Ride report by Doug H
On a bright but windy Saturday morning, Mark, Andy and guest Ray met at PC. With lots of holidays being taken, the party of three headed off south to pick up the final two wheelers for the day, Doug and Ian, from Gresham Church.
With the peloton complete and the conclusion of the discussion of whether it was really cold enough for arm warmers and gilets, they headed south with a very strong crosswind. This enabled Mark to set a hot pace, which continued all day, with minor comments and a few mutterings from the back.
We rushed through Bessingham, sprinting past Aldborough, to Alby, Suffield, Felmingham, through Swanton Abbott for the first time in the day, Worstead, on to Ashmanhaugh, via Belaugh Green, and on to the lunch stop at Red Lion Café in Coltishall.
This was extremely uneventful, and only had one minor ‘almost’ moment, where Doug did his best not to fall in a ditch.
Graham had made his way by train and bike to meet us all at the stop and was ready to talk us through his next great adventure: taking the ferry to Spain for two weeks of cycling. Quite the adventure, and one we would all love to do
Lunch was very pleasant, with the only highlight being that we almost considered helping a lady to fix her car, but quite rightly we sat and watched her jump-start it with what looked like a tiny battery. Amazing. None of us would have been of any help, but it is the thought that counts, so they say.
The conversation ranged from the global position of the missing Wheelers to, the highlights of the highlights of the ongoing cycling events on TV to the adventures ahead. As with Graham, Andy is off to ride from Saint-Malo to Nice in a couple of weeks, and again, we wish him well and that we would all like to go as well.
With lunch completed, we were off again, at a similar pace to our arrival. Mark was right on it today. With the crosswind now slightly becoming a headwind, we were off past RAF Coltishall, through Swanton Abbott for the second time, Tuttington, on to Banningham and Ingworth.
Near Itteringham, Andy headed home, with Ray shortly after heading back to Holt.
With the final three heading up Bodham Hill, Ian took the plaudits for a fine sprint to the line before turning for High Kelling.
Mark headed back to PC, while Doug, turning into a full tailwind, flew back to Cromer.
PC to PC was 52.8 miles at an average 15.6 mph (16.2 Out, 15.1 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Mark M, Ian A, Doug H, guest Ray T, Graham A
P.S. Vuelta d Espana daily highlights on Channel 5/5 Action at 7-8pm
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 9th September – Natural Surroundings, Bayfield
Saturday 12th September – Norton’s, Walsingham
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 