Ride report by Chris S
On the last Saturday of the year before the clocks went back Mark M and Chris S met at PC. The weather was mild but misty with little wind. As the day wore on the sun broke through with temperatures in the range of 15 degrees C.
The route took the two wheelers to Gresham where Doug was waiting and onto Aldborough to collect Neil M at the agreed rendezvous by the primary school. It was then onto Town Green where Jim also joined the group.
The famous five then crossed the A140 before passing through Suffield, North Walsham, Worstead, Ashmanhaugh, Hoveton and over Wroxham bridge. As usual the traffic was heavy in Wroxham. After the bridge a short detour was made to see if Chris’s new boat was in the marina. It wasn’t and was still presumably on the opposite site of the river having some work completed. The route then passed through The Avenue – Wroxham’s equivalent of London’s Mayfair in terms of prestigious property and values!
It was then onwards towards Salhouse before turning off to Woodbastwick and passing Woodforde’s Brewery. A short stop was made at Ranworth Broad to admire the picturesque setting and the boats before going on to South Walsham and Fairhaven Gardens.
At the café Macolm S was already waiting having cycled over from St Olaves. The café was quite quiet but a good hot lunch was enjoyed by all.
After lunch, the wheelers including Malcolm made the return journey via Panxworth, Woodbastwick and Woodforde’s Brewery (again!). Shortly after, Malcolm turned off toward Wroxham, then onto to Horning before heading home to St Olaves.
The remaining riders continued west then bearing north to Horstead. Here a short stop was made to admire the water mill which was in full flow. The route then went through Coltishall with the long climb to Badersfield. It was then onwards to Skeyton, Tuttington, Banningham and Ingworth towards Wolterton. At Wolterton Hall Neil carried straight on to head to Corpusty. The rest of the group headed past Calthorpe to Matlaske. Jim turned off before Matlaske towards Little Barningham.
The route then went via North Barningham where just before Chris broke away from the peloton for a sprint to the top of Red Barn Lane. However he then paid for this in the last mile to PC when Mark made a very impressive uphill flying sprint to the finish line. Well done Mark!. Doug had turned off before this at North Barningham to head back to Cromer.
Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Doug H, Jim H, Neil M & Malcolm S
Total Distance: 61 miles Average Speed 14.3 mph
Jim gets the longest distance award for 67.6 miles
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 30th October – Back to the Garden, Letheringsett
Saturday 2nd November – Mardler’s 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 