Ride report by Neil Mc
Four riders met at PC on a lovely morning. It was still a touch cool, but would warm up quickly in the unexpected April sunshine. Ian was feeling keen, so met us at PC rather than High Kelling despite us going through there later.
The breeze helped a fast run out through West Beckham, Bodham and across the A148 at High Kelling and down to Wiveton and Blakeney. We rode down by the quay to take in the ambience and grab a photo opportunity aided by a suspiciously proficient passer-by. We all sucked our stomachs in and tried to look sporting.
We headed out of Blakeney toward Langham where we picked up Andrew at the end of his road. From Langham we took the coast route past the WW2 gunnery training dome and down to Stiffkey and back up the hill to Warham and down again to Wells (up and down hills was a feature of this ride). The planned route was via the quay, but the “carpark full” signs discouraged us and we pressed on toward Holkham Park instead.
The park was also busy with people enjoying the sunshine, but we were just passing through; in the East gate and out the West and on to our second seaside stop at Burnham Overy Staithe. The quayside was busy and there was an attractive little coffee van that was highly tempting, but Mark reminded us that the lunch stop was close so we pressed on to the outskirts of Burnham Market (aka Chelsea-by-the-Sea) and then on to Burnham Thorpe.
A brief stop was made to admire the birthplace of Norfolk’s Hero, although the old rectory is long demolished so there is only an ornamental plaque to mark the spot now. And then on to the lunch stop at North Creake Abbey.
We found a nice outside table in the sun and shielded from the wind by an attractive olive tree in a pot. Food was ordered and quickly arrived. The sandwiches were agreed to be particularly good, with Doug stating it was the best gluten-free sandwich he’d ever had. High praise indeed.
The conversation ranged far and wide, touching on dental implants, golf, Ian’s sighting of an Adder (slightly trumped by Andrew’s Adder picture) and just what had Doug said to embarrass the young lady serving us. It was so pleasant in the sun that a second round of coffees was had before the depart, and then onward into the breeze that had been helping us until now.
The post-lunch route took an even hillier turn with the run through North Creake, North Barsham, East Barsham and Great Snoring. Past Great Snoring we stopped to watch an amazing sight of four hares in a field racing around together, jumping over each other and fighting energetically. “Mad March Hares” indeed.
The route continued on to Hindringham, up the lane that is always flooded (not today – just puddles) and on to Bale where Andrew left the peloton to make his way back to Blakeney. We continued on over the A148 and through Sharrington, Thornage and to Hunworth. Progress was then interrupted by Neil having a mystery puncture in his front tyre which meant a welcome interlude repairing it in the warm sunshine before the slog up to Edgefield. No-one felt like a race up the hill today, so we arrived at the top more-or-less together.
Neil left the peloton at the Old White Horse to make his way back to Corpusty, leaving the remaining 3 to head back to PC. Ian followed the route via Hempstead and Selbrigg pond back to High Kelling, while Mark and Doug saved a couple of miles by going through Baconsthorpe and the final split at Red Barn Lane.
PC to PC was 59.6 miles at an average 15.1 mph
Riders: Mark M, Neil Mc, Ian A, Doug H and Andrew B.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 16th April – Café Verde, Mattishall
Saturday 19th April – Watsons, Bacton
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 