Month: January 2025

Ride report by Chris S
As usual the peloton, comprising Chris, Andrew, Mark and Andy met up at PC. The weather forecast was for dry sunny spells with a moderate westerly breeze and a high of 8 degrees C. Luckily it didn’t disappoint.

This was the first outing for Mark’s new “Fairlight” bike which had been sitting in his kitchen for almost a year and had almost become an “objet d’art” (or possibly obsolete!). Not withstanding this the bike looked stunning in its metallic plum colour. However, the surprising thing was after hearing so much about the bike from Mark, it wasn’t actually Mark riding it! It was Andrew B. It transpired that Mark had obviously tired of this magnificent machine sitting in his kitchen with nowhere to go so had sold the bike onto Andrew and instead bought a Mason frame to build up. Hopefully this should be available for sale early next year! It’s a 56 frame. Early expressions of interest welcomed!

Anyway, back to the ride report. The four wheelers passed through Gresham, Bessingham, Calthorpe and Blickling. At Heydon a slight detour had to be made due to roadworks. Shortly after this Ian, looking slightly flushed, caught the group up. Apparently, the peloton having left PC dead on time had passed Gresham church just before 10:08am at which time Ian arrived. Due to a lack of communication the peloton didn’t stop to wait. Therefore, as soon as Ian realised, he had to pedal hard to catch up.

The five Wheelers then continued through Cawston, Brandiston and Whitwell to the Dial House at Reepham where Graham was waiting sitting outside in the sunshine having made his own way there.

After rolls, cake and coffee (highly unusual for Chris who normally only drinks tea!) the riders headed back to PC leaving Graham to make his own way again back to Cromer.

The uneventful return ride went via Guestwick, Hindolveston, Briston and Edgefield where Andy S turned off homewards to Corpusty. After Baconsthorpe Andrew was determined to show off the performance of his new (to him) bike sprinting up to the top of the hill on New Road. Unfortunately for him Ian made an unprecedented last minute dash from behind just pipping him at the brow of the hill. At the junction with Rectory Road Ian then turned towards High Kelling. Shortly after Chris turned left to head home via Upper Sheringham leaving Mark and Andrew to return to PC.

Total Distance: 46.3 miles at an average speed of 14.0 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Andy S, Ian A and Graham A (for lunch only)

P.S.
Kalas Club Kit open until 9th Feb 2025 – £30 discount available for members first order – https://nnwheelers.co.uk/membership/club-clothing/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 1st February – Rising Sun, Coltishall
Wednesday 5th February – 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/

First ride report by Doug H – Thanks Doug!
Four Wheelers, Mark, Chris, Neil and Doug meet at Pretty Corner on a cold but sunny morning, with only one complaint, that the orange thing in the sky just needed to be a bit higher so we could see where we were going. Just before we set off, we discovered the long-awaited new bike day for Mark had now become a new bike day for Andrew. We all reflected that this was a great way to keep that new bike feeling going for just a bit longer. We all are now looking forward to seeing Andrew’s new bike and continuing the joy of discussing what Mark’s next new bike will be!
We then headed out south via West Beckham, then at the junction of Rectory Road and New Road we picked up Ian, the fifth Wheeler for the day, with the sixth wheeler Graham (we thought) on his way directly to the lunch stop at The Bug Park in Sparhamhill. We then rode on via Baconsthorpe, Hunworth, Thornage, Sharrington, Gunthorpe. Suddenly, we hung a right on the bequest of Ian to see the rather nice St Andrews Church at Thursford. It was delightful, but only improved with the discovery that there is a once month homemade cake, tea and coffee offer. This may become a future first stop on a Saturday ride.
Now we had a choice, we either took puncture alley or the road of mud. Ian made the quick decision to go via puncture alley and off we went. Through Barney, Fulmodeston, Stibbard, Wood Norton, and Foulsham. Suddenly Ian declared a puncture, oops! We did reflect that with the sun out, this was not a hardship and with Mark ready, surgical gloves and frame pump in hand, we enjoyed the minor heatwave as Ian wrestled with the task of fixing the puncture. All we will say is that Mark was ready to go on the second attempt to sweep in majestically.
With Graham believed to be waiting, we accelerated to lunch, hoping the delay wouldn’t mean we would miss him. On our arrival we discovered no Graham, but a message to Mark informing us that he had also had a puncture and would not be joining us. We then enter a rather technical discussion on the merits of whether Graham’s puncture would count on the puncture leaderboard.

We then ordered and ate heartedly and marvelled at how some of the group were able to eat what could only be described as US portions. We then began the shorter ride back via Whitwell, Reepham, Crabgate, Saxthorpe, with Neil heading home in Corpusty. It has to be said that the shorter route back did not help Doug, who could only be described as a pedestrian. (At this point I would like to thank the rest of the group for waiting patiently.) We continued on and at the junction to Gresham, Doug bade farewell to the three Wheelers, who continued on, saying goodbye to Ian at the junction of Plum Lane and Mill Road as he headed home to High Kelling. The final two, Mark and Chris then continued back to Sheringham. A great day to ride in the sunshine and thank you all for the company.

PC to PC was 48.6 miles at an average of 14.0 mph
Riders: Chris S, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M, Doug H

Thursford Church: https://www.thursford.org.uk/st-andrews-church-thursford

Kalas Club Kit open until 9th Feb 2025 – £30 discount available for members first order – https://nnwheelers.co.uk/membership/club-clothing/

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 29th January – Dial House, Reepham
Saturday 1st February – 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 Andrew B
Four riders met at PC on a cold and wet winters morning for a run to the Horseshoes at Warham. With Mark leading, the four set off on the planned route with a stop at High Kelling to pick up Ian. The route took us through West Beckham, High Kelling, Newgate, Glanford, Saxlingham, Field Dalling, Langham, Binham and onto Warham. Chris left midway to complete the route on his own due to domestic commitments.

On arrival at the pub we were greeted by a welcome fire which was much appreciated given the cold and damp weather. We all enjoyed an excellent lunch with some having room for the famous pies!
Thankfully the rain had stopped when we left the pub and we made our way back through Wighton, Thursford, Gunthorpe, Sharrington, Brinton, Stody, Hunworth, Baconsthorpe and back to PC.
Ian was the clear winner of the climb from Hunworth with Andy in close pursuit. There was brief stop to observe Cattle Egrets (who knew!) observed by Ian. Andy S left at Edgefield and Ian at Baconsthorpe to make their own way home, leaving Mark and Andrew B to complete the ride to PC. Although a cold and wet day I think we all enjoyed it but mainly in retrospect!

PC to PC 45 miles
Average speed 13.1 mph
Total Elevation 2040 ft
Andrew B, Andy S, Chris, Ian and Mark leading.

P.S.
Kalas Club Kit open until 9th Feb 2025 – £30 discount available for members first order – https://nnwheelers.co.uk/membership/club-clothing/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 25th January – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
Wednesday 29th January – Dial House, Reepham
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
A very cold morning but no frost greeted our merry band this morning. And the roads were generally dry (apart from the usual farm mud in places). In full deep winter gear, 4 Wheelers met at PC and arrived in a chirpy mood to collect Ian at the Selbrigg Road junction at High Kelling. The conversation was hard to discern as Doug had brought a bag of spanners with him (“Don’t worry it’s just excess chain wax and it’ll crumble off”) and Andrew (with a last minute bike change and a dubious rear tyre which fortunately stayed inflated) had collected some noisy mud in his front mudguard. The route took us past Selbrigg Pond (a pair of pochards (ducks) were seen there last month apparently) then through Hempstead and crossing the Norwich road and up Rectory Road to collect Neil at the old White Horse junction at the top of Edgefield. Neil also had some noisy ‘mudguard mud’ and various mud sticks were employed during the ride to quieten things down – not to mention save a few watts.

The intrepid 6 then continued on good roads to Briston, skirting Heydon, back across the Norwich Road and onto Blickling, Ingworth and Banningham, arriving with perfect timing at The Crown just before midday when the food service begins. A wise route reversal by Mark had ensured this! (Chris carried on without lunch as he needed to get home early.)

The rest of us received a warm welcome inside the Crown and there was a nice fire going. Fortunately the table next to the fire was reserved as that might have been a bit too comfortable! But a nice table in an alcove kept us out of harm’s way and the tea/coffees plus beer & cider (no names) arrived promptly, soon followed by hearty brunches/lunches and large ciabatta sandwiches. All very tasty. After lunch we saddled up and headed on to Felmingham and Antingham where we crossed the mainline railway, turned sharp right and continued on to Bradfield, Trunch, Southrepps and Northrepps where soon after we bid farewell to Doug who headed back to Cromer (and in fairness to him, he’d left behind his bag of spanners much earlier on the ride).

The remaining 4 continued on to Metton and Gresham Church where Mark and Andrew continued on the route back to PC, while Neil and Ian turned left up the hill towards High Kelling. Neil soon took the left turn towards the Barninghams to head back to Corpusty, leaving Ian to continue back to High Kelling.

PC to PC was 47.3 miles at an average of 14.4mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Doug H, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M

Reminder that Membership Fees are due if not yet paid: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/membership/

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 22nd January – Warham Horseshoes
Saturday 25th January – 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/

First ride report by Andy S – Thanks Andy!

After all the cold weather and the Christmas break we finally met at PC for the first ride of 2025. The weather was very misty and damp but warm for the time of year.

Five members set off from PC ( Mark, Andrew, Ian, Chris and Andy) through to Gresham and onto Hanworth where we met Graham. Onwards to Aldborough, Aylsham, Oulton Street and then to Cawston. Just before Cawston we found the road closed due to the electric cable laying ( the first of two road closures). Retracing our route we found an alternative way into Cawston.

Lunch break was at “All Things Nice “ Cawston, where we sampled their excellent fry ups.

We had a presentation given by Mark to Chris S for the most punctures on Club Rides for 2024, with 6 punctures in the year. He was awarded a very smart puncture repair kit.

After lunch Graham and Chris left the group for a more direct route home ( Chris for domestic duties). The remaining four of us headed off through Booton (past Steven Fry’s former house ), Reepham, Kerdiston and Wood Dalling. The roads were wet and dirty and every farmer on Norfolk has been trimming road side hedges so amazing no punctures to report.
I dropped off at Corpusty and left the remaining three to make their way back to PC.
(Editor’s note-Andrew B punctured after hitting a hole at the end of Town Close Lane and we fixed his front Gatorskin on Edgefield Road)

All bikes will be needing a good wash and maintenance after this ride. Clean bikes will be inspected at the next ride.

PC to PC was 45.3 miles at an average of 13.7 mph
Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Ian A, Mark M, Graham A

P.S.
Kalas Club Kit open until 9th Feb 2025 – £30 discount available for members first order – https://nnwheelers.co.uk/membership/club-clothing/
Black Bikes of Sheringham has reopened: https://www.blackbikesadventurehub.co.uk/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 18th January – Banningham Crown
Wednesday 22nd January – Warham Horseshoes
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/