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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 