Author: plaster42

Club Run on the 14 May 2016 to The Olive Branch at Tunstead – Leader Geoff Poulter

Riding up to Pretty Corner GP found only one person – Charlie from the Cotswold Cycle Club – ready to join him. We rode directly to Banningham where we were greeted by Robin Rush. A discussion then followed on the length of the route to take. This was curtailed slightly from the planned one due to the persistent cold wind that showed no sign of abating.  

Our way out was Tuttington, Skeyton, Swanton Abbott, to Worstead and then Briggate, Honing , Dilham Church, Dilham, Anchor Street and then back lanes to Tunstead.

At the café we were joined by Malcolm. 

Food was good as usual at this cyclists café and our visitor was suitable impressed at the cycling memorabilia on display as well as the bikes for sale at the end of the café.Break over. It was now a hard slog into a bitter NNW wind all the way home which was via the only dual carriage way in Norfolk then Tuttington, Banningham and finally Sheringham.

Our guest thanked us for our hospitality and commented that this was one of the most scenic rides he had been on.  

We hope he will join us again for a further excursion into deepest Norfolk !. 

Conditions: hard and bitter cold wind – not much fun on the way out and certainly not much fun back. 

50 miles

Role of Honour: Robin, Charlie, Geoff and Malcolm – at café.

Update from David Carrier who asked me to share this with you:
No operation, but standard procedure for such spinal cord bruising is 2-3 weeks lying flat straight on a very hard bed. At times it’s been absolute agony and completely degrading. That’s over now and I’m pain free. Rehab has started. Never lost any feeling in my legs, although I landed heavily on the left leg pulling all the muscles in the groin, so I’m only just able to put some body weight through it.
Unfortunately, what they don’t tell you is the incredible amount of muscle wastage that occurs when you lie in bed for so long and how the brain stops sending signals to the leg muscles about not only how to stand,but also how to walk! Added to which, standing upright feels like you’re on one of those spinning chairs at the funfair! Astronauts suffer exactly the same symptoms when returning to Earth apparently and they to have to be taught how to walk again.
Sat in a chair 3 days ago for the first time and it was like I’d just run a marathon. Much better today. Can sit in a chair much easier and I’m just starting to be able to put weight through the left leg, plus I went to the toilet without aid for the first time. Even taking a few steps seems to increase muscle tone and it’s almost as if some muscle bulk has reappeared over night!
So we’re on the road to recovery.

Many thanks for the update David – we all wish you well

Club Run on the 11 May 2016 to the Forget Me Not Café at Lenwade. – Leader Alan Fisher

Hard work on preparing a club run always pays dividends. This was certainly true of the club’s Wednesday ride to Lenwade which totalled some 51 miles.

Six club members rallied to Alan’s call for a spirited ride to one of the cheapest cafes in the County.

Leaving Pretty Corner we rode first of all to Little Barningham, then Saxthorpe and then onto Guestwick. On route we picked up John M out for a ride. He decided to join us for a while.

Next it was onto Foxley Wood (land of the blue bells) and then Billingsford. We then rode from Billingsford through the beautiful Bylaugh Park and on to Mill Street then Lyng and finally the café.

Large quantities of sustenance later we were ready for the return leg going via Branston, Cawston, Oulton Street and then finally Itteringham and home.

An excellent ride and thank you Alan. 

Conditions: Brilliant – except for the occasional muddy lane which gave consternation to one club member…….. 

Café: Good and cheap

Min: 51 miles

Role of Honour: John S, John M – part way, Alan, Robert, Kevin, Barry, Malcolm – at café.

 

 

 

Message from Chris Knowles:

Chris Knowles and Geoff Paice  have agreed that providing the weather stays as it currently is tonight’s time trial will go ahead as planned.

They stress however, once again, the importance of competitors having a rear light for increased visibility.

Thank you

 

   We have waited months for a break in the cold wet dismal weather of winter and finally we got it on this Saturday. With summer bikes polished and summer gear on three club members met at the Park and Ride destination of Hempton for a glorious tour of the lanes of West Norfolk. On our travels we were able to see the Wash in the distance as well as view the imposing church spire of Sedgeford. Also, we saw the majestic building of Houghton Hall.

Best of all was however, the number of “new lanes”we were introduced to on this club run.

Our outward journey was via Shereford, Broomsthorpe, Bagthorpe, Stanhoe, Docking, Fring, Inmere, Sedgeford, Fring and finally, Bircham Mill and then the café.

 The pace was good on the outward journey and we were assisted by a reasonable tail wind. Bircham Mill is surely one of the cyclist’s favourite cafes – there is a good selection of food at reasonable prices and the service is hospitable.

The homeward bound route was via Houghton, Weasenham, Lexham, Litcham, Wellingham, the Raynhams, Oxwick and finally, Beacon Hill.

On this leg GP had the misfortune to collect a side slit in his tyre from an evil flint which effected a burst which could possibly be heard in Sheringham. This minor problem was soon rectified by a make do patch (thanks Harvey) and a long pump (thanks Barry).

With no more mishaps it was homeward to Hempton.

A glorious days cycling, quality miles in the legs as a reward. For those who could not make it, sorry this was a real cracker, but take heart, another journey to the West is already being planned.

Conditions: Brilliant

Café: First Class

Min: 59 miles

Max: 97 miles Note: This route also has the options to be considerable shorter if time is short or legs are tired.

Quote from Barry “reckoned it was the best ride he has had in Norfolk”.

Role of Honour: Harvey, Barry and Geoff

 

 

Puffing Hilly Ride – 4 May 2016 – leader John Sharples

With the weather set at last in summer mode a good turnout of 12 club members met at Pretty Corner for the seemingly innocuous club ride to The Globe at Wells Next The Sea. A popular destination for members with the added attraction that we would be able to sit outside in glorious sunshine.

Leaving Pretty Corner we rode back lanes to Bodham where we then crossed the main road to ride down the hill past Weybourne station. This may have given some in the group an inkling that there may be a penalty to pay for the glorious swoop down to the village. Sure enough, a quick turn left found us on part of the clubs 18.5 mile club hilly. All members appreciated, having climbed forever upwards to the summit, how hard it must be for the time trial members to race there.

We then followed a series of hills and dips as we made our way across to the outskirts of Stiffkey where another challenge for the legs awaited us. Finally, we arrived at The Globe, tired having had an excellent tour of the hills of coastal Norfolk.

Not that much rest for the wicked (or club members) after excellent refreshment speedily served we were on our way again. This time it was a canter to Wighton, Binham, Saxlingham and then a quick main road to Holt and a cleaver diversion to Baconsthorpe and finally home.

A super challenging ride – thank you John

Conditions: Brilliant

Café: Good

PC to PC 40.63

Average 14.7 mph

Calories: 2154 !

Role of Honour: John D, John S, Trevor, Alan, Robert, Kevin, Robin, Andrew, Peter, Paula, Paul, Phil and Geoff

 

 

 

   Club Run – 20 April 2016 to The Old Railway Station at Reepham – leader John Sharples

In contrast to the recent Saturday club rides Wednesday rides have been cloaked in warm sunshine with dry roads and little wind. This Wednesday was no exception. From Pretty Corner eight club members met with John for a rearranged ride to Reepham.

This was one of John,s classics. We left Pretty Corner in good spirits and headed out towards Bodham. Next on the agenda was a hard push round the back lanes accumulating in a long hammer up hill. Eventually, and after many turns, we arrived at the café to be greeted by Ian S and Robin R.

The weather was quite remarkable allowing us to sit outside and enjoy almost summertime warmth.

Homeward bound was via Briston and then the enjoyment of a little tail wind for good measure.

Our thanks John for a splendid ride

Conditions: Brilliant

 

Café: Good

 

PC to PC 45

 

Role of Honour: John D, John S, Trevor, Alan, Robert, Kevin, Ian, Robin, Andrew, Peter and Geoff

 

 

 

   Club Run – 23 April 2016 to the Small Sticks Café at Cart Gap

From Pretty Corner there were no takers for the club’s Saturday ride. GP rode a lonely furrow to the pick-up point at Banningham. On route he was treated to a hail storm and the now traditional heavy down pour of rain. At Banningham , better luck as two club members had braved the element – Trevor and a welcome return of Robin Rush.

Setting off we rode down to Tuttington where heavy rain fall could be seen in the distance. Then to Swanton Abbott where Robin started his own class of spinning. The reason for this was unfortunately his freewheel had gone and no amount of persuasion could restart it. It was a case of “all the kings horses and all the Kings men could not get Robin’s freewheel moving again”. Assistance called for we said goodbye to Robin and made our way to Cart Gap. Here, John H met us for lunch having already done over 60 miles.

Food gone and now into a difficult headwind we rode homeward via Ridlington, Edingthorpe Green, Truch, Thorpe Market, Hanworth, Sustead and finally home.

Conditions: Mix to say the least

Café: Good  

PC to PC 50 miles 

Role of Honour: Trevor, Robin ( part), John H ( at café) Geoff

 

As many of you will already know, David had an accident on his bike just after the end of the club’s time trial on Tuesday evening. An ambulance was called for and David was taken to hospital.

The latest information we have is from Chris Knowles, who spoke to Dave’s wife yesterday. Thankfully there appears to be no broken bones. David, has however, sustained severe bruising to his spine, and it will be at least six weeks before the inflammation comes down and a further assessment can be made.

Our best wishes go to David and we hope he will make a speedy recovery.

A tale of one club run but in two parts.

Not surprisingly, only two stalwart members of the club turned up in monsoon weather to ride to the Barns café at Walsingham. This was not a “mirror image” of the previous week club ride as the rain fell upon the members from the start of the day rather than later on. Memories of Wednesday’s club run became just distant dreams of warm weather, dry roads and sunshine. Determined not to bow to inclement weather however, the valiant two rode out of Pretty Corner to Edgefield, Briston, The Beck, Hindoleston, Fulmesdeston, Croxton, Kettlestone to Little Snoring, Great Snoring and finally, the café. On route the roads had become rivers and each member took it in turn to “paddle” through the deluge.

Cafes are welcome on any club run but surely no more than this café. A roaring fire, places to dry gloves, headwear and warm soaking wet clothes.

And the Pies are fantastic.

With many thanks to the lady with enormous pies we set off homeward bound.

By now the rain had stopped falling and warm sun was upon us with a tail wind for good measure. We rode home via Hindringham, Bale, Sharington, Stody, Edgefield, Hempstead and then home. An enjoyable ride quite in contrast to the outward journey.

A shorter club run than envisaged but at least we had miles in the bank. 

Conditions: Challenging

Café: Pies to die for.

PC to PC 45 miles

Role of Honour for the Webbed Feet membership: Kevin The Brave – Geoff Of Webbed Feet