Author: nnrider

Seven riders – no not the same seven that came out on Wednesday – gathered for Malcolm’s run to Cart Gap!

The last time we went to CG an anti-clockwise route was chosen so this time on reaching Ingworth we continued along Priory Lane and eventually to Calthorpe; then a direct northerly route via Aldborough to Sustead. Already it was pretty warm and keeping well hydrated was going to be important today. As we headed towards Metton we met David C out for a morning spin and he decided to join us for a while.

Having negotiated a crossing of the not too busy (for once) A140 we pedalled on to Thorpe Market thankful of the bits of shade offered along the route. The A149 proved a little busier but fortunately we were not on it for too long before the left turning at Church Road to Station Road, past the former Suffield Arms (currently being refurbished and a possible future lunch venue) and on towards Bradfield.

Having taken the quiet route to Trunch David left us and then, in order to avoid the coast road traffic around Mundesley, we went on the back road to Knapton and Paston Green. Now one of North Norfolk’s famous “black holes” came into effect or at least that’s how it appeared to the four riders who emerged at Edingthorpe Street at the junction with Rectory Road. What had happened to Geoff, Nick and Robin? We later found out that they had emerged at Bacton Gas Terminal!

The four followed a very pleasant and not very often travelled route along Rectory Road and Church Road to Bacton Village and then a blast along the coast road to Walcott, Wimpwell Green, Happisburgh and finally Cart Gap.

After fine food and hospitality al fresco style and the normal banter we were pleased to see that a little cloud cover had gathered to offer some respite from the sun and its high UV. As we headed towards Honing Malcolm decided to change the normal route through East Ruston (perhaps with memories of the sticky tar and loose chippings of a recent ride) and looped round via Crostwight where we enjoyed some splendid views. On to Briggate and Worstead and then on familiar roads to Swanton Abbott (Cheers Trevor), Felmingham (Cheers Ian) and Suffield (Cheers Geoff, Nick and Barry). Malcolm and Robin road together to the start point at Banningham.

Malcolm then bade farewell to Robin Rush MBE – oh didn’t I mention that Robin has just been awarded the MBE for all of his fundraising activities over a number of decades. Many congratulations to Robin but now of course whenever Robin joins us on wet and muddy days we shall have to lay down our jerseys before him on particularly bad sections!

Barry, Geoff, Ian, Nick, Malcolm, Robin, Trevor and David C (Metton to Trunch)

50 miles Banningham to Banningham

Seven Wheelers met at the start point for Trevor’s ride to Cawston.

Against a slight but warm SE breeze we headed straight down towards Plumstead before a left and swift right at Matlaske along the Wickmere Road via Wolterton to Iteringham. We then followed the course of the River Bure at the back of Blickling before joining the Blickling Road and then left to Silvergate along to Oulton Street. On joining the B1149 it was only short distance to our lunch stop destination so a loop was needed.

A right turn and then left signposted Heydon did us nicely. We all knew that a left turn would eventually be needed but the question was how far should we go towards Wood Dalling? Robin decided for us and using his expert local knowledge took us towards Salle and then the long straight stretch to Cawston. So long and so straight that it could have been built by the Romans!

Due to afternoon commitments Robin left us at this point but the six were soon made back up to seven when, on entering the café, we were greeted by CJ who had cycled out from Felbrigg to meet us.

After some nice things and the usual excellent service, we had to decide on the return route since straight back to PC via Iteringham would be a bit short and a bit repetitive. In the end Peter and Andrew cycled off towards Briston; Malcolm, Trevor, Alan and Kevin towards Buxton; CJ on his lonesome back to Felbrigg.

The core group of four made good progress albeit against a strengthening breeze (cross/headwind I guess) and after catching up with the River Bure again continued via Lamas, Badersfield and Skeyton (where we said goodbye to Trevor) to Tuttington. Then the long haul to Banningham and Colby where Malcolm headed off home and left Alan and Kevin to go via Erpingham, Aldborough and Gresham back to PC.

Thank you to Trevor and to everyone else who came out on a lovely summer’s day.

Alan, Andrew, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Robin, Trevor. CJ at the café.

PC to PC 45 miles (A few more for others – I’ll leave you to do the calculations)

The Wednesday Run Club Captain set out for Pretty Corner on what was admittedly a bit of a blustery (and cool for the time of year!) morning. Perhaps Malcolm would have felt differently if he lived in Weybourne or Cley or other more exposed parts of North Norfolk, however with the prospect of sun and warmth later on he felt sure he would be joined by fellow Wheelers.

However PC was deserted and a quick call to Kevin in Sheringham revealed that he had been called to say that the ride had been cancelled to be on the safe side. (Note to self – remind the regular riders to exchange contact phone numbers).

Kevin was up for it so we set out via Upper Sheringham to the Crown at Banningham. We agreed that up to 30 miles would be about right. Our route was West Beckham, Bessingham, The Barninghams, Saxthorpe, Corpusty, Cawston, Oxnead, Tuttington. At times, particularly the long straight stretch towards Corpusty, it was slightly hard going but we knew that it would be so different when we turned to have the tail wind as we headed towards Buxton. With the wind the roads were drying out rapidly and there wasn’t much debris to avoid. We agreed that riding conditions were okay and certainly not hazardous and we were both happy to be out; however we understood the ride leader of the day’s decision to cancel.

After 28 miles we enjoyed a slightly later than usual lunch and then set out together as far as Suffield where we parted ways.

An enjoyable if at times strenuous run (sums up cycling really) – hope nobody went directly to The Chequers at Binham expecting to meet us!

Kevin and Malcolm

28 miles Sheringham to Banningham. A few more to get from home to the start point and back home again. (48 miles in total for Malcolm)

Note to self and others for future reference – check the Wheelers Facebook page before setting out on the day of a club run for last minute postings.

Seven Wheelers met at the Reservoir for Kevin’s ride. As we sailed through East Beckham en route to Lower Gresham we were stopped in our tracks by a cement lorry about to dump its load (so to speak) but all managed to scramble through a small gap between it and the hedge and onwards and upwards we continued.

With a helpful tailwind we seemed to fly along Cromer Road, where we were joined by David, through Metton and eventually reaching an extremely busy B1436. We waited and waited and waited a bit more and were grateful to a more than decent motorist who stopped and allowed us all out to continue our journey in the direction of Roughton, A left turn into Old Mill Road took us via Carr Lane (again very busy for some reason) the A140 and New Road to Northrepps at which point it only seemed fair to carry on to Southrepps.

Just after Lower Street Robert hit something sharp and his front tyre rapidly deflated but it was a good place to have a short break and in the very pleasant sunshine we chatted while Robert toiled but we were soon underway and reached Trunch via Brewery Road. On to Mundesley, past the Windmill, then Paston, around the back of Bacton Gas Terminal and then a great route which took us via Witton Bridge and Ridlington Street to Walcott Green. After an interesting loop we recrossed the B1159 Walcott to Stalham Road only to find our approach to the Butchers Arms had been sabotaged by the dreaded North Norfolk Surface Dressers. The tar was still wet and the gravel loose which made the riding conditions hazardous to say the least.

Having enjoyed a fine lunch we decided not to proceed to Honing as the NNSD had gone as far as that at least and instead plotted a route that took us back towards Ridlington and then in the direction of North Walsham (Dyballs Lane, Crostwight Road, Heath Road, Broom Lane) to Ebridge Mill then taking a left off the Happisburgh Road along Meeting Hill Road.

On reaching Worstead we were back on track and then a familiar route through Swanton Abbott, right at Skeyton where we said good bye to Robin and Peter and on towards Felmingham. At rapid pace (that is eyeballs out and speechless) we reached the Suffield junction where Malcolm and David headed home and that left Kevin, Andrew, Alan and Robert to return to Pretty Corner via Hanworth, Lower Gresham and East Beckham.

Thanks to Kevin for leading the ride and to the Sun Gods for giving such a lovely day for cycling.

Kevin, Alan, Andrew, David, Malcolm, Peter, Robert and Robin

PC to PC 52 miles (Some did a little more but what’s a few miles between friends)

(Good luck to Robin on Sunday 4 June when he will raise funds for charity cycling the Norwich 100)

With riders coming from Aylsham, North Walsham, Sheringham and Swanton Abbott it was probably appropriate that the start point today was opposite the Crown at Banningham.

So the group of four set off in slightly disappointing overcast conditions but nevertheless warm enough for three at least to be showing off their knees! Perhaps the fourth had heeded the warning of showers and wanted a bit more protection.

Through Ingworth along the delightful Drabblegate and on to the Banningham Road. Avoiding the centre of Aylsham we crossed the Blickling Road on to the Heydon Road and then followed the traditional route to Cawston. The slight cross/headwind was noticeable but it was generally agreed that riding conditions were good.

After Cawston we continued via Eastgate along the Buxton Road until the Marsham junction taking us to the very busy A140 where we gritted teeth for half a mile before reaching the more tranquil Mill Road to Brampton giving us lovely views.  Geoff remarked he hadn’t been on this stretch of road for some time – always good for the ride leader to hear! Onwards to Skeyton, Swanton Abbott, Worstead, Honing, East Ruston and finally Cart Gap – distance 28 miles (but of course with a few more added for each rider to reach the start point).

Meeting us there was David Carrier. An enjoyable lunch was had with topics of conversation centring mainly on the NHS and the cost of social care. With the average age of the group approaching 70 perhaps this is not too surprising. Anyway with a youthful leap we all remounted our trusty steeds and under threatening skies we set off via Happisburgh and Ridlington. At this point Trevor headed straight home and the remaining four went cross country initially under heavyish drizzly rain via Witton, Edingthorpe and Knapton to Trunch. On to Southrepps where we said goodbye to David and then Thorpe Market and Hanworth where we paused in the middle of the familiar herd of cows who were thankfully far more interested in munching grass than us.

Robin peeled off towards Aldborough while Malcolm accompanied Geoff as far as Gresham before returning to Banningham to complete the route.

Malcolm (lead rider), Geoff, Robin, Trevor and David enjoyed a good Saturday run.

Banningham to Banningham 58 miles