After our second consecutive club ride was cancelled due to the icy conditions, Ian (or probably his wife, seeking some peace) suggested we meet up for breakfast. To be fair, our rides are really just an excuse to get to a café and eat! So, instead of meeting at PC, four Wheelers met at the Streat Boss café in Sheringham for an excellent breakfast and the usual chat and nonsense. Today’s topics included Inheritance Tax, M&S pigs and rats in alternators.
A cancelled ride won’t stop Wheelers from getting to the cafe. L-R Mark M, Andy S, Andrew B, Ian A. Streat Boss, Sheringham 7th Jan 2026
Hopefully we will be back on bikes on Saturday, though that will probably depend on the effects of Storm Goretti.
A bright sunny morning greeted Andrew, Mark and guest Joe at PC. Surprised that a couple more regulars were missing, it transpired that Andy heading to PC from Corpusty had encountered a lot of black ice and had sent out a warning email and headed home. Chris and Ian had seen the email prior to leaving home and decided to stay indoors. The PC trio, bathed in sun and unable to see any ice, continued on regardless and collected Doug and Clive at Gresham Church.
Heading from Bessingham towards Matlaske, we saw the first ice on a few puddles and then past Wickmere, the road was in the shade and had the wind blowing straight down it and that had a lot of frost and ice along the edges. From Itteringham we stayed on the larger road instead of looping around via the common, then went to Oulton and into Heydon Park, which was open again (thanks Graham for the heads up).
Blue sky, sunshine, ignore the thermals and it could be summer! L-R Clive A, guest Joe, Doug H, Mark M, camera Andrew B. Heydon, 31st Dec 2025
Stopping in the quiet Heydon village to admire the view and get a photo, we noted that the Earle Arms has temporarily closed until April as the prior landlord of 26 years has decided to move on.
Heydon Village in the winter sun. L-R Andrew B, Mark M, Clive A, guest Joe, Doug H. 31st Dec 2025
It was a short run through Salle, into Reepham and the market place to find the Dial House open and busy, also very warm which was most welcome. Filled rolls, sausage rolls, custard tarts and good coffee were enjoyed by all, though Doug had to settle for the pre-packaged gluten free quiche and a banana to go with his coffee.
The downside of a warm café is that it feels even colder than before, when you leave, plus we headed into the cold wind along Kerdiston Road towards Guestwick. As we turned for Wood Dalling the wind was behind us, unfortunately it had also stopped the road from thawing and we had a long section that was iced over the whole road width. With a bit of care we all got through without any drama, though we decided to divert along Blackwater Lane to Briston and up to Edgefield instead of heading to Little London and Andy’s icy lanes, to Edgefield.
Unfortunately, somewhere around Corpusty Road/Blackwater Lane we lost Joe. When we realised he was missing we headed back and Clive went back to the Corpusty Road junction, but nothing. We assume he followed the planned route to Little London and somehow missed our diversion, sorry Joe!
Anyway, the rest of us stayed on the better road to Briston and up to Edgefield, where Clive turned for Hunworth and Blakeney, leaving us to continue on the regular route to Baconsthorpe, Red Barn Lane (Doug heading for Cromer) and PC.
PC to PC was 37.5 miles at an average 14.2mph Riders: Andrew B, Mark M, Doug H, Clive A and guest Joe.
Three members (Mark, Chris and Doug) met at P.C. on the post Christmas Saturday ride. The weather being dull with a north easterly wind making it feel cold and fresh.
The group left for Holkham Hall heading towards Baconsthorpe, picking up Ian at the Rectory Rd junction and onto Edgefield where Andy met the group. Now a group of five, the route took them through Stody, Sharrington, across the main Holt Rd onto Binham and Wighton. Heading towards Holkham along the lanes we encountered a flock of geese (pink footed I think) grazing on a lifted sugar beet field. It was an impressive site as they took to the sky in vast numbers. Shortly after going over the Wells Rd we turned right, through the heavy hand gate into Holkham Hall grounds.
Holkham Hall with lights and giant bows, 27-Dec-2025. Photo Ian A.
Holkham Hall Cafe was busy with people enjoying the Holkham grounds, no doubt walking off their Christmas dinners. Sausage/bacon baps and soup seemed to be the order of the day with hot coffee and tea. The conversation had a range of Christmas stories today ranging from Rev Ian spending more time in church this holiday than round the dinner table, to the amount of deer getting around the Norfolk countryside with muntjac being everywhere. Chris and Mark had a close encounter last week with a herd of red deer crossing the road near Bacton.
The journey home took us through Wells, with a photo shoot on Wells Quay by the Christmas tree. Hopefully the Christmas tree looks better in the dark.
Wells quayside with (sadly unlit!) Xmas tree, 27-Dec-2025. L-R: Andy S, Mark M, Chris S, Doug H. Ian A camera.
Leaving Wells we went onto Warham, Binham, Langham and Wiveton. From here we started up the long drag up towards High Kelling, with Mark leading the peloton, the rest of us sitting behind like pent up springs. Just past the Cley junction Ian, Chris and Doug made their move for the top with Ian taking first position. I had a job to see as I was going backwards and they were a long way away. Well done Ian, two weeks on the trot for King of the Mountains.
At High Kelling Ian dropped off for home, with Andy turning off through Hempstead towards home. The remaining three continued to Red Barn Lane, with Doug heading for Cromer and the remaining duo returning to PC.
A good ride out today being a good blow out after our Christmas excesses. Apart from the geese taking off and Ian winning the K.O.M. the main event was the not having any PUNCTURES !!
PC to PC was 46.7 miles at an average 14.7mph Riders: Chris S, Doug H, Mark M, Ian A, Andy S
The day started out cold with low visibility due to mist. However, by about 11am the sun started to break through resulting in a rise in the temperature. Mark, Chris, Doug, Andrew and Andy gathered at PC for the start of the ride. Doug much to his dismay discovered that he had a rear puncture. Luckily it was quickly resolved as he had had tubeless self-sealing tyres. However perhaps this was an ill omen as the ride turned out to be punctuated by punctures!
Doug’s tyre whispering wasn’t a great success. Andrew B is unconvinced. PC 20th Dec 2025Surprisingly, there was enough sealant left to seal the hole in Doug’s rear tyre. PC 20th Dec 2025
At the junction of Red Barn Lane and Mill Road Ian joined the ride. However, as the first five miles of the ride were completed the puncture demon made his presence felt with both Chris and Andy puncturing simultaneously resulting in a pit stop to repair rear punctures by the roadside.
First two of several punctures in the cold and mist, Club ride 20-Dec-2025. L-R: Doug S, Andrew B, Mark M, Chris S, Andy S. Ian A camera.
Meanwhile Neil was waiting patiently at Itteringham for the peloton to arrive. Having waited for 15 minutes he concluded that maybe the peloton had been slightly earlier than expected and therefore decided to continue hoping to catch up.
As the ride continued to Aylsham the puncture demon struck again. This time it was Doug who experienced his second puncture of the day, this time in the front tyre, which didn’t self-seal. After two attempts at plugging the tyre and much noise from the electric pump, the group were on their way again.
Doug’s front tyre now ejects its sealant. Offering encouragement L-R, Chris S, Doug H, Mark M, Ian A. Camera Andrew B 20-12-2025
Already well delayed with Neil miles ahead the main group arrived at the railway crossing just south of North Walsham. Having crossed the railway line Chris then realised that his rear tyre was losing air. With Mark to the rescue the tyre was pumped up hoping that it would last until Bacton. Unfortunately it was not to be. Just before Witton Chris started to lose pace as the tyre deflated again. It was decided that the main peloton would continue to Bacton whilst Chris and Mark fixed the puncture. The cause turned out to be a small flint embedded in the tyre.
With some five miles to go Mark and Chris set off again only to almost be wiped out by a herd of some 50 odd deer flying through the hedge and across the road immediately in front of them without any warning. Not a pleasant experience!
On arrival at Watsons café, Neil and the main peloton were already sitting down having ordered drinks and food. The majority tucked into Watson’s all day breakfast. As it was Andrew’s birthday on the previous day he kindly bought a round of cakes for everyone.
They tasted as good as they looked and Andrew B was buying! Watsons, Bacton 20th Dec 2025 Camera Andrew B.
Unsurprisingly the main topic of conversation was punctures and who topped the league table for the year. According to Mark, Andy held the record for the most punctures during the year with Mark experiencing none despite using the same tyres!
The return ride was far less eventful passing through Paston, Trunch and alongside Gunton Park (home to more deer). At Aldborough, Andy and Neil turned left to head back to Corpusty whilst Doug turned right towards Sustead and subsequently Cromer. The rest of the group headed straight on dropping Ian off at the junction of Mill Road and Rectory Road. This left Mark, Andrew and Chris to return to PC.
A Happy Christmas and New Year to all.
Total Distance 46.9 miles Average Speed 14.5 mph Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Andy S, Doug H, Andrew B, Neil M, Andrew B. Punctures: 4
Four riders met at PC on a very cold but dry winters morning for a ride to Blickling. Duncan was sporty his new Trek Gravel bike with its all black livery. The planned route took us through East Beckham, Lower Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Alby Hill, Alby, Erpingham, Colby, Felmingham, Tuttington, Aylsham and onto Blickling. Chris set a good pace on the front and we soon caught up with Ian who was making his own way (and pace) to Blickling. However, after a pee stop he caught us up again! We were also slowed by two horses.
On arrival at the cafe we all selected our choices for lunch, with soup being the front runner. The food was good and served quickly by the friendly staff. However, being a former stable block it was a little cold
A festive Stables Café Blickling Hall, 17-Dec-2025. L-R: Duncan S, Andy S, Andrew B, Chris S. Photo Ian A.
Thanks to the high pace and relatively short distance we left the cafe not long after midday. As Ian remarked we sometimes don’t arrive at the lunch stop until this time.
The planned route back took us through Silvergate, Oulton, Corputsy, Ramsgate Street, Hempstead, Sellbrig, Bodham and West Beckham. Unfortunately, about half way back Duncan succumbed to the dreaded new bike syndrome with a rear puncture. In Mark’s absence it was left to Andrew and Chris to assist with the repair. Ian departed at this point with Duncan’s blessing.
New bike and first puncture for Duncan S. Edgefield Road 17th Dec 2025
Chris again set a fast pace with Duncan and Andrew trying to hang on. Duncan left us for home at Hempstead leaving Andrew trying (and failing!) to keep up with Chris.
Overall, a good ride despite the cold weather and the muddy conditions.
PC to PC 42.3 miles Average speed 15 mph Total Elevation 1670 ft
Riders: Chris S, Duncan S, Andy S, Ian A, Andrew B.
Five Wheelers met at PC on a chilly, dry, but sunny December morning. At last the pattern of nice Fridays, but horrible wet Saturdays had been broken after a month of gloom.
We set off toward Baconsthorpe, picking Ian up at the Rectory Road/New Road junction and carrying on through Baconsthorpe, Plumstead and Edgefield to descend through Edgefield Street and across the Melton road to Town Close where we met Andy at the bottom of Heath Road. From here we made our way to Thurning and via the Hindolveston road to Guestwick.
The road from Guestwick to Foulsham was the setting for the first puncture of the day with Andy the unfortunate victim. The culprit proved to be a sizeable flint, but with the assistance of Mark and his proper pump, the deflation was quickly sorted.
Puncture #1 Foulsham L-R Mark M, Andy S 13th Dec 2025
Fortunately, there were no further issues as the ride continued through Foulsham to Themelthorpe and the Junction 21 Cafe on Marriot’s way, our lunch stop. Graham was there to meet us and it was nice to see him out and looking fit.
Lunch was quickly ordered, most opting for something fairly light – plus the inevitable cake. Mark bucked the trend by going Full English which looked very tasty. As part of the usual wide-ranging chat Andrew produced the snapped-off tip of his tyre lever, which Mark broke in the process of assisting with the repair of Andrew’s puncture some weeks before and had remained inside the tyre and caused a further puncture a week later. This very unusual occurrence triggered a debate as to who’s yearly total the second puncture should be added – Andrew’s or Mark’s? I think this one will run and run…
Tyre lever end that remained inside the tyre causing Andrew B a puncture on the next ride.
Given the nice weather, we left the cafe with less reluctance than usual and bid farewell to Graham who was making his own way back to Cromer. From Themelthorpe we proceeded through the lanes via Jordan Lane, Nowhere Lane and Blackwater Lane to Great Witchingham, Little Witchingham and a brief section on the Reepham Road before turning off toward Brandiston.
From Brandiston we carried on through Cawston toward Oulton where the second puncture of the day arrived. Again, Andy was the unhappy victim, but this time he insisted that we leave him to it as he was close to home and had all the equipment to fix it. Since the conditions were good and he had things well in hand, we said our goodbyes and then carried on to Oulton and Itteringham where Neil turned off to Mannington Hall and back home to Corpusty.
With this much luck, Andy S should buy a lotto ticket! Puncture #2 Cawston, 13th Dec 2025
The remaining group carried on through Wickmere and Bessingham to Gresham where Ian and Doug left for home in High Kelling and Cromer respectively. The remaining three carried on through East Beckham back to PC and Home.
A very pleasant winter day’s ride only slightly marred by very muddy roads and punctures.
Editor’s note – Determined to take the Puncture Challenge lead, Andy’s removal of his tyre liners, ensured his double rear punctures pushed him to the top of the leaderboard. With just a few rides left, will he hold on until the year end?
Riders: Andrew B, Mark M, Chris S, Doug H, Ian A, Andy S, Neil Mc and Graham A at cafe. Distance: 44.6 miles Average: 14.6 mph
After all the recent wet rides, it was a joy to see clear blue skies and sunshine as four Wheelers met at PC. We even tried to ignore the strong south westerly wind, though it would remain constant throughout the day. Ian joined us in West Beckham for a change in order to get a few more miles in before lunch as he was under strict instructions to get home early as the shops of Cambridge were calling. Then it was Bodham, Hempstead and Pond Hills to Edgefield. Dropping down to Hunworth, the second Glaven ford was underwater for the first time for a long while, so we expected the flood at the ford on the way to Thornage, not too deep though some opted for the dry bridge route. On to Sharrington, across a quiet A148 to Field Dalling. Finally the wind was behind us as we made good progress to Saxlingham, Wiveton and into Cley, along Church Lane to Newgate. After the steady climb from Newgate, there was a burst of activity as we neared the summit of Bridgefoot lane, with Mark, Andrew and Ian in a line across the road, with Ian finally taking the honours. Chris was claiming that he would have won but couldn’t find a way through!
At the busy café we found Graham had claimed a table for all of us, and we all enjoyed hot soup, loads of doorstop bread and plenty of tea, Ian had tea and cake and was gone again. We discussed the local hot topic of Sheringham bus shelter and how far across the country you could get with a bus pass. Eventually we paid our modest bills and ventured outside, with Graham heading back to Cromer and for Andrew to find a soft rear tyre. We pumped it up and hoped for the best as we headed into the wind to Holt and onwards to Hunworth.
Hunworth Puncture, L-R Andrew B, Mark M, Andy S camera. 10th Dec 2025
Here we had to change the tube after finding a long cut in the rear Conti GP5000AS, which had nicked the side of the tube. Andrew had unwittingly resolved a triple tie in the puncture challenge as Andrew, Ian and Andy each had 3 punctures, so now Andrew leads with only 4 or 5 rides left this year. Needless to say, Chris didn’t hang around and was off to get some faster miles in!
On our way again, to Stody, Briston and a wind assisted ride to Edgefield, where Andy turned for home, leaving two to visit Plumstead, Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and back to PC and the sun was still shining.
PC to PC was 44.1 miles at an average 14.2 mph Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, Graham A
There was a moment in all of the Wheelers’ minds, as they set out from their respective homes to the start of today’s ride, when they wondered: Will this happen? Followed by, Just how wet am I going to be at the start? And, Darn it, it will be dry for the rest of the day, so there’s no excuse not to go. So, as the first four riders arrived at Pretty Corner—Mark, Chris, Andy, and Doug—all were slightly damp but hopeful the rest of the day would be dry.
They set off into a headwind towards East Beckham and on to Gresham, picking up an equally damp Ian, following the road south through Bessingham and through Aldborough. At the Spread Eagle in Erpingham we picked up Neil, who had timed leaving his house to perfection, arriving completely dry. With the full peloton, we then headed towards Banningham, Felmingham, Tuttington, Westwick, on to Tunstead, and then to the lunch stop at the Rising Sun in Coltishall. Despite the headwind, the flooded roads, and the large amount of detritus, the ride went well, and the lunch stop arrived faster than expected.
Lunch was great, with the addition of a festive twist to the loaded fries that involved a deep-fried Brussels sprout. The food was good, but the discussion of the life cycle of the ferret and polecat was the pick of the day, with a reference to Nora Batty from Last of the Summer Wine coming a close second.
Happy to be warm and dry! L-R, Doug H, Mark M, Chris S, Neil M, Andy S, Ian A. Rising Sun, Coltishall 6th Dec 2025
With lunch petering out, Chris was away early, with the prospect of the Thursday chain-gang and keeping up at the front in his head, and he was off. The five remaining Wheelers took a more leisurely approach to the journey home. With a bit of sun and a tailwind, it was a lovely return. We travelled through Buxton and Burgh, and with a diversion to avoid a closed road at Aylsham, we travelled north to Blickling, then through Erpingham again, where we said goodbye to Neil and Andy. We continued north through Aldborough, and shortly after, Doug headed back to Cromer via Hanworth, with Ian and Mark heading back to Pretty Corner.
Overall, a lovely day of cycling, and we were all glad we braved the rain to get to the start!
PC to PC was 45.6 miles at an average 14.3mph Riders: Chris S, Andy S, Mark M, Doug H, Ian A, Neil M
No pre-ride emails, just all braced for a cold but sunny day out. Unfortunately the sun wasn’t coming out to play just yet due to a mist that persisted for most of the morning when five wheelers met at PC. The mist certainly kept the lid on the temperature too. It also meant that the roads were wet and muddy in places. But at least the wind was light. The new Kalas club kit had been delivered earlier in the week and Chris was wearing his new “40th Anniversary Edition” NNW Bib Tights. He’d bought them with room for expansion as they are a tad flappy. But with his current training programme of an intensive spin class Tuesday evenings, club rides Wednesdays/Saturdays and fast ‘chain gang’ ride Thursdays, who knows how big his legs might get! Once Andy had finished talking to the tractor driving hedge cutter fella (coincidentally his tenant at his ‘other’ house) it transpired that we’d do best to deviate from the planned route via East Beckham due to extensive hedge cutting yesterday which would make it ‘puncture alley’ for sure. So we took the slightly longer route via the top of Red Barn Lane and down the hill to pick up Clive at Gresham Church. The route then took us via Sustead, Hanworth, Aldborough and down to Erpingham where soon after we crossed the main Cromer Road and on to Colby. At Aldborough we had bumped into Brian P, Neil S and Phil S, who we haven’t crossed paths with for ages so it was good to catch up. They were out for an off-road ride. We continued past the Banningham Crown and then skirted Aylsham before arriving at the cafe around 11:40am. All things certainly were VERY nice. As a further bonus, Graham A was already there having made his own way from Cromer. The other good news was that they were still serving breakfasts so we all ordered breakfast baps, some filled and some open with more toppings. Chris had the soup. While we were there, Neil and Phil turned up having done 22 miles off-road to get there, which was a good effort given the conditions. (Brian had diverted off to his Spanish conversation group.) So nine Wheelers in all which I think is the most at a cafe stop for some considerable time. After lunch we said farewell to Neil & Phil who were still eating. Graham hung around to admire the view a bit longer as the Christmas decorations were up. Just south of Cawston we turned west for Reepham and soon after were on a mainly northwards trajectory which meant we had the light southerly wind behind us most of the way back. which increased our average speed – but it always seems harder work after lunch! Shortly before Reepham Andrew detected a slow rear puncture. Mark donated a bit of air and that held it up for a while, but Andrew had to admit defeat when we got to Wood Dalling so we stopped so he (well Mark actually) could fix it with a new tube. As usual Chris had ‘things to get back for’ and Andy was fairly close to home by this point so we excused them both, leaving Ian and Clive to lend moral support to Andrew & Mark.
Puncture repair stop, Wood Dalling, club ride 03-Dec-2025. L-R: Andrew B, Mark M. Photo Ian A.
Repair done, we headed on to Edgefield via the climb up Ramsgate Street and crossed the Holt Road where soon after Clive diverted back to Blakeney via Pond Hills Road and Hempstead/Holt. A little further on, Andrew stopped again. This time to take a phone call (but probably to save any embarrassment if there was a race up to the mast at Bodham Hill…) But Mark and Ian chose not to race it. At Hill Farm Ian turned left to return to High Kelling leaving Mark to ride solo back to PC. A nice ride in the end with a very pleasant stop and the sun coming out shortly before lunch and staying out for the rest of the day.
PC to PC was 42 miles at an average of 14.1 mph Riders: Andrew B, Andy S, Chris S, Clive A, Ian A, Mark M, with Graham A, Neil S and Phil S, joining us for lunch.
After some pre-ride email discussion of the dodgy weather, five stoic wheelers turned up at PC in their wet-weather gear and winter bikes. Although it was raining lightly, it wasn’t too cold, so everyone was up for the day’s “enjoyment”.
We set out via West Beckham and Bodham to collect Ian at High Kelling. The A148 was busy, a theme that continued whenever we had to cross it. Surely a bit early for Xmas shopping?
From Kelling the route continued round the back of Holt and down to Wiveton, across the ford to Glandford and back up to Saxlingham, Field Dalling and Bale. The next quandary was whether to take the back road from Bale to Hindringham and risk it being blocked by the usual winter flood right at the Hindringham end. Ian gave the casting vote and we diverted via a very short detour onto the busy A148 to take a little lane down to Thursford. (Ian was at an event in Hindringham that evening and has reported that the Bale lane isn’t actually flooded, so we can use it in future)
Onward past the Thursford Xmas Spectacular, the route continued past the Little Snoring airfield, through Little Snoring and across the A148 down to the A1067 where it was the final uphill drag to Pensthorpe and our cafe stop.
The damp peloton were certainly happy to see the Pensthorpe cafe which had been recently refurbished. The cafe was busy with families, but a large table was soon found for the Wheelers. The food was hot, tasty and was served quickly which is an advantage of these large cafes. It was especially appreciated after such a character-building ride.
All too soon it was time to set out again, but the rain was lighter and the wind was mostly at our backs for the return route, so it didn’t feel quite as grim. After the usual short A1067 stretch we turned toward Kettlestone. The road through the village was closed to vehicles, but we managed to slip past the closure and take the long straight Croxton road through Fulmodeston, Hindolveston and through the lanes to Thurning. From Thurning we took the Blackwater Lane and Heath Road route to Little London where Neil and Andy left the group for their homes in Corpusty and Town Close.
The remaining group headed up the Edgefield Street road to Edgefield and Hempstead where Ian split off for High Kelling and home. The final three carried on through Baconsthorpe to the top of Red Barn Lane where Doug headed to Gresham toward Cromer and home. Mark and Chris carried on to PC to complete the ride.
Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Andy S, Doug H, Ian A and Neil M. Distance: PC to PC 47.9 miles Average Speed: 14.2mph
North Norfolk Wheelers 