Month: December 2024

Ride report by Mark M
On a very chilly, damp and foggy morning, Doug, Clive and Mark met at PC before meeting Ian at Bodham Hill, then picking up Neil at Edgefield. So we had a group of five out for the post-Christmas mince pie burning ride, all feeling overfed and a bit lethargic.
Continuing at a steady pace towards Briston, Stody, Sharrington and across a very quiet A148 towards Field Dalling and to Binham, then heading west to Wighton. From Wighton it was the long drag up to the Fakenham Road at Egmeer, passing on the way a wheat field full of hundreds of hungry geese (Pinkfoot according to Ian).
After a breather at the crossroads we continued on to Holkham south gate, where Ian wrestled with the self-closing pedestrian gate, finally managing to hold it open long enough for us all to slip through before it slammed closed, waiting for the next victim.
The obelisk was lost in the fog, finally appearing out of the gloom as we nearly reached it. Crossing the cattle grid, a herd of Fallow Deer were close to the road, many sporting huge antlers for their size, then there were more geese in the lake, safe from the dogs and children milling about.
Arriving in the café just before noon, earlier talk of just having a sandwich or snack was soon forgotten when warming soup or steaming chilli was on offer and it certainly helped to warm us up.
We needed it, as it seemed to have become colder when we set off again, so we skipped the loop down to Wells quay as it was too cold and foggy, instead we set a good pace back to Binham to generate a bit of heat and warm up cold hands and feet. From Binham we went to Langham, with Clive turning for Blakeney, while the rest continued to Wiveton and the Bridgefoot Lane challenge. On the first section, they didn’t want to show their hand, then we had to stop briefly at Holt Road for traffic, with Ian then trying to get away, so it was a three way battle to the top of the hill, Neil made a late lunge but it was too late, Ian had beaten them all… We stopped to get our breath back and wait for Doug, who finally appeared and told us he had been heading towards Holt, good old Garmin!
The final and possibly best moment of the day (though Ian may disagree) was our perfect timing at the NNR bridge just as the steam train engine arrived from Weybourne, enveloping us in a cloud of steam, smoke and nostalgia.
At the main road, Ian turned for home and a celebratory mince pie or two, while the rest continued on to Red Barn Lane for the final split.

Article about the geese migration: https://www.northnorfolkliving.co.uk/articles/little-living/more-than-a-wild-goose-chase/

PC to PC was 47 miles at an average of 14.2mph
Riders: Clive A, Doug H, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 1st January – No Ride
Saturday 4th January – Rising Sun, Coltishall
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 Ian A
On what promised to be a blustery and showery day, only three Wheelers were available due to rider injuries, a wife’s injury and a family Christmas commitment.
Andrew and Ian set off from High Kelling to meet Doug at PC. Ian didn’t quite make it to PC as he took a call from his brother-in-law on the way (something about a pair of blue tights?…) Despite some early drizzle the weather remained dry all day, though there was a persistent SW breeze averaging 20mph. The route from PC took us directly south to Itteringham and towards Oulton, turning east to Oulton Street and skirting Aylsham. A moment’s hesitation at Aylsham where we contemplated stopping early given the forecast, but no, the Three Musketeers were all up for carrying on, especially with the lure of a Full English Breakfast at Watsons!
The route continued via Tuttington, and down the muddy track to the railway crossing just south of North Walsham. The brambles on the left of the track were in an aggressive mood, but we all managed to bat them away and stay upright (only just for Ian). During lunch, Doug removed a thorn from his jersey. In hindsight, we could have just ridden on the right side of the track. Where was the ever vigilant Mark when we needed him! Then it was across the North Walsham bypass, onto Witton and arriving at Watsons around midday. Not too busy and friendly service as ever. We were just too late for the breakfast menu. But no matter, the All Day Breakfast is the first thing on the lunch menu! Two veggie FEBs and one meaty FEB were quickly delivered and devoured and washed down with decent coffee.

And Andrew kindly bought the mince pies (gluten-free carrot cake for Doug) to belatedly celebrate his birthday earlier in the week. We were all in good spirits over lunch, we’d stayed dry, the sun was shining and we’d made good progress with a tailwind for much of it. (Sad to report that we had to relegate Doug to the back of the bunch, due to a short rear mudguard causing anyone behind him to get coated with a muddy spray. Christmas beckons and hopefully a further six inches of plastic strip will be in Doug’s stocking.) As we got up to leave the skies had turned much darker, it was ‘almost drizzling’ and we had the prospect of a headwind for most of the return leg. (Not much chat on the way back!) The route went via Paston, Knapton, Trunch, Antingham, crossing the Cromer Road to Suffield, alongside Gunton Park, then crossing the Norwich Road towards Aldborough. At the Aldborough turning, Doug bid us farewell and a Merry Christmas and took the more direct route back to Cromer via Sustead and Metton. Andrew and Ian continued on to Barningham Winter and up to the radio mast at Bodham Hill and down New Road to Hill Farm. At this junction the route turned right to head back to PC, but High Kelling beckoned so they turned left to head back home. (The average ride speed was 12.9mph on the return leg compared to 14.6mph on the outward leg.)

PC to PC would have been 47 miles at an average speed of 13.8mph
Riders: Andrew B, Doug H, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 25th December – No Ride – It’s Christmas
Saturday 28th December – Courtyard Café, Holkham
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 Ian A
On a chilly but dry and soon to be sunny day Mark and Chris set off from PC to pick up Ian at High Kelling for the ride to a Wheelers’ staple – Norton’s cafe & bar at Little Walsingham. Neil had meant to meet at PC too, but Doggy Daycare duties meant he was delayed leaving home and made his own way to Norton’s.
The route from PC went via West Beckham, kissing Bodham before cutting down to Lower Bodham and the Selbrigg Road/A148 junction at High Kelling where they met Ian. No kissing. The threesome went over the NNR bridge and on to Wiveton, Glandford, Saxlingham and Field Dalling. Between the last 2 villages a low flying skein of 100+ pinkfooted geese flew over, honking away and lit underneath by the low bright sun it was a lovely sight. Ian slowed to admire them and as a result ‘lost the wheel’, which cost him a small reprimand later. Tough school! Ian caught up with watts to spare and at Binham we bumped into Harvey who turned round and joined us for a couple of miles for a natter. I’m pleased to report that Harvey was in fine fettle, is racking up significant mileage and looked good, riding one handed up a hill with us (well OK, a slight incline) and easily holding a conversation. (Form is temporary but class is timeless, they say…) The remaining threesome continued to Copys Green, where again, Ian ‘lost the wheel’ by dint of following the route and not taking a small but sneaky shortcut – instigated by Chris. Again, this earned Ian a small reprimand later on, but he’s pretty sure he retains the moral high ground…
At Great Walsingham Mark elected (as ever) to cycle through the ford crossing the River Stiffkey, while Ian & Chris elected for the foot/cycle bridge. No dramas. Swinging into Little Walsingham we found Norton’s very quiet inside with a few tables reserved and laid with Christmas crackers, but there was a large table where Neil was already seated. The food was generous as ever, but Mark had opted for the ‘complicated’ fish finger sandwich & chips and the waitress told him there’d be a 10 minute delay as they had a large party upstairs. Well, the 10 minutes was clearly to allow someone to pop over to Wells and fish something out of the sea as it was probably 20+ minutes before said sandwich arrived at the table. But it was mighty. Mark managed it with ease though, and even his cake seemed to slip down nicely too.

After the rest of us put the world to rights whilst Mark ate, we departed. The route back took us initially via Houghton St. Giles, crossing the Stiffkey again – deeper and muddier this time so we all opted to walk our bikes over the bridge. No submerged and/or lost pilgrims were spotted. We made good progress to Great Snoring and Hindringham (helped by a general tailwind on the way back) but when we turned up Bale Road it was badly flooded again. Mark elected not to ‘give it a go’ and ‘show true leadership’ as he did last winter where he came to rest half way through the flood, up to his knees in water. So we sensibly turned round and went along the Thursford Road, turning for Gunthorpe and on to Sharrington where we picked up the original route and went via Brinton, Stody, Hunworth and up the Hunworth Road to Edgefield (crossing the River Glaven this time) with Mark beasting us all up the climb. (Chris must have dropped his chain or something as he was a good few seconds behind when we all reached the top.) From Edgefield we crossed the B1149 Norwich Road and on to Plumstead where Neil diverted back to Corpusty to make his day worthwhile and not get back toooo early… Shortly after Neil had peeled off, Ian diverted back to High Kelling via Baconsthorpe and Selbrigg Pond, leaving Chris and Mark to continue back to PC via Bessingham and Gresham, and then home to Sheringham.

PC to PC was 48.5 miles at an average speed of 14 mph.
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 18th December – Stables Café, Blickling
Saturday 21st December – 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/

Ride report by Mark M
After the recent winds and rain, we were fortunate to have an overcast but dry day with a light, chilly north easterly. Even the roads were mainly dry and my bike didn’t require a wash at the end of the ride.
Chris, Andrew S and Mark set off from PC via Bodham to the Selbrigg Road to meet Ian and Andrew B, then through Hempstead, Edgefield, down the hill to Hunworth and then through the ford to Thornage.
Then we made our way to Sharrington, across the A148 to our most westerly point at Field Dalling, turning into the wind for Saxlingham, Wiveton Downs and into Wiveton itself.

For a change we continued to the Coast Road, into Cley, turning right at Picnic Fayre, then onto Church Lane, past the allotments and the Church to Newgate, arriving back on the familiar Holt Road hill. Then it was the long grind up the hill to the top on Bridgefoot Lane, where nearing the top, Ian surprised Chris with a late acceleration and shot past him, proving his knee is much improved.
It was an easy pedal across Salthouse Heath and down to Kelling and the Old Reading Room, where we found Graham guarding the large table and already enjoying his lunch after a more direct route from Cromer.
With four people having soup, the table was soon inundated with pieces of crockery and a multitude of cutlery. Andrew B demonstrated the correct etiquette for soup spoon placement and described the correct rules for the passing of the Port and it became clear why he had been appointed Commodore of the Blakeney Sailing Club.

So, after a good lunch and plenty of tea and coffee, it was time to venture back out into the cold and make our way uphill to Holt, warming up along the way. At Holt Graham turned off for Cromer, while we made our way through town to turn off for Hunworth. Andrew B then had a phone call which required him to return home, leaving four to continue to Hunworth, Stody, Briston and up to Edgefield, where Andrew S turned for home.
The remaining trio continued on the hilly road to Plumstead Green, then headed back into Hempstead, where Ian headed for Selbrigg and home, leaving Chris and Mark to continue to Baconsthorpe and home.

PC to PC was 44.3 miles at an average of 14.0 mph
Riders: Andrew S, Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Andrew B, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 14th December – Nortons, Walsingham
Wednesday 18th December – Stables Café, Blickling
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
Despite a yellow weather warning due to Storm Darragh forecasting gale force winds and heavy rain certain hardier members of the Wheelers Club were not deterred from their Saturday ride.

Mark and Chris met up at PC. The weather albeit cold was not as bad as initially forecast with a little bit of light rain and a moderate breeze. The forecast had changed so that the worst of the weather was due to kick in in the afternoon. However the roads were very wet and slippery due to mud and wet leaves.

The two wheelers collected Doug at Gresham Church before continuing the route. Within an hour the rain had stopped altogether. The three rode onwards through Bessingham, Itteringham and Cawston. In order to avoid the incoming bad weather a decision was taken to shorten the route going via Reepham and onto Themelthorpe – a deviation which saved some 5 miles.

On arrival at Junction 21 Doug who had been following up the rear appeared very splattered in mud believing it had something to do with Chris’s mudguard who he had been following. As Chris wasn’t splattered with mud he really couldn’t understand what Doug’s problem was!

Anyway, after a light lunch (or breakfast which pleased Mark as we had arrived shortly after 11am) it was decided to also cut the homeward route by some 4 miles. So with Mark leading the 3 man peloton bypassed Guestwick to Briston, Hempstead and Baconsthorpe. Luckily a strong tail wind was enjoyed making the ride easy. However just after Baconsthorpe the heavens open soaking everyone.

Chris turned off before East Beckham to head home via Upper Sheringham leaving Mark to continue back to PC and Doug back to Cromer.

Riders: Chris S, Mark M and Doug H

Total Distance: PC to PC 35.3 miles instead of planned 45 miles
Average Speed: 14.9 mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 11th December – Old Reading Room, Kelling
Saturday 14th December – Nortons, Walsingham
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
Mark, Chris and Andrew S met at PC on a dry, cold, sunny morning, with light winds. Setting off through Gresham, through Felbrigg Park to Cromer Zoo and then up to the top of Northrepps Hill to meet Graham.

Graham had seen Ian A go past a few minutes earlier, on his way to Heydon, following the route but at an easier pace. Chris, who had been telling us how much the previous evening’s Spin Class had taken out him, suddenly decided that he would set off and chase down Ian. His early efforts were in vain as we caught up with him near Southrepps as the road was blocked by three beet lorries and a JCB loader and we had to take to the field to get around them, then in the village a council drain cleaning lorry blocked the road.
Finally free of the obstacles, we continued to Antingham, Hyltons Crossways, Tuttington and into Alysham via Dunkirk. Heading out of Aylsham on the Heydon Road to Oulton Street, we saw Chris and Ian heading towards us. There was work taking place at the cable corridor road crossing and they refused to let anyone through, so it was back to Able Heath and the low road to Oulton Street. Then we turned at Cawston Southgate for the final push to Heydon, all arriving before Chris as he had gone ahead and followed the route while took the shorter direct route.
By now the earlier sunny morning had long gone and turned grey, damp and misty, so we were pleased to get inside and warm up by the wood stove.
I’m pleased to report that proper sized pots of tea were served, with a jug of hot water to top them up, the coffees looked good as well. The food was also of generous size and very tasty.
Setting off again after lunch, it felt very cold and damp, Graham turned for Corpusty and a direct route back to Cromer, while we headed for Thurning, Sandy Lane and Little London. Andrew turned for home, Ian was behind us going at his own pace, so Chris and I headed up to Edgefield, out to Plumstead Green and then to Hempstead, Selbrigg Pond, Bodham and back to PC.

PC to PC was 49.6 miles at an average 14.3 mph
Riders: Chris S, Andrew S, Mark M, Graham A, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 7th December – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Wednesday 11th December – Old Reading Room, Kelling
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/