Ride report by Mark M
With regular Wheelers away every ride this month, we thought it a good time to check out some different venues or change the routes up a bit.
So, today Andy and Mark set off in the cold and damp for some fishing lakes at Billingford that had a café.
With a strong north wind behind us, we made rapid progress through Baconsthorpe, Plumstead, Hunworth, Briston, Foulsham, Bintree to Billingford.
Just a short distance down the main road we turned into the lake complex and along a short track to the car park and café area. On a warm and sunny day it would be ideal as there is plenty of outside seating, a big tepee with tables and a cabin with tables which we took shelter in.
The café is a semi-permanent catering van with a good choice of food and cakes, all at very reasonable prices. We both had the breakfast bap (sausage, bacon, egg) and a good sized tea for £10 each. We didn’t have room for cake afterwards either. If the menu doesn’t tempt you, then you can pop into the angling shop next door and stock up on maggots instead.
The complex has 11 lakes, we sometimes take the Holl/Slad Lane route from Billingford which offers a great view point down to the Wensum and lakes below.
After lunch we continued to Worthing and followed the Wensum back, crossing the bridges at Mill Street and found that both of us in the distant past had canoed there with the Dereham Canoe club. Then it was Bylaugh and up to Sparham, Blackwater and Furze Lane to takes us to Booton.
By now the roads were wet from rain, though it had stopped raining and the wind had eased off a lot, which was great as our route was now mainly north.
We continued to Cawston then Itteringham and stopped at the Mannington junction for Andy to turn for home, there was some steady drizzle by now and it was still cold. Mark continued to PC and home.
In other news – Ian A, cruising Norway’s Arctic Circle Coastline, was reminded of Happisburgh Lighthouse when he spotted this. I think Happisburgh is a little flatter.
Somewhere in the Arctic Circle 5th May 2026. Photo Ian A.
PC to PC was 47.1 miles at an average 14.8 mph (15.9 Out, 13.9 back)
Riders: Andy S, Mark M
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 9th May – Old Store, Fring
Wednesday 13th May – Natural Surroundings, Bayfield
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 