Club Runs

Ride report by Andy S

Doug, Mark, Andy and new member Ray met at P.C. this Saturday morning. The weather was cloudy with a stiff southwesterly wind. The group set off heading westerly and into a head wind for most of the morning. The route took us through West Beckham and up to High Kelling where we were met by Ian, completing the group of five.

From here the route went down Bridge Road to Cley, over the Glandford ford, out of Glandford and up the Dragway. Just after the top of the Dragway , Ray was attacked by a wasp which stung him on the neck before proceeding to buzz down his top. Today there seemed to be a lot of bugs about with plenty of bees and wasps feasting on the ivy in the hedgerows. A good sign for the wildlife but a bit annoying for cyclists!

The route went through Saxlingham and Field Dalling. At this point , due to the exposed head wind, rather than going to Binham and back to Hindringham, the group detoured to Bale and onto Hindringham taking advantage of a sheltered route. Then onto Great Snoring, East Barsham, North Barsham and a loop round and back to Little Walsingham for lunch at Norton’s Cafe.

The Cafe turned out to be very quiet so lunch was served very quickly with a selection of toasties and jacket potatoes. At lunch Ian gave us a very interesting lecture on a recent trip on the Wells to Little Walsingham railway. Apparently the 4 mile route makes it the world’s longest 10.25” narrow gauge railway line. More importantly he found another cafe at the Well’s train station (that got the group’s attention).

With the group well fed and watered we made ready for the homeward leg once we had got our bearings right and started heading the correct way. Once out of Walsingham we headed back to Hindringham and Gunthorpe. At the Melton Road junction Andy headed off towards Melton Constable for an early shower. This left the remaining group proceeding towards Swanton Novers, Hindolveston, Corpusty, up the Edgefield Hill and on towards Baconsthorpe. Ray turned off for Hempstead and Holt, while Ian won the sprint up Bodham Hill before turning back to High Kelling and home. The remaining two, Mark and Doug, made their way back to Red Barn Lane before splitting for PC and Cromer respectively.

PC to PC was 58.9 miles at an average 14.9 mph (15.0 Out, 14.8 Back)
Riders: Mark M, Doug H, Ray T, Andy S, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 16th September – Hoveton Hall
Saturday 19th September – Chrysalis café, Sparhamhill
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Mark M

Holidays, sickness, the strong north westerly wind and a hilly route, resulted in just Andy and Mark meeting at PC. Ian would be out as well, meeting us for lunch.
We set off into the wind for High Kelling, Cley Newgate, some respite to Glandford, then to Langham and across a very windy airfield, finally turning south after 15 miles.
It was now an easier ride to Binham, across the A148 to Sharrington and down to Letheringsett, having crossed the ford at Little Thornage (we thought of you Richard). Then it was the hard and windy climb up Wall’s Lane to Bayfield Brecks, the descent to Glandford crossing the ford for the second time before making our way to Bayfield Hall and Natural Surroundings café.

Ian had arrived a few minutes earlier and had just received his cafetiere and large fruit scone. We soon had our cheese on toast, cake and tea ordered and then discussed whether Andy should be tapering before his upcoming France coast to coast trip or if the day would be good Mont Ventoux training, as he still had to get home, we decided on the latter.

After lunch, Ian continued at his own pace, though would keep overtaking us when we stopped on the way back. Setting off to Wiveton and then the Bridgefoot Lane climb as a warm up before dropping into Salthouse for the Bard Hill effort. After recovering from that, it was the Cley Road up to Holt and an easy couple of miles down to Hunworth before the ever popular Hunworth Hill to Edgefield. As Andy turned towards Corpusty and home, Ian appeared again, so we both made our way to Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and up Bodham Hill then each turning for home.

Our hilly route had 704m of climbing, today’s Vuelta stage classified as flat had 1084m and if that wasn’t enough to demoralise us, then Chris S, currently on a motoring trip to Italy, sent us video from the Gavia Pass in Italy of a guy riding it on a unicycle!

PC to PC was 48.3 miles at an average 14.5 mph (15.2 Out, 13.6 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Mark M, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 12th September – Norton’s, Walsingham
Wednesday 16th September – Hoveton Hall
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Doug H

On a bright but windy Saturday morning, Mark, Andy and guest Ray met at PC. With lots of holidays being taken, the party of three headed off south to pick up the final two wheelers for the day, Doug and Ian, from Gresham Church.
With the peloton complete and the conclusion of the discussion of whether it was really cold enough for arm warmers and gilets, they headed south with a very strong crosswind. This enabled Mark to set a hot pace, which continued all day, with minor comments and a few mutterings from the back.

We rushed through Bessingham, sprinting past Aldborough, to Alby, Suffield, Felmingham, through Swanton Abbott for the first time in the day, Worstead, on to Ashmanhaugh, via Belaugh Green, and on to the lunch stop at Red Lion Café in Coltishall.
This was extremely uneventful, and only had one minor ‘almost’ moment, where Doug did his best not to fall in a ditch.

Graham had made his way by train and bike to meet us all at the stop and was ready to talk us through his next great adventure: taking the ferry to Spain for two weeks of cycling. Quite the adventure, and one we would all love to do

Lunch was very pleasant, with the only highlight being that we almost considered helping a lady to fix her car, but quite rightly we sat and watched her jump-start it with what looked like a tiny battery. Amazing. None of us would have been of any help, but it is the thought that counts, so they say.

The conversation ranged from the global position of the missing Wheelers to, the highlights of the highlights of the ongoing cycling events on TV to the adventures ahead. As with Graham, Andy is off to ride from Saint-Malo to Nice in a couple of weeks, and again, we wish him well and that we would all like to go as well.


With lunch completed, we were off again, at a similar pace to our arrival. Mark was right on it today. With the crosswind now slightly becoming a headwind, we were off past RAF Coltishall, through Swanton Abbott for the second time, Tuttington, on to Banningham and Ingworth.
Near Itteringham, Andy headed home, with Ray shortly after heading back to Holt.
With the final three heading up Bodham Hill, Ian took the plaudits for a fine sprint to the line before turning for High Kelling.
Mark headed back to PC, while Doug, turning into a full tailwind, flew back to Cromer.

PC to PC was 52.8 miles at an average 15.6 mph (16.2 Out, 15.1 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Mark M, Ian A, Doug H, guest Ray T, Graham A

P.S. Vuelta d Espana daily highlights on Channel 5/5 Action at 7-8pm

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 9th September – Natural Surroundings, Bayfield
Saturday 12th September – Norton’s, Walsingham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Andy S

Four members met at P.C. this Wednesday morning: Mark, Chris, Andy and new member Les. The morning gave a dull but dry start with a threat of rain coming in with the south westerly wind at around 1.00pm. With the temperature around 18/19 degrees it was starting to have the feel of early autumn.

We headed off through the lanes to Baconsthorpe and Edgefield. On the lane down to Little Barningham Chris’s rear gear cable snapped leaving him with the chain stuck in the smallest gear. So Chris had to do the remainder of the ride stuck in a very high gear (good TT training Chris!!). Hats off to Chris, he did it.

The route went past Mannington Hall, Calthorpe, Ingworth and along Carr Lane, at the back of Blickling estate, where a lot of sand and gravel from the recent rains made the going tricky. Then up to the main Aylsham road and onto Oulton which took us to the Norwich road. After crossing this the last two miles to Cawston was into a stiff headwind giving us a good appetite for our lunch at All Things Nice.

Lunch was cups of tea all round with a selection of healthy fry ups in baps. The conversation was as varied as usual with pending trips to Italy and France, car museums at Caister and Les moving into his new house at Sheringham.

With lunch finished Chris was off as usual to finish his TT training on his fixed gear bike. The remaining three set off out of Cawston, over Brandiston Common , where we got a great view of Booton Church and its ornate towers. Onto Booton and Reepham which seemed to be invaded by roadworks and detours.

Just out of Reepham it started to rain so raincoats on. By the time we got to Guestwick the rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared (rain coats off). We went onto Briston before heading up the long drag to Edgefield. Once again Mark made a good pace up the hill, when he put his chain onto the big chain ring I knew he meant business and off he went. One day I will get there first!

Andy S left at this point to roll down to Corpusty leaving Mark and Les to make their way back through Plumstead, up the Barningham Rd to Mill Lane over to East Beckham and back to P.C.

PC to PC was 47.8 miles at an average 15.1 mph (15.5 Out, 14.7 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Mark M, Les B

P.S. Vuelta d Espana daily highlights on Channel 5 at 7-8pm, then Tour of Britain ( Sept 2nd to 6th) highlights on ITV4 at 8-9pm
Chris recommends a visit to: https://www.caistercastle.co.uk/motor-museum

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 5th September – Red Lion Café, Coltishall
Wednesday 9th September – Natural Surroundings, Bayfield
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Neil M

Three Wheelers and guest Ray met at PC on a dry, (fairly) warm August morning. Rain was forecast later on, so everyone had their rain jackets stashed for the inevitable soaking.

Neil and Ian were collected at Gresham church and then Doug at the junction of Hall Road at Metton Road. The Peloton complete, we continued to Hanworth where the first puncture of the autumn season struck Chris. The culprit was a large flint, as usual. This took a bit longer to fix than expected as the rear axle didn’t want to fit properly when trying to re-fit the wheel, but it cooperated eventually and we set off again with the sky looking increasingly threatening.

From Hanworth we continued on to Thorpe Market, past Gunton station, through Bradfield and into the outskirts of North Walsham where we encountered some very dodgy driving, but fortunately no accidents. We carried on through the backstreets to pop out at White Horse Common and then took the lanes through Crostwight and Lessingham. Just after Lessingham the second puncture of the day occurred to Andy this time. Yet another flint had struck. We were quite close to the cafe at that point so Mark volunteered to stay with Andy to help while the rest of us carried on to bag a table at the cafe.

The remaining group set off through (the other) Hempstead to pick up the back lane next to the dunes through to Sea Palling. A group of birdspotters with telescopes and long lenses were passed and Ian stopped to find out what they had sighted. The remaining four carried on down the very sandy lane and after a few alarming slides, popped out at Sea Palling. From there it was a short run down the coast road to Waxham and The Dunes Cafe, our lunch stop.

The cafe was very busy with bank holiday families, but we managed to bag a table just as Ian arrived. Mark and Andy appeared not long after and we settled down to enjoy the excellent food on offer. For such a popular Cafe, the Dunes is very reasonably priced which is a nice bonus.

Lunchtime conversation was mostly to do with Andy’s impending French end-to-end cycling holiday and Ray’s recent Alps cycling trip (Neil’s planned Alps trip in July 27 seems far away in comparison, there is a winter to get through first…).

Chris left early to get some faster miles in and the remaining six set off a little later feeling distinctly well-fed. The initial route was back to Sea Palling on the coast road and then inland to Ingham, East Ruston, Honing and then turning north to White Horse common and through North Walsham toward Antingham. We took the Antingham Hill road to the pedestrian railway crossing and headed to Suffield to take the Alby Common back road to cross the A140. At this point the promised rain finally arrived and we stopped to put our rain jackets on. Fortunately the rain was light and it wasn’t cold, so things didn’t turn too grim.

From the A140 crossing the route continued through Town Green past Aldborough where Neil and Andy left to head toward Little Barningham and home in Corpusty. Doug also left to head for Sustead, Metton and home to Cromer.

The remaining three carried on to take the back road round Barningham Winter and head toward Baconsthorpe where Ray split off to head to Hempstead and home in Holt. Ian and Mark carried on to Rectory Road where Ian split off for High Kelling and home. Mark continued on alone to West Beckham, PC and home in Sheringham.

The ride had a distinct “end of season” feel to it, but we didn’t get as soaked as predicted, so still an enjoyable day out.

PC to PC was 56.4 miles at an average 15.4 mph (16.2 Out, 14.9 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Mark M, Chris S, Ian A, Neil M, Doug H, guest Ray

Ed’s Note: Puncture Challenge/Spreadsheet of Shame – Well we almost made it through summer without a puncture, the last being May 23rd (Doug H), but the recent rain had washed plenty of flint into the road, which Chris S and Andy S both found today. Annoyingly for Ian A our current puncture leader (six), those were their first punctures of the year, so they won’t be catching him any time soon. For the record, Chris’s rear puncture took 18 mins and Andy’s front took 11 mins to fix.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 2nd September – All Things Nice, Cawston
Saturday 5th September – Red Lion Café, Coltishall
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Ian A

Four Wednesday regulars Andrew, Andy, Chris and Mark were joined by guest rider Darren at PC on a pleasantly warm day which was forecast to remain dry. Darren has a holiday home in Weybourne and was staying there with his young family. So for a change, he brought the average age of the group down!

The route was pretty much in an Easterly direction overall, and with the day’s Easterly breeze it was going to be a headwind pretty much all of the time on the outward leg. The route went via Gresham, Metton, across the A149 and down to Northrepps, then onto Southrepps, past the impressive church and waving to the goats, before continuing to Trunch, Knapton, Paston, past Bacton Gas Terminals and then the prettier lanes through Witton, Ridlington and north to Ostend, arriving at the Lighthouse Inn around 1145.

Ian had done his normal ‘Wednesday thing’ and rode the route solo at a slightly more moderate pace, arriving only seconds before. Chris didn’t stop but continued on for home as he had family staying and apparently needed to spend some time with them.

Food service didn’t start until midday, so we ordered teas/coffees and a pint for you know who while we waited for the kitchen to open. Conversation covered the normal broad range including best practice for euthanizing horses and other livestock, Andy’s mixed success last weekend at Newmarket races (and his random wasp sting today), Darren’s and Ian’s coincidental ‘roots’ in the North London/Enfield area, local “hilly” cycling options and Andrew’s lost door key…

Food options were a bit limited on the menu but we all opted for filled wraps in the end and they were all substantial and tasty so all was good. We declared there to be time for another quick round of drinks for four of us which Andrew kindly stumped up for. We left in good spirits anticipating the tailwind home. (But why is it never as good as you hope for? I found the homeward leg harder despite the tailwind although admittedly at a much quicker average speed.)

The return leg took us along the edge of Bacton Wood, White Horse Common, skirting the eastern edge of North Walsham and on to Bradfield, past the Suffield Arms at Gunton, crossing the A149 again at Thorpe Market and on to Hanworth, Bessingham and towards Baconsthorpe before the drag up to the radio mast at Bodham Hill. Andrew once again felt the urge to ‘go for it’ and got to the top pretty much uncontested with Mark and Ian fairly close behind and muttering “could of ‘ad ‘im if I’d wanted to” but we all know dear reader, that actions speak much louder than blah blah blah.
At the bottom of New Road, Andrew and Mark turned right for PC, while Ian and Darren went to Lower Bodham where Darren turned right for Bodham and then the descent to Weybourne leaving Ian to continue on for High Kelling. A nice route with dry roads, albeit sandy in places and no rain.

PC to PC was 47.9 miles at an average 15.7 mph (15.7 Out, 15.7 Back)
Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, guest Darren W

P.S. Vuelta d Espana daily highlights on Channel 5 at 7pm

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 29th August – Waxham barn
Wednesday 2nd Sept – TBA
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Doug H

On a somewhat windy, slightly cold but dry Saturday morning, Mark, Chris and Doug were joined by newbie Les, who had recently moved to Sheringham. We set off from PC and headed towards Bodham with a very strong sidewind, but with the high-sided roads we were relatively well protected.
We picked up both Neil and Ian heading into Holt and continued on to Glandford, Saxlingham, and through Binham, where we collected the final Wheeler of the day, Andrew. We continued on to Wighton, New Holkham, Burnham Market and then on to our lunch break at Creake Abbey Courtyard.
It was quite busy and, with the weather improving, we sat outside. We decided to open the umbrella more as a social enhancement than to protect us from the sun. After what seemed like a long old time, and several suggestions on how to do it, we finally worked out the mechanism, with the intervention of the staff, who could clearly see a bunch of men becoming increasingly likely to use too much force and break their furniture.

Once we had all settled down, the usual conversations ebbed and flowed, mainly focusing on Andrew’s food being very late and the fact that this appeared to be a common occurrence. We then shared a very nice cake which, as a sign of the times, was “a bit pricey”. And with that, Chris was off to ensure he would get back in time to finish off a project or two.

With lunch finished, we were off again, heading back towards Great Walsingham, with a bit more sunshine and still the strong crosswind. Through Hindringham, Bale, Sharrington and Hunworth, we then arrived at the Hunworth Hill climb.
It is true to say that a small conversation had taken place suggesting that, as this had been quite the day of climbing, the legs of all of us — and for Les, even more so — were probably not in the right place for the normal race. This, however, may have been said and acknowledged, but, as had happened at lunch with the umbrella, our intentions aren’t always sensible.
So, with a burst of energy, Andrew was off, followed by Ian and Neil. Andrew held them off and won the climb, with the rest of us slowly joining them at the top.

With that, Neil headed home and the peloton headed back towards Baconsthorpe. Soon after, Ian and Andrew headed back towards Holt and, as ever, there was more adventure. Assisting a fellow cyclist with a back wheel and helping a family with their own misadventure. Well done to both of you, and thank goodness Andrew didn’t fall off!

The final three headed back, with Doug heading off to Gresham’s and on to Cromer, while Mark supported Les and his increasingly empty legs back to PC.
We are hopeful Les will be back on Wednesdays!
It was a great day, but probably the hilliest of rides to start your adventure with the Wheelers. Wednesday will be easier Les!

PC to PC was 57.8 miles at an average 14.6 mph (15.3 Out, 13.8 Back)
Riders: Doug H, Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M, Andrew B, guest Les B

P.S. Vuelta d Espana daily highlights on Channel 5 at 7pm

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 26th August – The Lighthouse, Walcott
Saturday 29th August – Waxham Barn
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Andy S

Back to our normal start time of 10.00am three members met at P.C. (Mark, Chris and Andy) with a new guest (Stuart D) turning up to give us a try. The weather was a warm 20C with no reports of rain and only a few clouds about.

The group of four set off and within half a mile we received a shower of rain ( a rare thing of late) but it went as quick as it came. The rest of the day stayed warm and dry.

We headed off through West Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Holt, Hunworth and Melton Constable all into a slight westerly wind but with Mark at the front we made good progress. Up to Hindolveston and out the other side to the crossroads with the B1110 (Guist Rd) where we met Jim H and his friend just returning from a 40 mile loop. A quick catch up was had and then back on the road again up to Fulmodeston . Turning left to Stibbard, Great Ryburgh and through some lovely lanes coming out at Brisley. Then a right turn and a quick sprint down the main road to Stanfield Dairy for our lunch stop. Ian had just arrived after doing his own Wednesday thing checking the route out before the main group pass through.

As usual our lunch was an excellent selection of sandwiches, salad , crisps and plenty of tea and coffee. The chatter was a mixture of things from getting to know Stuart, Chris and his time trialling and Ian going all hip and happening by getting Spotify and a Bluetooth speaker.

With the food and drink finished Chris was getting a bit twitchy so he decided he needed to get off to do his TT training. The remaining four set off back to Brisley then cross country to Broom Green along the Guist Rd turning right onto Mill Rd. There was the compulsory stop at Bintree Mill, sitting on the bridge for our photos.

Then off again through Bintree, Foulsham and Briston. At this point Ian dropped back leaving three of us to go up the long drag to the Edgefield crossroads. Mark made good progress up the hill and being in good form today just got faster and faster leaving us behind.

Andy S turned off to Corpusty leaving the remaining group to make their way back to P.C. via Edgefield, Baconsthorpe and East Beckham.

Ian completed more pages of his Eye Spy Nature book with his wildlife encounters today including a spooked herd of red deer, a buzzard at head height flying down the road soon afterwards and a weasel crossing the road near Briston!

PC to PC was 50 miles at an average 15.7 mph (15.9 Out, 15.4 Back)
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andy S, Ian A, guest Stuart D and Jim H and friend out on the road.

P.S. Women’s Tour of Britain started today, highlights tonight on ITV4 with Ned Boulting at 8pm.
2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women (19-23 August) and Men (2-6 September) via free-to-air coverage on ITV4 and ITVX.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 22nd August – North Creake Abbey
Wednesday 26th August – Lighthouse, Walcott
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Clive A

After the very hot weather of the Wednesday ride, it was a pleasant change to get back to more normalised summer temperatures for the 65 mile route to Little Plumstead. It was then under clouded skies and a cool breeze that four riders started from PC, namely Mark, Doug, Chris and Ian. They collected Clive at Baconsthorpe Church crossroads before plunging south via Plumstead and Itteringham to wiggle through Aylsham. It was here that Clive mused that Little Plumstead was at least 25 miles away!

There had been a few minor examples of extinguished blackened grass and bracken fires en route, with a reminder that a heath fire had also been extinguished near Holt Garden centre on Kelling Heath.

The Bure river level looked “normal” as Oxnead came and went as did Buxton. Curiously named Stratton Strawless (due to its poor quality soil characteristics perhaps) took the five to Spixworth at the northern edge of Norwich. In and around new and old Rackheath finds us at last after 31 miles, creeping into Little Plumstead and our early lunch stop at the The Walled Garden cafe. We were greeted by the smell of cut lavender as a garden tidy-up was underway.

We grabbed a table for six outside then queued to place our orders. The food came quite quickly if not somewhat sporadically, and was the usual mixture of sausage rolls, beans on toast and a selection of cakes.

Just as we decide to leave, Malcolm arrives unaware of the 0900 start of today’s ride. We leave him to start our 34 miles back to PC. Chris has of course, already ridden off to go home solo as per usual to do something important.

Invitingly, we head towards Woodbastwick, but there was no slowing at the Woodforde’s Fur and Feathers pub for a swift half of Wherry today. We head back towards Spixworth before passing through Frettenham, Badersfield, Skeyton, then sliding round Felmingham and Banningham in the early afternoon sunshine. North of Calthorpe, Doug splits for a run back to Cromer. So the remaining trio head towards Baconsthorpe where Clive splits for Holt and Blakeney as Mark and Ian climb back to PC.

The only incident of the day featured a very stupid car driver passing us on a very narrow lane at some speed. However Doug had his GoPro primed today and was intending to upload it somewhere. The thoughtless driver saved a few seconds; it could have cost us a lot more!

So a great day out enjoying the N Norfolk countryside hoping that the weather will turn soon to refresh the countryside and our garden lawns.

PC to PC was 64.6 miles at an average 15.0 mph (15.8 Out, 14.4 Back)
Riders: Doug H, Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Clive A, Malcolm S at lunch

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 19th August – Old Dairy, Stanfield
Saturday 22nd August – North Creake Abbey
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Ride report by Chris S

As the UK entered its fifth heatwave of the summer Chris, Mark and Duncan met at PC. It was good to see Duncan again who had not been out on a club ride for a while due to family commitments. Temperatures were forecast to rise to around 27 degrees C by midday with a moderate south easterly wind. Also the day was notable for the partial eclipse of the sun due around 7pm. The next eclipse will not be until 2081 – a sobering thought as none of us current club members will be around to see it!

The three wheelers passed through Bodham and on to High Kelling with the pace then picking up down the hill to Wiveton where the group was then joined by Clive. The route then continued to the ford at Glandford before climbing again up to Saxlingham and Binham.

After 20 miles the peloton arrived at O’Brennan’s. Ian had already arrived and bagged one of the few outside tables. Although the service was slow the food was excellent especially the cakes! Chris broke his no cake rule and indulged himself with a slice of the chocolate cake. As usual the conversation took in a number of subjects ranging from the medieval village remains of Godwick to the miracles of modern keyhole surgery.

After lunch the five wheelers remounted their steeds. Although Ian had decided to ride at his own pace he continued to pass and repass the peloton each time it slowed or stopped and was last seen at Hempstead after which he stopped to admire the fish in Selbrigg pond where in his words he also “spotted a peregrine and a charming girl with her diary”.

The return route took the riders via the three Barshams – North, West and East (sadly there is no South Barsham). After East Barsham the ride continued into the wind to Great Snoring, Hindringham and Sharrington where Clive turned off to return to Blakeney. This left Chris, Mark and Duncan (and Ian) to continue up the Hunworth Road hill – always good to stretch the legs and a relief when the top is reached. Duncan made an early break and reached the top of the hill first closely followed by Chris.

At Hempstead Duncan turned off towards Holt leaving Chris and Mark to continue back to PC via Selbrigg Pond and Lower Bodham.

Total Distance: 46.7 miles
Average Speed: 15.2mph (16.1 Out, 14.5 Back)

Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Duncan S, Clive A & Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th August – Walled Garden, Little Plumstead
Wednesday 19th August – Old Dairy, Stanfield
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/