Author: nnrider

Words by John D

3 Wheelers met up at Pretty Corner for John D’s ride to the White Horse at Crostwick.

News had obviously got out of the prospects for a good day’s riding because 11 more riders appeared before the off at 10:30. Two of our number were holidaying in the area, another a “local” trying us for the first time, and the rest the usual suspects!

Heading down the dip and left into Sheringham Road we met the first of the day’s obstacles. Once this large agricultural one was safely negotiated we headed through to Gresham, where we picked up the 15th rider of the day, and on through Sustead and Hanworth to the A140. Now, crossing a major road is always a challenge and with a larger group, more so. A thank you here then to the guys who helped at this and subsequent crossings.

From the A140 we headed along Topshill Road to cross another main road and on past the old Suffield Arms (now a house) to Antingham. Again another obstacle, this time the Sheringham express, which held us (à la TdF) for a few minutes.

The next obstacle was of our own making – Corvette Kingdom, just north of the Trans Norfolk Highway (aka B1145), with its doors open to reveal some stunning automobiles detained the men momentarily, until they realized that whilst a new bike can often be smuggled in the back door, one of these could not.

With the scent of lunch in the wind, we drove south into an increasingly strong breeze, pausing only briefly to ponder how far the pub in Skeyton was!. At one point, near Hautbois, the NNW lead out train was seen to be faster than the Aylsham – Wroxham express!

We approached the lunch stop by heading out of Coltishall via Heggat Road, Granny Bards Lane and Dow Lane. The White Horse is used to large parties and coped well with the men’s demands.

Leaving the pub in increasingly warm and humid conditions, we rode the back lanes through to Buxton and via Oxnead, Banningham and Aldborough to home, losing some riders as they turned off to make their way to their original starting points.

47 miles PC to PC and no punctures (very good considering that there would have been around 750 miles of road covered by all the bikes). 60+ miles for some. No incidents of note.

Roll Call: John D, John S, Malcolm, Kevin, Robert, Trevor, Andrew, Peter, Alan, Geoff, Stephen, Alban, Robin, Tim, David

(15 out is something of a recent record for a Wednesday ride)

Note from Wednesday Club Run Captain

Many thanks to John D for leading the ride – a great route!

 

 

Seven Wheelers met at PC for John C’s welcome return to the Wednesday group and his ride to Reepham.

Conditions were dry and a little cloudy but with the prospect of sunshine and higher temperatures later on in the day all was well. What was not expected was a stiff SW wind which made the going slightly tougher!

We made our way to Cawston along the traditional route and in doing so met David C at Itteringham bridge. From Cawston we followed the lanes skirting Brandiston before joining the Reepham Road (heading away from Reepham) and into the stiff headwind again. Turning right we followed an enjoyable if twisting path towards Sparham and then heading NE with a healthy tailwind we passed through Whitwell and onwards to our lunch destination.

The Kings Arms was a first for the Wheelers and will definitely feature again before too long as it is an historic pub with a good atmosphere, provided good food, good service and had a sheltered area for the bikes at the rear.

Trevor decided to head for home towards Buxton after lunch as the remainder pedalled to Guestwick where Peter peeled off towards home. Then Briston at which point we said goodbye to our leader who had been experiencing a problem with his front mech which no doubt would be quickly solved after consultation with Black Bikes of Sheringham. John S gallantly stepped up and led us by way of Edgefield and Baconsthorpe back to PC, Robin and David C having left us en route.

An enjoyable day and many thanks to John C.

Alan, David C, John C, John S, Malcolm, Peter, Robin and Trevor

39 miles PC to PC; 60 – 65 miles max.

9 Wheelers gathered at PC and were herded off by Malcolm to begin the run to Cart Gap by way of Banningham where we hoped to round up one or two others.

Sure enough reclining on the bench on the village green were David C and Bob (2nd claim member, his primary membership being Velo Club Norwich). So after a quick phone call to the café to confirm the numbers we set off due south against a stiff breeze through Tuttington up to Church Road and then swooped down through Skeyton and Swanton Abbott.

The leader for the day clearly wanted to stretch his legs and on the straight road to Worstead put the hammer down and then waited opposite a slightly bemused bin lorry crew as the riders regrouped before enjoying a tailwind to take us sailing through Briggate, Honing, Crostwight, over the Stalham Road to Happisburgh Common, Lessingham and finally the café. Distance 28 miles from PC.

Realising there would be a little wait, one or two diners availed themselves of the rather good scones before the main courses arrived and all enjoyed a welcome refuel. Good food, friendly service. The only thing that let lunch down slightly is that Bob had asked for his dessert to come with a pot of tea after the meal and unfortunately the order got lost somewhere. The rest of the group were ready to leave some thinking a heavy shower would not be long coming and Bob was happy to make his own way back home. Hope to see you again soon Bob and all the best to VC Norwich!

The shower did not happen as we returned via Happisburgh, Ridlington, Edingthorpe Green, Trunch, Lower Street, Thorpe Market and Hanworth. Various riders had peeled off en route and on reaching the open grazing area of Hanworth Malcolm also bade farewell to Alan, Andrew and Graham who made their way back to PC and their various final destinations.

A good pace today but hopefully nobody’s legs were too tired and all enjoyed a good Wednesday run!

Alan, Andrew, Bob, Brian, David C, Graham, John S, Malcolm, Peter, Robert and Robin

50 miles PC to PC   Max 65 – 70 miles

 

Alan’s reflections

Seven trusty stalwarts met at Pretty Corner for the ride to The Conservatory at Aylsham.

We set out into a healthy head wind via Gresham, Felbrigg Park, South Cromer, Northrepps, Southrepps and Lower Street. Here we picked up a stray (David C) sitting at X roads having a drink. Heading south to Bradfield, North Walsham, Skeyton, Coltishall and Little Hautbois, then looping round to Hainford, Stratton Strawless and Buxton to a well earned lunch at Aylsham.

Here we were treated to a nice jug of water to quench our thirst while waiting for our orders. Unfortunately the initial jug was warm not cold as intended but was soon rectified with many apologies.

Having been fully fed we proceeded to head back to Pretty Corner via Able Heath, Blickling, then the usual return leg through Itteringham, having said goodbye to Trevor and John who headed home in a westerly direction.

Luckily the promised rain held off until ride completed.

Alan, Kevin, Peter, John S, Robert , Trevor, Graham and David

34 miles to lunch, 47 miles PC to PC

Note from Wed Runs Club Captain

Many thanks to Alan for being leader and navigator for the day. Sorry I couldn’t join you – had to see a man about a dog!

Reflections by Andrew

After a night of thunderstorms and heavy rain we were not too sure what the roads would be like.

Three of us departed for The Globe at Wells. Although the roads were mainly dry, on some occasions it was like hopscotch weaving around the gravels. We set out through Baconsthorpe thence to Holt and on to Hunworth. A helpful easterly wind pushing us forward.

On to Stody and Sharrington, over the 149 to Bale and to Walsingham via Bale and Hindringham. We chose the Bunker Hill route out of Walsingham and then elected to extend the ride through Holkham Hall before turning into the wind for the two miles to Wells.

An excellent lunch at the Globe before the return journey largely into an easterly wind. Through Warham, Binham and Langham before the usual return through High Kelling and Lower Bodham.

Alan, Andrew and Malcolm

PC to PC 47 miles at about 15 mph. Tired legs at the end.

Note from Wed Club Runs Captain

Thank you to Andrew who again used his extensive knowledge of the Norfolk lanes to provide an excellent route

We waited a while but with no more appearances the faithful four set off for Trevor’s ride to The Goat.

We knew that this would be a reasonably fast ride because there was a healthy tail wind; and so it proved as we sped off downhill towards Bessingham. We were all set to continue on through the wandering herd in Hanworth but were halted when one of the group punctured a short distance from the first cattle grid. The roadside repair didn’t seem to please a certain Mr Angry in his 4×4!

Maybe the stop gave the leader too much time to think and he chose to retrace our route and then on to Aldborough rather than engage in a little impromptu cattle rustling. At Erpingham we took a slightly different path to the A140 via School Road.

We reached our destination after nearly 25 miles, passing through Suffield, Felmingham, Tuttington, Westwick, Swanton Abbott, Badersfield – well Trevor needed an extra loop to make up the mileage!

We were met by David C at the pub and we all enjoyed great service and food before Trevor headed off home and left the forlorn four to battle the headwind back up through Tuttington to Banningham to Colby where Malcolm said goodbye and a trio of Wheelers pedalled in the direction of Erpingham and then back to Pretty Corner on familiar roads.

Thanks to Travor for leading the ride.

Alan, Kevin, Malcolm, Trevor. David C at the pub and a member of the trio.

42 miles PC to PC

7 Wheelers and one guest rider met at the usual place on a particularly warm morning for Robert’s ride to Reepham.

We set out in a westerly direction through Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Brinton and Sharrington before heading directly south via Gunthorpe and Swanton Novers to the Fulmodeston Road. Now Malcolm doesn’t tend to be a fatalistic person but since it was a year to the day since his accident involving a large black dog in Fulmodeston he couldn’t help feeling slightly apprehensive. In the event, on reaching the aforementioned road, we were greeted by a long stretch of tricky surface dressing which brought two simultaneous punctures to one of our group. Fortunately he had two tubes! No other incidents!

On reaching Reepham (via Guestwick and Themelthorpe) slightly later than planned we were met by Peter L and David C at the café. The staff were friendly, the service was quick and the food was filling. We said goodbye to John D and Peter P but David joined us for the return leg. Along the Booton Road which was particularly sandy on the approach to Cawston and then straight up to Oulton Street where Robin and Malcolm peeled off towards Aylsham and home.

The remaining 5 turned off to Silvergate and, as the map shows made their way back to Pretty Corner via Ingworth, Banningham, Antingham, Southrepps, Roughton, Metton and Gresham.

Thanks to Robert for leading the ride.

Alan, John D, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter P, Robert, Robin, Sue. Peter L and David C at the café.

55 miles PC to PC

Nine Wheelers met for Andrew’s run to The Bluebell on a warm summer’s day; eight regulars and, always very welcome all the way from Leicestershire, Graham!

Down and up and then along to Mill Road before the fast descent into Gresham. Following the Cromer Road (at a good pace) we reached Metton and then the junction with the B1436. Andrew clearly had “good legs” today! Although busy as usual we didn’t have to wait too long at the junction before we were able to exit and take a left off the B road and then follow a more or less straight course to Northrepps.

Southrepps came soon after and then Trunch at which point we had the choice of Mundesley Road or Knapton Road. After a slight hesitation and even a little deviation we followed the former; however not quite as far as Mundesley as we effectively u-turned and headed back up towards Knapton.

Andrew needed an extra loop as otherwise we would arrive a little early for lunch so we went cross country via Paston Green, Edingthorpe and Bacton Village and down towards Walcott. Resisting the temptation of an ice cream by the seaside we turned off the Coast Road and, following Mill Common Road and Bachelor’s Lane, joined the Happisburgh Road (which soon becomes the North Walsham Road) at Ridlington. At Ebridge Mill The NW Road becomes Happisburgh Road but before the latter became New Road and totally confused everybody we turned right into Pound Road which eventually led to Bluebell Road (hooray – must be the pub at the end of this!)

CJ was tucking into his lunch as we parked the bikes in the garden at the back of the pub but it wasn’t long before everyone had received their order.

Suitably refreshed Andrew led the remaining 8 (Malcolm having headed off home) a familiar direct route back towards Pretty Corner via Bradfield, Thorpe Market, Hanworth and Gresham.

Thanks to Andrew for leading the ride.

Alan, Andrew, Graham, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Robert, Robin, Trevor. CJ at the pub.

PC to PC 41 miles