Author: asbassett5

Four Wheelers met at PC on a surprisingly good day, considering the previous day’s unrelenting rain and the North Westerly wind was warm and had dried the roads completely. The first leg of this longer than normal ride was into the wind, through High Kelling and onto Wiveton, but then we turned South West to Langham, Binham, the Walsinghams to North Barsham. From North Barsham, Waterden to South Creake, uphill to Syderstone across the B1454 Docking road and down to East Rudham and Jane’s Café at exactly 30 miles. Here we found that the tables on the green had been removed for the winter but one was available outside the café and with an umbrella to shade us from the sun! The food and service was up to the usual high standard and once refreshed we set off for home. We initially stayed south of the A148, on the lanes through Broomsthorpe and Shereford to Sculthorpe Mill where we crossed the Wensum and then across the A148 to West and East Barsham and up the hill to Great Snoring. At Thursford, Jane headed North to Blakeney, with the rest heading East to Gunthorpe, Brinton, Stody and Hunworth, where Andrew headed home for an appointment with the dentist. That left just two to enjoy the climb up to Edgefield, then the run to Baconsthorpe, West Beckham and back to PC for a total of 60 miles.

Some route stats – We climbed 2785 ft/850m, descended 2785 ft/850m, 40% of the route was uphill, 40% was downhill and 20% flat.  If the uphill and downhill cancel themselves out, then 100% of the route was flat, see Norfolk is flat! Our ride time from PC to Jane’s was 2hrs 4mins with an average speed of 14.5mph, the return leg was 2hrs 12min with an average of 13.6mph, so cake does slow you down.

PC to PC was 60 miles

Graham A, Andrew B and Jane, led by Mark

Seven riders met at Honing Station car park on a glorious summers day for this special ride led by John, including Danny a holiday visitor from Sheffield. Most had driven there, but Mark and Graham had both cycled from Cromer. The route to the Horning ferry took us through Dilham, Smallburgh and Neatishead. At the ferry we met Jane who had also cycled from home, and the bikes were loaded up for the short crossing. On the other bank we met Malcolm who had cycled from his new home on the Broads. We then all made our way to the Ferry Inn via. Ranworth, South Walsham, Pilson Green, Acle, Moulton St Mary and Freethorpe. We all enjoyed a good lunch and refreshments at the Inn on the terrace overlooking the river. 

After lunch Malcolm and Jane took the Reedham ferry, the latter to continue her short touring holiday. The rest us made our way back through Limpenhoe, Strumpshaw, Blofield, Pedham, Woodbastwick, Wroxam, Hoveton, Ashmanhaugh, Sloley and Worstead. Mark and Graham spilt of on route to ride home, a long day in the saddle for them! Although, the pace slowed a little as the heat began to take a toll, all the rest made it safely back. Overall a great ride.

Total distance was 51 miles

Andrew B, Mark, Graham A, Dave, Robert, Andrew C, Jane A, Malcolm led by John S.

Three riders, led by Graham A, set off southwards from Pretty Corner with a light following wind and a promise of patchy light rain. The route was mainly on country lanes passing through villages such as Baconsthorpe, Hempstead, Edgefield and Guestwick before reaching the Wensum valley at Mill Street having avoided riding  on the A1067 at Foxley and Bawdeswell. The Tea Post at North Elmham was quickly reached via Worthing and the group was soon enjoying the tastiest of coffee and home cooked food. 

The return route was on some unfamiliar roads and included the villages of Gateley, Gt Ryburgh, Stibbard, Wood Norton and Briston. Any drizzle was not enough to warrant putting on a waterproof and the ride was an uneventful but pleasing 51 miles.

PC to PC was 51 miles

Andrew B and Mark, led by Graham A.

Five Wheelers met at PC on an overcast and rather cold day for the time of the year. The route to Horning, took us through Sustead, Northrepps, Trunch, Knapton, North Walsham, Worstead, Ashmanhaugh and Upper Street. A good pace was set by Robert with only a couple of stops. On arrival at the Swann we were disappointed to find that they were not serving lunch and a search of other pubs along the river indicated either no food or a long wait. However, sandwiches and drinks were purchased from the local shops and we ate on the green were we joined by our former leader Malcolm and John Dimascio for lunch. 

After lunch John left us to return home to Honing. The rest of us proceeded on the shortest route back to PC via Tunstead, Swanton Abbot, Banningham, Erpingham and Gresham. There were two punctures on the way back which slowed progress and as the northerly wind had picked up by then, the group split up to accommodate different speeds/routes home. 

PC to PC was 54 miles

Graham A, Andrew B, John S and Mark, led by Robert.

Five Wheelers met at PC on an overcast but mainly dry summer day with light wind. The route to Cley, took us through Gresham, Sustead and Aldborough where we stopped to put on waterproofs due to light rain. This successfully put off the rain and having stopped to take kit off again we proceeded via. Calthorpe, Wolerton, Itteringham, Corputsy, Briston, Sharrington, Lethrringsett and Glandford. There were some challenges to navigation as the route kindly provided by Jane did not show properly on Garmin. However, with reliance made to good old fashioned map reading we all arrived safely were we enjoyed lunch in the pub garden. 

After lunch Jane left us to return home to Blakeney. The rest of us proceeded on the normal root back to PC via High Kelling, but with a detour to Kelling via Long Lane. Duncan spilt of for the route to Holt at the start of the lane and Graham left us at Kelling to make his way back to Cromer. Although the wind had begun to pick up the rain held off and hopefully everyone got home dry.

PC to PC was 40 miles

Graham A, Duncan, Jane A and Mark, led by Andrew B.

7 riders met at PC on a fine summer’s morning with strong sunshine and little wind.

We set off south to Aldborough and then towards Suffield and on to Swanton Abbott. We continued towards Worstead and Smallburgh before turning south west towards Coltishall. This was less familiar territory for the ride leader and one or two misreads of the Garmin, led to a couple of false turns. Having said that, the route took in new roads, unfamiliar to even to those riders who new the area well. Also unexpected for some was the level crossing on which a train barrelled past just after the team had walked across!

At Colitshall, we stopped at the Rising Sun for lunch. In glorious sunshine and at tables by the river, we enjoyed a very good lunch and chin wag, before setting off for the return leg. John S, who was close to home, peeled off at this point and the 6 remaining riders set off towards Tuttington, Banningham, Ingworth, Calthorpe and Matlaske. The breeze strengthened on the way back, being at various times a crosswind or a tailwind. At various points along the way Graham A, Andrew B and Stephen peeled off for home before Mark, Graham J and Duncan finished up back at PC.

Riders: Andrew B, Graham A, Mark, John S, Graham J, Stephen, led by Duncan S

PC to PC 47 miles

Six Wheelers met at PC on a perfect summer day – warm sunshine and a light breeze. The route to Little Walsingham, led by Andrew B, took us through Plumstead, Edgefield, Hunworth, Stody, Brinton, Sharrington and Field Dalling. Unfortunately, Duncan had a puncture on the road to Binham, so the direct route was taken to Walsingham and on to the Victorious. At the Café were joined by Andrew C and were able to find a large table outside. The lunch and refreshment were excellent as always. Andrew B and Steve made their own way back from lunch. Jane took over leading the ride after lunch.  From Walsingham we headed north to Wighton (which Andrew had been planning to take in during the morning) then through Binham, Cockthorpe, Langham and Wiveton where the part-time leader peeled off to go home leaving the remaining Wheelers to head respectively for Cley, Holt and Cromer.

PC to PC was 40 miles

Graham A, Duncan, Andrew C, Mike and Stephen, led by Jane A and Andrew B.

There were four riders who followed Graham’s route to North Elmham, his first ride as leader. There were two guest riders, Dave from Cambridge and Phil from Holt. All enjoyed a dry ride on a stormy day. At Stibbard there were a few spots of rain forcing us to don waterproofs but by the time we got them on there was nothing to worry about. There was a gusty head wind but there was plenty of shelter. Phil punctured at North Elmham pound.  The food at The Teapot was well worth the service wait. Phil had to get back to Holt so rode back solo, while the three remaining riders enjoyed a following wind and sunshine all the way back to PC via Foxley, Guestwick and Corpusty. 

PC to PC was 53 miles

Robert, Dave, and Phil, led by Graham A.

Eight Wheelers met at PC on a perfect summer day – warm sunshine and a light breeze.  Eight was a lucky number as this just happened to be the number that Jane had plucked out of the air when booking an outdoor table at the Crown at Banningham (the pub assured us that booking was essential).  The route was a clockwise circuit taking in Baconsthorpe, Edgefield Street, Heydon (where we cycled through the park without disturbing the bull who was lying happily in the shade with his cows), Aylsham and Banningham where we mostly enjoyed a good, though rather slow, lunch.  Unfortunately Stephen had ordered garlic ciabatta which was announced to be unavailable, but not soon enough for him to order an alternative, he made do with some crisps…. The return leg was through Antingham, Trunch, South & North Repps, Metton and Gresham with Chris, Graham A, Robert and Graham (?) all peeling off at various points before getting back to PC.  

PC to PC was 45 miles, the longest trip was about 73 miles (Stephen, on just a bag of crisps!)

Andrew B, Chris, Graham A, Graham J, Kevin, Robert and Stephen, led by Jane A.

Four riders met at PC on an overcast and windy summer’s day. Unfortunately, Robert had to abandon due to mechanical problems before the start. The route to Walcott took us through Matlaske, Calthorpe and then Banningham (to avoid Aylsham town centre), then onto Swanton Abbot, Honing (avoiding John’s house!), finally arriving at the Lighthouse Café at just gone noon having made good progress with the wind behind us.

We decided to sit outside for lunch which in retrospect was a mistake given the cold wind. The British seaside in July! However, it was a good meal and the portions certainly set us up for the trip back!  John S left us a few miles after starting the route back to make his way home. By then it was evident that we would have to battle against a strong head wind all the way back. The remaining two of us made our way back, taking turns on front  through Knapton, Trunch, Southrepps, Northrepps, Metton and Gresham, where we split for our different routes home.

Many thanks to Jane A who provided, and test rode an excellent route but was unable to attend on the day.

PC to PC was 45 miles

John S, Mark and Robert, led by Andrew B.