Ride report by Ian A
Xairetisis apo tin Kipro! Y saludos desde Espana! Messages just received from two regular Wheelers currently recovering from the rigours of a Norfolk Winter on a golf holiday in Cyprus and a Gin Tasting (sorry Hill Training) holiday in Spain.
Meanwhile Spring is continuing to give us glorious sunshine, hedgerows ablaze with daffodils and primroses… and a keen easterly breeze to keep us honest. So with Andrew and Chris on holiday, just the three Wheelers met at PC this morning for the ride out to Wroxham Barns and the famous (if now a bit tatty) pink cow at the entrance. With one very new, and one pretty new bike and three very new saddles Mark, Andy and Ian set off. More saddle reports over the coming weeks – though Mark’s posterior seems settled and comfy.
The route took us largely into the easterly wind but initially south through Gresham and Aldborough where we turned into the headwind and onto Suffield, then swinging through Felmingham and Swanton Abbot before crossing the Norwich road, under the main railway line and onto Worstead. (For once, the doors were open at Corvette Kingdom near Felmingham, so it’s good to know they are still operating.) We then looped down and around to Ashmanaugh arriving at the Courtyard Cafe at Wroxham Barns just before midday.
Pretty empty when we got there but it did get busier. We all opted for bacon/sausage baps or combinations thereof. Andy, noting that we were just a small group today, offered to buy the cakes as his bank account is overflowing with oodles of cash after recently selling a house. (I know, it’s rude of me. Thanks Andy, honest!!) It is also worth mentioning we didn’t stop for our normal ‘nature break’ on the ride out. No point really as Chris wasn’t with us to annoy him. On the return leg, Ian took further advantage of Chris’s absence to stop twice for ‘jacket adjustments’. Once to fix the zip that had come undone, and later on to remove the (removable surprisingly) sleeves as he was too warm.
After our baps and cakes generously provided by Andy, we set off in good spirits due to the anticipated tailwind for the return to PC. (Why is it that tailwinds never quite feel as good as headwinds feel bad?) We skirted Coltishall and climbed up the usual hill to The Hautbois and on to Badersfield. Mark tried to tempt us with another stop at the Java Bean Cafe (which is good coffee) but we were on a mission and Andy had to get back to rehome a sick pony. So back to Swanton Abbot, Skeyton, Tuttington and past The Crown at Banningham, then up Scarrow Beck Lane where Mark lit (probably just one) of his afterburners and arrived clear of the other two at the top of the hill. Mind you, no one had said we were racing. At Wickmere we deviated from the planned route to allow Andy to leave us a bit closer to home and head back to Corpusty via Mannington Hall. Mark and Ian continued on via Barningham road and the climb up to Bodham Hill where they made a gentleman’s agreement not to race, though both were probably thinking “I could of ‘ad ‘im easy!” At Hill Farm Ian turned left for the wind-assisted run to High Kelling and Mark turned right to return to PC.
A good ride in uninterrupted sunshine but with the easterly breeze reminding us we were in Norfolk, not Spain or Cyprus.
In other news, Ian recently presented Mark with the OSPR 2024 Award. (A box of nitrile gloves for Outstanding Service to Puncture Repairs last year.) And possibly a bribe to ensure he’s equally helpful this year? Should the need arise!
PC to PC was 51 miles at an average speed of 15.2 mph
Riders: Andy S, Ian A & Mark M.
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 5th April – Old Dairy, Stanfield
Wednesday 9th April – 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/
North Norfolk Wheelers 