On a dry, cool morning with a very light south wind, three Wheelers met at PC for the ride down to Badersfield / Coltishall Airfield / Scottow Enterprise Park. Many names but just one good value café and coffee roasters on the airfield, which now has a decommissioned Jaguar jet stationed at the end of the building, more on that later.
First we had to get there and there was some initial confusion as only one of the three had the correct route on their head unit, by Bodham Hill that improved to a max of two.
So, it was Plumstead, Itteringham. Oulton, Aylsham, Dunkirk and through the hole in the hedge across the A140 to Tuttington. Then to Brampton, Buxton, past the closed Mayton tip to Little Hautbois and up to Badersfield and the airfield.
Making our way past the old buildings and huge hangers to Java Bean, arriving at the same time as about a dozen motorcyclists. Fortunately they were ordering food for later so once our orders were taken we didn’t have long to wait and it was tasty and great value. I had a breakfast bap, mug of good coffee (naturally) and a slice of cake for just under £10.
Ian A joined us for lunch, making his own way there and back. His knee is improving and he was pleased to be able to increase his mileage without any adverse effects.
On leaving we went to investigate the Jaguar at the end of the building and found a couple of guys working on it. One of them came over for a chat and told us that the RAF had donated the decommissioned plane and they were in the process of tidying it up and fitting a few lost panels. Coltishall was a Jaguar base from around 1974 to its closure in 2006.
He also told us that Lotus were temporarily storing cars destined for Canada on the airfield, so we went to have a look as a transport lorry had just arrived with another ten cars. There were hundreds of cars parked up, each car with a white protective wrapper that had a roll up door section and the wheels had individual covers too.
As we left, Ian headed for Skeyton and the direct route home, including the flooded Lodge Lane south of Erpingham, while the rest went via Swanton Abbott to North Walsham, crossing the A149 and heading for Antingham. Then it was Suffield, Hanworth, Sustead, Gresham, where Duncan headed for Holt and Chris and I returned to PC.
PC to PC was 45 miles at an average of 14.9 mph
Riders: Chris S, Duncan S, Mark M and Ian A
Ian is definitely improving as his route was 38 miles at an average 13.8mph and no train assistance today!
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 28th September – Bircham Mill
Wednesday 2nd October – Lily’s Tea Room, Hadfields, North Walsham
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 