Ride report by Mark M
Despite a 9am start, it was already hot when Andrew, Chris and Mark met at PC. The southerly wind helped to cool us when we were moving, but seemed to be a hinderance to progress for most of the day. We picked up Ian on the way to Baconsthorpe and then Neil in Corpusty to complete the peloton.
Then it was Guestwick, Foulsham and the obligatory photo stop at Bintree Mill. We didn’t know at the time, but Graham had parked his car at the end of Mill Road (we saw a car) and then cycled to the Cart Shed, arriving shortly before us.
Our route took us through Broom green, Gately, Horningtoft, Whissonsett, Tittleshall, across the A1065 at Weasenham and on to Great Massingham, where only one of the four ponds had water.
Since our last visit to the Cart Shed, they have expanded the outside area and added more shaded tables and the sandwich lunches we chose seemed more substantial as well, Graham had the quiche and salad and it was very generous. With the exception of Chris, who was soon on his way home, the rest of us were happy to have a leisurely lunch and a chat in the shade, drinking plenty of tea and water.
As we left, Graham returned to his car by much the same route that we had arrived on, passing the lost medieval village of Godwick, near Tittleshall.
The rest took a more north easterly route, past ex RAF West Raynham, Helhoughton, Shereford, Sculthorpe Mill, stopping to look at the low level of the Wensum, then on to West Barsham, where the Barsham Brewery Taproom was calling. With pints for some and Dan’s Ice Cream for others, we had another leisurely stop (Chris would have loved it), before setting off for the last (and hilliest) 20 miles.
At East Barsham the pub has reopened after being closed for a few years, though we didn’t stop, then it was uphill to Great Snoring, Thursford, Gunthorpe, Brinton, Stody and Hunworth Hill. In the absence of any determined competition, Ian reached the top first to claim bragging rights (poor Sue, first golf, now this).
Neil turned for home while the remaining trio took the usual route back to Bodham Hill, with Ian turning for home, leaving two for PC.
I don’t know if it was a combination of heat and wind, but we all said that the whole ride seemed like hard work, yet my power numbers showed it as a moderate day, not a hard day.
Also today was the Holkham 100, we used sections of the route, though only saw a few riders, probably as it was towards the end of their route and they had not reached it. Andy S was riding it today, apparently you get better company when you pay! See you Wednesday Andy ….
PC to PC was 69.7 miles at an average 14.9 mph (15.2 Out, 14.7 Back)
Riders: Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M, Graham A.
The Lost Village of Godwick: https://www.lostvillageofgodwick.co.uk/
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th August – O’Brennans, Gt Walsingham
Saturday 15th August – Walled Garden, Little Plumstead – 9am Start
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 