Month: November 2024

Ride report by Ian A
Five Wheelers met at PC on a dull, damp and frankly pretty dreary morning for the ride to Pensthorpe Park. Chris, Clive, Ian, Mark & Neil set off in very light (and unexpected) drizzle and picked up Graham and Doug at the top of Red Barn Lane. Doug was bemoaning the steep climb out of Gresham to get there. But it was all OK as he stopped mentioning it by Saxthorpe… The peloton of 7 set off south through the Barninghams, then past Mannington Hall. As we made the turn we said goodbye to Graham who was out on a shorter 25 mile loop back to Cromer to get back for lunch. What’s cooking I wonder?…
We stopped in Corpusty so Clive could buy a bottle of water having left his at home, Well at his age no surprise. What was I saying? Oh yes, the ride: So the 6 riders and 6 bottles continued on to Wood Dalling, Guestwick and on to Little Ryburgh for the inevitable climb before the final drag up the main road to Pensthorpe Park and the Courtyard Cafe. The cafe wasn’t busy, we were served quickly and found a large table for us all.
Ian had clearly won the competition for muddiest kit by lunchtime. He felt that a slightly too short mudguard on the man in front was to blame (no names but he does have a very large garage), not aided by Ian’s determination not to lose the wheel in front. (More on Ian’s front wheel later.) We enjoyed a good lunch of soup, sandwiches and a smattering of cakes before Chris was keen to get mounted up and maximise ‘garage time’ later.

The return leg went via Kettlestone, Fulmodeston and Hindolveston where Ian stopped to fix a front puncture, having vainly hoped a bit more air in it a couple of miles back might get him home. (Vittoria Revolution and his first puncture on that bike which is now on its third Norfolk Winter, so not bad going.)

Not for the first time, Chris’s garage was calling so he left us to it at this point. The tyre was a little obstinate to say the least to remove and refit but Mark donned his latex gloves and with the hands of a surgeon got it back on in a jiffy – no tools required. Thanks Mark! Re-inflated we continued on via Nethergate and Thurning and towards Corpusty where Neil turned for home leaving the remaining 4 riders to cross the Briston Road and then up to Edgefield, where Mark gave Clive directions to get back to Blakeney (hopefully he made it…) Doug, Ian & Mark continued on to Plumstead, Baconsthorpe and the Hill Farm junction where Ian turned left for High Kelling. Doug & Mark turned right, for Red Barn Lane, Mark heading back to PC while Doug took the more direct route back to Cromer via Gresham (downhill this time!) and Metton.

PC to PC was 48 miles at an average speed of 14.5mph
Riders: Chris S, Clive A, Doug H, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 4th December – Heydon Tearoom
Saturday 7th December – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
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
Having had the two previous rides cancelled due to weather and Wednesday 27th almost certain to be cancelled, it was decided to make the most of the great forecast for Tuesday 26th to get a ride in before cabin fever struck.
Chris, Graham and Mark met at PC on a chilly, dry and sunny morning, which was just as well as we watched Chris try to get his new gloves back onto sweaty hands. Naturally our thoughts turned to Malcolm who had suffered similar problems, though he kept taking his gloves off again at every opportunity for some reason. We never saw those gloves on another ride.
When we finally got going we headed on mainly dry roads through Gresham, Bessingham, Wickmere, Plumstead, Edgefield, Stody, Gunthorpe to the A148. Crossing that put the light wind behind us and it was then easy riding through Bale to Field Dalling, Saxlingham and down the Dragway for a change and then to Bayfield Hall and the café.
Surprisingly given the great weather, the café was quiet and we took a table near the hot wood burning stove. We had just received our lunches, cheese on toast and panini and a big pot of tea, when Andrew S arrived, hot from a fast direct ride from Corpusty, naturally the remaining chair was right beside the stove. As we enjoyed our lunches and watched the many birds on the feeders outside, more people arrived for refreshments and to look around the shop.

After lunch, Graham, took a direct route back home, while we headed into Glandford and up the hill to Wiveton Downs. About a mile from the café, Andrew had a front puncture (tubed Vittoria Rubino) and joined the Puncture Challenge/spreadsheet of shame. In a tradition as old as cycling itself, after checking that he had a tube and pump, we left him to ponder on his tyre choice. He later reported that he was soon going again and took a different route home that included a tea stop with friends in Sharrington.
Chris and I continued to Wiveton, High Kelling and then a loop past Selbrigg pond to Hempstead and up Bodham Hill to home.

PC to PC was 40.9 miles, average speed 14.5 mph.
Riders: Chris S, Graham A, Andrew S, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 23rd November – Pensthorpe
Wednesday 4th December – Heydon Tea Rooms
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 Chris S
Two wheelers, Chris and Mark set off from PC. The weather was dry but the temperature was beginning to fall after the relatively mild spell and although the headline temperature was 10 degrees C it was forecast to feel like 8 degrees with rain predicted from 2pm and a slight to moderate WSW wind.

At the end of Red Barn Lane Andrew joined the ride and the trio continued onwards into the wind to North Barningham, collecting Neil in Corpusty, and then onto Brandiston, Swannington and the Chrysalis café at Sparham Hill. Having arrived at 11.37am the group found that Ian was already there, despite stopping at Great Witchingham for photos.

On entering the café Mark announced that it was his 63rd birthday on the previous day and offered to buy everyone cakes (thank you Mark). By the way an interesting coincidence was that Doug H and Andrew S also shared the same birthday date so a happy belated happy birthday to all three – luckily, they were not out riding, or it could have been a triple cake fest!

Having had a pleasant lunch with cakes the wheelers including Ian then started the return journey which went via Lyng (uphill alongside the motocross track), Weston Longville and the old bridge at Attlebridge where a quick stop was had for photos and for Mark to reminisce about childhood memories.

Then it was uphill onto to Swannington, Cawston, Blickling, Ingworth, Calthorpe and Wickmere. Here a decision was taken to divert from the published route to make the return more convenient for some of the group. Thus the route passed through Matlaske, (where Neil turned off towards Corpusty and a 20 minute spell of quite heavy rain was experienced), and then up towards Lower Bodham. At the junction of New Road and Rectory Road Andrew and Ian turned towards High Kelling. Chris and Mark turned right then shortly after parted company with Chris heading home by way of Upper Sheringham and Mark returning to PC via Gresham.

PC to PC was 51.3 miles at an average 15.3 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Neil M and Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 20th November – Heydon Tearoom
Saturday 23rd November – Bayfield
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

Four riders met at PC on a cold but fine autumn morning for a breakfast run to Binham Parlour. With Mark leading, the three set off on the planned route, stopping at High Kelling to pick up Andrew B as planned. The route took us through Newgate, Wiveton, Glanford, Saxlingham, Field Dalling, Bale and Lower Green.
We arrived in good time for breakfast and were shown to a table that Mark had pre-booked.

All five riders ordered the Full English with different toast/egg options, although one rider ducked out of the Black Pudding! This was washed down by copious amounts of tea and coffee.
Ian A though unable to join us for breakfast, sent us his photo of Binham Priory.

Have enjoyed an excellent and rather large meal it was agreed to cut the route back to PC down a bit! We proceeded through, Wighton, Great/Little Walsingham, The Barshams, Great Snoring, Gunthorpe, Sharrington, Thornage, Hunworth, Edgefield, Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond. Duncan was the clear winner of the climb up from Hunworth, with the author trailing in last! Andrew S cut off for home at Edgefield, Duncan at Hempstead and Andrew B at Selbrigg Pond, leaving Chris and Mark to cycle back to PC.
Overall, a good day’s cycling with fine weather for the time of year.

PC to PC 49.3 miles
Average speed 14.9 mph
Total Elevation 1737 ft

Riders: Andrew B, Andrew S, Chris S, Duncan S, Mark M.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 16th November – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
Wednesday 20th November – Heydon
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
Another windless, dull and grey morning greeted just Mark and Chris at PC. Neil Mc had woken up with a streaming cold, so stayed home to recover.
Setting off for Gresham and Metton we picked Doug up at the B1436 Felbrigg junction and then made our way to Crossdale Street and up Northrepps Hill to meet Graham at the top. From here it was down Hungry Hill and the lanes through Clapham Dams, Gimingham, Mundesley and across the golf course, which was the busiest I’ve seen it, we all passed through unscathed by errant balls.
Next was Trunch, where the Crown Inn has reopened, though lunch is currently only weekends, then Knapton, Bacton Wood, Crostwight, Ridlington, Bacton and Watsons after 28 miles.
As usual it was fairly busy, though our regular big table was available, so we took that and enjoyed the warmth of the café as we studied the menu. Chris decide to have a small lunch as he is out for a meal this evening, chose a sandwich, when it arrived it was enormous. Undaunted he ate every crumb, leaving only the salad garnish as he obviously didn’t want to fill himself up! I can report that the all day breakfast is as good as ever. I’m sure we will be back again over winter, shame it is closed on Wednesdays.
Back on the road again it remained grey and chilly as we set off for Paston, Knapton, back to Trunch then Lower Southrepps, where Graham turned for home, the rest continuing on to Thorpe Market and Hanworth where Doug headed for Metton and home. That just left Mark and Chris to take the westerly loop out to Bessingham, Barningham Winter, the compulsory sprint up Bodham Hill (oh yes), West Beckham, where Chris turned for Upper Sheringham and home, while I finished at PC.

PC to PC was 47.7 miles at an average 14.8 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Doug H, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 13th November – Binham Parlour
Saturday 16th November – 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 Chris S
On a grey gloomy overcast and slightly misty Wednesday morning with a maximum temperature forecast of 13 degrees C and no wind three wheelers, Mark, Chris and Andrew S set of from PC. Meanwhile on the other side of the pond Donald Trump was on course to win the US Presidential election casting an even larger gloomy grey cloud over the world!

Nevertheless the riders set off passing through Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, and Thorpe Market before picking up Graham at Lower Southrepps. It was then onto Bradfield, North Walsham, Worstead and Ashmanhaugh. The group arrived at Wroxham Barns at 11.30pm.

Whilst enjoying some warm food and hot drinks Ian limped in almost 30 minutes later. According to his story he had ridden via Blickling and the Bure Valley Path hoping to catch some photos of the Bure Valley steam trains. Unfortunately for him it was him that got caught and ‘savaged’ by a black dog of indeterminable breed (or was it the legendary Black Schuck of ancient East Anglian folklore roaming the countryside seeking an innocent and lone cyclist as prey!). Luckily Ian survived the attack with minor bite marks to his right ankle.

Just as the Wheelers were leaving Wroxham Barns Malcolm arrived having ridden from St Olaves. After a brief chat the group continued leaving Malcolm to dine alone. Meanwhile Ian made his own way back via Scottow, Ingworth and Plumstead.

The return journey went via Lamas and Buxton. At the turning to Lamas Graham continued straight on towards Badersfield taking a more direct route back to Cromer. The remaining three riders continued onto to Oxnead, Aylsham, Ingworth, Calthorpe and Wickmere where Andrew turned left to head back to Corpusty.

This left Chris and Mark to complete the route via Bessingham followed by a testing climb towards West Beckham and then back to PC via Red Barn Lane.

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Andrew S, Graham A, Ian A, Malcolm S
Total distance 45.4 miles Average Speed 15.3 mph
(Ian A Total distance 46 miles at 13 mph)

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 9th November – Watsons, Bacton
Wednesday 13th November – Binham Parlour
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
A light easterly breeze had kept any fog and mist away and helped to dry the roads and it was relatively mild for November. Mark, Chris and Andrew B set off from PC to pick up Doug at Gresham, then through Matlaske, Squallham, Itteringham to pick up Neil near Oulton. On the approach to Itteringham, Doug’s rear tubeless tyre went flat (I thought tubeless ended flats), so we left him with Andrew to fix the problem with more plugs, while Chris and I went to find Neil.
Doug is now just one puncture behind current Puncture Challenge leader Chris’s six, so all to play for in the last couple of months of the year.
As we arrived at the Oulton crossroads we could see that the airfield memorial had changed so we stopped and found that Remembrance crosses had been displayed. I have since learnt that there is a small airfield museum at Blickling Hall in the café/shop area.

We continued on through Cawston, Reepham, along Blackwater Lane to Sparham and across the A1067 to Elsing, Swanton Morley, Hoe and to the café. At the road entrance we saw a big red fungi that hadn’t yet opened, I think it was a Fly Agaric.
Ian had taken a shorter route and arrived early at the café and had nearly finished his lunch when we arrived. A number of us had the Gressenhall Lunch of Champions (and Wheelers), home-made quiche, chips and beans, the last we will have this year as this was the last weekend of the season.

After a good lunch and cake, we set off with Ian joining us for part of the return leg. We followed the Blackwater up to Worthing for the compulsory stop on the bridge and photo. Why am I thinking of Last of the Summer Wine?

Then it was Billingford, Bintree and Foulsham, where Ian turned off to follow his own route. We continued north to Dukehouse Bridge, turning right onto Skitfield Road, along here were had to wait for a tractor mounted road sweeper to slowly clean up some of the sugarbeet hauling mud. It was doing a good job and is a rare sight on our lanes.
We crossed Craymere Beck and as we approached Briston we could see Ian in the distance and just caught him before we turned for Horseshoe Lane and the road to Edgefield, Ian continuing to Hunworth and home.
At Edgefield, Neil turned down Ramsgate Street for home, while the rest carried on to Baconsthorpe and Bodham Hill where Doug turned for Gresham and home, leaving three to head to West Beckham, where we all headed in different directions. As I was nearing Red Barn Lane, I took to a stoney field entrance to pass an oncoming car and instantly got a rear puncture, so I had to fix that before heading back to PC. Don’t worry Chris, I won’t be challenging your lead in that competition!
Details of Oulton and other local airfields by a Hindolveston historian: https://heroesofourtime.co.uk/raf-oulton_100group.html

PC to PC was 53.7 miles at an average 14.9 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Mark M, Doug H, Neil Mc, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 6th November – Wroxham Barns
Saturday 9th November – Watsons, Bacton
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/