Ride report by Mark M
A cold morning with a strong westerly wind greeted Chris and Mark at PC. They knew it was going to be a hard slog mainly following the coast to the most westerly point at Burnham Market after 28 miles. At least the journey home should be easier.
Setting off via Bodham for High Kelling, we picked up Andrew (Ian is currently out of action, hopefully back soon) and continued on to Wiveton where Clive was waiting. The group of four continued to Blakeney quay where stopped to admire the view and watch a couple of harbour boats heading up the creek as the tide was in.
Then it was up the hill to Langham and across a very exposed airfield to Cockthorpe and down the hill to Stiffkey, followed by the tight left turn and immediate hill to Choosley Farm and on to the Warham road. Here we stopped for a breather before pushing into the wind again, this time for Warham and then Wells quay. Here we had another stop and watched the restored ex lifeboat and Dunkirk little ship, the Lucy Lavers manoeuvring.
Then it was through a still fairly busy Holkham Park, in through the East gate and out of the West gate, onto the Burnham road, taking a right at the crossroads to Burnham Overy Staithe. Here we had our final quay stop, looking at a nicely restored Sharpie sailing boat. We then turned inland for Burnham Overy, Burnham Market, Burnham Thorpe, passed Nelsons birthplace and finally to the Barn Café at North Creake Abbey.
It was too windy to sit outside, so we found a table indoors and ordered lunch. Between us we had sandwiches, toasties and pannini, we were all impressed how well filled and tasty they were, though two of the group found room for cake as well.
Refreshed we set off for the easier ride home, regrouping at the main road we realised that Chris was missing, so we headed back down to the café, to find Chris fixing a rear puncture (Schwalbe Marathon Plus). He hadn’t even got out of the car park, but had fortunately found shelter from the wind behind a barn, so we didn’t freeze while giving him advice.
Once fixed we went through North Creake and Waterden and crossed the Wells road and had a long descent almost into North Barsham, when we realised that Andrew was missing. Retracing our route back up the hill we found Andrew fixing a flat in the farmyard near the crossroads. (rear Conti Gatorskin). As with Chris’ puncture there was no obvious cause, so a new tube went in and we set off again.
Through the Barshams, up to Great Snoring, Hindringham, Bale, Sharrington and Thornage. Here Clive turned for Letheringsett and Blakeney while the rest continued to Hunworth and up the hill to Edgefield which was a struggle for me, though I finally made it. Then instead of going via Hempstead and Selbrigg, we sent Andrew home that way, while Chris and I went through Baconsthorpe and Upper Sheringham to home.
We have a three way battle in the Puncture Challenge with Andrew B, Doug H and Graham A all at four punctures each!
PC to PC was 61 miles at an average 14.4 mph
A hilly route with 830m / 2723ft of climbing
Riders: Chris S, Andrew B, Clive A, Mark M
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 14th September – Mardler’s Rest, Gressenhall
Wednesday 18th September – Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling
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 