Ride report by Mark M
On a cool, sunny morning, only Mark and Chris were available for the inaugural ride to the B24 café. With the south westerly wind initially lighter than forecast, the duo set off via Gresham and Bessingham, getting as far as the crossroads at Thurgarton Church, were Mark realised that the road noise coming from his front tyre was a result of the air escaping.
While stopped in a sunny spot to change the tube, Graham A appeared on his bike, enroute for a coffee at Itteringham Stores. We chatted about his recent Spanish trip, which he enjoyed and was able to put his recent Spanish language lessons to good use.
We continued on through Aldborough and Erpingham and decided to try the often flooded Lodge Lane instead of going to Ingworth and back for Banningham, it was completely dry, so maybe the flooding issue has been resolved or it may just be the drought.
On to Skeyton, Lamas and into Coltishall, where we had to navigate through some major traffic congestion caused by two buses meeting, then onto to Horstead, past the old mill, along Granny Bard’s Lane to the A1151 Wroxham Road. Crossing over to Salhouse and as we were approaching the rail crossing at New Rackheath, the barriers came down, shortly after a goods train whizzed past (Graham would have liked that). A couple of miles later we took a little access path into Rackheath Industrial Estate, to the B24 café, named after the American B24 Liberator bombers that flew from the old airfield here.
The café had a big hedge, screening the estate and providing a sun trap for the outside table, which we used, inside there was plenty of seating also. Our lunches were very quickly delivered with big mugs of tea and were very good value.
After lunch we set off through the estate and onto the Wroxham Road for a short distance, then retraced the route for a couple of miles before turning for Crostwick and crossing the B1150 North Walsham Road for Frettenham.
Chris had decided to forego his usual fast ride back and kept me company/checked how many times I stopped and got to enjoy the bonus mystery route (more later).
From Frettenham, it was Hainford, Stratton Strawless, Buxton and down to Brampton. Here we took the mystery route, the direct route between Brampton and Burgh, which includes some offroad, gates, walking over two bridges, reading the information board about the Aylsham Navigation, admiring the river Bure and the Mermaid and two churches. It’s also a shortcut, saving at least a mile, though maybe not much time, compared to the usual road route. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chris suggests we take this shortcut more often now he knows it exists!
From Burgh, we went to Aylsham and took the Ingworth road to Carr Lane/Itteringham Common road. I can report that the culvert repair near the Fisherman’s car park has been completed and the road is fully open.
There was no sign of Graham as we went through Itteringham and then pushed hard with the help of a now stronger tail wind up to the Matlaske junction and on to the pylon and Bodham Hill. Chris won the race to the top and to prove it wasn’t a fluke, he took off again in West Beckham back to PC and then told me how long he had been waiting, it was a matter of seconds of course (many seconds).
Rackheath Airfield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Rackheath
We don’t have a café photo today, but Ian currently on holiday in Mallorca sent us the following snap. After his recent four days in a Broads Cruiser, he decided to try his hand at proper sailing, what could go wrong …
PC to PC was 51.7 miles at an average 15.2 mph (15.2 Out, 15.2 Back)
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Graham A on the road.
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 17th October – Mardlers’, Gressenhall
Wednesday 21st October – Wroxham Barn
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/
