Author: John S

A flurry of, “sorry can’t make it” e-mails before to-day’s ride indicated that we would be small in number for the ride to Foulsham.  In fact, only two met at PC.  Off we set, only to meet Malcolm coming to the start point – and then we were three!  Kevin warned us that it would be a long ride out and a short, direct trip back to PC.  It was Itteringham and then Swanington before crossing the A1067 at Attlebridge.  We were now well south of Foulsham and some nine miles to the east.  But what a lovely set of lanes (some new) to take us to the lunch stop via Foxley and Themelthorpe.  Trevor was waiting for us at the pub – fixing a puncture.

It was just under 30 miles to lunch which was a bit slow in coming.  Time to think about making it home in the light!

Kevin was true to his word with a straightforward route back to PC via Briston.

It was really good to see Malcolm out for a long run – he did really well so we signed him off!

Conditions were good for cycling with a headwind on the outward journey and a tailwind on the return.  A watery, winter sun hung in the sky which presented a glorious pre- sunset vista as we approached Red Barn Lane.

Thanks for a super ride, Kevin – one you may be asked to repeat.

46.3 miles PC to PC.  4 out. 2 punctures.

 

 

Bright and dry conditions greeted the 8 Wheelers who met at PC for the ride to Banningham.  Off we set towards Gresham but we were dodging freshly-cut hedge detritus.  We were 4 miles into the ride, just shy of Metton, when two punctures had to be fixed.  The first being caused by a very stubborn thorn that would not easily come out of the tyre; the second only being noticed when the first was fixed.  Malcolm joined us whist we were fixing things.  A third, this time slow, puncture revealed itself shortly afterwards.  By now we were seriously behind schedule and opted to shorten the outward run by some 5 miles. Ho hum!

Two more Wheelers met us at The Crown where we dined well – all 11 of us seated at the same table.

After lunch, the group split, with 6 heading off towards Tuttington.  And on we rode, only to see another puncture in Alysham.  The group returning to PC decided, wisely, to avoid the newly-trimmed hedge and approached via Matlask.

It was actually a good day out on nice lanes, but a bit stop/start in the morning.  We do need to avoid newly-cut hedgerows in future!

11 out.  35.1 miles PC to PC .  4 punctures.  1 lesson learnt.

5 Wheelers met at PC for Trevor’s ride to Cawston.  There was no rain in the forecast and some of the roads were even dry – whoopee!  And we had the welcome return of Stuart – things looked good.

The path to Cawston is well-trodden but Trevor had done some work on the route.  It started conventionally enough with us passing through Gresham and Itteringham.  At Itteringham we turned back north to find CJ riding in the opposite direction – this made him wonder if he had the venue right!  It was then off to Saxthorpe and the use of some seldom-ridden lanes to put us in Oulton for the final push to Cawston.  And push is a good word, because the wind had really hindered progress on the outward trip.

All Things Nice is an often-visited venue where we always dine well, and 4 more Wheelers met us there.  These included Geoff in shorts who admitted that this was a mistake!

After lunch we headed back to PC following the most direct route.

It wasn’t a blisteringly quick ride but it is winter and everyone was happy, which is what we are about.

Many thanks, Trevor, for putting this ride together.

9 out.  32 miles PC to PC.  1 puncture.

Hi all,

There is heavy rain forecast for tomorrow’s Drive and Ride.  Andrew and I have decided to cancel and reschedule the run for the spring next year.  This is a shame as these runs are always very enjoyable and Andrew has put a lot of effort into this one – still, next spring isn’t far away!

John

Four fine folk met at PC for the ride to Lenwade.   We are still missing some regulars but four is fine for an autumnal ride to probably the best value cafe in the world – and we might lose it as a venue if a buyer is not found soon.

The south-westerly wind meant in would be on our noses for the 22miles to the cafe but, no matter, conditions were fine for cycling.  It was Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Wood Dalling and then Lenwade.  The farmers were out, with many large tractors and trailers being encountered – they were the reason for the muddy conditions that we came across from time to time.

Four other cyclists from the East Anglian Cycle Club were at the cafe – two groups of four for food.

Having dined, the route home was straightforward – Cawston (where Trevor left us) and Itteringham, before the usual approach to PC and the last gasp “sprint” up the hill on Red Barn Lane.

A nice day for a bike ride on nice lanes, with nice company and nice food – nice.

4 out.  40 miles PC to PC.  0 punctures.

We will meet in the new car park off of North Street in Burnham Market.  Cost is £3.00 for 5 hours.  The postcode for your sat navs is PE31 8HG.  If you come in from Burnham Overy Town, it is on your right.  The car park is brand new and is on the green field to the north of North Street.

We will leave the car park at 10:30.  The ride out is 26 miles to the Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham, some of it along cycle route 1.  Back to Burnham is another 16 miles.

See you there!

Words by Andrew Chapman.

Just the two of us…

“ What on earth are you doing here?” said JD.  With that we waited to 10.40 and then the two of us set off. Out towards Felbrigg then looping round south, then heading west via Bessingham into what felt like a wind tunnel, punctuated by the odd brisk shower – lovely. Onward to Baconsthorpe, Edgefield and down to Hunworth. Right at Little Thornage and up over Bayfield Brecks into the gale, right at Cley uphill to Salthouse Heath and down to the Dun Cow.

Fortified by an excellent lunch we tackled Bard Hill (no Wheelers records broken) but JD commented “its bard is worse than its bite!” and on to High Kelling, then back along the main road to PC.

32miles.  900ft ascending.  An excellent route and, once we got going, oddly enjoyable.

Thanks John!

I contemplated looking for a suitable spot to build an ark whilst driving over to PC for Kevin’s ride to the White Horse in Crostwick – it was raining hard.  This explains why only four met at PC.  But, rule one is “Always Go” and the forecasting folk were at odds as to how hard and for how long it would rain.  We were right to turn up.

It was off east towards Northrepps, then south to Southrepps (figures!), a scoot around North Walsham to turn south for Worstead and then we dropped down through St. James to Coltishall and approached Crostwick from the lanes we normally use when going to Rackheath.  31.6 miles was the distance we pedalled for our first Wednesday ride to the White Horse.  There was a lot of water and mud on the road and we looked pretty dishevelled when we got there – still, we were very warmly welcomed and fed well.

The return was Frettenham and Buxton to put us in Banningham.  From here, it was the usual route home.

Yep, we got a bit wet, and yes, it was windy with seemingly a head wind in both directions, but what a good, hard day on the bikes!  Lots of cleaning to do though – suddenly it’s winter.

Many thanks, Kevin for putting together a really super ride.

4 out.  51.1 miles PC to PC. 1 puncture. 1 new bike. 1 new venue.

Five met at PC to follow Robert to Reepham.  It was yet another dry day with a blustery wind which seemed to be unsure of its direction.  It was Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Thurning and Hindolveston before turning south for Foulsham and Themelthorpe and then crossing the Trans Norfolk Expressway (B1145) to approach Reepham from the south.  We were not really sure whether the wind was with us or against us, but we were really chuffed to see Geoff and John H waiting at the cafe to meet us.

Yet again, we dined outside – it’s becoming something of the norm!

The return saw us take in Heydon and Oulton before scooting around the north of Blickling and turning north for Ingworth.  What a pretty, and long, lane this is.  It was then a conventional route home via Thurgarton and Gresham.

Robert’s route brought into play lanes that we have not used for a while, which was really nice.  Many thanks, Robert.

7 out.  44 miles PC to PC.  No puncture (but one large flint extracted just in time!).  1 new bike.

Well – it is still summer!  6 met at PC for the run to Blakeney in great conditions for a cycle.  It was windy though – visitor Phil described it as a “nagging wind” – this proved to be a good term.

Off we set via Gresham and Thurgaton for Edgefield.  We turned NW just before Briston to track the River Glaven down to the coast, turning away from the river at Wiveton.  The approach into Blakeney was along the quay side road and it looked super in the autumnal sun.  It was easily warm enough to sit outside at the pub and we dined alfresco for what could be the last time this year. Bikes were talked about (surprise!) – expect to see two new disc road bikes out shortly.

The wind had “nagged” quite a bit out of us and the return was at a gentler pace.  It was south to Field Dalling and across to Brinton and Hunworth before pedalling up “Hunworth Hill”.  From the top of this it was the usual route home via Baconsthorpe.

It was good to see Francis out again and visitor Phil from Melton Mowbray.

6 out.  40 miles PC to PC.  0 punctures.