Month: April 2025

Ride report by Mark M
Another sunny and cloudless day, though the strong north easterly wind kept the temperature down, no fear of overheating here. Neil Mc had managed to get a late pass and escape doggy minding duties, so was able to join Doug and Mark at PC. We picked Ian up at Selbrigg, to make a group of four and continued with the wind pushing us, to Holt, down to Hunworth and across to Stody and Gunthorpe.
As we approached Thursford, Neil reminded us that it was the first Saturday of the month and Coffee and Cakes would be available at Thursford Church. Extra cake was too good to miss, so we joined a good number of locals and volunteers at the well organised event. Doug had cash and generously made a donation to cover us all (it’s for roof repairs) only to be told there were no gluten free cakes this month, so he had to watch on as we enjoyed ours, thanks Doug. That lack of extra cake must have been the reason he would fade on the return leg home!

Refreshed and a bit chilly from sitting in the church, we set off with renewed vigour to Great Snoring and on to Fakenham, where we took some quieter roads to the site of Gogg’s Mill on the Wensum and stopped to look at the river and the ever present ducks. Then it was past Hempton Garden Centre and up Beacon Hill towards Tittleshall, reaching a dizzying 89 metres (take note Chris) before turning for Oxwick, Whissonsett and the Old Dairy, Stanfield.
The rear courtyard garden was sunny and wind free so we had a leisurely lunch of well filled and very tasty sandwiches and panini and coffee.

Then we went back to order some of their excellent cakes and more coffee and Doug had a gluten free chocolate orange brownie, so he was very happy.
In Chris’ absence, it was Ian who took over the role of getting us all moving again, so we reluctantly left the sun trap and ventured out into a strong headwind.
Through Brisley to Broom Green and the compulsory photo stop at Bintree Mill, before the steep climb from the mill and on to Bintree.

Outside Foulsham we lost Ian, who had stopped to take photos of large lambs in an oilseed rape field (sadly space limitations meant that photo had to be cut).
It was noticeable today how much colour there was across the landscape, with rape in yellow flower, deep green fields of wheat and barley and white blossom in the hedgerows, spring has arrived.
Continuing into the wind through Guestwick and into Corpusty, where Neil was happy to give up the lead and turn for home, leaving three to continue the battle northwards. At North Barningham, Doug peeled off for Gresham and the final few hard miles to Cromer, Ian keen for an extra couple of miles waited for the West Beckham junction before getting a tailwind back to High Kelling.

PC to PC was 54.3 miles at an average 15.0 mph
Riders: Doug H, Neil Mc, Ian A, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 9th April – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
Saturday 12th April – North Creake Abbey
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/

Report By Chris S

On a lovely sunny Spanish morning with a high of 22 degrees C and not a cloud in sight only one wheeler, Chris, set off for a circular ride.

The route headed inland via the initial 9 km 275m climb to Benissa. On the climb Chris actually managed to pass a number of other cyclists for once (admittedly one group was a group of girls although they were probably at least 30 years younger and very much fitter looking!). The ride then continued to Senija and Lliber, where after being caught by traffic lights Chris then found himself leading a group of cyclists for the next five miles passing through Xalo (very busy due to market day) and onto Parcent. Luckily (for Chris at least as the pace was beginning to tell plus there was quite a strong headwind) the group turned off towards Benidorm.

Chris’s ride continued downhill (a few more cyclists passed!) through Orba and Benidoleig where a long flat straight stretch with a tail wind took the rider on through Ondara and to Denia. Traffic then slowed progress considerably until the seafront was reached where Chris stopped to take a photo of his dream yacht.

It was then a long steep climb (250 metres in 3km) towards Javea (three more cyclists passed on the climb) followed by a fast ride with lots of hairpin bends down into the town.

The final stretch comprised a further climb to the town of Benitchell and another fast downhill section into Moraira. This just left a very steep 80m climb to reach home.

Rider: Chris S
Total Mileage: 50.48
Average speed : 14.59mph
Total Ascent 1233 metres Total descent 1251 metres

Chris S is back in the Costa Blanca, Spain. Last time he cycled down the mountain, all the spokes in his rear wheel came loose. Now he’s back with a repaired wheel and honed by a winter of spin classes…

San Jamie to Puerto de Bernia @620m
Ride report by Chris S
Wednesday’s ride became manana’s ride due to a delay in the repair to the rear wheel. Therefore on Thursday one ‘billy no mates’ wheeler, Chris set out to climb the mighty Puerto de Bernia. The weather was cool and windy – rather like being at home.

The route started with an initial short down hill run to sea level followed by a 9km 275m up to the town of Benissa. Having worked hard to gain height the route then went downhill again through the town of Senija where a quick stop was made for a photo opportunity against a mural of a very big bike and onto Xalo. Here the serious climbing started all the way to Puerto de Bernia. Despite maximum effort the lone rider was still passed by two groups of younger fitter riders (oh and also two people cheating on electric bikes). However he still managed to catch them up at the top.

The top of the pass was damp, cold and cloudy so after a few minutes Chris set off downhill. just behind one of the other groups of riders. After about 2km Chris came across two rather unpleasant looking large feral dogs running downhill. Clearly they had been chasing the first group of riders. Not wishing to get bitten/eaten he slowed down hoping the dogs would disappear into the undergrowth. Unfortunately this did not happen as just around the next bend they were in wait 10 yards in front with one on each side of the road. There was only one option – pedal like hell and pass through the middle of them. Luckily this strategy worked and Chris survived to live another day.

Apart from some scarily fast downhill mountain stretches of road (even under heavy braking!) the rest of the ride was uneventful passing through Benissa, back down to the coast and home.

Rider: Chris S
Distance: 39.13 miles
Average Speed:13.83 mph
Total Ascent:1254m Total Descent : 1259m

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/