Month: March 2025

Ride report by Chris S

On what promised to be another fine sunny day according to the BBC’s weather forecast four wheelers met at PC for Saturday’s coast to coast ride. In addition, club member Neil Smith stopped for a quick hello and chat having almost completed his early morning ride. With Mark on his immaculate new bike, Chris on his not so clean bike, Andrew and Andy on summer bikes the four wheelers set off.

At Gresham Church Ian, Neil, Doug and Graham joined the ride with Doug enthusiastically looking forward to a less hilly ride than on the previous Saturday.

With a tail wind the ride continued incident free through Hanworth to North Walsham where just after Graham turned back to Cromer. A couple of stops were made enroute to view the partial eclipse of the sun as Andrew had brought along his special cardboard viewing goggles. On the second stop just after 11am we had a superb view of the eclipse. The ride then continued to Honing where another stop was made to admire Honing’s ‘Mile of Daffodils’ and have a photo taken by our resident ‘David Bailey’ (thanks Ian).

It was then onto Waxham via Ingham and Sea Palling. A final sprint to the café saw Neil pip Chris to the finishing line.

At Waxham Barns the group were able to sit outside enjoying the sunshine and as always the excellent and well proportioned food. Malcolm S had cycled over from St Olaves to join the group for lunch.

After the usual good humoured (?) banter, the Wheelers set off back to PC leaving Malcolm to head off south. The return route passed via the ramshackle dune houses at Sea Palling before turning inland into a head wind to Lessingham and onto Knapton, Trunch, Thorpe Market and Hanworth. Just before Hanworth Doug tuned off to Cromer whilst Neil and Andy continued straight on to Corpusty.

Mark, Chris, Andrew and Ian continued back to PC with Ian dropping off at Gresham Church to make his way back to High Kelling.

All in all another enjoyable Club ride on the last Saturday of March before the clocks spring forward with the beginning of Spring.

Distance 54 miles
Average Speed 15.5 mph

Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Neil M, Ian A, Andy S, Graham A, Doug H with Malcolm S joining for lunch.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 2nd April – Wroxham Barns
Saturday 5th April – Litcham Deli
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
Six riders met at PC on a sunny spring morning for a run to Nelsons Cafe, Wells, including occasional visitor Ian who was staying in Holt. The planned route took us through East Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Briston, Stody, Brinton, Sharrington, Field Dalling and Binham, were Ian left us to make his own way back to Holt. The remainder then continued on through Westgate and Warham.
On arrival at Wells we found Nelsons relatively quiet (although it quickly filled) and ordered light lunches of sandwiches and soup. Alas, although arriving at 11:30am we were still too late for breakfast! The food and drinks were good with a number finding room for the excellent cake choices. Chris stuck to his diet and refused to partake in this – there could be no stopping him soon!

After lunch we stopped at Wells quay, then continued through Holkham park (a slog as we were now dead into the wind), Wighton, Binham, Langham, Wiveton and High Kelling, were Ian A left us for home. The remaining four continued back to PC, with Andy leaving us for home at the top of Red Barn lane. The days combativity prize was difficult to decide, with Chris leading a big sprint in the morning from Binham and Ian and Mark make several breaks on the hilly sections in the afternoon. Overall, a great days ride in spring weather conditions.
Graham A has started his hospital treatment, so will be out of action for a few weeks, we wish him all the best.

PC to PC 47.19 miles
Average speed 15.2 mph
Total Elevation 2088 ft

Riders: Mark, Andrew B, Andy S, Ian A, Chris and guest Ian from Holt

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 29th March – Star Inn, Lessingham
Wednesday 2nd April – Wroxham Barns
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 Doug H
On a very pleasant and summer like morning Doug, Mark and Chris met at Pretty Corner. Ian being elsewhere on a gravel ride round Thetford Forest, and with Andrew recovering from dental work and advice regarding anaesthesia, we admired Mark’s new wheels and started to contemplate the ride ahead. Then just as we were about to leave, Andrew appeared reporting as ‘fit to ride’ but just a little ‘groggy’ from the dentistry.

With four very keen wheelers basking in the warmth, we began the journey south via, Barningham, Little Barningham, on to Corpusty. At which point we meet Neil by the Dukes Head, and then on to meet Andy eight minutes further on at the outskirts of Corpusty. With a full house we set off to Thurning, through Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, Little Snoring, Great Snoring and onto Waterden where one of the many races to the top of the hill took place. From all accounts it was close with Neil being crowned the overall ‘king of the mountain’ for the day. I could only guess as I was very much last on each one, but maybe next time.

At this point the weather began to shift with the start of a very light drizzle. we arrived for lunch at Norton’s Cafe in Walsingham, which was surprisingly quite. However the food as always was well priced, well portioned and of excellent quality. Graham was there to meet us, and had already indulged in a cake. At this point Neil also joined the feasting with the biggest scone we had ever seen followed by a massive baked potato, and this turned out to be the only thing to beat him all day. Still it didn’t slow him down at all.

With lunch completed we set off up another hill to Thursford on to Gunthorpe and Sharrington. At Letheringsett we said farewell to Graham who took the direct route back to Cromer. Whereas the rest headed up and up to Glandford skirting round Wiveton and up and up to High Kelling. At this point the rain arrived with vengeance. Quite the hilly day and now with added wetness. Shortly after Mark, Andy and Chris headed back to Pretty Corner. With Andrew and Ian continuing a bit further and peeling off back towards Corpusty and Doug making a very bedraggled way back to Cromer. A very nice day with lots of hills and a little rain.

PC to PC was 56.2 miles at an average 14.2mph
Riders: Doug H, Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Neil Mc, Andy S, Graham A

In other news, Ian A successfully completed Saturday’s Glorious Gravel’s, Suffolk Gravel X event and sent this report:
Well my alarm went off at 05:15 and up I got!
Set off from High Lodge, Thetford around 0830.
53.6 miles tricky sandy sections and some VERY bumpy sections on hard packed field edges – think cobbles… Seriously. But only for 4-500 yards I guess. And I didn’t fall off. But a bloke near me did in the sandy/loose stuff. And a girl stopped in front of me so I had to put my foot down but I stayed upright… So the ‘gravel stuff ‘ was tough but there was more on roads than I’d expected but I’ve got mixed views on that as it was tough enough! Would I do that one again? I’ll think about that one. Nice scenery etc but you spend all your time looking at the ground avoiding rocks and roots etc!
Averaged 13.6mph.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 26th March – Nelsons, Wells
Saturday 29th March – Star Inn, Lessingham
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
Having woken up to a frost, yet with a forecast for light winds, sun all day and temps around 14c, choosing what to wear was difficult, though most Wheelers arrived at the same conclusion, shorts and a long sleeved jersey or jacket. After an initial chilly start, the day soon warmed up and made for ideal cycling conditions as Andy, Chris, Andrew and Mark headed from PC to Hanworth to pick up Graham A. Graham must have been looking at the previous day’s forecast as he was well wrapped up!
We made good progress as we continued to Suffield, Felmingham and Swanton Abbot, Chris who had been remarking on how hard the previous evening’s spin class had been, kept shooting off in the distance, obviously it wasn’t hard enough to slow him down.
At Worstead we took the lesser used route via the station and the Albert Bartlett plant, then across Sloley Common and the railway line again to reach Upper Street and the remote Tunstead Church. As we approached Coltishall, road works at St James forced a diversion down to the river and through the village before picking up the route again for the final few miles up to Lamas and Skeyton.

Arriving in the garden to park up, we found Ian already enjoying a coffee in the sun and the sunny sheltered patio area was the obvious place to have lunch.
Ian had taken a shorter route as he is riding the Glorious Gravel Thetford event on Saturday and was in his tapering phase prior to the big event, let’s hope he wakes up in time to get there! We have been promised a post event report …
The Goat has some good value light lunches that are also filling and a few of us also enjoyed a pint in the sun, but before we could have a quiet nap, Chris was chivying us up for the homeward leg.
Setting off for Tuttington, across a very busy A140, through the hole in the hedge to Dunkirk, where Graham headed off on a more direct route to Cromer, while we took the Itteringham Common road to Itteringham then past Mannington Hall to the Matlaske Road.
Andy took the opportunity to head back to Corpusty, while we went to Little Barningham and the rolling hills to Edgefield, as we approached the junction Chris finally came off Andrew’s wheel and made a successful sprint for glory! After that effort it was an easier ride to Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond, where Ian, out on his summer bike for the first time this year, seemed confused by having two chainrings again and managed to drop his chain, just yards from turning for home.
That left three to head back to PC, when Chris didn’t turn for Upper Sheringham, we knew he was feeling good and wanted to take on the final challenge of East Beckham hill back to PC, apparently it was a very close contest between Chris and Andrew, with Chris just getting ahead in the final yards.

It was new build bike day for me and despite Ian’s obvious photo implication, it is not made from recycled beer kegs.

PC to PC was 53.6 miles at an average 15.0 mph, surprisingly the return leg, post lunch and uphill was exactly the same speed as the out leg.
Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Graham A, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 22nd March – Norton’s, Walsingham
Wednesday 26th March – 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 Mark M
A sunny dry day greeted five Wheelers at PC, though the cold north easterly wind pulled the temperature down and had forced everyone back into their winter kit. Our longer outward leg took us west and then south, so we would have the wind helping us all the way to Reepham.
Ian joined us at PC, which was a surprise as he would normally join us at High Kelling as we passed through, he was obviously feeling keen!
After Bodham and High Kelling we headed for Salthouse Heath, then turned for Bayfield Brecks and dropped down to Letheringsett, crossing the ford at Little Thornage and started heading uphill to Thornage, Burgh Stubbs and Melton Constable, where Jim was waiting for us.
Now a group of six, we had an easy wind assisted downhill run to Hindolveston and Foulsham, then turned for Themelthorpe, Whitwell and up to Reepham and the Station Café.
On arrival we met Graham, sitting outside in the sun and it was decided we would all sit outside, however before all the lunch orders had been placed, the sun disappeared and the same cyclists rushed to find tables indoors. It also meant that lunch was served on crockery instead of a takeaway box, which pleased Chris as he had ordered the soup.
It seemed as if the café had recently changed hands, with different staff, a change of decoration and a slower service, though the food was as good as before.
After lunch Graham joined us as we headed home via Salle, Heydon and towards Corpusty, we turned off at Cropton Hall, while Graham continued on a more direct route back to Cromer. Our route took us through Red Pits and along Blackwater Lane for Briston, where Jim turned for home and the original group of five turned into the wind for the climb up to Edgefield.
So after dragging them uphill and sheltering them from the wind, I was mugged as soon as the end came into view, with Neil, Ian and Chris battling for honours at the top, apparently Neil was first, Ian a very close second (according to Ian) and Chris getting third spot on the virtual podium, Doug kept me company and made sure I didn’t get lost.
Neil followed the old adage of quit when ahead and turned for home, while we continued east to Little Barningham and Wickmere, turning for Matlaske and up Blossom Hill, pausing at the top to pay our respects to the cyclist who died there recently, a spot marked with a selection of flowers.
Next was Gresham, where Ian and Doug headed off in opposite directions, leaving two to complete the loop back to PC.

PC to PC was 49 miles at an average speed of 14.6 mph
Riders: Chris S, Doug H, Neil Mc, Ian A, Mark M, Jim H, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 19th March – Goat Inn, Skeyton
Saturday 22nd March – Norton’s, 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/

We all thought Summer had arrived after Saturday’s sunny ride out. Ohhh no it’s not !!
Three Wheelers ( Mark M, Chris S , and Andy S ) met at P.C. and all the lily white legs were all put away and back into winter wear. We set off to grey skies and a cold, keen north westerly wind.

Our route took us through Bodham, Hempstead, Edgefield, Hunworth, Sharrington, over the main road heading out to Field Dalling. All of which seemed to be in a head wind.
At Field Dalling we turned north east to Saxlingham, Cley and onto the Old Reading Rooms at Kelling for a spot of lunch. Soup, pasties, jacket potatoes seemed to be the order of the day and lots of cake.
Graham A took a trip on the Coast Hopper to join us for lunch. Ian A then turned up, after coming directly from home , said he didn’t deserve much lunch as he hadn’t ridden far enough then proceeded to have two portions of cake.

The afternoon took us to Holt, Hunworth, Stody, Briston and up the hill(slope) to Edgefield. Ian and Chris , after making lots of excuses that they were not making a bid for the King of the Mountains, proceeded to speed off in race mode. Ian took the win with Andy acting as broom wagon at the back.

Andy S peeled off down into Corpusty and the remaining three riders made their way to P.C.
A good ride. Hopefully summer will arrive soon and get some well deserved sun on our backs.

PC to PC was 44.4 miles at an average 14.4 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andy S, Ian A and Graham A for lunch.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th March – Station Café, Reepham
Wednesday 19th March – Goat Inn, Skeyton
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 day that promised wall to wall sunshine (or should that be wheel to wheel?) with above average temperatures, five Wheelers met at PC for the second ride out to The Chequers pub at Hainford. With Mark leading, the five headed out via West Beckham and Lower Bodhan to pick Ian up at the Selbrigg Pond junction. Winter Longs had been discarded and replaced with shorts/knickers by most if not all of us (Doug what were you thinking!) and a fair number of calves honed by winter training were on display. These ranged from chicken drumsticks to medium-sized legs of lamb. And a bit more on dress-code later. [Note: The previous evening, 39 toads had been rescued crossing the road from the woods near Selbrigg Pond by the local Toadwatch patrol, 3 toads were lost (i.e. run over) and 3 frogs saved. The warmer evenings have kick-started their annual march into Selbrigg Pond to spawn.]

The route took us on to Hempstead, Plumstead and down to Corpusty. We then skirted Heydon, went through Cawston, gave the centre of Buxton a near miss and rode through Stratton Strawless to reach The Chequers just before midday. As on our previous visit, we received a very cheery welcome from the barmaid. It was Ian’s birthday the day before so he kindly offered to ‘get a round in’. Well he’s got to spend his new state pension on something! Beers, plus a latte and even a pot of tea were taken outside while we studied the lunch menu.

We all opted for the good sandwiches and some upgraded to chips instead of crisps for a very modest £1.50. But then it was quite a modest portion of chips. The food and drink was all good and we sat outside in warm sunshine. As usual, the conversation was wide ranging: Cromer Tennis Club and its splendid grass courts, playing sweaty squash smelling of farmyards (let’s just leave it there…) and the merits or otherwise of orange socks with an orange bike and white socks with black shoes. No real consensus was reached. The thorny subject of who owns which tea rooms in Holt again raised its ugly head and I can categorically state that it’s all still a bit unclear. But The Folly Tearooms in Holt is definitely under new ownership and comes highly recommended if you’re over that way.
We slightly reluctantly remounted after lunch (more beer in more sunshine was certainly tempting, but we’re athletes with homes to get back to). So just another mile or two into the gentle southeasterly headwind before we turned for home to enjoy a tailwind most of the way back. Soon after leaving the pub we passed the rather splendid All Saints church opposite Hainford Primary School, then down to Frettenham before turning north to head back via Badersfield, Swanton Abbott, Colby, Erpingham/Calthorpe where Andy and Neil diverted back to Corpusty. The other four riders continued on through Aldborough where soon after we pointed Doug back to Cromer via Sustead & Metton. The remaining trio continued on to Bessingham and Gresham, where Ian turned up Holt Road to head back to High Kelling via West Beckham, leaving Chris and Mark to head back to PC. All in all a very pleasant ride in warm sunshine and well-deserved after all those cold and muddy miles through the winter.

PC to PC was 51.4 miles at an average speed of 15.1mph
Peloton: Andy S, Chris S, Doug H, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th March – Old Reading Rooms, Kelling
Saturday 15th March – Station Café, 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
Four Wheelers met at PC for the ride out to the ever popular Old Dairy at Stanfield. It was good to see Mark out after his recent bout of man flu that had kept him off the bike for a week. We were to enjoy a day of uninterrupted sunshine (not quite ‘warm’ yet) but some of us had shed our winter overboots. Spring has indeed sprung!

The route headed south from PC via North Barningham to the Old School House at Matlaske where the group picked up Ian who had a cunning plan: Due to the mud and detritus on the road at Lower Bodham (Anglian Water roadworks – closed to cars) he had ridden from High Kelling via Selbrigg Pond and Baconsthorpe to intercept the main peloton. The five riders then continued on via Corpusty, Wood Dalling, Foulsham and Bintree where we crossed the A1067 Fakenham Road.

We were enjoying dry roads and very nearly (but not quite) puddle and mud free surfaces. Onwards via Broom Green and Brisley Green we soon arrived at the Old Dairy after 24 miles.
Despite some initial scepticism from Ian we opted for a table outside which proved to be a good decision as the garden is sheltered and we were bathed in the Spring sunshine. Drinks and food were ordered, arrived soon and was enjoyed by all – soup, sandwiches, quiche and a spanish omelette all hit the mark. WIth the generous portions and Chris focussed on his F-plan diet (the granary bread with his soup was noted) only Ian was up for cake, but Andrew was soon persuaded when Ian offered to pay. Well half a cake actually as they shared a triple chocolate brownie – and more coffee…

As we set off we were in good spirits knowing it was pretty much a tailwind all the way back (and compensation for the headwind all the way there). The route took us via the Ryburghs, the short climb out of Great Ryburgh and on to Hindolveston and Briston. Mark led the group up Briston Road to Edgefield, and nearing the top Ian tried to take advantage of Mark’s recent ill health and made a bid for the KoM points! But Mark’s shadow loomed large and close to Ian’s rear wheel and with a healthy spurt (always a good sign) Mark took the honours. After the customary verbal back slapping we sent Andy on his way back to Corpusty while the remaining four of us headed onwards. Just before Baconsthorpe Ian diverted back to High Kelling via Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond to once again avoid the Lower Bodham roadworks. He really does have cunning in spades. The remaining three Wheelers rode back to PC via Baconsthorpe and West Beckham.
Botanical Notes: Still plenty of snow drops around and it was good to see daffodils and early primroses along the verges. All say aaahhh.

PC to PC was 48.6 miles at an average speed of 14.6 mph
Peloton: Andrew B, Andy S, Chris S, Ian A, Mark M.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 8th March – Chequers, Hainford
Wednesday 12th March – Old Reading Rooms, 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/

Ride report by Neil Mc
Six Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a still, sunny morning. It started cold and very slightly misty, but the sun burnt the mist off quickly and it warmed up throughout the day.
The outward run went via West Beckham, Baconsthorpe and Edgefield and the peloton arrived on time at The Old White Horse at the top of Ramsgate street where Neil Mc and Jim H were waiting on the bench. This meant we had a (near) record turnout with 8 wheelers on the road, a much better showing than usual for the year so far.

The ride turned down the hill to Hunworth with the usual game of dodge-the-pothole. This road is bad at the best of times, but it was in fine winter form with an unholy trinity of holes, gravel and mud. Norfolk cycling at its finest.
Onward to Stody and through puncture alley to Gunthorpe (none today). Then across the A148 and a swift run to the first (!) tea and cake stop at Thursford Church. On an earlier ride that stopped at the Church for a look, a notice had been spotted advertising a 1st Saturday free Coffee & Cake event. This was too good to miss!
We were made very welcome and plied with excellent home-made cakes, tea and coffee. They were so pleased to have guests that they asked us all to sign the visitors book. Great hospitality, great cakes – we’ll be back!

We all dragged ourselves away from the cakes and set off for the next leg to Walsingham, Wighton and past the iron-age fort to Warham. Then on toward Binham, but diverting down the hill to Stiffkey and then back up the long drag to Binham. Jim hadn’t been out for a good while and he left us to head straight to Binham and home before we diverted to Stiffkey – nicely avoiding the hills. Very crafty those runners.

We carried on through Binham, Field Dalling, Saxlingham and down onto the Glandford road where we took a right to Bayfield Hall and the Natural Surroundings cafe. After a small misunderstanding about acceptable places to leave bikes (i.e. not under the bird feeders where people are watching the birds!) we were welcomed into the cafe. Those in the know immediately ordered cheese-on-toast. This seemed rather puzzling to those of us who hadn’t been to Natural Surroundings before, but when impressively large doorstops brimming with melted cheese arrived all was explained. Only Ian and Andy managed cake this time, the rest of us were still caked-out after our Thursford stop. After a quick visit to see the tiny field mice in the hut out back, we took a group photo opportunity before leaving.

Unfortunately, disaster had found Doug and not only did he have a puncture in his tubeless rear tyre, but also a broken spoke to boot. He bravely insisted we went on while he wrestled with installing an inner tube and no-doubt liberally coating himself with tyre sealant in the process. We were all impressed with his miniature battery powered pump though, that might have cancelled out the fail in modern wheel and tyre technology. (Hope you got home OK Doug!)

The remaining group headed toward Glandford, over the ford and toward Cley where Clive left us to head back to Blakeney. The remaining group attacked the hill up toward Holt with Neil winning the KOM spotted jersey ahead of the peloton. Chris was complaining about his performance and insisted that he was going to lose some weight and get fit again for Summer. We all heard him, so the challenge is on!

Onward to Kelling where Ian left us for home and on to the split where Neil and Andy carried on to the top of Red Barn Lane and down the Matlaske road to Corpusty and home. The remaining group of Chris and Andrew carried on to West Beckham and back to Pretty Corner & home.

Altogether a great day’s cycling in the early Spring sunshine with a bumper haul of Tea & Cake!

Out on the Road: Andrew B, Andy S, Clive A, Ian A, Doug H, Chris S, Jim H, Neil Mc.
PC to PC 44 miles at 14.1 mph average
Elevation 2212 feet

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th March – Old Dairy, Stanfield
Saturday 8th March – Chequers, Hainford
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/