Ride report by Ian A
Only one Wheeler got the weather forecast right today and that was Duncan. So he decided not to ride in heavy drizzle on his skittish carbon wheels and flaky rim brakes. (Rumour has it he spent the day shopping for a ‘proper winter bike’ but we’ll see.) Meanwhile, since everyone else thought the forecast was pretty good with just a slim chance of light drizzle but not amounting to much, 3 riders out of 4 met at PC in shorts. It wasn’t warm either… Rain jackets on, they set off on the route to the new destination at Stalham, with probable mutterings in the wet peloton of “this had better be worth it!”
Mark, Andrew, Andy and Clive went via Gresham church on to Sustead, Metton (negotiating a temporary road closure) and Northrepps where they collected Graham and continued apace to Southrepps, Bradfield, skirted North Walsham, then via Crostwright and East Ruston. Shortly before turning right onto the main road to Stalham, we passed a field of donkeys (most of us saw them) but immediately after the donkeys, Ian spotted a couple of rheas in an enclosure. (Apparently in 2023 several of them escaped but were located and caught in surrounding villages and returned to the farm.)
On arrival at Stalham and a little bit of detective work we found the Richardson’s Marina Café.
It was quiet but with only one member of staff they did a sterling job prepping our cheese/tuna/ham paninis & toasties/hot drinks and cakes for the usual suspects. Even better, they offer 20% off if you arrive by bike! Ian had made his way independently at a slightly slower pace (Zone 2 training – far too technical) and had unknowingly earlier ridden straight past Graham while he was waiting for the main group (he said hello to a jogger but didn’t spot Graham!) Sitting on seats decked in various pastel colours the food was hearty and the cakes fine, albeit only a limited choice. In other news, Ian had been stung by a wasp en route. Must have been a whopper as Andrew’s antihistamine tablet had no affect. But thanks anyway.
After lunch we remounted and Graham made his own way back to Cromer. Again, Ian followed the main route, but chose to go at a slightly slower pace. The route took us all back through Stalham then via Honing, Briggate, and up to White Horse Common to weave through North Walsham, then crossing the main line at Antingham (where Ian caught & passed the bunch during their ‘nature’ stop). The route then went via Suffield and Colby (where Ian was repassed as he stopped for a photo).
Shortly after Calthorpe at Wolterton Hall, Andy turned off to head back to Corpusty via Mannington, leaving the other three riders to follow the route back to PC via Plumstead, Baconsthorpe, Hempstead, Selbrigg Pond and West Beckham. Clive turned for Holt at Hempstead to head back to Blakeney.
Footnote: Mark & Andrew met Harvey at Lower Bodham and stopped for a chat. He’s clocked up 18,000 miles in the last 2 years. Chapeau indeed.
PC to PC was 59 miles at an average speed of 14.6mph.
Riders: Andrew B, Andy S, Clive A, Graham A, Ian A, Mark M
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 11th October – Mardler’s Rest, Gressenhall
Wednesday 15th October – Coast Café, Trimingham
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 