Author: vannicholas09

On a cold, but dry and bright day ten riders were tempted out, although they stuck together only briefly as a single bunch. The initial split was into two pace groups, then Neil Mc had to break off early and Mark was riding to an afternoon memorial event in Wells. Over the years, the Walsinghams have been a frequent destination for North Norfolk Wheelers club runs, so variety of route is always a bit of a challenge. Today’s edition was west by way of Lower Bodham and Salthouse Heath to Wiveton before turning south up the valley of the Glaven, climbing up the back of Thornage to Sharrington, round by Saxlingham to Field Dalling and Binham, finishing off into the Walsinghams by way of a northerly detour to Copy’s Green. The food at The Norton Centre always seems to be first class these days, noticeably better than it was a couple of years or so back.

The route home was planned as Thornage, Gunthorpe, Swanton Novers, Hindolveston, Thurning, Corpusty, Matlaske and Bessingham, but, due to a range of factors, this was largely ignored. The plotted route from PC to PC was about 53 miles, but individual distances ranged wildly up to about 68 miles.

Riders out: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham; Harvey; Ian; Jim; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S.

Next week is to Watson’s at Bacton, with the shorter leg out in the hope of bagging a good table.

It was a fairly odd route today, although certainly not without interest and varied terrain. There was also a last minute alteration to the refuelling destination. A number of Wheelers would have liked to get out today, but were prevented from doing so for a range of reasons. So, only five riders headed out on a dull day that was marked by a very strong and chilly southerly as the weather systems started to change. The route went initially eastwards by way of Metton, Roughton, Northrepps, Southrepps, Thorpe Market, Tops Hill, Hanworth, Aldborough, over Thwaite Hill (but missing out an originally scheduled circuit of Thwaite Common), Erpingham school, Ingworth and the back lanes of Aylsham town to the The Conservatory (formerly Food Lovers), an old favourite of many North Norfolk Wheelers, but which has passed through a period of unpredictable closures. The cafe was busy, but the staff, consisting of two ladies, was remarkably efficient and friendly, despite there being only one printed menu to share between twenty three people.

The morning ride featured a meeting and a chat with a pedestrian Graham A, apparently adopting a rather extreme method of avoiding punctures. Further along the road, Brian and Harvey took the leisurely approach to new levels when stopping for a long chat with Johnny, the Aylsham postman/fireman.

A shorter afternoon leg saw powerhouse Chris driving Andrew and Neil Mc to a rapid ride home, while Brian and Harvey maintained a steady pace, and also truncated the plotted route to enable Brian to get back east in reasonable time. The full scheduled route was Abel Hearh, Oulton Street, Cawston, Brandiston, Booton, the edge of Reepham, Salle, Heydon Park, Itteringham and Barningham. Neil departed at Barningham and Andrew turned west at the top of Plum Lane.

PC to PC was about 49 miles, but individuals rode between 50 miles and 60 miles.

Four North Norfolk Wheelers at Nelson’s Cafe via Holkham Hall – wondering where the other four have vanished to!

A steady group of four set out a bit early to be pursued by four more Wheelers. However, the handicap system fell apart as soon as Salthouse Heath, where Graham experienced an exploding rear inner tube inside a Vittoria tyre that looked as though it had been fought over by a pair of Rottweilers. So, the PC contenders swept on, following a direct route to The Courtyard Cafe at Holkham Hall, only to be greeted by a ‘Temporarily Closed’ sign. Undaunted, the intrepid foursome continued along the set route, which, conveniently, passed by the old NNW favourite of Nelson’s in Wells, where they reported being well looked after with some excellent nourishment.

Meanwhile, back east, Harvey had to ride into Holt to collect a replacement tyre and a new inner tube. The heavily-delayed semi-bunch eventually headed west, but decided that Walsingham would now have to suffice on a winter’s day. Inexplicably, the ride leader, who had earlier in the week warned the Wednesday Wheelers that their programmed destination at the Norton Centre would be closed this week, led the steady riders to —- the Norton Centre**. So, it was over the Stiffkey ford to O’Brennans in Great Walsingham for fancy pies.

Both contingents enjoyed a lot of tailwind for the return trip. The Holkham/Wells people rode by way of Warham, Binham, Clipstreet, Sharrington, Brinton and Stody to Cross Green for the first split. Close to home, Ian picked up a staple through a tyre, which miraculously remained inflated following careful removal of the said object. The Walsingham group took a more southerly route back to north east Norfolk, despite the repeated protestations of Graham, who strangely insisted that he wanted to go through Briston.

Conditions: cold with a stiff westerly wind, but again more sunshine than forecast.

Riders: Andrew; Chris; Ian; Neil Mc; Brian; Graham A; Harvey; Neil S.

Distances: c.42 miles to 61 miles.

**Psychiatric research has demonstrated that exploding inner tubes can disrupt normal rational thought processes.

North Norfolk Wheelers obviously treat New Year’s resolutions seriously as nine of their number turned out for the this weekend’s club run to the Station Cafe at Reepham. Neil Mc, Mark, Ian, Chris and Andrew set out from Pretty Corner, while a steadier contingent, comprised of Neil S, Jim, Harvey and Brian, met for mutual geographical convenience at Barningham. With the local average monthly rainfall being exceeded during the first five days of 2024, it was a question of fingers crossed that the worst of the road flooding could be avoided, but in the event it proved to be not too challenging. The vanguard group managed fairly rapid progress by way of Saxthorpe, Foulsham, Jordan Green, along the Blackwater and through the hamlet of Whitwell Street for an early refuelling break. The catering at the Station Cafe has always been fairly decent, but seems to have stepped up a couple of notches recently.

The afternoon run back to base was by way of Booton, Great Witchingham, Swannington, Cawston, Oulton Street, Itteringham (from where Neil Mc turned for Mannington and Corpusty), Wolterton, Wickmere, Aldborough and Bessingham. The High Kelling duo headed straight back over Bodham Hill, while the Sheringham pair climbed back up to the morning meeting point. The off the back section split at various points for Melton Constable, Alby, Beeston Regis and Holt. They also however added an extra leg to the route, detouring round by Upgate and Felthorpe church, thereby encountering the biggest flood of the day.

Conditions: – Cold northerly wind. Cold light showers. Much more sun than forecast.

The PC to PC distance was just shy of 50 miles. Individual distances ranged from 40 miles to 65 mile

Winter fun at Edingthorpe.

On a dank and drizzly December’s day, punctuated by some heavier patches of precipitation, only Mark and Neil Mc departed from Pretty Corner. They were soon to be joined, however, by Andrew and Clive (from Chester). So, a fast-moving foursome headed for the east coast. To avoid Neil having to traipse home alone in the final hour, the sensible decision was made to reverse the set route for the day. At Edingthorpe the smooth rhythm was interrupted when fate interfered to deal Mark his first Gatorskin puncture in 4863 miles. Adding insult to injury, Neil punctured a Durano Plus soon after. The culprits on both occasions were thorns. So, the day’s second sensible decision was taken; head directly to a busy, but dry and warm Watson’s at Bacton, where some good food and hot beverages were suitably appreciated.

On a day notable for sensible decisions, the route was amended further in order to keep the company together as long as possible on the way home. Neil cut off at Aylsham for Corpusty, while the remaining trio continued north westwards via Calthorpe, Plumstead and Hempstead before splitting for Sheringham, High Kelling and Blakeney.

Individual distances varied, but Sheringham to Sheringham was about 56 miles. A day to test the patience and determination of the club cyclist, but at the end of the day there was the righteous glow of solid winter miles and a feeling of well-being.

On Friday four more of the North Norfolk Wheelers took a steady ride in bright, but very windy conditions to the original venue at Walcott’s Lighthouse Inn. Brian, Neil S and Harvey enjoyed a lot of wind assistance, particularly during the second half of the outward leg. Getting his New Year’s resolutions in early, Malcolm rode up from St Olave’s, via Stalham and Catfield. After the break, the northerly trio had a bit of a slog back into the wind, although they have to admit that the lanes afforded significant shelter and that the wind was easing slowly during the afternoon. Malcolm followed the coast road for most of the way home, reporting unusually heavy traffic en route.

The set route was 49 miles, although two riders completed more than 60 for the day, with Malcolm putting in 64.

With most of the younger Wheelers in party mode, it was left to the senior section to maintain the tradition of the annual mince pie run (minus the mince pies). This cultural phenomenon isn’t too traditional though, as the original version can be traced back only as far as 1978 at Long Whatton in north Leicestershire. The only exception from the younger group was Ian, who was in delayed party mode, completing the route alone in order to get home early to prepare for the drive to Cambridge for the festivities.

Jim, Brian and Harvey maintained a steady pace to Purdy’s Tea Room, where they had a quick chat with Ian before he pushed off home into the gusty westerly. Jim left the homeward route at Corpusty, continuing westwards for Melton Constable. Harvey accompanied Brian as far as Thurgarton before continuing north and then west via Sustead, Felmingham Woods, Gresham and Lower Bodham.

Set route: Upper Gresham, Lower Gresham, Metton, Northrepps, Southrepps, Antingham, Suffield, Colby, Erpingham church, Ingworth, Drabblegate, the hidden back lanes of Aylsham, Woodgate Nursery (break), Abel Heath, Oulton, Irmingland, Corpusty, Little London, Ramsgate Street, Cross Green, Baconsthorpe and Bodham Hill.

Conditions: Very strong and blustery westerly, which eased slowly during the afternoon. It was pleasantly mild for ‘midwinter’, with increasing sunshine for the return leg.

Distances: 49 miles to 61 miles.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Early festive Wheelers.                   (+ Mark on new camera).

Three Wheelers set out from from the traditional meeting place at Pretty Corner for a relatively short ride down to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe, located just to the north of the Fakenham Road at Sparhamhill. On a very benign mid-December day, they pushed a south westerly out via Edgefield, Briston, Craymere, Hindolveston, Foulsham, Guestwick church, Kerdiston and Nowhere Lane for a comfortable break over some top class food. Meanwhile, a steadier riding trio were following a more easterly route by way of Bessingham, Matlaske, Wolterton, Corpusty and Wood Dalling, which enabled them to intercept the vanguard at 11.20 at Guestwick church; serendipity or sheer genius? – make up your own mind.

The route back dropped down to the Blackwater, wandered round by the Witchinghams, cut over Brandiston Common to the Haveringland road before turning north through Cawston and Oulton to Itteringham, where Neil Mc continued to Mannington and the turn for home. The final few miles climbed up to Wolterton, descended to Wickmere, up over the ridge to Thurgarton to split for various destinations east, north and west to complete a not too demanding winter’s run out, despite the Wheelers having to carry their bikes round no less than five road barriers.

Riders: Chris; Mark; Neil Mc; Brian (still stacking up the miles as he approaches his 79th birthday); Graham A; Harvey.

Distances ridden ranged from 44 miles to 57 miles. The basic plotted route from PC to PC was a little over 46 miles.

Though milder this weekend after the cold snap, last Saturday’s ice and freezing fog were succeeded by rain and strong wind. There were no takers for the traditional Saturday club run. However, some of the more senior flexitime Wheelers took advantage of Friday’s sunshine to complete a version of the scheduled ride out to Mundesley’s No.17 Cafe. Brian, Neil S and Harvey set out a little later than usual to follow the basic route by way of Sustead, Northrepps, Clapham Dams, Trimingham, Gimingham, the Harvey Estate and Trunch to the cafe on the coast, which was, unsurprisingly much quieter on a December Friday (literally one man and his dog) than for the previous visit on an October Saturday. Waiting patiently?! at the cafe was Graham A, who had missed the start by a minute or two and ridden directly to Mundesley; on reflection, this was probably because the starting trio had set out in an unscheduled direction, while the victim would be assuming he would be approaching them on the published plotted route if he happened to be delayed for any reason. Being sheltered from a stiff south westerly, Mundesley was surprisingly warm for December. On departure, the bunch followed a more southerly loop as far as Briggate, where Graham punctured a rear Vittoria. Back on the road again, it was via Worstead and Skeyton to Felmingham, where Graham continued north, destination Cromer, while the others turned down Brick Kiln Lane for Suffield, Colby, Erpingham and Aldborough for the split, from where one rider (having failed to fit lights only twelve days short of the Winter Solstice) had to engage the big ring and race the fading light for a final eleven miles home.

Distances ranged from 40 miles to 65 miles.

Five Wheelers departed from Pretty Corner while one more joined the route a few miles down the road for the NNW club run to The Courtyard Cafe at Pensthorpe. On a cold and windy day, softened by more sunshine than anticipated, the bunch detoured round by Mannington Hall to Corpusty, over the exposed ground to Wood Dalling, along the sheltered Odessa lane to Guestwick, down Skitfield Road, through Wood Norton and Stibbard, descending to the Wensum, before a stiff final couple of miles over the three Flanders-like bergs (aka Clay Hill, Burrow Hill and Langor Hill). During the refuelling break, the conversation turned to the relative merits of various groupsets.

The return trip saw Graham J and Harvey ease off the back a bit for a steady ride home. The vanguard of four took advantage of a lot of tailwind to push on via Kettlestone, Croxton, Hindolveston, Thurning, Blackwater Bridge, Heath Road (where Neil Mc turned for home), Ramsgate Street and Cross Green before a conventional ride back via Baconsthorpe (from where Ian A headed to High Kelling) to Bodham Hill and West Beckham.

Riders: Chris; Graham J; Harvey; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc.

This was the first of the ‘winter’ sub-50 miles club runs (PC to PC), but individual distances ranged from 49 miles to 60 miles.

And then there were ten. After recent concerns about falling numbers, exacerbated by unprecedented levels of illness and injury, it was a double figures turnout in sharp, bright conditions for the first of the shorter GMT weekend club runs. Only three Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner, but, as anticipated, two more groups joined the route at the three and five mile markers. It was a fairly stiff headwind out, riding roughly parallel to the coast, by way of Salthouse Heath, Glandford, the back road up Wiveton Downs, Langham, Cockthorpe, Binham (where Jim experienced a minor chute), Warham, Wighton, Copy’s Green, Great Walsingham and a detour west onto the Old Wells Road.

The Norton Centre cafe was busy, with a lot of hungry pilgrims, as well and a large group of loud and excitable Liverpudlian women, who Brian thought were “obviously discussing the Holy Bible”. The food and drink were of high quality, including one Wheeler’s choice of tea with salad cream. Today’s big bunch were well rewarded after the break with glorious sunshine and an exhilarating tailwind on a route that took them via the Snorings, Thursford church, Briningham, from where Andrew turned for home, Burgh Parva, Hindolveston, Burnthouse, Briston (Jim had a short ride home to Melton from here) and Cross Green, where Neil Mc turned south for Corpusty and a steady riding bunch of four headed over the Edgefield Range to various points east.

Group: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham A; Harvey; Jim; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S;

Distances: this shorter ‘winter’ route was about 54 miles, while individual distances ridden ranged from about 43 miles to 67 miles.