Author: nnrider

4 Wheelers left PC to join 3 more at Erpingham for Malcolm’s ride to the ever popular Corner House Café at Mundesley on a cool, cloudy but dry day.

Having avoided the ongoing road closure in Erpingham by taking the School Road route out of the village the group made their way to Drabblegate and followed the course of The River Bure into Aylsham, busy with Market and Car Boot. After Burgh and as we approached the turn to Oxnead David punctured but was ably assisted by Brian and we were soon on our way again.

Our route thereafter was Mill Road to Allison Street to High Street to the Buxton Road. Buxton, Lamas, Badersfield, Swanton Abbott, Worstead, Lyngate, Briggate. Then, feeling the effect of the cool north-easterly breeze, up to and over the North Walsham Roads (there are at least two!?!) down Sandy Lane to Bacton Village where we were later to discover there was a two way split as half the group took an unauthorised detour and ended up at Trunch rather than Mundesley.

Both groups did manage to refuel – the Café was its usual efficient and friendly self while the Crown appears to have become “gentrified.” It should be said, by the way, that this parting of the ways was purely accidental and will have no lasting effect on the good relationships within the Wheelers!!

The CHC group followed a course home through Trunch, coincidentally, Lower Street, Thorpe Market and Hanworth where there was a two way split with one half heading off to Aldborough and back to Erpingham and homewards while the other half returned to PC.

Ben, Brian, David C, Geoff, Malcolm, Scott, Robin.

54 miles PC to PC; 43 miles Erpingham to Erpingham; 65-70 miles max

All were back to winter clothes and winter bikes (with the exception of Andrew B as his winter bike needed a service!) for John’s ride to Coltishall.

5 Wheelers followed a straightforward route to Lower Gresham and Sustead and then neatly bisected Aldborough and Hanworth before reaching Alby Hill, Alby and Alby with Thwaite. We took the quiet lanes from the A140 to Suffield and more of the same past Corvette Kingdom and onwards to the Trans-Norfolk Highway (B1145). The threatened showers had arrived but nothing too bad as we made our way via Felmingham, Skeyton Corner, Skeyton, Swanton Abbott and Scottow to Tunstead.

John had considered an alternative route from Tunstead knowing how muddy the Coltishall Lane/Tunstead Road stretch into Colishall can be after rain; however the rain had not been too heavy and the last few miles to our lunchtime destination were as pleasant as the others on the outward leg. Not sure if Andrew B felt the same way on his summer road bike!

There was a warm welcome at The Red Lion with the radiators being a bonus to dry out and warm up our gloves and after a good quality and good value refuel we were pleased to see that the rain had stopped for our return.

Great and Little Hautbois, Badersfield and down to The Goat before the small climb to Church Road. A brief pause before descending New Road at which point Malcolm headed off to North Walsham and home while the main group carried on to Tuttington and the long drag up to Banningham at which point John punctured “Andrew B heard it fizzing and we could all see it in the surface water when I was stopped.  Nice place to change a tube there on the green!”

All four then returned to PC via Aldborough, Gresham, Mill Lane and Red Barn Lane.

Definitely a return to more wintry weather today but a good ride out and many thanks to John.

Andrew B, Andrew C, John S, Kevin, Malcolm

40 miles PC to PC

 

The Rolling English Road 

Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode,

The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road.

A reeling road, a rolling road, which rambles round the shire,

And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire;

A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread

The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head.

So wrote G. K. Chesterton

 

Geoff’s Report

Saturday’s Club Run was not, however, via Birmingham or indeed to Beachy Head, it was to the well-known café at Pensthorpe Wild Life Park.  The route there did, however, have some resemblance to Chesterton’s poem – rolling around the County with a couple of fair sized hills for good measure.

Three club members met at Pretty Corner to be joined by three more at Itteringham Bridge. From there we back tracked to go via Mannington Hall and then down to Corpusty, where we picked up the back roads to take us towards Briston.  Turning off at Sandy Lane we made our way to Hindolveston and then Fulmodeston where we turned to ride down to Stibbard and then Great Ryburgh.  Here, all riders were challenged to ride up the Street, which consists of two very steep hills.  Their reward was a quick ride down to the Pensthorpe café.

The café was its usual excellent self – fast service and an extensive menu. After lunch we set out on the home run – losing David C but at the same time being joined by Scott fresh out from work.

Our route back was via Fakenham to Hindringham and then Sharringtom, Briston and then home to Sheringham.

Excellent weather – no wind and no breakdowns – bliss!

PC to PC 50 miles

Brian, Ben, Scott, David, Malcolm, Robin and Geoff

Addendum

Just to mention that there was a two way split on the return leg at Edgefield with 3 heading off via Little Barningham to Erpingham where there was a further split as the 3 pedalled their own ways homewards!

Many thanks to Geoff for leading today’s run.

7 Wheelers lead by Alan left PC at the usual time on a cool but dry day for a ride to the North Coast.

Our route followed a familiar path to Matlaske and then Plumstead, Edgefield, Briston, Craymere Beck, Hindolveston, Swanton Novers and Briningham, just after which Andrew C had a rear wheel puncture. With the stopwatch running Andrew was making good time until that last few inches of the tyre which can sometimes and on this occasion did prove to be a bit difficult.

All fixed we continued on to Brinton, Sharrington, Glandford, Wiveton and finally the Coast Road for a high tempo last stretch to our lunchtime destination. 28 miles of glorious Norfolk lanes with just a hint of more major roads! We had obviously arrived at a good time as we had a choice of where we sat and the food came quickly. As we prepared to leave for the return leg the Pub had filled considerably.

Andrew C and Jane continued up Bard Hill and homewards while the remaining 5 riders made their way up to Wood Lane and then eventually to the Cley Road which took us to Holt. Shortly after crossing the A148 Andrew B left us at Hempstead. After Baconsthorpe Kevin left us at Geoff’s Corner and there was a final parting of the ways as Malcolm headed for Gresham, Aldborough, Erpingham, Felmingham and home while just the 2 completed the circuit back to PC.

Many thanks to Alan for leading today’s ride.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Jane, John S, Kevin, Malcolm

40 miles PC to PC (64 miles max)

 

9 Wheelers gathered at PC to pick up one more at All Saints Church, Gresham to swell the group to double figures for the first time in a little while! Most were still dressed in their winter gear being perhaps slightly distrustful of the (apparent) return of milder weather, while a few preferred a combination of summer tops and winter bottoms or vice versa!

Anyhow David’s preferred route taking in Sustead was thwarted due to road works so the first part of today’s run followed a loop via Bessingham and Hanworth to Metton and onwards through Crossdale Street and to Northrepps (via Hall Road and Nut Lane rather than the usual New Road). A couple of unauthorised stops (one technical and one to receive a call from builders) delayed things slightly and David was a bit concerned about arriving late for lunch so decided to amend his route. We pressed on through Southrepps, Trunch, Swafield (where a local gave unsolicited advice on the best route to Bradfield), Bradfield, Antingham, Suffield, Colby and the final stretch against a stiffening breeze to Banningham. A very pleasant 26 miles!

CJ was tucking into his lunch as we arrived at The Crown but the service was pretty good and we were all eventually fed and watered. Robin had left us on arrival at the Pub as he had things to do. Having enjoyed a sunny al fresco lunch we began our return leg; John D peeled off just before Ingworth to follow Drabblegate homewards reducing the group to 8 members.

After Ingworth we then took the Scarrow Beck route to Calthorpe (thus avoiding the road closure at Erpingham), then Wickmere and Thurgarton just after which Malcolm headed off to Hanworth and homewards while the main group returned to PC and destinations beyond via Bessingham and Gresham.

Many thanks to David for leading today’s ride in temperatures at times exceeding 15 degrees and in the words of one “feeling like a summer day.”

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, David C, John D, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Robert, Robin and CJ at the Pub.

39 miles PC to PC (50+ max)

Words by Andrew

5 turned up on a windy but dry day for Andrew’s run to Langham.

We set out towards Matlaske but diverted to Plumstead then to Edgefield. On towards Briston but swerved right to Stody then Brinton. The road to Gunthorpe was dry but bumpy with strong side winds.

However after crossing the main road we were treated to a downhill downwind blast for 4-5 miles from Thursford to Binham. On to Langham via Cockthorpe making short shrift of the climb up due to the 30mph tail wind.

An excellent lunch with of a choice of three mains and a drink for £10. The quality was excellent.

Returning we slogged to Letheringsett then uphill and into the wind via Thornage and Hunworth. A short twiddle left took us briefly to the main Holt/Norwich road before turning left at Edgefield to Baconsthorpe and PC.

Alan, Andrew, Graham, John S, Kevin

39 miles PC to PC

Editor’s Note

Many thanks to Andrew for leading today’s ride – shame I couldn’t make it!

Although Robert had cycled to PC to meet the other 8 Wheelers he was unable to join us on today’s run so John D volunteered to lead. Two Wheelers were donning shorts on this lovely post-winter pre-spring day, which also saw the appearance of one or two summer road bikes!

The first part of the route was straight down to Itteringham, over the bridge and left at The Walpole Arms and round the back of Blickling to Ingworth. A puncture interrupted our progress but the slight delay in the bright warm sunshine was no hardship! This was followed by Drabblegate, Aylsham and Burgh next Aylsham. As we turned right to Oxnead we were uncertain how much further the Road Ahead (was) Closed. But as it turned out the closed road was not on our route so on we pressed!

Mill Road to the Buxton Road and a short foray on the A140 before Buxton Heath, Eastgate and Cawston. There to meet us at ATN were CJ, Trevor and David C. The Café was busy but the service and quality of food was, as always, excellent.

After lunch CJ and Trevor went their own ways but David decided to join us for the return leg. Having thanked John D for his fine leadership on the outward leg he headed off home while the main group pedalled by way of Heydon to Corpusty where we said farewell to Andrew and Jane. Then the long, gradual climb to the Barninghams where David peeled off to Erpingham and home leaving just 5 to reach Mill Road where there was a final 3 way split with John S and Alan completing the circuit back to PC.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, John D, John S, Jane, Kevin, Malcolm. David C on the return leg and CJ and Trevor at the Café.

38 miles PC to PC (60 miles max)

Have you seen the forecast temperatures for next week? Don’t put your winter gear away just yet!

As four gathered at PC the relative merits of aluminium, steel and carbon were briefly discussed plus thoughts as to whether summer bikes could have made an appearance today! We waited 10 minutes and having decided that no one else was likely to arrive (especially as illness and family duties were keeping some of the regulars away) we set off in a reasonably stiff breeze on Malcolm’s run to The Goat.

Lower Gresham, Metton, Felbrigg, Northrepps, Southrepps, Lower Street and then a breather and a quick drink at Trunch before moving forward to Knapton, Old Hall Street and Edingthorpe Green. We had covered the first 17 miles in about an hour and ten so were maintaining a reasonable pace but as we were soon to face into the wind it was likely that the last leg of the outward trip via Bacton Wood, Old Hall Road, Briggate, Lyngate, Worstead and Swanton Abbott would be both slower and a bit more of an effort.

As we approached our destination we ambushed CJ who had cycled out to join us and we arrived at The Goat in good time to meet Trevor who was sat patiently at our reserved table. Although one or two had to wait a little while we were all eventually fed and watered and ready for the return leg.

CJ, John S and Trevor made their own ways home leaving just the 3 to tackle a side wind but then benefit from a tailwind as we returned to PC via All Saints Church, Burgh, Aylsham, Oulton Street, Itteringham and Little Barningham.

A good day out – very mild again for February but the winter bikes and winter clothes are going to be around for a few more weeks yet!

Andrew B, John S. Kevin, Malcolm with CJ and Trevor at the pub.

43 miles PC to PC (60 miles max)

 

Or should that be Walsingham Café at Great Walsingham Barns? Notwithstanding all that 4 Wheelers set off from PC on a brightening and breezy morning lead by Kevin.

By his own admission Kevin is not always sure where he is even when he is leading the ride but you wouldn’t know it as he carved out an excellent route taking us the 30 miles to our lunch stop. The route was; Little Barningham, Saxthorpe, Corpusty, Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintry (Bintree) Mill, Broom Green, The Ryburghs, Pensthorpe, The Snorings, Little Walsingham and then finally its Greater sibling and the Barns.

On the previous day Kevin had reccied the route only to find that the Barns doesn’t open on a Tuesday – so no pie for his lunch! Whether this is the best café in North Norfolk (see website) is hard to judge but the pies are excellent and the lunch stop was made even more enjoyable by the presence of CJ and Geoff P who had cycled out to join us.

CJ and Geoff made their own way back home and the 4 of us (aided by a tailwind most of the time and very pleasant sunshine) returned via Copy’s Green, Binham, Cockthorpe, Langham, Wiveton (where there was a split as Andrew headed home), High Kelling and Geoff’s Corner where there was a final split as 2 headed to West Beckham and PC while the Lone Rider continued on to Mill Road, Gresham, Bessingham, Hanworth and home.

Many thanks to Kevin for leading today’s ride in what can only be described as Spring-like conditions.

Alan, Andrew, Kevin, Malcolm with CJ and Geoff P at the Café.

50 miles PC to PC (72 miles max)