Ride report by Duncan S
Five riders met at Pretty Corner on a sunny but fresh morning with light southerly winds. The peloton set off south to Gresham and Bessingham then turned west to Plumstead, crossing the B1149 at Edgefield. Then it was Hunworth, Stody, Brinton, crossing the A148 to Bale. We continued westwards to Hindringham, Great Snoring, crossing the ford at Houghton St Giles by the dry route – no heroes willing to brave the water this time!
By this time the weather had turned cloudy. We headed for North Barsham and Waterden before turning north for North Creake and the Abbey Cafe. There we found Ian, who had secured a nice large table for us, having ridden the full route but a slower pace (reserving his strength for Thursday’s golf and the Saturday ride).
A good natter was had over a tasty lunch with Andrew opting for cake as well! We set off in a light sporadic drizzle, Duncan being the only Wheeler to don a rain jacket (only because he at last remembered to bring it!). We headed east for Wighton and Binham. After Binham, Ian elected to proceed at a slower pace. When the rest of the peloton regrouped at Field Dalling, Chris decided to “get a few faster miles in” and sped off, soon after which Ian shot past the paused peloton. The remaining 4 riders set off, thinking we would soon catch Ian up. We never saw him again, although apparently he waited for 10 mins at A148/Bridge Road junction (so much for Ian’s slower pace!).
On the Bridgefoot Lane climb, the obligatory King of the Mountains competition opened, with Duncan setting off at quite a pace. However he was beaten by a bike length by Andrew at the Cley Road summit (perhaps overheating in his rain jacket, the drizzle having stopped some time back!). As the two “champions” waited for the others, Mark sped past and then, while Duncan and Andrew waited for Andy, he also sped past. On regrouping before the Bridge Road fork, Mark maintained that the summit was further on than the Cley Road fork and claimed first place, while Andy claimed second place. We’ll leave other Wheelers to decide who really won!
At the Kelling Road/Bridge Road junction, Duncan peeled off for Holt. Andy left for Corpusty via Selbrigg, leaving the remaining 2 riders to press on to PC.
PC to PC was 55.4 miles at an average of 15.1 mph
Riders: Mark M, Andrew B, Chris S, Andy S, Duncan S and Ian A (part)
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 4th October – Coast Café, Trimingham
Wednesday 8th October – Richardsons, Stalham
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 