Author: asbassett5

Four wheelers met at PC for a ride to the Rising Sun pub at Coltishall on a warm but windy autumn morning. The route took us through Lower Gresham, Sustead, Aldborough, Swanton Abbot and Worstead, were we met up with John S, arriving a little late due to the strong wind and road closures. The group then continued to Coltishall via. Smallburgh and Ashmanhaugh. On arrival at the pub we were met by Malcom. As we all enjoyed a good lunch heavy rain started which looked alarmingly of it was set in for the afternoon. However, after a slightly extended lunch stop the rain stopped. This was fortunate as most of us had no waterproofs! The route back was through Baderfield, Burgh Next Aylsham, Tuttington, Banningham, Ingworth and Calthorpe, were Graham left us for home. We then continued to through Matlaske back to PC. Some slight re-routing was required due to more road closures. Remarkably we all arrived back dry.

PC to PC 47 miles

Average speed 14.4 mph           Total Elevation 1360 ft

Mark, Graham A, Ian and Andrew Bassett leading.

Despite the strong SW wind and the risk of rain later three riders decided to brave the elements and set off from Pretty Corner. The destination refreshment stop was Carmel cafe in Bacton, actually Broomholm with its ruined priory nearby. We attempted to mitigate the strong wind by using country lanes with hedges and trees still in leaf. The route went SE to Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Thwaite Common, Erpingham and Colby. Eventually Worstead was reached via Colby Corner, Hylton Crossways and Swanton Hill. An erratic diversion past Dilham church led to Briggate and Honing. Passing Honing church we went NNW to Crostwight and Ridlington to our chosen vegan cafe. An enjoyable and good value lunch was taken before setting off in a westerly direction for a short distance right into the wind and with threatening clouds. Going behind the gas terminal the route took us to Paston and Mundesley, where we took country lanes again to N of Gimingham and S of Trimingham, where Duncan and Mark peeled off with light rain starting. Graham went direct to Cromer avoiding the need to put on a rain jacket. Mark and Duncan sheltered from a heavy shower on their individual routes from Southrepps, Antingham, Suffield etc back to PC and Saxthorpe. A good and safe ride.

PC to PC 50 miles

Duncan Stickler, Mark McVeigh and Graham A leading.

Four wheelers (including a new member Ian) met at PC for a ride to the Stiffkey Stores Cafe on a calm warm day. The route took us through Gresham, Bessingham, Matlaske, Itteringham, Corputsy, Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, Barney, Thursford, Hindringham and Wighton. A good pace was kept up and on arrival at the café we found a good table outside. The choice of food was limited but good quality and we all ordered tea/coffees with cakes form the large selection. This was all good and the brownies were particularly popular, no doubt due to their size! The route back at a much slower pace as it included five climbs, taking us was through Binham, Langham, Blakeney, Wiveton, Salthouse, Kelling and High Kelling. The route through Salthouse was a slight deviation to the original plan being suggested by Mark which afforded some great views of the coast. An enjoyable ride in excellent weather.

PC to PC 51 miles

Average speed 14.9 mph           Total Elevation 1789ft

Mark, Ian, Graham A and Andrew Bassett leading.

Four riders, led by Graham A set off from Pretty Corner on route to Guist to visit the cafe at the Post Office. The route went on familiar roads to Edgefield, Hunworth, Stody, Brinton. At Gunthorpe the riders turned to ride to Swanton Novers and the B1110 for a short distance. Soon a left turn was made to Hindolveston and southwards reaching Wood Norton. From here navigational uncertainties began. From Twyford the route intended went to Upper Guist and Andrew followed this. The other three intrepid riders took advice from Mark and took a direct route to Guist on a disused and overgrown metalled road, braving some nettles. We all reached the PO cafe together. After refreshment Andrew left for Holt alone to meet a planned appointment and the three remaining riders went back via Bintree Mill to Foulsham and Themelthorpe. Using various lanes passing Odessa Farm, Saxthorpe was reached. Rather than going directly back to PC on the planned route it was decided to go via Irmingland and Itteringham to Matlaske and then back to PC.

PC to PC 49.5 miles

Graham J, Mark, Andrew and Graham A leading

Two wheelers met at PC for a ride to the Barns Cafe Walsingham on a warm but overcast day. The route took us through Matlaske, Plumstead, Edgefield, Briston, Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, Barney, Thursford, Little and Great Snoring. A short distance into the ride we were forced to shelter due to a heavy downpour and don waterproofs. The rain soon cleared although there was still a lot of standing water on the lanes. On arrival at the Barns we were greeted by a notice that they were shut for two weeks starting that day! We therefore went to Nortons Café instead and enjoyed a leisurely lunch. The route back was through Binham, Field Darling, Wiveton, Kelling and High Kelling. This was a slight deviation to the original plan due to the strong head wind. An enjoyable, if a little wet ride.

PC to PC 48 miles

Average speed 15.2 mph           Total Elevation 1460 ft

Mark, and Andrew Bassett leading.

Two Wheelers met at PC for a ride to the Three Swallows Clay on a very hot mid summer day. The route took us through Gresham, Sustead, Aldborough, Itteringham, Corpusty, Hidelveston, Fulmodeston, Barney, Hindringham, Binham, Langham and Wiveton. We enjoyed a good meal at the pub which has been recently renovated although there was a long wait for the food. After lunch we made our way back to PC via. Kelling and up to High Kelling, were we decided to shorten the route as by then it was very hot.

PC to PC 42 miles

Average speed 14.7 mph           Total Elevation 1400 ft

Graham A and Andrew B leading.

Six wheelers met at PC for a ride to Creake Abby on a beautiful mid summer day. The route took us through Werst Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Edgfield, Briston, Melton Constable, Thursford, Walsingham and North Creake. On arrival at the Abbey Café we decided to sit inside as there were no tables left outside in the shade. The choice of food was excellent and we all enjoyed a good lunch. The route back took us back through north Creake, Wighton and onto Binham. Having heard that the Little Dairy Shop at Binham Priory had now opened a café we were forced to stop to assess it as a future destination. This of course required further drinks and in Mark’s case cake! This was all good and the café should definitely be added to the list. Neil left us at Binham as he had to get home early. The remainder of us continued on the usual route back to PC through Langham. Wiveton and High Kelling. Overall a great days cycling in glorious weather.

PC to PC 48 miles

Average speed 14.7 mph           Total Elevation 1730 ft

Mark, Graham A, Kevin, Neil, Andrew B and Robert leading.

Five riders met at Pretty Corner (PC) for a run to the Old Railway Station, Reepham on an overcast morning with forecast of sun and showers. The route took us to West Beckam, Bodham, Holt, Hunworth, Brinton, Gunthorpe, Thursford, Barney, Foulmodeston, Stibbard, West Norton and Foulsham. Graham suffered a puncture halfway which caused a small delay, however, this proved fortunate as there was evidence of recent heavy rain slightly further on. On arrival at the Old Railway station the sun was shining and we were able to sit outside and enjoy a good lunch. With more signs of impending rain we made our way back via. Cawston, Oulton Street, Ingworth, Matlaske, Bessingham and Gresham, stopping briefly to admire Blickling Hall on the way. Robert left us part way through to make his own pace home only to meet up with us again at Gresham (he had stopped for tea at Itteringham!). Amazingly we managed to miss all the shower with the latter part of the ride being in bright sunshine.

PC to PC  50 miles

Average speed 14.6 mph Total Elevation 1,699 ft

Andrew (leader), Graham A, Mark, Kevin and Robert.

On a warm and sunny day six riders set off southwards (as usual) from Pretty Corner (PC) for an outing to Holkham. It was good to see Kevin after a very long absence and Duncan after a shorter absence. The familiar route chosen took us to Briston before Graham J suffered a side wall puncture soon after Craymere Beck. Passing through Hindolveston, Stibbard and Gt Ryburgh, Hempton was reached. On old main roads (Cycle Route 1) we reached Sculthorpe and went northwards keeping on Cycle Route 1. Using a short length of off-road was not universally popular. At N Barsham we turned westwards and at Waterden we followed a route of a Roman Road to a small hamlet of Quarles and soon afterwards passed through a gate of Holkham Park. The views of the great house and lake from higher ground were stunning. After a longer than usual ride at least one rider rushed to the courtyard re-fueling point. The route back to PC was much shorter, leaving via a photo pose next to a bronze figure of Lord Coke, and Burnham Thorpe. The route basically followed Cycle Route 30  on the high ground with open views passing through Langham and across the Glaven valley. Three riders peeled off near Holt at different points leaving the final three to return to PC.

PC to PC 63 miles

Average speed 14.5 mph Total Elevation 2,100 ft

Graham A (leader), Graham J, Andrew, Mark, Kevin and Duncan.

Three wheelers met at PC for a ride to Reepham on a muggy spring day with forecast of rain later. The route provided took us through West Beckham, Bodham, Holt, Hunworth, Edgefield Street, Corputsy and Wood Dalling. On arrival at The Old Railway Station we were met by Geoff who had made his way separately. We able to sit outside although the sky was looking very dark by this time. We all enjoyed a good lunch, but by the end light rain had started to fall. The route back took us through Cawston, Oulton Street, Itteringham and Matlaske, where Graham left us for home. The last two of us then made our way back to PC via. Bessingham and Gresham. Although there had been intermittent light rain, we stayed pretty dry apart from being sprayed by the odd farmers irrigation system!

PC to PC 47 miles

Average speed 14.5 mph           Total Elevation 1302 ft

Mark, Graham A and Andrew B leading.