Author: plaster42

Club Ride to The Nelsons Café at Wells Next the Sea -20 February Leader: Geoff Poulter

With the weather looking unfavourable only three riders met at Pretty Corner for the challenging ride to Wells Next the Sea. Surely, a first for some time, all three riders were from Sheringham. We welcomed back to the Saturday club rides Hugh with Kevin, who had an all-day pass. The route was to ride down to Briston and then along the Beck keeping the worst of the wind off of us and then turn up to the Snorings.

Unfortunately, shortly after leaving, one member punctured. This was the same tyre which had caused problems on the previous Wednesday club rides and it took “old gimlet eyes” to find the offending flint hidden in the cross ways in the tyre. The break did however give David C chance to join us for the ride as he had already been out on a training circuit.

A hard push was then undertaken down to Briston and then to Kettlestone where we crossed over to the Snoring. Here, another puncture slowed us down. Then, with the wind on our backs and dry roads, we road down to Walsingham and up “gut wrench hill” to Wells.

At the café a further puncture was fixed and then the long ride home going via Hindringham to Stody and Edgefield to finally Sheringham and home before the rains started.

Congratulations to all those who came out in far less than idyllic conditions.

3 Puncture, 52 miles starting at Sheringham, weather windy going out but disappeared when we needed it on the homeward leg, roads muddy in part. Café good !

 

Club Ride to The Explores Bar and Coffee House at Briston -17 February Leader: Andrew Chapman

The lure of sound of the Explores Bar and Coffee House brought six riders out initially to follow Andrew on a tour of the back lanes of North Norfolk. We set out from Pretty Corner and rode across to Bodham and then skirted Holt to ride down numerous back lanes towards Gunthorpe where we crossed the main road to the Snorings and then onto Hindolveston and finally Briston and the pub. Our leader had made a point at the start of the club run that it would be all “downhill”. Having transversed fords and a good mix of hills as well as a few very muddy lanes in the 29.6 miles to the stop the general feeling was that the “downhill” section had been forgotten!.

At the pub we met up with two more wheelers – one cycling and one on Shanks’s pony.

The food here is of an excellent quality and calls were made to have this venue a standard club run!

All too soon it was time to mount up for the club run home which was along traditional lines going via Edgefield and Baconsthorpe to Sheringham and home.

A splendid ride Andrew – many thanks for your time and effort.

8 riders out. Mileage 40. Weather cold but dry.

John S, Andrew, Kevin, Dan, John C, David C, Geoff, Barry and Malcolm (only part way)

1 Puncture, 40 miles starting at Sheringham, weather windy, roads muddy in part with ice in the gullies and little snow in the fields. Very Cold

Club Ride to The Old Railway Station at Reepham-10 February 2016 Leader: John Sharples

Unfortunately Robert was unable to lead the club run so John S stepped in to take the club on it’s journey to Reepham and the favourite NNW café of The Old Railway Station. Seven club members left Pretty Corner going out towards Hempstead. On route we came across posters that had been put up advising users of the road that there were toads about and that we should proceed with caution. Shortly after seeing the notices we met a group of lady cyclists out for a spin – surely the notices did not refer to them !.

The club run then moved on to Briston and finally the café where we met Trevor and Chris and Maggie. After lunch it was a hilly ride back on what had been a good club run with roads slowly becoming cleaner and drier.

Many thanks John

8 riders out. Mileage 40. Weather cold but dry.

 

John S, Andrew, Trevor, Kevin, Chris and Maggie K, John D, Alan,Phil and Geoff.

And no punctures !

 

Club Ride to Hadfield Garden Centre at North Walsham (The Growing Club Tea Party)

3 February 2016 Leader: David Carrier

On a cold and blustery morning five club members met for our ride to the garden centre at North Walsham. After a slight delay in setting off due to a minor mechanical difficulty we rode out towards Itteringham but turning left to Matlaske and then back to Itteringham, past the Worpole Arms and then turning left towards the back of Blickling . It was a fast ride with the wind on our backs round many back lanes which were for once, dry. Eventually our leader’s route took us to Skeyton where we rode to Worsted. Here, after much debate, we turned left out of the village and then left again. This was a long drag up what appeared to be a never ending hill but eventually we actually arrived at the top. Here, we dismounted and crossed the road and then walk up a pathway. At the top, one of our “local” riders temporary went the wrong way……

The café was heaving with customers when we arrived. After some discussion we elected to stay and fortuitously a table came free. The question then was how many cyclists could you sit round a table for four ?.

Peter L joined for a short time. Then, John D arrived. Then Malcolm S arrived. So did Trevor N. Finally, Chairman Chris K made a welcome appearance.

So, our numbers became 10 in total. Not bad for a cold February day.

Homeward bound we had a tour of North Walsham and then across to Bradfield and Hanworth to Gresham and home.

Our thanks to David C for his excellent ride aided by the ability to navigate by way of a small piece of paper.

 

10 riders out and 9 rides out I total. Milage 40. Weather COLD and Windy on the return.

 

Dave C, John S, Trevor, Kevin, Peter L, Chris K, Malcolm S, John D, Alan F and Geoff.

And NO punctures !

 

 

Club Ride to The Small Sticks Café at Cart Gap – 30 January 2016

The club ride to Cart Gap brought out eleven club members in total despite the forecast of very windy conditions later in the day. As an experiment there was a longer club ride out of Pretty Corner to Banningham. Five left Pretty Corner including two new Bens. They took the back route to Banningham by way of Alby Common, to pick up another 4 Wheelers at Banningham. The route out was Skeyton, Swanton Abbott, Worstead, Honing, Brumstead Common, Lessingham, Happisburgh Common to Smallsticks Cafe at Cart Gap, where we had a large table booked. Two turned off to go straight home, but two more turned up at the cafe. The ride out was sheer pleasure assisted by a strong tail wind which was to become challenging to say the least, on the return leg.

The route back was via Happisburgh, Witton church, Paston, Knapton, Trunch, Southrepps Common, Antingham, Suffield, Colby, Alby Common, Sustead, Gresham for the final split of the remaining 4 riders. Interesting to note we rode past the back of Bacton Gas Terminal – seldom seen – where for once the road was relatively clean. Full marks to our leader who remarkably managed to keep us out of the wind for much of the return trip as well as introducing us to some “new” lane.

PC to Cart Gap 33 miles; Cart Gap to PC 26 miles {59 miles from PC to PC}. – Some did more and some did less.

9 riders out and 9 riders back, but 11 out in total.

Ben, Ben, Kevin, Phil, John S, Trevor, Ian, Darryl, Malcolm, Geoff, Harvey.

And NO punctures !

If you have not already renewed your membership then I fear it is time to do so.

Meeting at Pretty Corner in spite of dodgy weather the dynamic duo (Alan & Kevin) took the decision we’re here we will go.
Heading off to Baconsthorpe, into a strong blustery sw wind , up to Holt, down to Thornage , Gunthorpe , Thursford , Gt Snoring and then to Lt. Walsingham. Having achieved a reasonable distance it was suggested to throw in a scenic loop prior to lunch. Heading west undaunted the duo across B1105 and then north up through the south gate and down through Holkham Park greatly assisted by then strong wind. Then along coast road to Wells , then Warham and eventually Binham. ( A wise decision?)

After a good lunch the duo took the most direct route home via Field Dalling, Letheringsett, Holt, Baconthorpe and West Beckham. A very wet return run.
Apologies to the club member we missed.

2 riders , 50 miles , no punctures , very windy & wet later.

Foot Note

GP, late on getting to the start, decided to be the Lone Ranger and ride directly to the pub. Going via High Kelling to Cley and up to Langham and finally the pub. No trace of any Wheelers so a quick cup of coffee and off went The Lone Ranger without Tonto.

Back via Hindringham to Stody and Edgefield the Lone Rider rode but now with a heaven sent wind on his back.

Home before the rains came so for once no need to clean his trusty steed.

40 miles, no rain, no punctures, VERY windy

 

Club Ride to The Parson Woodforde, Weston,– 23 January 2016

Three riders met at Pretty Corner for our ride to Weston Longville. Our first stop was at The Crown at Banningham where we picked up two more rides. Then it was a hard push down to Taverham via some not so clean roads where just before the stop GP punctured. A quick fix was enacted with help from a couple of members and at last we arrived at the Parson. The car park was buzzing with Wensom Valley riders getting ready for a ride.

Among the people in the pub was the welcome sight of ex member Christine. GP was particularly pleased with this reunion as she had in her car one of the best track pumps going.

Bills paid we rode off home going via Itteringham and finally Sheringham for one rider.

A decent days riding for the time of the year – roads still diabolical in places but there must be a limit to the amount of sugar beet that can come off the fields.

 

Puncture 1, 53 miles, Weather: cool and windy

Club Ride to The Forget Me Not Café at Lenwade – Leader John Dimascio 20 January 2016

The weather forecast for this Wednesday’s club ride was artic cold. Notwithstanding this nine club members turned up for John’s ride to one of the best value cafes in Norfolk. Shortly after leaving Pretty Corner our leader had the misfortune to puncture. There are times when punctures are an inconvenience to say the least but this one was in the back of beyond, no wind, no rain, no traffic and a warming sun which gave us hope that spring is not too far away

Puncture fixed and tyre inflated despite a recalcitrant valve we set off going the back lanes via Briston and Reepham before arriving at café at Lenwade. Here, we met two more Wheelers makinga grand total of eleven out for the day.

After an excellent lunch it was back on our bikes and back via Cawston, Itteringham and home.

An excellent day’s ride in good weather – the only drawback was the state of the roads which remain appalling.

 

Many thanks John.

 

Punctures 1, 42miles, Weather: WARM and Sunny .

 

Club Ride to Fakenham Garden Centre or was it? – Leader Geoff Poulter 12 December 2015

Last week club ride went ahead despite high winds. This week’s club ride had high winds and heavy rain to contend with. GP, crawling up the Holway Road, was pleased that his efforts were not in vain as Barry C had made the journey from Holt to join him. Bearing in mind the latest weather predictions which were that there would be heavy rain all day long and high winds after 1.00pm he chose an alternative to the planned route. Instead of Fakenham we would ride to All Things Nice at Cawston and then ride round to Briston clocking up some 40 miles and getting home before high winds could become a problem.

On route to the café we were blessed by a visitation from Brian P who was content to ride the shorter route. At the café we watched the rain becoming ever heavier and more persistent with the wind becoming strong by the minute.

BP decided wisely to head for home leaving GP and BC to ride the remaining route. BC and GP parted at Brison with GP riding off into the gathering storm.

Well, 40 odd miles. Soaking wet, bitter cold and an irritable side wind – not the best club rides this year but thanks to BC and BP for coming out.

 

Puncture 0, 40 miles, Weather: bitter cold, rain, rain and rain with high winds.