Ride report by Neil M
Five Wheelers met at PC on a misty winter morning. It was neither cold, raining or windy, which makes a pleasant change after the preceding fortnight’s weather. The roads were very wet and muddy though with the sugar beet mudfest in full swing.
The planned route had been revised due to the two-week closure of the Holt road and the impact on all the little lanes we normally use, so the outward route was via Baconsthorpe and Plumstead and then down the Matlaske road to Saxthorpe. We caught Harvey T out for a ride near Baconsthorpe and he rode along with us until we turned off at Plumstead to head toward Barningham. He was looking fit & well and had been getting the miles in with solo rides which also meant he hadn’t fitted the extended mudguard flap that is essential for group riding, so we all got a good splattering!
From Saxthorpe and Corpusty we carried on down the flooded Blackwater Lane to Thurning, Guestwick, Themelthorpe and across the Reepham road via Jordan Green to join Nowhere Lane. From here it was only a short ride to our lunch stop, the Chrysalis cafe at Bugz.
The cafe was quiet when we arrived, but we could see a long table set out for a children’s party, so we sat at a safe distance! As usual, the food was hot, excellent value and served very speedily, so it is always a good option for a winter lunch stop. Lunches ordered seemed rather lighter than usual with everyone obviously compensating for Xmas excess. I’m sure normal Full-English service will be resumed soon.
We timed our departure to perfection with the children’s birthday party just starting to kick off as we left. The rather warmer conditions meant that leaving the lunch stop wasn’t as grisly as is usual for winter and we quickly got under way to retrace our route before turning down Blackwater lane to head toward Great Witchingham and Alderford.
The main excitement of the day occurred just outside Alderford when a large dog burst out of the hedge immediately in front of Mark and Neil. By a miracle we both missed it and it shot back into the hedge heading toward a distant whistling which must have been the owner. It was very fortunate that we weren’t a car as that dog would most likely have been killed. A heart-stopping moment indeed that Mark captured for posterity on his shiny new dashcam. (handlebar cam?)
After that disaster averted, we carried on to Swannington, Brandiston and Cawston then on to Itteringham via Oulton Street. Neil left the group at Itteringham to head for Mannington Hall and home at Corpusty. The remaining riders headed to Aldborough via Wickmere and then on toward Bessingham where Doug carried on to Sustead and home to Cromer. The final three carried on to Gresham, East Beckham and back to PC and home.
A nice day’s riding for winter despite all the mud and water, with even some sunshine when the mist cleared.
Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Andrew B, Doug H, Neil M
PC to PC was 43.6 miles at an average 14.5 mph.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 21st January – Aylsham Garden Centre
Saturday 24th January – Goat Inn, Skeyton
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 