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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 