Ride report by Mark M
Chris, back from his Italian motoring trip, was obviously keen today as he was already at PC when Mark arrived. With plenty of Wheelers away, it was just the two setting off for Gresham to collect Doug. The main topic of the day was the weather, very warm and extremely windy from the south west, which was the direction we were headed. This would result in some tactical re-routing on the way.
Setting off south initially for Ingworth, then Blickling and Cawston. We then headed for Felthorpe and Attlebridge, but took the shorter route to Swannington and Attlebridge, giving us plenty of time to stop at the bridge.
Then after crossing the A1067, it was up the newly traffic calmed Marl Hill before turning for Lyng, passing the back of the golf course and dinosaur park on the way. At Lyng Easthaugh, instead of climbing up onto the very exposed plateau of Collen’s Green, we continued on the lower river valley road to Lyng, which was still windy enough. Then over the Wensum and up the hill to the A1067 again, with a short run down the main road before turning for the café. We were all pleased to arrive and had saved ourselves 2.3 very windy miles.
The café and the Bug Park were busy and we noted that a very lifelike giant ant had taken up residence in the kids play area, I don’t know if it scared the kids as no one was playing on it.
There is always a good menu choice and for once Mark was going for the healthier poached eggs, only to be told they ended at 11:30, so a full breakfast and a huge Bakewell slice it was then. Chris and Doug had the tuna jackets with Doug also opting for a huge cake. Chris told us about his enjoyable trip and his car survived the 3000+ miles, though after a road works bollard got in the way of his left mirror, he had to reattach it with a giant roll of gaffa tape.
Lunch and tales over, he headed off for his training ride home and to fit his replacement mirror.
Doug and Mark were much slower in leaving, to give Chris a head start obviously, and soon noticed the mighty tail wind as we headed for Alderford and Swannington. Then we turned north for Cawston, Heydon, Saxthorpe, turning past Mannington Hall onto the Itteringham road.
At the Little Barningham crossroads, Doug turned for Thurgarton, Sustead and Cromer. As we were parting ways the only rain of the day started, fairly light and not lasting long, when it cleared and the sun came out, there was a partial rainbow over in the Cromer direction, maybe the pot of gold is at Doug’s house!
Mark continued north for Barningham Winter and PC. When he then joined Holway Road at the PC car park, an old red double decker bus (part of the 1940’s weekend) was struggling up the hill enroute for Holt, with a huge queue of cars behind it, ah, the good old days.
PC to PC was 50.7 miles at an average 14.9 mph (14.8 Out, 14.9 Back, despite the tail wind)
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Doug H
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 23rd September – Nest Café, Burnham Deepdale
Saturday 26th September – East Bilney Lakes
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 