Author: web1691

With the Wednesday ride postponed to Thursday over fears of showers, only one Wheeler braved the Thursday morning cold.
With a moderate but cold NW wind blowing in dark clouds across the coast, the lone Wheeler headed south and was soon greeted by sunshine. That sunshine remained for most of the ride, only turning to dark clouds and the odd spot of rain close to West Beckham on the return leg.
What was noticeable though as the route headed south of Corpusty was the first frost seen on a club ride this winter. The frost was clearly evident on the goat track (classified as a road) west from Heydon Park, through Norton Corner to Tyby, where the overhanging trees had kept the road wet and covered in mud and leaf mulch, which produced a frosty crunch under the wheels.

Around Foulsham the temperature dropped lower and there was more frost on the verges and some ice on the top of puddles, though the roads themselves were mainly dry and free of mud and frost, which was a relief on the descent down to Bintree Mill.
The route now started to turn into the wind for the next few miles through Gately, Horningtoft, Oxwick to the Tittleshall Road and the fast descent down Beacon Hill to Hempton and to the Garden Centre.

As Thursday is Market Day in Fakenham, the garden centre car park was very busy, so as I was alone, I decided to give lunch a miss and continued on some back lanes around Fakenham to the Thorpland road, Great Snoring, Hindringham, Field Dalling and Saxlingham.
At Saxlingham our route planner for the day, Graham A, had incorporated a track known as Tansy Lane. It was also noted that absent from the day’s ride was Graham A but also Ian A with his gravel bike with 38mm grippy tyres, ideal for such a track.
So for ride report completeness I set off down the track on 25mm Gatorskins. The first part was hard packed stone and water filled holes, not too bad, this then turned to two muddy tractor tracks and water filled holes which offered only occasional traction and a rough grass central strip which provided a little more traction, plus there was no end in sight.
Eventually the end was reached with the bonus that the water filled holes had washed my brakes and mudguards clean of the mud acquired earlier in the ride.

Then it was a long downhill into Letheringset followed by the long uphill to Holt, through Holt to High Kelling and the regular route back to PC.

PC to PC was 53.6 miles at a 13.9mph average. Home by 2:15pm, quick bike wash then plenty of tea and biscuits!
Rider – Mark M

Next week’s ride is to the Old Reading Rooms, Kelling (plenty of tea, hot soup and cakes), 40 miles: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2100957

With a strong easterly wind and rain greeting Wheelers as they awoke, it was a surprise to find that five had ventured out to PC. The rain as forecast had stopped by 10am and we didn’t see any all day, the easterly wind helped us as we headed SW down to Hoe and had eased on the return leg and the sun came out! As we returned to PC we were treated to the sight of the sun setting, squashed between clouds and the moon rising in a clear sky.

Harvey’s route was a fairly direct run through Briston, Foulsham and south of Bintree we met Harvey heading north. So after a quick chat we left Harvey and continued to Billingford, Worthing, Hoe, all ready for a good feed at the Fork.

Alas, the Fork and Corners garden centre has permanently closed, the lease has expired. Who knows what it will become next, probably housing.
So, we decided to re-route to Darbys at Swanton Morley which was just off the planed route and re-join the route further on. Swanton Morley seemed to have grown in size as we approached from the south west, which caused some confusion as to where the pub was, Brian was keen to get into the first pub he saw, but we pressed on downhill and found Darbys.

They had a big party coming in for lunch and were keen for us to order quickly to free the kitchen up, which we were happy to do and then we could enjoy the warmth of the woodburner and general ambience.
We all enjoyed our different meals, though Andrew’s choice of just a starter failed to satisfy him, but the huge wedge of cake that followed seemed to do the trick.

Reluctantly we left the warmth and ventured back out into the cold. Brian, reinvigorated having had his Senior Special fish and chips, was keen to get going so he led the way and took us to Elsing. We stopped at the old Mermaid pub, which is reopening on Dec 14th as the Lemon & Rosemary Yard Café & Deli. We had a quick word with one of the proprietors about their progress and told them we would be back to try out the coffee and cakes.

We continued through Bawdeswell, Foxley, Corpusty, past Mannington Hall, where Brian turned off for home and the rest continued to the next split at Red Barn Lane and back to PC.

Riders were, Brian P, Chris S, Andrew A, Ian A, Mark M.
PC to PC was 53.6 miles at an average speed of 13.7mph
Next week’s ride (10th Dec) is to No.77 Café, Coltishall

Ride Report by Brian P
A sunny day encouraged more riders out today, 5 in number, including Mark and Graham who, having just recovered from Covid, were keen to stretch their legs again. So much so, that Mark, on the interminable drag from Wighton up to Egmere found himself a mile ahead of us and realised the difficulty in communication before he moderated his pace and joined the light hearted banter of the peloton.
We followed familiar lanes to Great Walsingham, but not before Andrew suffered an unauthorised deflation (rear Gatorskin), but urged us to continue without him, and shortly after, a surprise brief meeting with our regular routemaster Harvey T who told us of tests under way to address his recently diagnosed anaemia.

A more than usual amount of shotgun fire caused us to duck as we rode along the hedgerows. The Great Walsingham Barns, renowned for splendid pies hosted us admirably, despite a shortage of staff and even with a later arrival of a shooting party (the culprits, with an average age exceeding ours! ) speedily served us well.
Andrew B had meanwhile re-joined us, and using the stirrup pump donated to the café by Cycling UK, deflated and re-adjusted the wobbly tyre on his rear wheel. Having eaten, he then excused himself, to get back in time for his sailing club AGM, for, as every sailor knows, the tide waits for no one!

A comfortable return journey with pauses at select gentlemen’s conveniences had us heading towards PC and peeling off in our different homeward directions with lights being necessary in the approaching dusk.

Riders were, Graham A, Andrew B, Mark McV, Brian P and Neil S.
PC to PC 50.6 miles at an average speed of 13.8mph.

Next week’s ride (3rd Dec) is to the Fork Café, Hoe.

Three Wheelers met at PC on a dry, bright and sunny Thursday morning, as Wednesday’s correct forecast of rain all morning meant we had postponed the ride by a day.
Our clockwise route took us through Hanworth and Thorpe Market to Lower Southrepps, where we picked up Graham A, out for his first ride post covid. Then it was a familiar route through Trunch, Knapton and Honing via the Golden Mile and onto Dilham, then back lanes to Tunstead Church, the pedestrian only rail crossing and into Tunstead and the Horse and Groom.

Unfortunately for Andrew B, as soon as he arrived, he had to turn around and head for home for a pre-arranged event. Hope you got back in time and managed to get some food, Andrew.

To fill Andrew’s seat, Malcolm had ridden up from St Olaves to join us for lunch and a chat.
Some Wheelers may well remember the venue as the former Olive Branch café, which Malcolm recalled as being a very good and popular destination.
The pub was taken on and refurbished early this year by a couple that also run the successful Ferry Inn at Stokesby, nr Acle.
We were the only customers and as a sign of the times, the heating was off, so it didn’t have the roaring fire that I had been anticipating. However the menu choice was extensive and we all enjoyed the meals we had.

So, after sending Malcolm off south into a headwind, we headed north west and enjoyed a good following breeze as we made our way through Swanton Abbott, Tuttington, Aylsham to Oulton. At Oulton we turned north to Itteringham, where Graham A turned off for Cromer, then the remaining duo had a wind assisted 5 mile blast up to Bodham Hill, where we split and headed for home.

Ian A was out on his recently purchased Holdsworth carbon gravel bike, with Sram Force 1×12 and 38mm tyres and full mudguards, he is now well prepared for Norfolk’s mud and gravel strewn winter roads! It seemed to go fairly fast as well.

PC to PC was 49 miles at a 14.2mph average speed. Back home shortly after 3pm with time for a quick bike wash before dark.
Andrew B, Ian A, Graham A, Malcolm and Mark leading.

Ride Report by Chris S
Once again the weather was surprisingly dry and warm for mid November. However the turn out for the ride was low mainly because a number of the usual group had other commitments and also Mark M had finally succumbed to Covid.
Therefore I found myself to be be the only rider starting from Pretty Corner. Following the route I picked up Ian A in High Kelling at the junction with Cromer Road. We continued along the route when just before Glandford we found Harvey T waiting by the side of the road. After a short chat Harvey joined us for approximately 6-7 miles before peeling off and going his own way. Ian and myself continued to Reepham with some light head winds arriving just before midday.
Departing at around 12.30 after a bite to eat at the Station Cafe we had an enjoyable ride back in sunshine with Ian turning off towards High Kelling shortly before Pretty Corner. I arrived back at Pretty Corner at approximately 1425 hrs having covered some 52 miles at an average speed of 14.7mph.

Four Wheelers, Chris S, Neil S, Brian and Mark set off from PC in cool and dry conditions, though the overcast sky kept providing a few spits of rain during the day. We picked up Jim H and Chris B in Gresham and set off via some lesser used lanes for Erpingham, then Aylsham’s Dunkirk to Tuttington and Brampton.

It was here that both Chris B and Jim H decided that they were not feeling up to the full ride and would head home, they had of course already completed a good few miles in getting up to Gresham to join us.
So, the remaining four made their way to Coltishall, encountering some light rain on the way. As we arrived, so did Malcolm, having used the Reedham ferry to come up from St Olaves.

No.77 was nicely warm with the usual good food and service. Brian was showing off his new phone, this one can take photos! After we had all featured in Brian’s selfies, it was time to head for home, with Malcolm heading east for Wroxham and the rest going west to Horstead and Frettenham.
From Stratton Strawless we took the long straight road through the woods to the outskirts of Felthorpe, then north through Haveringland, the edge of Swannington airfield to Cawston and beyond.
At Itteringham, as Brian and Neil S turned right to make their way home, Neil Mc appeared, out for a quick ride between house renovation tasks, so he joined us for a couple of miles before making his way back home. Leaving the final two to continue back to PC.

Group: Chris S, Neil S, Brian, Mark, Jim H, Chris B and brief appearance by Neil Mc.

PC to PC 54 miles at an average speed of 14.4 mph.

Next week’s ride (12th) is to The Station Café, Reepham.

Three Wheelers met at PC for the first of the earlier Wednesday Winter rides with a start time of 10am. It was a sunny though cool morning with a strong South Westerly wind.
Our clockwise route took us through Felbrigg park on the way to Cromer zoo, then through some residential areas before the climb of Northrepps hill. On the way to Southrepps we negotiated the seemingly permanently closed section of Wellspring road, then on to Antingham, Colby, Erpingham and Thwaite Common to our lunch destination.

Surprisingly the café was full of old codgers, so the additional three that had arrived by bike had to sit outside and share the sheltered courtyard with a couple of very tame peacocks. After enjoying a good lunch (cyclists not the peacocks), we continued down to Blickling and across to Oulton before turning north and getting the wind on our backs.
Wind assisted we blew through Itteringham and on to Wickmere where Graham A turned off for Cromer. Leaving two to skirt around Barningham Winter, Up Wood to the top of Bodham Hill, where Andrew A turned off and one rider returned to PC.

PC to PC was 45.6 miles and with a steady 13.3 average speed, the earlier start time meant that all riders were home before 3pm.
Andrew B, Graham A, Mark leading.

Next week’s ride (9th), also starting at 10am, is to the Beach Café in Wells, buckets and spades optional.

Six Wheelers met at PC for the last Saturday ride before the clocks change and the afternoons become shorter.
Early morning rain had stopped by departure time, though the sky remained cloudy for a lot of the day with a weak sun failing to provide the forecast 18-20c temps. Wet roads, leaf mulch and the usual beet season mud meant all bikes needed a wash by the end of the ride.
The forecast South East becoming Southerly wind was non-existent for the initial leg to Edgefield and then it increased to provide a tail wind on the route West through Hunworth, Gunthorpe, Gt Snoring to East Barsham. We then followed the river Skiffkey through the Barshams to the Slipper Chapel where we caught up with a motorist in a stinking diesel van creeping along the road and stopping and berating every motorist coming the other way for driving too fast.

We eventually reached the café, to find that it was full and everything except baguettes and cake was sold out. Fortunately the sheltered courtyard meant we could enjoy our baguettes and Brian the last jacket spud, outside without getting cold.

Our route back was now into the wind from Gt Walsingham, Hindringham, Barney to Stibbard before turning East through Wood Norton to Guestwick where Neil Mc turned off for home. From Wood Dalling we headed mainly North, dropping off Brian and Chris B at Little London, so they could head further East for home. The remaining trio continued via Edgefield, Hempstead to Selbrigg lake where we caught sight of the swans and on to West Beckham and down Lodge Hill to Upper Sheringham to check out the mermaids on the village sign before going our separate ways in Sheringham.

Harvey, our regular Saturday ride leader and route planner extraordinaire has decided to take a rest from the Saturday rides over the winter, though you may well see him out and about on his bike during the week. He has very generously offered to continue his excellent planning of Saturday ride routes for our enjoyment.

Group: Brian, Chris S, Neil Mc, Graham A, Chris B, Mark

PC to PC 58 miles

Two Wheelers, Duncan S and Mark set off from PC, heading west with a strong east wind on their backs, picking up Ian A at the Selbrigg junction, before passing the pond (no swans today) and on to Holt.
From the Cley road we took the rough road up to Bayfield Brecks and down to Glandford, up to Wiveton Downs and then to make up the miles we went through Saxlingham, Field Dalling, Langham, Cockthorpe, Binham, along the Wighton road to Nutwood Farm then to Fiddler’s Hill and onto the Warham road.

We arrived at the pub in good time and were given a large table by the warming fire. We were expecting Geoff P to join us but he apparently had a cleat issue and had to seek outside assistance in Briston and so disqualified himself from any lunch.
Instead, Geoff’s empty seat was taken by the surprise appearance of Jane A who had seen the venue on the website and decided to join us for a chat and a pie. It was great to see you again Jane, thanks for joining us.
After a long and enjoyable lunch it was time to venture back out into the wind and this time it wasn’t behind us.
An easy run south to Great Walsingham was followed by a harder more easterly route to Hindringham, Bale, Gunthorpe, Sharrington and Thornage before turning southwards through Hunworth, Edgefield Street to Corpusty. Where we dropped Duncan off before heading northwards visiting Mannington Hall, Squallham and Matlaske on the way back to PC.
Fortunately the hedges still in full leaf provided good shelter from a lot of the wind, which made the return journey a little easier.

PC to PC 53 miles with 2431ft/741m of climbing at a surprising 14.6mph average, it was a fast outward leg.
Duncan S, Ian A, Jane A and Mark M leading.
Next week’s ride (26th) is to the Rising Sun in Coltishall.

Four Wheelers and holiday guest rider Ian R met at PC on an ideal autumn morning. It was dry with a moderate southerly wind but chilly to start the ride (two riders still in shorts!) though the occasional appearance of the sun helped warm things up.
While we were waiting to start, Geoff P stopped for a chat, he was in good spirits and was off on a 50 mile ride with a break at the Banningham Crown.
Our outward leg took us down to Hanworth and then across to Gunton Station, Bradfield, Lyngate into North Walsham, White Horse Common, Briggate and Honing, where we were pleased to meet up with John S, who was joining us for a ride and lunch .
From Honing it was Dilham and then a different route via Anchor Street and small lanes to Neatishead, Ashmanhaugh and then Hoveton Hall café.

The café was fairly busy and we were pleased that we had booked a table indoors to enjoy our leisurely lunch. It proved to be a bit too leisurely for Andrew B who had an appointment to keep and he had to set off for home earlier than the rest of the group, don’t worry he had his lunch!

The five remaining riders made their way up to Worstead then to Honing Station, were we dropped off John as we continued north through Bacton wood, only for Duncan to have a loud and sudden rear puncture (Bontrager). The usual helpful advice was patiently ignored and before long we continued on our way on the familiar route to Knapton, Trunch and Southrepps, where Duncan turned off for Corpusty.
Just a couple of miles further on Graham A and guest Ian headed north for Cromer and Overstrand, while Mark M was the only one left to go back to PC via Felbrigg and Metton.

PC to PC 57 miles with a 14.3 mph average.
Andrew B, Graham A, Duncan S, John S, guest Ian R and Mark M leading
Next week’s ride (19th) is to Warham Three Horseshoes