Ride report by Ian A
Four Wednesday regulars Andrew, Andy, Chris and Mark were joined by guest rider Darren at PC on a pleasantly warm day which was forecast to remain dry. Darren has a holiday home in Weybourne and was staying there with his young family. So for a change, he brought the average age of the group down!
The route was pretty much in an Easterly direction overall, and with the day’s Easterly breeze it was going to be a headwind pretty much all of the time on the outward leg. The route went via Gresham, Metton, across the A149 and down to Northrepps, then onto Southrepps, past the impressive church and waving to the goats, before continuing to Trunch, Knapton, Paston, past Bacton Gas Terminals and then the prettier lanes through Witton, Ridlington and north to Ostend, arriving at the Lighthouse Inn around 1145.
Ian had done his normal ‘Wednesday thing’ and rode the route solo at a slightly more moderate pace, arriving only seconds before. Chris didn’t stop but continued on for home as he had family staying and apparently needed to spend some time with them.
Food service didn’t start until midday, so we ordered teas/coffees and a pint for you know who while we waited for the kitchen to open. Conversation covered the normal broad range including best practice for euthanizing horses and other livestock, Andy’s mixed success last weekend at Newmarket races (and his random wasp sting today), Darren’s and Ian’s coincidental ‘roots’ in the North London/Enfield area, local “hilly” cycling options and Andrew’s lost door key…
Food options were a bit limited on the menu but we all opted for filled wraps in the end and they were all substantial and tasty so all was good. We declared there to be time for another quick round of drinks for four of us which Andrew kindly stumped up for. We left in good spirits anticipating the tailwind home. (But why is it never as good as you hope for? I found the homeward leg harder despite the tailwind although admittedly at a much quicker average speed.)
The return leg took us along the edge of Bacton Wood, White Horse Common, skirting the eastern edge of North Walsham and on to Bradfield, past the Suffield Arms at Gunton, crossing the A149 again at Thorpe Market and on to Hanworth, Bessingham and towards Baconsthorpe before the drag up to the radio mast at Bodham Hill. Andrew once again felt the urge to ‘go for it’ and got to the top pretty much uncontested with Mark and Ian fairly close behind and muttering “could of ‘ad ‘im if I’d wanted to” but we all know dear reader, that actions speak much louder than blah blah blah.
At the bottom of New Road, Andrew and Mark turned right for PC, while Ian and Darren went to Lower Bodham where Darren turned right for Bodham and then the descent to Weybourne leaving Ian to continue on for High Kelling. A nice route with dry roads, albeit sandy in places and no rain.
PC to PC was 47.9 miles at an average 15.7 mph (15.7 Out, 15.7 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, guest Darren W
P.S. Vuelta d Espana daily highlights on Channel 5 at 7pm
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 29th August – Waxham barn
Wednesday 2nd Sept – TBA
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 