Doug said the Wiveton loop was tough, especially at the end of an already hill ride. Well done for completing the full route.

PC to PC Full Route 64 miles with 827m climbing
PC to PC shorter route 60 miles with 755m climbing at an average 14.4 mph.

Riders: Graham A, Neil S, Doug H, Chris S, Neil Mc, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 31st July – Hoveton Hall
Saturday 3rd August – Café Verde, Mattishall
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/

Ride Report by Andrew B
Two riders met at PC for a ride to Wiveton Hall Cafe on a fine and calm summer’s day. With Mark leading, the two set off at a steady pace on the planned route through West Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Plumstead, Edgefield, Ramsgate Street, Thurning Mill, Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, Barney, Thursford, Hindringham, Binham, Langham and onto Wiveton.
On arrival at the Cafe it was good to see that Ian was already there and has bagged a good table outside in the sun. We all enjoyed a good lunch whilst admiring the view of the marshes and the sea (and ignoring the wind turbines!).
The route back took us through Newgate, (where Ian left us to make his own way home), up the hill past Bayfield Brecks, Letheringsett, Hunworth, Stody, Briston, Edgefield, Hempstead and Selbrigg. Mark then carried on back to PC alone (or at least the author assumes so!). A steady pace was again set by Mark with a bit of a head wind. An excellent route and a good day’s cycling in fine weather.

PC to PC 52 miles
Average speed 14.3 mph
Total Elevation 1900 ft

Andrew, Ian and Mark leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 27th July – Holkham Hall
Wednesday 31st July – 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/

Ride Report by Mark M
With an 83 mile route and two stops planned we started at the earlier time of 9am. Neil S, Doug and Mark met at PC on an already warm morning and headed to Edgefield to pick up Neil Mc. The route then took us to Bale, Gt Snoring, West Barsham and Sculthorpe Mill, where we stopped to look at the invitingly cool waters of the Wensum. Then it was Helhoughton and our first stop at 34miles at Gt Massingham Cartshed for a coffee and cake. After a longish stop we set off to cross the A1065 at Weasenham then down to East Lexham church.
Here Neil S had a rear puncture in his pair of new Schwalbe Lugano 2. Finding a shady spot to fix it, it was determined that a stone had nicked the rim and must have also caused the puncture.
To save some time we missed out the West Lexham loop, continued to Gt Dunham and on to Beeston Ploughshare where Graham A had been waiting for us and had already had his lunch. The Ploughshare is a community pub and shop and has many war time photos of the 392 Bomb Group and their B-24 Liberators from nearby RAF Wendling. We enjoyed a good lunch and refreshments sat outside in a shady spot.
After lunch we set off on the lanes towards Dereham and had only got a few miles when Neil S had a front puncture, again we found a shady spot while he changed the tube and we provided encouragement.

With that fixed we continued to Dereham and the golf club, cut through the housing estate to the hospital and continued to Swanton Morley, Elsing, Lyng and Reepham.
Here we stopped at the Co-op for a final cold drink, then as we were about to leave I noticed the tube bulging out of the rear tyre sidewall. It would seem that after 7991 miles the rear tyre had finally worn out with the sidewall detaching from the bead. A section of old toothpaste tube that had been carried for years was finally put into service and was wrapped around the tube, preventing it from escaping from the tyre and getting me back home.
After all the excitement, Graham headed off for home while the rest continued to Corpusty, where Neil Mc turned off, just as we had a light rain shower which helped to cool the air a little. The remaining three continued on the direct route to PC with Doug turning for Cromer at North Barningham.
It should be noted that at last week’s Holkham Pedal Revolution weekend, Doug completed his Saturday 150 mile ride and then completed the 75 mile gravel ride on Sunday. Chapeau Doug!

PC to PC was 79 miles at 14.7 mph
Riders: Neil S, Doug H, Neil Mc, Graham A, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 24th July – Wiveton Hall Cafe
Saturday 27th July – Holkham 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/

Ride Report by Andrew B
Two riders met at PC for a ride to the Skeyton Goat on a fine summer’s day (at last!). After a short postponement caused by both riders taking calls, the two set of via East Beckham, Gresham, Bessingham, Sustead and Hunworth, where we met Graham A as prearranged (he had phoned us to see what was keeping us!). The three then carried on through Suffield, Felmingham and onto Skeyton Corner. At this point we encountered a number of road closures that caused the leader to become lost and divert from the planned route (no change there then!). We therefore made our way through Westwick, Swanton Abbott, Worstead and Baderfield. As this had taken about five miles off the route we arrived ten minutes before the pub opened. However, we were able to sit in the lovely garden in the sun. Having ordered as soon as the pub opened, we were served very quickly and all enjoyed an excellent lunch sitting outside for a change.
The route back took us through Tuttington, Aylsham, Ingworth and Itteringham, where Graham left us to make his own way back home. The remaining two then went through Little Barningham, Edgefield and Hempstead, where Duncan split off for home. A great day’s cycling in beautiful sunny weather for a change. It was good to see Graham back to a good level of fitness again.

PC to PC 48 miles
Average speed 14 mph
Total Elevation 1600 ft
Riders: Duncan, Graham A and Andrew leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 20th July – Beeston Ploughshare – 9am Start
Wednesday 24th July – Wiveton Hall Cafe
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/

Ride report by Mark M
After a night of rain, it was a cool, damp grey morning at PC for Neil, Chris and Mark. They were all sporting overshoes and warm clothing, though Chris was still in shorts. Undeterred they set off eastwards through Gresham, Metton, Felbrigg, crossing the A149 at Crossdale Street. Heading up Northrepps Hill they encountered a flood the size of a small lake under the railway bridge, with two cars on the opposite side trying to decide to risk it or not. Mark tried to freewheel through with his feet out of the pedals but the water slowed him almost to a standstill before reaching halfway, so he was forced to pedal through, with the inevitable sensation of water seeping into his shoes. Neil and Chris followed through and we stopped a little further up the road to allow Neil to wring out his socks, the two cars having seen us indicate the water depth, turned around and took another route.
We did have the northwesterly breeze helping us as we continued to Trimmingham, Knapton, White Horse Common to Honing. The bridge at Honing Common has finally been rebuilt and the road reopened. As the drizzle continued, we decided to save a few miles and continued on through East Ruston and picked up the route again at Happisburgh Common, then past the Hill Sixty water tower on to Walcott and the pub. The Lighthouse pub has been repainted from its distinctive blue to a cream colour. Instead of a sunny summer’s afternoon in the garden, we were all pleased to get indoors and all ordered hot and filling jacket spuds.
We left in more drizzle and decided to miss out the loop to Barton Turf and at Honing turned for Worstead and picked up the route again at Swanton Abbott. We continued into the wind to Aylsham and Oulton, where Neil turned for home, leaving two to head north for Itteringham, Matlaske and back to PC.

Doug H is camping at the Pedal Revolution Holkham sportive weekend and he was tackling the appropriately named Insanity 150 mile ride on Sat followed by a 75 mile road/gravel ride on Sun. At least heatstroke won’t be a problem though trench foot might.

PC to PC was 57.5 miles at 15.1 mph instead of the planned 71 miles.
Riders: Neil Mc, Chris S, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 17th July – Skeyton Goat
Saturday 20th July – Beeston Ploughshare – 9am Start
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/