Author: vannicholas09

On a bright and breezy day, with a few afternoon showers forecast, five Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner on the longer outward leg to the Dunes Cafe. However, two were out for the morning only. Four more assembled on Aldborough village green to join the set route around the five miles mark. One however had to head back home from Skeyton. The route out dipped south as far as Horning, Johnson Street and Ludham before diving through the hole in the hedge to cross the Yarmouth road on the edge of Potter Heigham and a fast few miles through Hickling and Sea Palling to a surprisingly quiet cafe, where the bunch was met by Malcolm, who had ridden up from St Olaves. Before departing from the Dunes, some of the Wheelers had a long conversation with a young Dutch couple, doing a section of the North Sea Route, before taking the ferry home from Hull. They were riding a Sparta tandem (made in Apeldoorn). The ride back went directly up to Ingham and then into the lanes by way of Lessingham Star, East Ruston, Crostwight Heath, Witton Heath, Edingthorpe Green (where two of the ‘steady group’ ventured off course when the navigator took his eye off them). Then it was familiar Knapton, Trunch, Bradfield, Thorpe Market and Topshill to a split at Hanworth Common, from where the two Neils went their separate ways home. A couple of short showers were encountered from mid afternoon.

Three punctures: – Vittoria Zaffiro – (one iron hard thorn, one perished valve seating, one lifting patch).

Riders: Brian; Chris; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S. Plus Andrew; Ian; Jim – (a.m. only) and Malcolm at the cafe via Yarmouth.

Both Grahams would have been out today if circumstances hadn’t intervened: Graham A is booked in next Friday for hospital treatment. The group hope that this is as brief and as stress free as possible, followed by a short, relaxing convalescence, enabling a return to club runs before the summer is out.

Graham J was committed to a “family day” in Suffolk. It is to be hoped that the family fully appreciate his sacrifice in foregoing a club run on a fine July day.

Distances (full route only): 62 miles to 80 miles.

As so often in north east Norfolk the actual weather was rather more benign than the meteorological forecast. However, the overall level of keenness has been dampened somewhat during this this unpredictably unsettled summer. Today Mark decided to have a rest day after accumulating a lot of miles (and consuming a lot of all day breakfasts) over recent months, Neil Mc went solo on local lanes for an hour or so and Harvey had a couple of hours leg loosener via Cross Green, Corpusty and the Barninghams. Only Chris S felt inclined to do a bit more, riding for about three hours south as far as Skeyton before turning for home, to tot up 45+ miles at 15.6 mph.

The volume of precipitation did increase during the afternoon, but never really set in solidly until early evening.

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Some of the ‘senior’ riders had decided that Friday was a better option.

While awaiting upcoming hospital treatment Graham wanted only a shortish ride at a steady pace, with a coffee and cake stop at Itteringham before his last few miles home. Brian was delayed by a couple of domestic jobs, so it was agreed to meet him at Itteringham cafe. In the event, only Harvey rode with Graham, via Briston and Cawston, to Itteringham. Brian was still anticipating riding to the scheduled Pensthorpe venue, but, after coffee and a chat, it was felt to be more sensible to ride south west for a while before deciding on where to stop for a refuelling break. South of Reepham, Brian was unable to resist another of the Chrysalis Cafe’s jacket potatoes with chilli and cheese, so it was a late break at BugzUK on Nowhere Lane, Sparhamhill. During the break the manager of the BugzUK/Chrysalis enterprise was eager to hear our views on what would attract cyclists to the cafe. From the perspective of two of the NNW veterans, the excellent food is adequate incentive, but a designated bike bay might prove to be useful.

There were a couple of spells of light rain on the way back, but the Wheelers duo avoided the heavier stuff that had left some of the roads south of the Wensum running with water.

Reported distances: from minimum 24 miles on Saturday to maximum 95 miles on Friday.

On a day 45 mph gusts and forecasts of heavy showers, only Mark and Chris departed from Pretty Corner. The ‘steady’ group (represented today by only Brian and Harvey) started a bit further down the road and tacked in and out of the wind along a lot of little lanes before picking up the later stages of a plotted route that headed south by way of Cawston and Felthorpe before crossing the Wensum at Attlebridge, climbing over to Ringland, up the stiff drag of Merry Hill, towards Weston Longville, over the high country to Primrose Green, the steep descent into Lyng and the final lung opener up Sparhamhill to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe at BugzUK for some top class food and a conversation that focused on Spain.

The foursome then set off back together, but soon split in two through Sparham village, on a return route that travelled via Elsing Lane, Bawdeswell, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Wood Dalling, Heath Road, Edgefield, Hempstead, Selbrigg and the final drag up over Bodham Hill. The steady pair headed east from the Guestwick area to get within striking distance of Brian’s home parish.

Despite various predictions and a lot of threatening cloud, there was only one period of significant rainfall, a sustained squally cloudburst —– which was exciting to watch through the cafe window.

Distances: 58 miles to 70 miles.

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2305472?units=km

Weather forecasts around 9.00 predicted a 70-80% chance of thunderstorms by early afternoon in the Walsingham area, so it was decided to switch this week’s club run to Cafe Carmel at Bacton Green. Chris was back from a fortnight in eastern France, but Jim, Neil S and Ian were away. This quartet have more holidays than Judith Chalmers. Andrew and Neil Mc were otherwise engaged, so only Chris, Mark and Graham A left Pretty Corner to follow a contorted route to the east coast on a humid day. Brian and Harvey had departed a bit earlier and also cut out a southerly detour in the plotted route, which looped round by Crowgate and Beeston St. Lawrence. The latter pair did though cleverly intercept the others at Dilham. The five Wheelers sat outside the cafe to refuel on some excellent tortillas, avocado on toast and a ‘super salad’, a far cry from the beans on toast of days of yore. The humid air and greasy-looking clouds seemed to augur rain later in the return ride, but this failed to materialise in north east Norfolk. The morning’s south easterly headwind did however veer through south to end up as a fresh north westerly by mid-afternoon, thereby giving one rider a hard slog home over the final seventeen miles. The ‘steady’ pair left the scheduled route after East Ruston Common in order to head back by way of Brian’s house, while Graham left the Sheringham bound riders at Lord Anson’s Wood for a shorter run up to Cromer.

Distances: 63 miles to 80 miles.

Holidays kept the club run numbers down again for this longer route to King’s Cafe on a cool day with a strong and blustery south westerly. Another of the regulars, Ian, had decided that he would complete the last two sections of the Rebellion Way on Sunday and Monday, so conserved his energy by turning back from Lyng today – (no stamina these youngsters). Only Mark and Neil S therefore completed the scheduled route. The morning leg travelled south to cross the Wensum at Lenwade before climbing stiffly onto the high plateau around Collin Green, over the A47 bridge to Mattishall, a lot of little lanes through Brakefield Green, Bird’s Corner and Thorpe Row and a final fast section on the A1075. The ‘steady’ section (GSR) were also depleted today by holidays as well as Neil S’s chute on Wednesday, which left him cut and bruised. Meeting a few miles into the route, Brian, Graham A and Harvey arrived at the ‘King Billy’ five minutes before the PC pair. After enjoying some good food and friendly service, the five Wheelers took advantage of a lot of strong tailwind for a fairly speedy ride back, completing the two miles longer return leg 1.5 minutes quicker, despite noticeably less effort than during the morning ride. The GSR mini group also cut the ride shorter by missing out the Letton Hall and Cranworth section, after which the route passed Southburgh church, crossed the railway at Thuxton, meandered through Welborne, recrossed the A47 to Elsing Hall, kept to the south of the Wensum by way of Fustyweed and Lyng, up and over the Fakenham Road to Nowhere Lane and a conventional run back over Whitwell Common, through Reepham town and the lanes to Heydon and Corpusty, where Neil Mc terminated at his new base (from where he had ridden to PC in the morning). Meanwhile, the ‘steady’ group had kept further to the east to make it easier for Graham and Brian to get home after a fairly long day out. So, only Mark continued to PC and Sheringham.

Distances: 70 miles to 82 miles.

Exhibits from Peter Martin’s exhibition of Tour de France memorabilia at Thorpe Market church – (more pictures in Club Runs Photo Gallery, courtesy of Ian ‘Snapper’ A.).

With three riders away and Ian A delayed by a puncture in the garage, only Mark, Neil Mc and guest rider Ben from Beds. set out on a short first leg, which took them via Hanworth Common to the very impressive exhibition of Tour de France memorabilia on display this weekend in Thorpe Market church. They were joined there by an earlier departing ‘steady’ group consisting of Neil S, Graham A, Brian, Lucinda S and Harvey, as well as the delayed Ian. After chatting with various enthusiasts, both bunches set out for some real cycling, following a lot of lanes by way of Bradfield, Trunch, Knapton (from where Neil S was forced by persistent back pain to head for home), White Horse Common, Briggate, Worstead, Ashmanaugh and Bylaugh Green to the Piece of Cake cafe, which was a rare mistake by the organiser!

Meanwhile, Malcolm, who had ridden up from the southern Broads, had gone to the usual venue at the No.77 Cafe and had to be retrieved before the expanded bunch headed off for the return trip. Soon after Heggatt Hall, en route for Granny Bard’s Lane, the bunch split again into two smaller groups for the ride back north through Frettenham, Stratton Strawless, Buxton, Oxnead, Burgh, Tuttington and Banningham, where the steady backmarkers continued north to Colby (from where Graham headed for home), Brian’s house and a final split that saw one rider heading directly back to Sheringham, while the remaining Wheeler followed a number of detours that took in Thwaite Common, Calthorpe, Wolterton, Squallham, Matlaske, Barningham Winter, Bodham Hill and Lower Bodham. From Banningham, the vanguard group rode back to PC via Ingworth, Blickling watermill, Itteringham, Little Barningham, Plumstead, Baconsthorpe church and Bodham Hill.

A total of ten riders out today.

Distances: 45 miles to 67 miles.

Ian, Chris, Jim, Mark, Neil Mc refuelling at The Mardler’s Rest.

Graham, Harvey, Sue, Brian, Neil S + Malcolm in the cafe getting more chips.

With some of the more senior Wheelers looking for a steadier ride and a couple of the fast lads currently under medical treatment, there was a sensible split into two smaller groups for the club run down to The Mardler’s Rest Cafe at the former Mitford Poor Law Union workhouse at Gressenhall. So, only three set out from Pretty Corner for the shorter outward leg. This soon became four when Chris, Ian and Mark picked up Neil Mc at The Old White Horse at Edgefield. This compact group set a brisk pace in a generally helpful ENE wind, clipping down to Little London, up Heath Road, over some poor quality road surfaces around Wood Dalling, then on through Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree and Billingford, crossing the Blackwater at Worthing watermill (resting briefly to watch a Highland cow keeping cool and hydrated in the river), up the pretty valley road for a while, before a short detour around Beetley to the cafe where the steady group were already ensconced, along with Malcolm and Sue, in their role as cultural tourists. As ever at this time of year, it was extremely pleasant sitting in the sheltered courtyard watching numerous swifts performing aerobatically around the former workhouse buildings.

The longer route back took in a big loop to the south west by way of quiet lanes through Longham, Bittering and Stanfield before heading north to Whissonsett and Colkirk and then east and north east to Ryburgh, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Nethergate, Craymere, Briston, Edgefield (where Neil Mc headed for home), then a few more twists and turns before the drag up to Bodham Hill and Red Barn Lane. The basic distance from PC to PC was 64 miles.

In the interests of mutual convenience, the steady group consisting of Brian, Graham, Neil, Jim and Harvey, assembled at 10.00 at The Old White Horse before following the day’s plotted route for an early arrival at the refreshment stop. By mutual consent, they then started off home on the set route, but then cut out a significant portion of the longer ride back. This enabled them to complete a good distance while accommodating riders from as far apart as Melton Constable and the south east side of Cromer. As a special treat, the club runs co-ordinator was given a load of grief by two groups today instead of just the usual one.

On easily the warmest day of the year so far, it was a fast, wind-assisted ride out to the Courtyard Cafe at Holkham Hall. A compact group of four Wheelers rode by way of Stody, over the ridge to Gunthorpe, crossing Little Snoring airfield, Great Snoring, the steep Canister Hall descent into the Stiffkey valley at Houghton St Giles, the series of climbs and descents to the Burn valley at North Creake, from where the foursome turned into the blustery ESE wind and up the long ascent to South Holkham before descending rapidly through Holkham Park to their refuelling break in the shaded courtyard, where they were surprised to see Harvey sitting out of the sun supping a large beaker of tea. Over substantial refreshments, it was reported that Graham A is progressing well following his recent operation.

On departure through Holkham’s east gate, it was decided that Harvey would accompany Jim back to Briningham and Burgh Parva. The remaining trio pushed on into the wind along a published route that travelled via Wells, Warham, Wighton, Binham, Cockthorpe Common, Langham, Summer House Hill, Wiveton, the long drag up Rectory Road onto Salthouse Heath for Bridge Road and Bodham Hill.

Group: Mark; Neil Mc; Jim (who is looking to start a steady seniors’ group); Chris (just back from riding some of the biggest Pyrenean cols – assisted by a 1250cc engine).

Distances: 63 miles to 69 miles.

Unfortunately (for the victim) a painful cycling-related hip bursitis has forced the current club runs organiser to ease off. Consequently, future club runs will be organised by Mark, Andrew, Neil, Chris and Ian.

June sunshine at the Chrysalis Cafe.

It is a shame that only Mark and Ian could make it to PC on a day of welcome warm sunshine and fresh north easterly breeze. This duo were however joined by Ian Fletcher for a while. The route to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe, located on the BugzUK site at Sparhamhill, was by way of Itteringham, Cawston, Swannington, Attlebridge, Ringland, Merry Hill, Telegraph Hill, Weston Green, Frans Green, Collin Green, Primrose Green, Peaseland Green, Elsing, Fustyweed (where some selfish so ‘n’ so has nicked the village sign), Lyng and Pockthorpe. On arrival at the Chrysalis, the two Wheelers were surprised to see Harvey sitting in the sun sipping a large beaker of tea. After an extended refreshment break, with extra cake and beverages, three riders headed over the ridge to Sparham Hole on the Wensum, climbed up to Bawdeswell, skirted the Fakenham road through Foxley village, shedding one rider at Themelthorpe, then pushed the fresh wind home via Hindolveston, Burgh Parva, Briningham, Stody, Hunworth, Starling’s Hill, the edge of Edgefield, over the Range to Plumstead Green, Baconsthorpe church, Up Wood and Bodham Hill.

The basic route from PC to PC was 60 miles.

Next week, Holkham Courtyard via North Creake. Link to route file on website.

Neil S, Scott, Neil Mc, Mark, Malcolm, Andrew, David, Harvey, Graham J, Heather.

Ian (camera), Sue A (off camera).

This was a ride in memory of Bruce, who thoroughly enjoyed his club runs, be they long, short or middling. For example, he was one of only two riders to complete the runs to Goodies, near Pulham Market in south Norfolk, Wortham in Suffolk and the Sandringham, Gayton, Castle Acre 100 miler.

Eight North Norfolk Wheelers departed from Pretty Corner on a twelve mile first leg to meet others at Felmingham, where it was discovered that Neil S’s square taper crankset was working loose and that he had brought the wrong toolkit. Neil therefore decided to head for home and he was accompanied on the ride back north by Scott and Dave, who had ridden down from Cromer for the Felmingham meet. Malcolm made the group back up to seven riders for the trip down to the Lighthouse Inn to the south of Walcott. After a chat with Heather, a devious route was followed, avoiding any hint of sunny Whitsuntide holiday traffic. Some good quality food and drink was enjoyed in the sunny beer garden, although, unaccountably, the conversation focused on accidents and injuries.

Lots more little lanes were followed on the way back, maintaining a strong pace round the back of Ridlington, up to Witton and Bacton churches, Knapton, Trunch, Gimingham, Trimingham, Clapham Dams, Hungry Hill, Northrepps, Toll Hill, Metton, Hanworth, Bessingham and Gresham.

Distances: 51 miles to 76 miles.