Ride report by Neil M
A trio of Wheelers met at PC on a dry, but not terribly warm June morning. It was forecast to be dry all day which would make a pleasant surprise after the last couple of wet weeks.
Ian joined at Gresham church and the route continued through Bessingham to Aldborough where Neil joined at the Primary school. The peloton was then complete and rolled onward to cross the A140 at the cut-through onto White Post road and then skirting around Gunton Park (where the usual deer were spotted) to Suffield.
Instead of taking the usual route through Antingham we took the shortcut via Antingham Hill and the pedestrian railway crossing to meet Pond Road which led on to North Walsham where we took the usual snakey back-street cut through to avoid the town centre. A brief section then on the Yarmouth road before turning off onto Sandy Hills past the recycling centre and walking down the footpath to cross the bypass straight on to the quiet road through Withergate to Worstead.
Out the other side of Worstead we spotted a coffee van at Squirrel Wood Equestrian centre and after a brief debate we decided to make an early stop. This was the Baby Bean Coffee Pod (normally based in Horstead) and we were quickly caffeinated and on our way again.
Wroxham was next and it was certainly busy with shoppers, tourists and cars, so we were glad to get off the busy road and cut through the boatyard to join The Avenue to take the back road to Woodbastwick past Woodforde’s brewery and on to Ranworth where, as usual, we stopped to look at the broad. Even for early season it was busy with lots of boats and people and a large flock of geese mugging passers-by for bread. We didn’t catch their eye, so managed to escape un-molested.
From Ranworth it was only a short distance further to South Walsham and our lunch stop at the Fairhaven Water gardens. As we turned in to the car park we spotted Malcolm who had ridden out from St Olaves to meet us. We were rather late, so he had already eaten, but he joined us for a catch up and a chat.
We bagged a table outside and ordered food which came quickly and was tasty and filling. There was a minor cake disappointment as Ian’s carrot and pistachio turned out to be not as nice as it looked, but the scones were good.
Chris left early to have a faster ride home and Malcolm left to take the Reedham ferry. The remaining four set off back through Panxworth, Woodbastwick and westward toward Spixworth to turn North again to Horstead and Coltishall.
From Coltishall the route back was via Badersfield, Skeyton, Tuttington, Banningham, Ingworth and across the Scarrowbeck to join Wall road past the Saracen’s Head to Wolterton Hall where Neil left to head for Mannington Hall, Corpusty and home.
The remaining trio continued through Goose Green, Matlaske and Barningham Winter, with Richard turning for Baconsthorpe, Holt and home and Ian taking the Rectory road turn toward High Kelling. From the Rectory road split, Mark carried on to PC and home.
PC to PC was 61.8 miles at an average 14.8 mph (15.2 Out, 14.4 Back)
Riders: Richard W, Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M and Malcolm S (at lunch).
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 17th June – East Bilney Lakes
Saturday 20th June – Poppylands, Horsey
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 