Month: November 2025

Ride report by Neil M

After some pre-ride email discussion of the dodgy weather, five stoic wheelers turned up at PC in their wet-weather gear and winter bikes. Although it was raining lightly, it wasn’t too cold, so everyone was up for the day’s “enjoyment”.

We set out via West Beckham and Bodham to collect Ian at High Kelling. The A148 was busy, a theme that continued whenever we had to cross it. Surely a bit early for Xmas shopping?

From Kelling the route continued round the back of Holt and down to Wiveton, across the ford to Glandford and back up to Saxlingham, Field Dalling and Bale. The next quandary was whether to take the back road from Bale to Hindringham and risk it being blocked by the usual winter flood right at the Hindringham end. Ian gave the casting vote and we diverted via a very short detour onto the busy A148 to take a little lane down to Thursford. (Ian was at an event in Hindringham that evening and has reported that the Bale lane isn’t actually flooded, so we can use it in future)

Onward past the Thursford Xmas Spectacular, the route continued past the Little Snoring airfield, through Little Snoring and across the A148 down to the A1067 where it was the final uphill drag to Pensthorpe and our cafe stop.

The damp peloton were certainly happy to see the Pensthorpe cafe which had been recently refurbished. The cafe was busy with families, but a large table was soon found for the Wheelers. The food was hot, tasty and was served quickly which is an advantage of these large cafes. It was especially appreciated after such a character-building ride.

All too soon it was time to set out again, but the rain was lighter and the wind was mostly at our backs for the return route, so it didn’t feel quite as grim. After the usual short A1067 stretch we turned toward Kettlestone. The road through the village was closed to vehicles, but we managed to slip past the closure and take the long straight Croxton road through Fulmodeston, Hindolveston and through the lanes to Thurning. From Thurning we took the Blackwater Lane and Heath Road route to Little London where Neil and Andy left the group for their homes in Corpusty and Town Close.

The remaining group headed up the Edgefield Street road to Edgefield and Hempstead where Ian split off for High Kelling and home. The final three carried on through Baconsthorpe to the top of Red Barn Lane where Doug headed to Gresham toward Cromer and home. Mark and Chris carried on to PC to complete the ride.

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Andy S, Doug H, Ian A and Neil M.
Distance: PC to PC 47.9 miles
Average Speed: 14.2mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 3rd December – All Things Nice, Cawston
Saturday 6th December – Rising Sun, Coltishall
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/

Ride report by Andy S

After a couple of weeks of cold wind and rain, leading to two cancelled rides, Wednesday morning was a pleasant relief. The morning was cold but the sun was out and no sign of rain.

Due to work commitments and holidays only three members met at P.C. (Mark M, Chris S and Andy S ). We set off through Gresham, Hanworth, Bradfield and North Walsham. The lanes were still very wet and muddy and with the help of the low sun we had to proceed with caution.

From North Walsham the route took us down into Worstead and through the lanes to Wroxham Barns.

Having reached Wroxham Barns at 11:40 we had just missed the breakfast menu. Eagle eyed Mark spotted two mains for £10.00. Mark and Andy shared this option of Baked Potato and BLT. Poor Chris had to settle for soup and bread. Tea was ordered all round . There was so much that for the first time ever we had to leave some in the pot. This has never been heard of before! Andy S put his hand in his very deep and cobwebby pocket to buy the very belated Birthday cakes.

On leaving the cafe we met Malcolm S at the entrance just arriving to meet us. So after a brief chat we left Malcolm to go in for his tea and cake.

The trio left and skirted around the edge of Coltishall, onto Buxton, Brampton and Aylsham, into Ingworth and up to Calthorpe . Here Andy S turned off to go home to Corpusty, leaving Mark and Chris to carry on through Wickmere, Bessingham and back to P.C.

A good day out with the sun on our backs and no threat of rain.

PC to PC was 45.4 miles at an average of 14.7mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andy S

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 29th November – Pensthorpe
Wednesday 3rd December – All Things Nice, Cawston
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/

Ride report by Chris S

Following a night of the country being battered by gale force winds and heavy rain due to the arrival of Storm Claudia, Saturday was relatively tranquil. The strong winds had subsided and the heavy rain had become a light drizzle.

Despite the uninspiring weather conditions four wheelers still turned up at PC for what was originally planned as a 57 mile ride. However soon after setting off, Mark, Andrew, Chris and Doug quickly reached a consensus of opinion to shorten the ride. Not only did the light drizzle reduce visibility but also the roads were covered with a mulch of leaves, mud, water and other debris from the overnight storm making the riding conditions hazardous and not particularly pleasant.

Notwithstanding this the four wheelers carried on passing through Hempstead, Edgefield and Briston. At Hindolveston a particularly large flood was encountered stretching for approximately 100 metres and at least half a metre deep. With no alternative option to by pass the flood Mark rode straight through closely followed by Andrew who initially hesitated. Meanwhile Chris and Doug decided to dismount and attempt to walk along the verge. Needless to say they were thwarted by a drive way and ended up having to wade through deep water. As a consequence everyone suffered from very wet feet for the rest of the ride.

The ride then continued towards Foulsham before bypassing Reepham and reaching the Chrysalis Café at Sparhamhill to everyone’s relief at around 11.30am. This meant that Mark was in time to indulge in a full English breakfast whilst the others enjoyed a variety of hot food. As it was Mark’s birthday he treated everyone to cakes and another round of tea/coffee. Happy birthday Mark.
(Editor’s note; coincidentally, today was also Doug’s and Andy S’ birthday, triple Happy Birthday’s! Doug bought the cakes last Saturday, while Andy’s absence from the last two rides means we are looking forward to more cakes on his return.)

Fully refreshed the group then trudged back outside to start the ride home which was also shortened due to the weather. After almost being decapitated by a fallen overhead cable across the road the route passed through Reepham, Cawston, Oulton and onto Itteringham where it deviated from the planned route towards Aldborough. Shortly after Mark, Andrew and Chris turned off to Bessingham and PC via Gresham leaving Doug to continue towards Sustead and home to Cromer.

Probably not the most enjoyable ride of the year but at least it demonstrated that the Wheelers are not just fair weather riders (well some of them)!

Distance: 44 miles
Average Speed: 14.4 mph
Riders: Mark M, Andrew B, Chris S, Doug H

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 19th November – All Things Nice, Cawston
Saturday 22nd November – Binham Parlour
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/

Ride report by Andrew B

Four riders met at PC on a damp late autumn morning for a ride to Lily’s Tearoom, Hadfields Garden Centre, North Walsham.

The planned route took us through West Beckham, Selbrigg (where we picked up Clive), Hempstead, Plumstead, Little Barningham, Wolterton, Colby, Felmingham, Skeyton and Westwick. Unfortunately, Chris had a rear puncture just after Colby but this was soon fixed with some assistance from Mark and encouragement from others.

On arrival at the cafe we found Ian and Graham already there and they had grabbed large table for us all. We all enjoyed a good lunch with some opting for cakes as well! We were rather fortunate as soon after we had finished there was a power cut and all further order had to be cancelled. We were also lucky as the rain that had started as we arrived and became quite heavy stopped just before we left.

Ian left early to make his own way home and Graham also as he had come by car. The remainder took the planned route back through Briggate, Spa Common, North Walsham, Bradfield, Lower Street, Thorpe Market, Metton, Sustead, Lower Gresham and East Beckham.
Unfortunately, Chis had another puncture at the half way mark, this time in the front wheel! He urged us to carry on without him which we duly did, but not without the obligatory photo!

Overall, a good ride which was mostly dry despite the forecast showers and good views (see photo below from Ian).

PC to PC 46.5 miles
Average speed 14.8 mph
Total Elevation 1835 ft
Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Graham A, Clive A, Doug H, Chris S and Andrew B

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th November – Chrysalis Café, Sparhamhill
Wednesday 19th November – All Things Nice, Cawston
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/

Ride report by Doug H

On an overcast but warmer-than-normal day, three Wheelers — Mark, Andy, and Douglas — met at PC. We soon set off towards West Beckham, then on to Baconsthorpe, collecting Ian along the way and heading toward Briston, Stody, and Gunthorpe. From there we rode through Thursford, on to Great Snoring, Barsham, down to Shereford and Whissonsett, and finally to Stanfield for our lunch break at The Old Dairy.
Lunch was great — fast service and excellent food. Our usual chitter-chatter included rare bird sightings in Cromer and the number of Wheelers with a birthday on November 15th. We then decided to head to Algy’s Farm Shop in Bintree for coffee and birthday cake, kindly paid for by Doug.

So off we went towards Brisley, then on to Broom Green, stopping at Bintree Watermill to take in the lovely view. Afterwards, we continued to Algy’s Farm Shop for our second stop — for the birthday coffee and cake — and to check out the recently opened cafe for a future visit.

Then we were off again, and with the sun on our backs, we went via Foulsham, Bates Moor, and Guestwick. Around Corpusty, Andy headed off home. We continued via Saxthorpe and on to Thurgarton; shortly after, Doug headed off to Sustead and back to Cromer, while Ian and Mark returned to PC.
A lovely day’s ride.

PC to PC was 61 miles at an average 15.1mph
Riders: Andy S, Ian A, Mark M, Doug H

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th November – Lily’s Tearoom, North Walsham
Saturday 15th November – Chrysalis Café, Sparhamhill
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/

San Jamie to Puerto de Bernia
Report by Chris S

Saturday’s ride became manana’s ride. So on a glorious Sunday morning at 10am with a temperature nearing 25 degrees C and blue skies one wheeler set off to tackle Puerta de Bernia.

On the initial climb to Benissa Chris caught up a group of some 20 cyclists who it transpired were English having flown out from Bristol the day before. They were planning to tackle Coll du Rates some 927 metres in height. Managing to breakaway from the peleton Chris sprinted off into the distance leaving them behind.

On arriving at Xalo Chris found the road at the start of the Bernia ascent closed due to a local marathon. With no other way through an officer from the Guardia Civil kindly allowed Chris to pass through the road closure and continue on his way.

Rather than a full ride report a number of photos have been attached to give the flavour of the ride.

Distance 39.95 miles at an average 13.3mph
Total Elevation 1,163m / 3815ft

Ride report by Mark M

After heavy overnight rain which resulted in a couple of early flooded road sections, the day was surprisingly mild and sunny, though a strong south westerly kept temperatures in check when out of the sun, it did also help dry out a lot of the roads.
The warmer conditions meant that some summer clothing made a reappearance, having been previously packed away for the winter, Ian was even wearing his three quarter bibs, together with overshoes.

Mark, Doug and Ian headed into the wind towards Itteringham, meeting Neil at the Little Barningham crossroads and then turning east for a much easier run to Aldborough, across the A140, and through the hole in the hedge. Then it was Suffield, across the A149 and another hole in the hedge to Antingham, Lower Southrepps, Bradfield, Trunch, Knapton, a loop down to Witton then up to Bacton and Watsons at 25 miles.

Arriving around 11:45, we had a choice of tables and quickly had our orders taken and it wasn’t long before the meals arrived. Two generous full breakfasts, a doorstop sandwich and Neil had a smaller toastie, though made up for it with a huge portion of cake as well.
After the usual discussion as to why a pot of tea is invariably smaller than a cup of coffee, we put the world to rights, ribbed Doug about his Spatz obsession and what he was going to get in their Black Friday sale and eventually decided we had to face the wind again.

We started with a long southerly leg taking us to Honing, Dilham and Upper Street. Here we made a diversion to the planned route as the road was reported as closed at Scottow due to roadworks, so we missed the Tunstead dual carriageway and headed for Sloley, the Worstead Road, then picking up the route again at Swanton Abbott.
Now we were heading north west and it was much easier riding, as we made our way towards Felmingham, Banningham, Colby and Erpingham. Neil turned off for home as we continued to Aldborough and at the Bessingham turn, Doug left us to make his wind assisted way back to Cromer.
At Gresham, Ian turned for High Kelling, leaving Mark to complete the circuit back to PC.

PC to PC was 53.3 miles at an average 14.8mph
Riders; Doug H, Ian A, Neil Mc, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th November – Natural Surroundings, Glandford
Saturday 8th November – Old Dairy, Stanfield
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/