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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 