Month: February 2025

Ride report by Andrew B
Three riders met at PC on a cold morning with a threat of heavy rain for a run to Back to the Garden, Letheringsett. Two of the regulars had cried off due to illness and the poor forecast. The planned roue took us through East Beckham, Lower Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Alby Hill, Alby, Erpingham, Ingworth, Corpusty, Briston, Stody and Thornage.
The rain held off for the first nine miles but then gradually increased to become very heavy. We arrived at Back to the Garden, soaked but managed to find storage for the bikes at the rear. Once inside we found a good table in the warm and dry and all enjoyed soup, cake and coffee. Midway through Clive arrived and joined us for coffee having not had time to ride due to other commitments (lucky him!).
After lunch we ventured out to find that it was still pouring with rain. We therefore agreed to shorten the route back to PC via. Thornage, Hunworth, The Green, Plumstead and Matlaske. Andy S peeled off on route to make his own way home, leaving Andrew B and Chris to return back to PC. To be honest not a great day’s cycling and I don’t think I have ever been so wet, however it was good for the soul!
The attached picture is from last week’s ride in the sun which looked somewhat different when we passed the same spot on the ride in the pouring rain!

PC to PC 40.42 miles
Average speed 13.7 mph
Total Elevation 1700 ft

Riders: Andrew B, Andy S and Chris S.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 1st March – Natural Surroundings, Glandford
Wednesday 5th March – Old Dairy, Stanfield
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, Mark M and Chris S, met at PC for the Saturday ride. Chris arrived at the meeting point bruised and muddy after his front wheel slipped from under him when turning into Cranfield Road in Upper Sheringham. Luckily there was no other damage. The weather was a total contrast to the previous Saturday when the ride had been cancelled due to bitterly cold weather. Today’s ride was the first ride of the year when the temperature reached double digits – 10 degrees C. although it was still overcast but the wind was a generally light westerly wind.

The original route which was to The Star at Lessingham was changed at the last minute due to a lack of a chef at the pub and no food being served.

The pair set off collecting Ian A at Gresham then heading to Erpingham via Bessingham and Aldborough. At Erpingham Neil M joined the group.

The quartet then continued through Ingworth, Banningham, Skeyton, Worstead and Crostwight to name but a few places before arriving at the Lighthouse Inn at Walcott just before 12am. Having ordered food, Malcolm S, then arrived having cycled from St Olaves via main roads. His bike was totally immaculate when compared with the mud splattered bikes of the other wheelers.

After an enjoyable lunch (and a beer in Mark’s case) the group bid farewell to Malcolm and returned to PC via Witton, Knapton, Trunch, Thorpe Market, Hanworth (where Neil headed back to Corpusty), Sustead and Gresham. At Gresham Ian left the two remaining wheelers to return to High Kelling.

Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M and Malcolm S
Total Distance: 46 miles
Average Speed: 14.2mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 26th February – Back to the Garden, Letheringsett
Saturday 1st March – Thursford & Glandford
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 Andy S
Three members met at P.C. (Mark, Andrew and Andy ) on this very cold, dull morning with a bracing south easterly wind ( A lazy wind that goes straight through you ).

We were a little late leaving P.C. due to a potential new member driving up to introduce himself (Barry).

We set off through Gresham, Aylmerton, Felbrigg Hall and onto Cromer Zoo where we met Doug and Ian. The five riders carried on through Northrepps towards Antingham. A small road around Southrepps was a bit of a challenge as the badgers had been digging the road up. So lots of holes to dodge!

We continued through Colby and Erpingham to our stop of the day at Alby Cafe. Up to this point we seemed to be fighting a cold headwind, so the Cafe was a welcome sight. We met Graham here who had saved us a table. Unfortunately he had to leave us at the Cafe due to family commitments. Coffee and fry ups were the order of the day topped up with more coffee and cake.

After lunch we carried on through Ingworth, Aylsham and Oulton. Andy S turned off to Corpusty leaving the remaining four riders to make their way up through Itteringham, Wickmere and back to P.C.

Although very cold it was nice to ride on dryish roads giving us an uneventful ( no punctures or broken spokes) ride.

PC to PC was 44.6 miles at an average 14.2 mph
Riders: Andy S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, Doug H, Graham A

P.S. Book NNW Annual Social Evening by Feb 21st: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2025/01/29/annual-club-social-evening-2025/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 22nd February – Star Inn, Lessingham
Wednesday 26th February – Back to the Garden, Letheringsett
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 overcast, damp and cold day welcomed Andy, Chris, Andrew and Mark at PC. Ian and Graham would meet us for lunch around 11:30.
Setting off for Metton, then down to the Hanworth road for the run across to Thorpe Market. Just as we approached the village Andrew managed to pick up a large thorn and bit of hedge from a hedgecutter working on the field side of the hedge, though still managing to hurl debris into the road. At the junction with the main road, Andrew stopped to pull out the thorn and surprisingly the tyre stayed up, so we continued the short distance down the A149, turning for Gunton Station. Just as we turned Chris had a spoke break in his rear wheel, he doesn’t have much luck with spokes (last time he used his bike in Spain, all the spokes in the wheels came loose as he tried to descend a mountain), I’m sure he will try to convince us it is due to the power he puts out!
To avoid any further issues, he decided to head the nine miles back to PC. As we set off again, Andrew declared that his tyre was going flat, so we stopped to replace the tube. We then continued to Bradfield, Lyngate, around North Walsham, Spa Common to White Horse Common, as we were now running late, we cut three miles off the planned route and went to Meeting Hill and picked up the route again, heading for Sandy Hills and Hadfields Garden Centre.
Andy had to get home for an appointment, so headed off, while Andrew and I went in to find Ian and Graham tucking into scones and coffee. We had arrived between breakfast and lunch service, so ordered paninis for lunch but started with coffee and cake. A robin kept appearing at the window, it clearly knew where the food was.

After lunch the four of us crossed the main road and the railway crossing to Tollgate Farm, then down to Westwick and up towards Felmingham, where Graham continued north for Cromer and we turned for Hyltons Crossways, past Corvette Kingdom and on to Colby. Crossing the A140 again to Erpingham, Wolterton, Little Barningham, Plumstead and the Hempstead junction. The planned route was through Hempstead, Selbrigg Pond and back to Bodham Hill, but the cold and damp had weakened my resolve, so we sent Ian home via Hempstead while we took the shorter route to Baconsthorpe and Bodham Hill, then to PC.
Chris reported that he made his way home without further incident and stopped at Black Bikes to see Nick, who replaced his spoke there and then, so he is all set for Saturday.

PC to PC was 42.3 miles instead of the planned 46.4 miles. Average speed 13.6 mph
Riders; Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, Graham A

P.S. Book NNW Annual Social Evening by Feb 21st: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2025/01/29/annual-club-social-evening-2025/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th February – Nelsons, Wells
Wednesday 19th February – Artisan Café, Alby
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
Fortunately the strong easterly winds of Friday had abated, though it remained cold, damp and overcast. That didn’t deter a total of seven Wheelers who were out to confront the weather and plenty of mud from the ongoing sugar beet season. Six left from PC and headed via Plumstead and Edgefield for Little London where we picked up regular Wednesday rider Andy S, out for his first Saturday club ride.
We continued on to Thurning, Guestwick and Foulsham, arriving at Junction 21 for about 11:30 and having the place to ourselves for the first half hour before some hardy walkers came in. With plenty of tea and coffee and good value food, plus cakes, everyone was in good spirits and there was plenty of chat, with Ian claiming to have heard a skylark enroute!

As we prepared to leave and ventured back outside into the cold, we couldn’t help noticing that it had started to rain and those earlier good spirits soon evaporated and were replaced by general muttering. It was clear that a few hard miles were required to warm everyone up and make them incapable of speech, let alone muttering. So it was Nowhere Lane, Blackwater Lane and up the hill to Great Witchingham, pausing at the top for a breather, before Little Witchingham, Brandiston, Cawston, turning at Southgate to avoid the cable corridor road closure, Oulton Street and Itteringham. Here Neil continued for Mannington and back to Corpusty, while we turned right for Wickmere, Matlaske Wood, Bessingham and Gresham. At Gresham, Ian and Andy headed west, Doug turned east, leaving three to continue north back to pc. The last few miles were the best of the day as the clouds parted and the sun finally made an appearance.

PC to PC was 45 miles at an average 14.2 mph
Riders: Ian A, Neil Mc, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Doug H, Andy S

P.S. Book NNW Annual Social Evening by Feb 21st: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2025/01/29/annual-club-social-evening-2025/

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th February – Lily’s Tearoom, North Walsham
Saturday 15th February – Nelsons, Wells
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
Five riders met at PC on a cold, but dry winters morning, for a run to the Stables Café, Blickling With Mark leading, the five set off on the planned route through East Beckham, Lower Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Alby, Erpingham, Colby, Felmingham, Tuttington and Aylsham. The route was uneventful and with a bit of winter sun we soon warmed up.
On arrival at Blickling we found Graham who had already bagged a table for us all. We all enjoyed a good lunch with the soup and scone combo being the most popular choice, although other went for more substantial options. Ian displayed his recent bargain jersey purchase to us all (not sure if he has shares in the supplier!)

After lunch Graham left to make his own way home, whilst the remainder followed the route through Silvergate, Oulton, Corpusty (were Andy S peeled off for home), Ramsgate Street, Edgefield, Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond were we stopped to check out the swans! Shortly after this Ian left to make his way back to High Kelling (he assured us he had done the rest of the route on the way to PC in the morning!). The remaining three riders then followed the route back PC via. Bodham and West Beckham, with Chris leaving us at West Beckham. Even though it was a relatively short ride I think we all found it enough! Overall, a good days cycling in fine weather for the time of year.

PC to PC 42 miles
Average speed 14.0 mph
Total Elevation 1600 ft

Riders: Andrew B, Andy S, Chris S, Ian A, Graham A, Mark M

P.S. Stables Café reopened on Monday after a refurb, which would explain the loss of the big table and the appearance of the pillows on the ceiling (supposed to be feed sacks, I think): https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24911335.stables-cafe-blickling-hall-norfolk-reopens/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 8th February – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Wednesday 12th February – Lily’s Tearoom, North Walsham
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 yet another chilly and overcast morning, Andrew, Chris, Mark and Neil met at PC for the ride south to Coltishall, picking up Ian at the top of Red Barn Lane. The route before lunch was largely downhill but into the southerly headwind and took us initially via Gresham, Sustead and Hanworth. We then crossed the Norwich Road and continued on to Thorpe Market, Gunton and Bradfield before skirting the suburbs of North Walsham. This involved a fair climb up Bluebell Road/Marshgate to the Infant School and then a descent down to Whitehorse Common. (Ian remarked that maybe North Walsham had once been an ancient Hill Fort? Nonsense really.) Anyway, onwards via Meeting Hill and Worstead and its impressive church. Heading south out of Worstead, we skirted Tunstead and turned southwest to arrive at the Rising Sun just before midday.

We received a warm welcome, were shown to a large table and hot drinks and a beer were ordered straight away. Moments later Malcolm arrived. His pristine bike was flecked with mud spots but he seemed to be okay with it. Just. It was good to see Malcolm who had been missing in action for quite some time. So we had a lengthy catch up (a lot of it involving the life and times of seals and their pups), giving time for more tea & coffee. Chris didn’t seem to get tooo twitchy. Several of us enjoyed a very good soup (extra bread was requested and supplied FoC!) and the loaded fries were also a success. The service was excellent and friendly throughout.

The sun came out briefly during lunch, but then retreated and it actually seemed colder on the return leg – but we benefited from a tailwind and made good progress, despite the route being predominantly uphill after lunch. Malcolm left with us but soon turned off to make his way back home to St Olaves. The route back went via Gt/Lt Hautbois, Lamas, Buxton, Brampton, skirting Aylsham, then north to Ingworth, Calthorpe and Wickmere where we bid farewell to Neil as he turned off to head back to Corpusty, hoping to be slightly too late to walk the dog… The remaining four continued on to Matlaske and on to the (increasingly obligatory) ‘sprint’ up to the mast at the top of Bodham Hill. This got interesting. Andrew has definitely found a few more watts having followed advice and raised the saddle on Mark’s (sorry his) new bike. We had a brief discussion about where the finishing line was (ie the top of the hill just round the corner.) Andrew was going great guns and was on for the win, but clearly didn’t know where the finish line was so Ian went past him, claimed the win and defended his title from last Wednesday. Sorry Andrew, ‘you snooze, you lose’. Chris and Mark were happy to keep their powder dry for next time maybe?… After the normal senseless jibing at the foot of New Road, Ian turned left for High Kelling, whilst the remainder of the peloton headed back to PC. An excellent ride.

(Interesting to note the tailwind more than offset the climbing on the way back as I averaged 14.1mph before lunch but nearly 15mph after lunch.)
P.S No record of North Walsham Hill Fort, but a record of those that fought:
https://www.northwalshamheritage.org.uk/peasants-revolt-1381/

PC to PC was 47 miles at an average speed of 14.4 mph.
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M, Malcolm S (for lunch)

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th February – Stables Café, Blickling
Saturday 18th February – 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/