Five riders met at PC on a relatively calm and surprisingly mild morning for a ride to Cafe Verde, Mattishall.
The planned route took us through East Beckham, Little Barningham, Itteringham, Oulton Street and Cawston, where Neil left for home due to domestic commitments. The remainder carried on through Haveringland, Felthorpe, Attlebridge and Weston Longville. At this point we encountered an unpublished road closure blocking our way over the A47 so we had to reroute via Peaseland Green, North Tuddenham and then through Clippings Green to Mattishall.
On arrival at Cafe Verde we all enjoyed a good lunch with choices ranging from the Full English breakfast (available all day) to Paninis, which were all excellent, with generous portions. As a bonus for Ian I ended up paying for his extra beans due to a bit of a mix up when paying!
As we had done extra mileage in the morning it was decided to miss out the planned loop around Mattishall and head straight back to PC retracing our track back to North Tuddenham were we stopped for the obligatory ice cream at Dann’s Farm Shop. Ian decided not to stop as he didn’t want to spoil his appetite for a planned evening meal (or to watch the Ryder Cup!). The remaining three riders then carried on through Woodgate, Swanton Morley, Billingford, Bintree, Foulsham, Hindolveston, Melton Constable, Stody, Hunworth and Baconsthorpe.
St Peters Church, Melton Constable 27th Sept 2025. Photo Ian A
There was the usual race up to Hunworth which I took from Chris. Spurred on by this I attempted to take a long lead out on the climb up to Hill Farm only to take a wrong turn and wasted energy trying to catch up after turning around. It was then all on for the final sprint up to the finish along Red Barn Lane. Chris shrewdly slip streamed me up the hill and then shot past to take the King of the Mountain prize for the day. Well boys will be boys!
Overall a good days ride with an excellent route, the wind behind us on the way home, no rain and a nice temperature.
PC to PC 63.6 miles Average speed 15.2 mph (Ian 69.6 miles at 15.3mph) Total Elevation 2238 ft
Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Neil Mc, Chris S, Andrew B.
Special 40th Anniversary edition club kit is now available! For members, first orders can get a discount code for £30 off – email on the club contact page for a code to get this. They have also upgraded the material in the entry level jerseys and not increased the price. Note the prices are at least 40% off the normal Kalas online shop so make the most of it!
With the first month of autumn nearly over, four wheelers, Mark, Duncan, Andy and Chris turned up at PC for the start of a 52 mile ride. The weather although feeling autumnal was bright and dry with sunny intervals forecast and a maximum temperature of 15 degrees C plus a moderately strong north easterly to easterly wind.
The intrepid four set off with a predominately tail wind passing through Bessingham and Aldborough. At Edgefield Andy decided to call it a day and head home still suffering from the after effects of his recent challenging coast to coast walk.
Apart from a few very fast tractors coming from the opposite direction and occupying the entire road the ride continued uneventfully via Briston, Hindolveston and Guestwick. About a mile or so before Heydon the trio encountered a road closure. Mark already being aware of this led the group down an alternative very narrow road which turned out to be somewhat challenging due to overhanging branches at bike height, large pot holes and some very slippery mud not to mention two cars and a lorry coming the other way. Having reached the end of the road workmen were found to be removing the road closure signs – the road was open after all!
The lunch destination was the Earle Arms. However, on arrival it was found to be closed. Luckily the busy Heydon Village Tea Rooms managed to accommodate the three riders at an outside table at the rear of the café.
Refreshed after a light lunch of sandwiches and soup the three set off into the moderately strong north easterly wind on the return journey to PC passing by Saxthorpe, Oulton, Blickling, Ingworth, Plumstead and Baconsthorpe where Duncan diverted off to Holt. This left Mark and Chris to return to PC with the obligatory race to the top of New Road (which Chris won, but only just).
Total Distance: 52 miles Average Speed: 15.2mph Riders: Mark M, Duncan S, Andy S, Chris S
P.S. Heading back into Sheringham, on Woodland Rise, Mark M met Geoff P, out walking the dog in the afternoon sun. We had a good chat and Geoff is looking well, he sends his regards to fellow Wheelers.
This is confirmed as taking place on Sunday 28th September (subject to weather/last minute road closures etc) sign on at 8.30am, First rider off at 9.01am.
On a gusty, overcast Saturday morning, the returning Chris and Andrew were joined by Ian and Andy at PC. No Mark today—he had a shed roof to finish, and with the onset of wind and rain, that was probably the right choice.
Off they set through Gresham, and at Sustead they picked up Doug—or rather, Chris whooshed past with the cry of “Come on, no time to waste!” Clearly, Chris had been away too long and was in need of a good run out. This was confirmed later as he headed off into the distance, and we all nodded and let him go.
The route then took us south through Hanworth, skirting Aldborough, to Erpingham, through Ingworth, and on to the Blickling Road junction—where we had the first mishap of the day. Halfway across, Andrew threw his chain, which forced a sudden stop that left Andy on the floor and his mudguard shoved up into his wheel. Chain realigned and Andy brushed off with what he described as “a mere scratch,” we were off again. Andrew concluded that his manual gears were not quite as slick as the electronic version, and likely the cause of the incident.
We carried on north of Cawston, then to Wood Dalling, and south again until we arrived at our lunch stop—where we caught up with Chris. It’s worth noting that this first half of the ride was into the wind, so we were all looking forward to a nice tailwind home. Lunch at the Chrysalis Café was as good as ever.
Refuelled, we set off towards Lenwade, then to Elsing, and finally turned north out of the headwind to Bawdeswell. At this point Andy decided he’d had enough and headed home, while the rest carried on towards Foxley, then Guestwick, Edgefield, and Hempstead. Along this stretch, a number of impromptu races broke out, with Ian, Chris, and Doug sharing sprint wins. Some were left more broken than others and would pay for it the next day!
Ian then headed for High Kelling, Doug went off to Cromer, and Andrew and Chris returned to PC.
PC to PC was 63 miles at 15 mph. Riders: Ian A, Andrew B, Andy S, Chris S, Doug H
Ride report by Ian A With uncertain weather, Doug, Ian & Mark met at PC for the 66 mile ride to Litcham Deli. Arm warmers, gilets and emergency jackets (for some – more later…) was the order of the day. The route took us on the much-used southerly route to skirt Plumstead and down to Corpusty where we picked up Andy. Chaos ensued at the small junction with Horseshoe Lane with the 4 of us having the usual brief meet & greet chat, a car coming down the lane and one wanting to go up it, plus Andy’s wife Jane on her beautiful chestnut horse also coincidentally at the junction talking to us. Once Jane had got her mount out of reverse gear she trotted off, the two cars sorted themselves out and we headed on. Probably make next month’s ‘Corpusty Chronicle’ I expect. We then went via Wood Dalling, Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree, Billingford and stopped at the 1903 bridge across the Black Water to admire and identify the fish: Trout, or Rudd, or Roach and possibly a Perch. Probably.
Fish Identification in the Black Water at Worthing 13-Sept-2025. L-R: Doug H, Andy S, Mark M. Ian A camera.
We then crossed and went parallel with the old railway line and down to Hoe where we turned for Beetley, Gressenhall and a fast run (despite the head/crosswind) to Litcham. Mark was clearly ‘on one’ as we’d averaged 16mph against the wind to Litcham. The previous evening’s dinner of quinoa, tuna and tinned tomatoes had served him (and us!) well. The usual cheery welcome by the friendly staff at the Litcham Deli made us good coffees and great lunches: pasty, breakfast (omelette) bap, avocado & poached eggs on toast and goats cheese (I think!) and tomatoes/salad on sourdough.
Enjoying good food at Litcham Deli, 13- Sept-2025. L-R: Andy S, Doug H, Mark M. Ian A camera.
Mark had brought along one of his nuts for us to examine. More precisely a gallnut. Gallnuts, also known as oak galls or nutgalls, are fascinating plant growths that have been valued for centuries due to their unique properties and diverse applications. These abnormal outgrowths form on various plants, primarily oaks, as a result of insect activity, typically from gall wasps. The interaction between the plant and the insect causes the plant to produce a hard, round, and often woody structure that serves as a home and food source for the developing larva inside.
Anyway, after lunch we popped into Litcham Church which is right next door and was open as part of the Norfolk Churches Trust open day fundraiser where you can bike, walk or drive to as many churches as you like. Having signed the book and with every good intention of making a donation, the card machine was out of action so unfortunately we couldn’t donate. Name scrubbed out of the book and out we went. We’d stayed dry all morning and were in good spirits as we left Litcham to start the return leg with a predominant tailwind all the way back. We passed through Wellingham, The Raynhams, Helhoughton, Shereford and Sculthorpe Mill where two of us donned rain jackets as it was just starting to rain. Maybe because we hadn’t managed to donate at Litcham Church but clearly someone wasn’t very happy with us as we then started to experience Biblical Rain and very quickly, flooded roads. And it turned much colder. But we are The Wheelers and we continued on through rain and flood to the Barshams. And then Andy punctured. Tubeless strikes again! But it was OK as Doug has a ‘plug gadget’ and an electric pump. But unfortunately the plug got spat out. So it wasn’t OK. By which point Ian announced that although he really didn’t want to leave the scene, he really needed to carry on due to the cold. And the lack of his rain jacket – only a possible light shower was forecast, honest! Mark didn’t take much persuading either so the two of them continued on to Great Snoring, but diverted away from the planned route via Hindringham and instead went through Thursford and up to the A148/Gunthorpe Park junction. Ian decided to head directly back to High Kelling along the A148. Mark went back to PC via Gunthorpe, Brinton, Stody, Briston, Edgefield and Baconsthorpe.
Sunshine and Rainbows at Baconsthorpe, 13th Sept 2025. Photo Mark M
Once they got going again, Andy and Doug set off to Great Snoring where Doug continued on the route while Andy took the most direct route back to Corpusty i.e.Kettlestone, Fulmodeston, Nethergate, Thurning/Sandy Lane. Kudos to Doug for sticking mainly to the route (running the gauntlet of Hunworth Road after all that rain) and only missing out the Hempstead leg to go more directly back to Cromer via Baconsthorpe (pretty sure he won the sprint up New Road to the mast) and then Gresham and Metton. Doug double punctured on the Metton Road (‘fixed in a jiffy’ – well he’d had plenty of practice earlier) oh, and then ANOTHER puncture on entering Cromer. (I’m afraid they all count Doug!) A definite game of two halves Saint. Cracking morning/lunch and a very eventful afternoon including a very poor performance from the tubeless boys.
PC to PC (Mark only) was 64.1 miles at an average speed of 15.6mph Riders: Andy S, Doug H, Ian A, Mark M
Ride report by Andy S With members on different duties this week , including holidays and sailing on the high tide at Blakeney , only two members(Mark M and Andy S) and guest rider Barry met at P.C. A sunny morning but the threat of rain coming in at lunchtime. There was a brisk southerly wind which kept us on our toes for the first half of the ride as we rode south (ish).
Spring tide at Blakeney, 10th Sept 2025. Photo Clive A
The route took us through Gresham, Hanworth , crossing the A140, down White Post Road to Suffield, Felmingham, Swanton Abbott and Tunstead. Just before Coltishall the route took us right and we finally headed in a Northwest direction. With the help of the wind we wiggled through the quiet lanes to Lamas and down to the Skeyton Goat for our lunch stop.
Already at the Goat was Ian with his coffee and food already ordered. He had decided to start a little earlier than the main group to set a slower pace trying to keep his heart rate below 140bpm. (I am just pleased I have a heart beat!) Well done Ian for a little organised training.
The Goat Inn, Skeyton. Club ride 10-Sept-2025The Goat Inn, Skeyton. Club ride 10-Sept-2025. Photo Ian A
We had a good selection of paninis and wraps with flavoursome fillings and chips. The lunch talk varied from fitting mudguards (a complicated subject) to putting sealant into spare wheels in our cars.
The afternoon ride set off, still in sunny and dry weather, heading towards Tuttington and through Aylsham. Just before Ingworth we made a left turn round the back of Blickling Park. The road conditions were gravelly and bumpy so care was needed.
After Itteringham we made a left turn and headed past Mannington Hall. At the Matlaske junction Andy S turned left and back home to Corpusty. This left Mark and Barry to make their way back through Edgefield, Hempstead, Bodham and back to P.C. Ian completed the same route as us but at a slower pace. Actually in the afternoon I don’t think he was very much behind us.
The rain finally came in at 5.00 O’clock (Corpusty). So we had another great ride in sunshine on some lovely quiet Norfolk country roads.
PC to PC was 51.6 miles at an average of 15.1mph Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Andy S, Barry
Ride report by Mark M With a forecast for a dry sunny day, it was initially grey and chilly for the five Wheelers meeting at PC. Undeterred and hoping for the best, they headed more or less straight into the south westerly wind to Barningham Winter and Matlaske Gap. Here, Ian took the lead for the run down to Corpusty to meet up with Andy, out for the first time since his epic 190+ mile Coast to Coast walk. Apparently the family walk went very well, with stunning scenery and surprisingly good weather for the most part, but it was hard work and very tiring (who would have thought!).
A couple of miles further along, as we turned into the aptly named Sandy Lane, we came up behind a pony and trap with three kids onboard, trotting along. They were happy and friendly and after a bit were able to pull off the road to let us pass. It was probably the same pony and trap we met near Nethergate in July, there can’t be many in use today.
Making our way to Hindolveston and Swanton Novers and close to the second highest point in Norfolk, Pigg’s Grave at 101m, we crossed the B1354 to Gunthorpe. Crossing the A148 to Hindringham then the downhill run to Great Walsingham, along Scarborough Road to Little Walsingham and Norton’s.
Sitting at a big table outside, we enjoyed a good lunch of Beef and Horseradish sandwiches (very good), jacket potato, huge sausage roll, cake and drinks. The food is always good and arrives quickly, ideal for hungry cyclists and the sun came out as well.
Heading west from Walsingham we cut across to Edgar lane then the climb up to Bunker Hill at Egmeer and then turning east and the long downhill run to Wighton. We now realised that the wind had shifted to south easterly, so would be mainly a cross or cross headwind for the rest of the leg home. Next was Warham, Binham, up to Cockthorpe, across a breezy airfield to Langham and down to Wiveton, for the last big climb of the day, Bridgefoot Lane. With the wind adding to the gradient, it was a tough climb and as we were nearing the top, close to the Bridge Road junction, Ian emerged from the wheels to sprint to victory. After that excitement and a brief recovery at the top, we made our way to High Kelling, where Ian turned for home, no doubt to bore his wife with tales of his cycling prowess! Andy, still feeling good after his day out, turned for home at Selbrigg, Doug left us at Red Barn Lane to continue into the wind to Cromer, leaving two to finish at PC.
PC to PC was 51 miles at an average of 15.0 mph Riders: Doug H, Ian A, Mark M, Andy S, Clive A, Barry
With yesterday evening’s weather forecast and this morning’s forecast alternating between a bit grim and very grim, most Wednesday Wheelers were watching their phones wondering who was going to blink first and suggest cancelling. Very unexpectedly it was Mark, but Andrew and Ian (surprisingly?) were happy to give it a go. With Chris on holiday and a well-deserved rest for a coast to coast walker (chapeau Andy!) it was just Mark and Andrew who met at PC in light rain and picked up Ian at Gresham Church for the ride out to the Garden Kitchen Cafe at Hoveton Hall. After a bit of debate, we agreed it was a gutsy and gusty southwesterly that was blowing which meant generally a cross/headwind for the outward leg. The route took us through Sustead and Aldborough before crossing the Norwich Road and using the usual track to cut off the corner of White Post Road. It was on this track that Ian succumbed to a puncture. Not a tube but 3 puncture holes in the sleeve of his Shakedry jacket courtesy of the brambles. More updates below. Anyway, we then went alongside Gunton Park, waving to the herd of Fallow Deer and then past Corvette Kingdom at Felmingham and on to Swanton Abbot. From here we headed west to Worstead and skirted Smallburgh before going through Ashmanaugh to reach the Garden Kitchen Cafe soon after. The rain had only been light early on, then held off for the rest of the day so we had only the wind to contend with. A definite ‘best case outcome’ given the forecasts for possible thunderstorms and/or heavy showers. I’m sure Mark will be forever indebted to Andrew and Ian for getting him out…
Hoveton Hall Café 3-Sept-2025. Photo Ian A.
We received the usual friendly (excited even?) welcome from the staff at the cafe and celebrated our good fortune with tasty meals of sausage, egg & cheese bap, fishcake & chips, and smoked salmon & cream cheese with gherkins on sourdough (excellent but quite rich and nearly reappeared on the homeward leg) all washed down with good coffees and a pot of tea.
The usual good fayre at the Garden Kitchen Café, Hoveton Hall 3-Sept-2025. L-R: Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A.
After the usual banter over lunch including some new car advice for Andrew, checking progress on his house refurb and confirming he still has funds – clearly he has as he kindly bought the second round of coffees and a piece of cake. After lunch we remounted in sunshine and enjoyed an initial cross/tailwind with Mark setting his usual keen pace through Tunstead, Scottow and back to Swanton Abbot. The route then went via Skeyton, Barningham, Calthorpe, Wickmere and the gradual climb up to Bodham Hill. (Quite a few westerly sections where the wind was certainly not helping.) Andrew took the KoM points today to the mast though he was nearly taken out on the corner by a speeding motorist on the wrong side of the road. The price of trophy hunting? At the foot of New Road Ian turned left for High Kelling and Mark/Andrew turned right to head back to PC and we all got home before a few late afternoon showers. So all in all an excellent day out given the forecast. [Footnote: (actually more of an ‘arm note’) Ian contacted Sigma Sports where he bought his jacket a few years ago and they recommended Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal permanent rubberised tape to patch up his sleeve. 10cm wide and 3m long so the Club now has a good local supply.]
PC to PC was 50 miles at an average of 15 mph Riders: Andrew B, Ian A, Mark M
North Norfolk Wheelers 