We will meet in the new car park in Burnham Market. It is off North Street in the Foundry Field development. Cost is £3.00 for 5 hours – coins only. The postcode for your sat navs is PE31 8HG.
We will leave the car park at 10:30. The ride out is 26 miles to the Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham. Back to Burnham is another 16 miles.
With winter trying to still hang on, the weather was forecast to be showery and windy. Never-the-less, six met at PC to follow Robert to Alysham. Robert had promised us a “long loop” to lunch – he is a man of his word!
With a force 5 westerly wind blowing, the first part was an effort. And it rained as we got to Melton. On we pressed, still into the wind and still not towards Alysham. We were ready for the turn to the east. The new direction was a delight and the speed built accordingly. The average was just on 15 mph for the 30 miles to lunch.
Purdy’s Tea Room was busy, so we squeezed ourselves in and Peter joined us again for lunch.
The return to PC was direct and dispatched without incident.
A nice ride in some testing conditions at times, and new lanes were on the menu again. Many thanks, Robert.
7 out. 40 miles PC to PC.
The route as recored by Robert – note he started and ended in West Runton.
Six met at PC for the ride to The Crown and three summer bikes were out to boot! Quite rightly so, as the sun shone and the roads were dry. Not a single puddle was seen all day. Off we set towards Baconsthorpe, then past Little Barningham before turning east towards Antingham. It was then south to nearly touch Swanton Abbot before turning for Tuttington and Banningham. The wind was on our backs – and it was strongish, so we were there early. Never mind, The Crown is a pleasant place to sit and Peter joined us for lunch.
The conversation was varied – it’s amazing how many topics you can cover in an hour! It was suggested that we are gentlemen who lunch, but pedal to get there. This might be true, but there is effort involved and the wind that had helped us on the outward journey was now about to “up” the effort stakes.
The return was not direct as you can see from the map. An excursion to Antingham and Southrepps added the miles but did not remove the need to head generally north-west into the stiff, north-westerly wind.
Folk left at various stages on the return, with only two returning to PC. A very pleasant ride in good company, with the most-visited venue refuelling us well.
7 out. 40 miles PC to PC. No bike cleaning required.
Four Wheelers met at PC for Kevin’s ride to Rackheath. The weather really couldn’t make up its mind as to whether it was winter or spring – we had overcast conditions at first which gave way to some sunshine and then back to overcast again. Kevin had put a lot of effort and thought into planning this route and this was clear from the outset. We set off towards Thorpe Market and then crossed the A149 and approached North Walsham via Bradfield. It was then off towards Bacton to begin the scoot south via Honing and Horstead to Rackheath.
It was 32 miles to the café, where Trevor and Malcolm were waiting to meet us.
Gosh, they do serve big portions! Which was fine, as we felt we could do with some sustenance, but not so fine given that we would be pedalling at least 20 miles on full stomachs!
After lunch, we followed Kevin to Spixworth, before turning north to Banningham for the traditional run back to PC.
A delightful ride, well led and well prepared – many thanks, Kevin. Long, though, at 55 miles PC to PC – just as well it’s BST!
It’s 12 miles if you take the direct route from PC to Cawston but Alan’s rides are usually longish in the mornings with shorter runs home in the afternoon. This was to be no exception. We set off towards Aldborough into a stiffish south-easterly wind; “Punishing”, was the adjective used by Robert – it impeded even when we were going downhill. We continued south-east (remember the wind direction?) to then turn south near Skeyton and pass through Badersfield. Then came some respite as we turned west to Felthorpe and then north west to Cawston. It was 28 miles to lunch. We were ready to refuel.
We knew that we would have the wind on our backs the for the return to PC. It was no longer punishing but really quite helpful. It seemed like we were flying back. We pedalled up the climb to the coastal ridge from Itteringham at an unusually quick pace. Could be that we are just getting fitter!
Alan had put together a really tasty route with variation in road types and a new approach on to how to get to Cawston. It all worked very well indeed, so, many thanks, Alan.
7 out. 40 miles PC to PC.
Yep, it’s spring – and a gloriously blue sky, light winds and dry roads greeted the five who met at PC for Andrew’s run to Wells. Andrew offered us a choice of lengths but it was clear that the mood was for the 28-miler to lunch, taking in Holkham Hall. Two riders sported short leggings; one sported shorts and one was overdressed (me). Yep, spring.
It was Baconsthorpe, Holt, Hunworth, Bale, Wighton and then the 3 mile swoosh through the delightful Holkham estate.
The Globe was as welcoming as ever and John D was there to meet us on his Bianchi, making it two summer bikes out. The roads were pretty dry – should have taken mine!
The return was Warham, Binham and Field Dalling before facing the conventional slog up to PC from Wiveton.
There are only three words to describe the ride; these are splendid, splendid and splendid. Great route, great weather and great company. But, we were a tad tired on the run back up to PC.
Many thanks, Andrew.
48.4 miles PC o PC. 6 out. 2 wispy clouds.
Words by Andrew.
A second trip to a pub called The Bluebell in 4 weeks. Also, another new venue for the Wheelers.
6 met at PC for the ride to the North Walsham Bluebell with a definite feeling of spring in the air. Under Trevor’s guidance we set off for lower Gresham and then on to Hanworth, collecting Malcolm on the way. Then to Suffield, Felmingham, Worstead and north to Briggate coming into North Walsham via Spa Common – so some new lanes. Nice following wind on the way out.
The Bluebell is spacious and serves an excellent range of beers and with a main and pudding for £8 we thought it was good value. Also, safe parking of bikes to the rear in the garden.
The return took us on some new lanes to Swafield, Bradfield and then on to Thorpe market, Hanworth and back to PC via Sustead. Nearly all the return journey was into the wind. Dry, but bikes still filthy though!
An excellent ride. Thanks Trevor.
PC to PC 37 miles. Trevor leading followed by Chris, Robert, Kevin, Alan, Malcolm and Andrew. NO punctures.
What a nice day for a cycle! Blue skies and a rain free forecast were the back drop for our run to Reepham. A route had been crafted to make use of lanes not often ridden or not in the direction of travel usually used. Off we set to Gresham, Hanworth, Aldorough and Erpingham. Thereafter Itteringham and Oulton before approaching The Old Railway Sation via Salle. And a pretty route it was too.
We briefly discussed whether the time was right for alfresco dining but opted to eat inside – hopefully not long now, though!
Alan suffered a side wall tyre failure as we rolled out of the car park. This was fixed with card reinforcement and Alan opted to cycle home rather than risk the run back to PC. And what a nice route back to PC it was. Wood Dalling and Saxthorpe were en-route with an unusual left at Little Barningham to approach PC via Baconsthorpe.
Dryish roads (but some really muddy ones in places) and sumptuous countryside characterised the day.
4 out. 37.4 miles PC to PC. 1 puncture and 1 new tyre required.
Just three of us met at PC for the inaugural ride to The Blue Bell in Langham – all sporting disc brake bikes to boot. It was Edgefield and Hindolveston before turning north to approach Langham via Gunthorpe. We were looking forward to the new venue and it didn’t disappoint; cosy, welcoming and super soup. We could have stayed a while!
We chatted about disc brakes and the rate at which they consume pads – we are now aware that the winter conditions we ride in can wear them quickly. They are not too expensive, though. So, if you have a disc brake bike (particularly with resin pads) and are riding on the lanes in winter, keep an eye on them.
On the return, we zig-zagged to Glandford and powered up Bridgefoot Lane to High Kelling. Thereafter, it was the usual route back to PC.
It was 26 miles to lunch with a shorter trip back to PC – making 40 miles in total.
A very enjoyable run, well thought out and well led – thank you, Andrew. We will be going back to The Blue Bell.
The Explorer’s Bar is not currently doing lunches so we will be heading somewhere else on the 22nd. Looks like it will be Langham or Binham. Please look at the web site on the 21st.
John
North Norfolk Wheelers 