Ride report by Ian A
Due to illness a couple of the usual stalwarts were absent today so Doug met himself at PC where he proceeded to meet Andy, Ian and Neil at the top of Red Barn Lane. It was good to see Andy out on a club ride again after fracturing his leg on a skiing holiday.
Due to the forecast for a wet morning and being Andy’s first group ride for some time, and Ian needing to get back for guests arrival, a cunning plan was hatched. Instead of the planned route to Mattishall we opted for a shorter ride to the Station Cafe at Reepham. Basically using the original route but cutting across to Reepham a mile after Cawston, and picking up the return leg via the Kerdiston Road/Wood Dalling route.
Shortly after setting off we met a pheasant by the roadside, looking unable to move – maybe clipped by a car? Andy used his ‘Man of The Land’ skills to dispatch it to save it a slow death. The route took us south to Itteringham where we deviated from the planned route to avoid Heydon and a road closure – thanks for the heads up Mark – carrying on via Oulton Street to reach Cawston where shortly after we turned west for Reepham via Booton, past the impressive but redundant Grade 2 listed St. Michael the Archangel’s Church to reach the cafe around 11:15am. A bit early for lunch but Doug managed a jacket potato while the rest of us opted for excellent blueberry and lemon scones with jam.
So we saddled up to leave before midday – surely a record, though possibly not one to be too proud of? From Reepham we headed towards Kerdiston, then Wood Dalling, Thurning, waving to the roosters along Heath Road. Neil then headed back to downtown Corpusty and we dropped Andy off soon after, leaving Doug and Ian to cross the Norwich Road and head up the steady climb to Edgefield via Ramsgate Street. Ian found the energy for a last minute spurt and won (in his mind anyway) the ‘sprint’. Doug just can’t be goaded! The route continued via Rectory Road and towards Hempstead where Ian branched off to head back to High Kelling via Selbrigg Pond, leaving Doug to stay with the route to Baconsthorpe and back to Cromer via Gresham.
Footnote: During the afternoon leg, Neil lost his big ring so was stuck with the smaller one, hopefully not due to recently replacing his chain, cassette and bottom bracket himself.
With our two regular diesel engines (Mark & Chris) missing, the pace was slower than usual. Ian led most of the way and was mindful to keep Andy on board too. No-one actually rode ‘PC to PC’ so the distance and speed figures below are estimated. A nice sociable club ride with plenty of time left in the afternoon for other activities.
PC to PC 35 miles (estimated)
Average speed: 14.4mph (estimated – Ian’s home to home average)
Riders: Andy S, Doug H, Ian A, Neil M.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 15th April – Kelling Heath
Saturday 18th April – North Creake Abbey
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 