Club Runs

Ride report by Chris S
Two wheelers, Chris and Mark set off from PC. The weather was dry but the temperature was beginning to fall after the relatively mild spell and although the headline temperature was 10 degrees C it was forecast to feel like 8 degrees with rain predicted from 2pm and a slight to moderate WSW wind.

At the end of Red Barn Lane Andrew joined the ride and the trio continued onwards into the wind to North Barningham, collecting Neil in Corpusty, and then onto Brandiston, Swannington and the Chrysalis café at Sparham Hill. Having arrived at 11.37am the group found that Ian was already there, despite stopping at Great Witchingham for photos.

On entering the café Mark announced that it was his 63rd birthday on the previous day and offered to buy everyone cakes (thank you Mark). By the way an interesting coincidence was that Doug H and Andrew S also shared the same birthday date so a happy belated happy birthday to all three – luckily, they were not out riding, or it could have been a triple cake fest!

Having had a pleasant lunch with cakes the wheelers including Ian then started the return journey which went via Lyng (uphill alongside the motocross track), Weston Longville and the old bridge at Attlebridge where a quick stop was had for photos and for Mark to reminisce about childhood memories.

Then it was uphill onto to Swannington, Cawston, Blickling, Ingworth, Calthorpe and Wickmere. Here a decision was taken to divert from the published route to make the return more convenient for some of the group. Thus the route passed through Matlaske, (where Neil turned off towards Corpusty and a 20 minute spell of quite heavy rain was experienced), and then up towards Lower Bodham. At the junction of New Road and Rectory Road Andrew and Ian turned towards High Kelling. Chris and Mark turned right then shortly after parted company with Chris heading home by way of Upper Sheringham and Mark returning to PC via Gresham.

PC to PC was 51.3 miles at an average 15.3 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Neil M and Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 20th November – Heydon Tearoom
Saturday 23rd November – 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 Andrew B

Four riders met at PC on a cold but fine autumn morning for a breakfast run to Binham Parlour. With Mark leading, the three set off on the planned route, stopping at High Kelling to pick up Andrew B as planned. The route took us through Newgate, Wiveton, Glanford, Saxlingham, Field Dalling, Bale and Lower Green.
We arrived in good time for breakfast and were shown to a table that Mark had pre-booked.

All five riders ordered the Full English with different toast/egg options, although one rider ducked out of the Black Pudding! This was washed down by copious amounts of tea and coffee.
Ian A though unable to join us for breakfast, sent us his photo of Binham Priory.

Have enjoyed an excellent and rather large meal it was agreed to cut the route back to PC down a bit! We proceeded through, Wighton, Great/Little Walsingham, The Barshams, Great Snoring, Gunthorpe, Sharrington, Thornage, Hunworth, Edgefield, Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond. Duncan was the clear winner of the climb up from Hunworth, with the author trailing in last! Andrew S cut off for home at Edgefield, Duncan at Hempstead and Andrew B at Selbrigg Pond, leaving Chris and Mark to cycle back to PC.
Overall, a good day’s cycling with fine weather for the time of year.

PC to PC 49.3 miles
Average speed 14.9 mph
Total Elevation 1737 ft

Riders: Andrew B, Andrew S, Chris S, Duncan S, Mark M.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 16th November – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
Wednesday 20th November – Heydon
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
Another windless, dull and grey morning greeted just Mark and Chris at PC. Neil Mc had woken up with a streaming cold, so stayed home to recover.
Setting off for Gresham and Metton we picked Doug up at the B1436 Felbrigg junction and then made our way to Crossdale Street and up Northrepps Hill to meet Graham at the top. From here it was down Hungry Hill and the lanes through Clapham Dams, Gimingham, Mundesley and across the golf course, which was the busiest I’ve seen it, we all passed through unscathed by errant balls.
Next was Trunch, where the Crown Inn has reopened, though lunch is currently only weekends, then Knapton, Bacton Wood, Crostwight, Ridlington, Bacton and Watsons after 28 miles.
As usual it was fairly busy, though our regular big table was available, so we took that and enjoyed the warmth of the café as we studied the menu. Chris decide to have a small lunch as he is out for a meal this evening, chose a sandwich, when it arrived it was enormous. Undaunted he ate every crumb, leaving only the salad garnish as he obviously didn’t want to fill himself up! I can report that the all day breakfast is as good as ever. I’m sure we will be back again over winter, shame it is closed on Wednesdays.
Back on the road again it remained grey and chilly as we set off for Paston, Knapton, back to Trunch then Lower Southrepps, where Graham turned for home, the rest continuing on to Thorpe Market and Hanworth where Doug headed for Metton and home. That just left Mark and Chris to take the westerly loop out to Bessingham, Barningham Winter, the compulsory sprint up Bodham Hill (oh yes), West Beckham, where Chris turned for Upper Sheringham and home, while I finished at PC.

PC to PC was 47.7 miles at an average 14.8 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Doug H, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 13th November – Binham Parlour
Saturday 16th November – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
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
On a grey gloomy overcast and slightly misty Wednesday morning with a maximum temperature forecast of 13 degrees C and no wind three wheelers, Mark, Chris and Andrew S set of from PC. Meanwhile on the other side of the pond Donald Trump was on course to win the US Presidential election casting an even larger gloomy grey cloud over the world!

Nevertheless the riders set off passing through Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, and Thorpe Market before picking up Graham at Lower Southrepps. It was then onto Bradfield, North Walsham, Worstead and Ashmanhaugh. The group arrived at Wroxham Barns at 11.30pm.

Whilst enjoying some warm food and hot drinks Ian limped in almost 30 minutes later. According to his story he had ridden via Blickling and the Bure Valley Path hoping to catch some photos of the Bure Valley steam trains. Unfortunately for him it was him that got caught and ‘savaged’ by a black dog of indeterminable breed (or was it the legendary Black Schuck of ancient East Anglian folklore roaming the countryside seeking an innocent and lone cyclist as prey!). Luckily Ian survived the attack with minor bite marks to his right ankle.

Just as the Wheelers were leaving Wroxham Barns Malcolm arrived having ridden from St Olaves. After a brief chat the group continued leaving Malcolm to dine alone. Meanwhile Ian made his own way back via Scottow, Ingworth and Plumstead.

The return journey went via Lamas and Buxton. At the turning to Lamas Graham continued straight on towards Badersfield taking a more direct route back to Cromer. The remaining three riders continued onto to Oxnead, Aylsham, Ingworth, Calthorpe and Wickmere where Andrew turned left to head back to Corpusty.

This left Chris and Mark to complete the route via Bessingham followed by a testing climb towards West Beckham and then back to PC via Red Barn Lane.

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Andrew S, Graham A, Ian A, Malcolm S
Total distance 45.4 miles Average Speed 15.3 mph
(Ian A Total distance 46 miles at 13 mph)

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 9th November – Watsons, Bacton
Wednesday 13th November – Binham Parlour
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
A light easterly breeze had kept any fog and mist away and helped to dry the roads and it was relatively mild for November. Mark, Chris and Andrew B set off from PC to pick up Doug at Gresham, then through Matlaske, Squallham, Itteringham to pick up Neil near Oulton. On the approach to Itteringham, Doug’s rear tubeless tyre went flat (I thought tubeless ended flats), so we left him with Andrew to fix the problem with more plugs, while Chris and I went to find Neil.
Doug is now just one puncture behind current Puncture Challenge leader Chris’s six, so all to play for in the last couple of months of the year.
As we arrived at the Oulton crossroads we could see that the airfield memorial had changed so we stopped and found that Remembrance crosses had been displayed. I have since learnt that there is a small airfield museum at Blickling Hall in the café/shop area.

We continued on through Cawston, Reepham, along Blackwater Lane to Sparham and across the A1067 to Elsing, Swanton Morley, Hoe and to the café. At the road entrance we saw a big red fungi that hadn’t yet opened, I think it was a Fly Agaric.
Ian had taken a shorter route and arrived early at the café and had nearly finished his lunch when we arrived. A number of us had the Gressenhall Lunch of Champions (and Wheelers), home-made quiche, chips and beans, the last we will have this year as this was the last weekend of the season.

After a good lunch and cake, we set off with Ian joining us for part of the return leg. We followed the Blackwater up to Worthing for the compulsory stop on the bridge and photo. Why am I thinking of Last of the Summer Wine?

Then it was Billingford, Bintree and Foulsham, where Ian turned off to follow his own route. We continued north to Dukehouse Bridge, turning right onto Skitfield Road, along here were had to wait for a tractor mounted road sweeper to slowly clean up some of the sugarbeet hauling mud. It was doing a good job and is a rare sight on our lanes.
We crossed Craymere Beck and as we approached Briston we could see Ian in the distance and just caught him before we turned for Horseshoe Lane and the road to Edgefield, Ian continuing to Hunworth and home.
At Edgefield, Neil turned down Ramsgate Street for home, while the rest carried on to Baconsthorpe and Bodham Hill where Doug turned for Gresham and home, leaving three to head to West Beckham, where we all headed in different directions. As I was nearing Red Barn Lane, I took to a stoney field entrance to pass an oncoming car and instantly got a rear puncture, so I had to fix that before heading back to PC. Don’t worry Chris, I won’t be challenging your lead in that competition!
Details of Oulton and other local airfields by a Hindolveston historian: https://heroesofourtime.co.uk/raf-oulton_100group.html

PC to PC was 53.7 miles at an average 14.9 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Mark M, Doug H, Neil Mc, Ian A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 6th November – Wroxham Barns
Saturday 9th November – Watsons, Bacton
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
On an overcast and windless day, Duncan, Chris Andrew S and Mark met at PC, then collecting Graham A at Gresham church. Then it was down to Thurgarton, through Wickmere village, Itteringham and Oulton to Heydon Park, only to find that once again it was closed to through traffic. So we set off down the main road, turning right down Heydon Road and picking up the route again at Heydon, taking us to Thurning, Hindolveston and the long drag up to Melton Constable. After a breather at the top of the hill it was an easy downhill to Thornage, where we turned at the church on the Thornage Road for the A148. It was a short run downhill to Back to the Garden and a fairly busy café.
This is the first group ride to the café since it reopened and now Jarrolds are providing the catering and it was very good, though the cardamon, apple and celeriac soup was described as unusual and different! There were no takers for the cake table, though Chris might have been tempted if he didn’t have to leave early to see another man about a boat.
There had been a few rays of sunshine while we were in the café but they had gone by the time we left and been replaced by dark rainclouds, which soon cleared. Graham headed for home via Holt, leaving three to enjoy the hills on the route home, Chris said he was going to follow the route home, so maybe he got to enjoy them as well.
We headed back uphill to the Thornage Road and dropped down to Letheringsett, stopping at the Mill to check out their post flood catering arrangements as a ride there was planned for Nov 23rd. Unfortunately all they do now are takeaway drinks and they no longer open on Saturday. We did see the repair work being done on the wooden toothed gear wheel that had failed, and they hope to back milling by mid November.
We took the hilly road to Bayfield Brecks, dropping down to Glandford then taking the Dragway up to the B1156. Then it was Saxlingham, Field Dalling, Langham and down to Blakeney, stopping to check on Andrew’s house on the way. Blakeney was busy so we didn’t stop, carrying on to Wiveton and Cley Newgate, where we did stop to look at the resizing of Arcady, it currently looks like a roofless shell.
As we set off up the hill Duncan shot off into the lead and stayed there all the way to the top, there was no catching him. Around High Kelling, Duncan turned for Holt and Andrew headed for Hempstead and home, while I continued back to PC.

PC to PC was 51.3 miles at an average 14.7 mph
Riders: Duncan S, Chris S, Andrew S, Mark M, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 2nd November – Mardler’s Rest, Gressenhall
Wednesday 6th November – Wroxham Barns
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
On the last Saturday of the year before the clocks went back Mark M and Chris S met at PC. The weather was mild but misty with little wind. As the day wore on the sun broke through with temperatures in the range of 15 degrees C.

The route took the two wheelers to Gresham where Doug was waiting and onto Aldborough to collect Neil M at the agreed rendezvous by the primary school. It was then onto Town Green where Jim also joined the group.

The famous five then crossed the A140 before passing through Suffield, North Walsham, Worstead, Ashmanhaugh, Hoveton and over Wroxham bridge. As usual the traffic was heavy in Wroxham. After the bridge a short detour was made to see if Chris’s new boat was in the marina. It wasn’t and was still presumably on the opposite site of the river having some work completed. The route then passed through The Avenue – Wroxham’s equivalent of London’s Mayfair in terms of prestigious property and values!

It was then onwards towards Salhouse before turning off to Woodbastwick and passing Woodforde’s Brewery. A short stop was made at Ranworth Broad to admire the picturesque setting and the boats before going on to South Walsham and Fairhaven Gardens.

At the café Macolm S was already waiting having cycled over from St Olaves. The café was quite quiet but a good hot lunch was enjoyed by all.

After lunch, the wheelers including Malcolm made the return journey via Panxworth, Woodbastwick and Woodforde’s Brewery (again!). Shortly after, Malcolm turned off toward Wroxham, then onto to Horning before heading home to St Olaves.

The remaining riders continued west then bearing north to Horstead. Here a short stop was made to admire the water mill which was in full flow. The route then went through Coltishall with the long climb to Badersfield. It was then onwards to Skeyton, Tuttington, Banningham and Ingworth towards Wolterton. At Wolterton Hall Neil carried straight on to head to Corpusty. The rest of the group headed past Calthorpe to Matlaske. Jim turned off before Matlaske towards Little Barningham.

The route then went via North Barningham where just before Chris broke away from the peloton for a sprint to the top of Red Barn Lane. However he then paid for this in the last mile to PC when Mark made a very impressive uphill flying sprint to the finish line. Well done Mark!. Doug had turned off before this at North Barningham to head back to Cromer.

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Doug H, Jim H, Neil M & Malcolm S
Total Distance: 61 miles Average Speed 14.3 mph
Jim gets the longest distance award for 67.6 miles

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 30th October – Back to the Garden, Letheringsett
Saturday 2nd November – Mardler’s Rest, Gressenhall
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
A cold, damp and foggy morning greeted Mark, Duncan and new member Andrew S. Chris wasn’t sure when his guests were leaving, so thought if he could get out he would meet us at the Star.
At Gresham church we found Doug, dressed for an arctic adventure, what will he wear when it does get cold?
We carried on to Bessingham, Thurgarton, Town Green, past Brian’s to Suffield, then Antingham. About half way down the Lyngate Road, we found that the road closed sign was correct for once, as tree felling was taking place, so we retraced our route and diverted along Pond Road, to collect Graham at North Walsham.
For a change, we took the Happisburgh Road out of town to White Horse Common, then to Briggate, Honing, East Ruston and Brumstead Common, here Chris caught up with us. When he could finally talk, he told us that he had reached PC at 10:21 and averaged 16 mph without stops to catch us, as it turned out he didn’t need to be so fast. Continuing on and turning opposite Sands Agricultural onto Brumstead Road and to the Star, we arrived about 10 mins before they opened, so we had to hang around the car park until they unlocked the door and were surprised to see us waiting.
Once inside, they quickly sorted out a big table, drinks and the menu, with the chef coming out to tell us that his home cooked ham and gammons had just come out of the oven. So, three of us had huge portions of ham, eggs and chips, the other three opting for equally large sandwiches. While we were having lunch, three other groups of people came in for lunch, so a popular place. We often cycle past it and finally made it our destination and I’m sure we will be back.
After lunch the day had improved considerably as the sun was out and the temperature had risen. As Chris had to see a man about a boat later in the afternoon, he set off while we got ready. We visited Happisburgh car park to see what had changed since our last visit on Sat 04/05/2024, when a huge section of cliff had been washed away, restricting access into the car park. The proposed new car park access road has not been built, though there are now granite boulder sea defences along the cliff base.

Shortly after leaving Happisburgh our route had to diverted again, this time due to cable works for the Vattenfall Wind Farm. We were soon back on course, through Ridlington, Witton, Pollard Street, Bacton Gas Terminal to Paston. Here we met Chris, who had stopped to try another tube in his rear Schwalbe Marathon Plus and then his Garmin had a fit and deleted all his routes, so now he was keen to join us!
It was on to Knapton and Trunch, where Graham left us for Southrepps and Cromer, the rest heading for Thorpe Market then Hanworth, here Andrew headed for Aldborough and Corpusty, Doug set off for Felbrigg and Cromer. The remaining trio continued to the final split at Gresham with Duncan heading for Holt, leaving Mark and Chris to return to a warm and sunny PC.

PC to PC was 50.6 miles at an average of 14.7 mph
Riders: Duncan S, Andrew S, Mark M, Doug H, Graham A, Chris S

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 26th October – Fairhaven Gardens, South Walsham
Wednesday 30th October – Back to the Garden, Letheringsett
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
After a bit of toing and froing about who was coming out and who might chase who, Chris hotfooted it straight from his Covid/Flu jabs (or maybe EPO?) and met Mark at PC. Then surprise! Ian was waiting at the High Kelling junction after all. So the trio set off in light drizzle for the 60 mile loop to East Rudham.
The route took us via Wiveton, Langham, Binham, and the Walsinghams where Mark announced a detour so he could hydrofoil through the River Stiffkey. But we did see the older narrow lanes of Little Walsingham, too. Skirting south of South Creake we went through Syderstone before turning south for our lunch stop at Biagios.
We had ‘enjoyed’ almost constant drizzle on the way there which frankly, was better than expected. The cafe was over half full but we were directed to a table and enjoyed good tea and coffee and the most enormous jacket potatoes with pulled pork and egg mayo baguette sandwich. Shock horror: no room at all for cake!!

Over lunch we checked all the weather apps known to mankind and felt we should be lucky on the return leg, too. Well what a waste of time that was. We set off in light drizzle which then turned heavier and continued pretty persistently most of the way back. Very soon we were lucky to see a pale fallow deer buck in the road. Though we’d have felt luckier if it wasn’t raining…
The route took us back east via the Barshams where we decided not to stop at the Brewery given we were pretty wet by then. So it was onwards to Great Snoring where we detoured to Hindringham and Bale, Mark guessing (probably correctly again) that the Gunthorpe Road to Sharrington would be pretty nasty. At Sharrington we continued on to Brinton, Stody and then Hunworth.
At Hunworth (where it had finally stopped raining) Ian headed back via (up!) the Holt road for a shorter route back to High Kelling. (Has he told you he’s got a bad knee?) This left Mark and Chris to race each other up the Hunworth Road to Edgefield, and then again up Bodham Hill on their way back to PC via Baconsthorpe. Boys will be boys. Spanish Legs 2, Norfolk Legs 0. But it’s getting closer apparently.
NNW Kit update: The Kalas wind/showerproof jacket with detachable sleeves does what it says on the tin and it’s good at it IMHO. But it is not totally waterproof. To date it has kept me dry and warm and not sweaty in light showers/drizzle, but in this afternoon’s rain it didn’t keep my arms dry. Body not so bad.

Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Ian A
PC to PC was 60 miles at 14.6mph average.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 23rd October – Star Inn, Lessingham
Saturday 26th October – Fairhaven Gardens, South Walsham
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
Four wheelers, Chris, Mark, Andrew S and Duncan met up at PC on what was forecast to be an unusually warm autumnal day. Whilst the initial temperature was around 13 degrees C with an overcast sky the forecast was for a balmy temperature of between 18 and 20 degrees C with full sunshine.

The initial route took the four from PC to High Kelling where Ian A and Andrew B joined the group. From here it passed through Wiveton collecting Clive enroute. It was then up to Langham, Binham and Wighton before skirting around the southern side of Holkham Park. The route then passed through the Burnhams, Burnham Thorpe and Burnham Market, before reaching Burnham Deepdale at 11.55am. Here an enjoyable lunch (or breakfast for some!) was experienced at Deepdale Café with excellent food and service.

Leaving the café the promised sun appeared with the temperature reaching the late teens. The return route, heading into the SSE wind in part, took the group through Holkham Park via the west gate where Ian never one for missing a photo opportunity took a photo of the group by the gate.

Riding through the park the deer were out in abundance with a few deciding to make a last-minute dash across the road. From there the ride went through Wells with a slight detour via the harbour and another photo opportunity for Ian. The tide was out and Ian’s day was made when he spotted a Cormorant in front of the steel horse statue.

After Wells, Chris almost managed to swallow a wasp in his mouth which proceeded to sting him on the tongue before being promptly spat out (not to be recommended!). The ride then passed through Warham, Binham, Field Dalling and Saxlingham. Shortly after Saxlingham Clive left the group heading north back to Blakeney. The rest of the group continued to Letheringsett at which point Ian and Duncan continued along the Holt Road to Holt and High Kelling respectively.

The remaining riders then took a detour from the published route turning from the main Holt Road at Letheringsett through Little Thornage and Hunworth toward Edgefield. After the climb up Hunworth Road Andrew S left to head home to Corpusty. Chris, Mark and Andrew B went to Baconsthorpe and onto Mill Road and Rectory Road. At the Junction with Rectory Road Andrew turned left for High Kelling leaving Chris and Mark to head back to PC.

Riders: Mark M, Chris S, Duncan S, Andrew S, Ian A, Andrew B and Clive S – A great turnout for a Wednesday ride.
Total Distance: PC to PC 58.4 miles
Average Speed: 15.1 mph

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 19th October – Biagio’s, East Rudham
Wednesday 23rd October – Star Inn, Lessingham
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/