Ride report by Ian A
Four Wheelers met at PC. The mood was sombre. It was cold and it was raining. Why hadn’t Mr. Sensible cancelled the ride? Best guess is it was Ian’s fault. His message the previous evening said he’d join the peloton at Gresham Church so if conditions were OK for Ian nobody would want to show weakness and cancel! So the Damp Four set off and duly picked up Ian at said church, a couple of minutes late, apparently due to Chris adjusting his new head gear. Picture below…
The route took us on very wet and very muddy lanes via Sustead, Metton, Northrepps, Trunch, Bradfield, crossing the Norwich line at Antingham, then swinging south soon after and (via Tuttington) meeting the Norwich Road just south of Aylsham. It was then just a short way up the cycle track alongside the busy road to reach the welcome site of our lunch stop.
Apart from the last 30 minutes or so we’d cycled in constant light rain (plus a headwind most of the way too) so we definitely needed hot drinks and food. The cafe at the garden centre was busy but we were quickly seated, and the hot drinks and sandwiches, panini, soup and a salad for the lady arrived promptly which was very welcome. As usual, the conversation was wide ranging: progress on Andrew’s new build, wardrobe angst, how to slice your thumb off using a log splitter and why Ian probably doesn’t need (and according to Sue, can’t be trusted with), a chainsaw. A bow saw was recommended by the group as a more cost-effective option for cutting up a few small trees into logs and Mark even showed Ian a fine example in the shop.
After lunch was done there was a moment’s pause as we debated whether we should stay in the cafe until we’d dried out or just crack on. So we cracked on. The better news was that it wasn’t raining any more and we had a dry run back with mainly a tailwind to boot.
The post lunch route went via the back streets of Aylsham to emerge onto the Heydon Road via Sandy Lane. At Abel Heath we swung onto the Aylsham Road to Oulton Street then shortly after turned north to Itteringham. We waved Andy off at the Mannington Hall turning to make his way back to Corpusty. Then we took a short detour to avoid the even filthier roads of Little Barningham to take the Matlaske Road to Plumstead and on towards Hempstead. At the Marlpit Lane junction Ian followed the route as the most direct way back to High Kelling via Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond while the remaining trio went back to PC via Baconsthorpe and West Beckham.
Footnote: There was the customary sprint to the mast at Bodham Hill. Chris set off but Andrew gave chase and won by a few lengths. Although allegedly in the process his flying elbows nearly put Mark in a hedge! Clearly it’s getting serious…..
PC to PC was 43.8 miles at an average speed of 13.9 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Andy S, Chris S, Ian A, Mark M
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 24th January – Goat Inn, Skeyton
Wednesday 28th January – Natural Surroundings, Glandford
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 