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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 