Ride report by Neil Mc
Five wheelers met at Pretty Corner on an overcast summer day following a week of changeable weather. The uncertain weather forecast was discussed, with most Wheelers having opted for mudguards – apart from optimistic Ian who was on his summer bike.
We set off through West Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Plumstead, down to Itteringham and along Carr Lane behind Blickling Hall. Instead of turning left to Ingworth as is usual, we turned right and headed into Aylsham making for Dunkirk and the sneaky A140 crossing behind the grain silos.
The A140 was busy with the holiday season traffic in full swing, but we managed to cross and headed toward Tuttington. Chris must have had the scent of the Spanish cols in his nostrils as he shot ahead up the road and disappeared. No further trace of him was seen until the (attempted) lunch stop – of which more later.
The remaining four Wheelers headed down to Burgh, Brampton and onward to join the Aylsham Road outside Buxton. This is normally a quiet road, but there was a considerable queue of slow traffic crawling into Buxton. This proved to be due to a combination of traffic lights and a combine harvester convoy. We managed to escape the jam via our planned turnoff to Lammas and then made speedy progress around Coltishall and through Ashmanhaugh to arrive at our planned stop, The Crown in Smallburgh.
Our Spanish escapee was waiting for us by the roadside with the news that the Crown was closed until 30th of July. Given that today was the 26th of July a revised plan was essential as the Wheelers were hungry! Fortunately, Mark’s encyclopedic knowledge of cafe stops came into play and an alternative plan was quickly formulated.
This Plan B unfortunately involved a detour of 2 miles on the Yarmouth road, A149, but it wasn’t too bad and we soon arrived at Vera’s Cafe in Meale’s garden centre.
This proved to be an excellent cafe with plenty of space, a covered outdoor seating area, a good menu with lots of choice and fast+friendly service. The cakes were particularly splendid and much enjoyed, especially Mark’s giant doorstop of chocolate tiffin. That wouldn’t have been on offer if The Crown had been open, so the change of venue was a bonus.
Post-lunch, Mark invented a revised route involving less A149 and going via East Ruston and Honing to get us back onto the planned route at Worstead. Worstead’s summer fete was in full swing when we arrived and the village was busy. (let’s hope they had a good wet-weather plan as they would be needing it very shortly)
The route then took us via Swanton Abbott, around Felmingham and into Banningham with increasing rain all the way. This finally started in earnest and waterproofs were donned. From Banningham we crossed the A140, down into Ingworth and up Scarrowbeck Lane to join Wall Road. Doug left at this point to head to Aldborough and back home to Cromer.
The remaining Wheelers carried on past The Saracen’s Head to the Wickmere Road junction where Neil left to head via Mannington Hall to Corpusty and home.
The final 3 headed through Goose Green and Matlaske where Mark deviated from the planned route to head straight for PC and home. Chris and Ian damply displayed gritty determination (or was it a Mutiny?) and stuck to the original plan via Plumstead, Hempstead & Selbrigg where Ian went left to High Kelling and Chris went right to PC and home.
Distance: Full route PC to PC 64.9m (Mark PC to PC 59.6m) Average speed 15.4 mph
Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Chris S, Neil M and Doug H.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 30th July – Purdy’s, Aylsham
Saturday 2nd August – Biaggio’s, Rudham
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 