Club Runs

Ride report by Mark M
A sunny dry day greeted five Wheelers at PC, though the cold north easterly wind pulled the temperature down and had forced everyone back into their winter kit. Our longer outward leg took us west and then south, so we would have the wind helping us all the way to Reepham.
Ian joined us at PC, which was a surprise as he would normally join us at High Kelling as we passed through, he was obviously feeling keen!
After Bodham and High Kelling we headed for Salthouse Heath, then turned for Bayfield Brecks and dropped down to Letheringsett, crossing the ford at Little Thornage and started heading uphill to Thornage, Burgh Stubbs and Melton Constable, where Jim was waiting for us.
Now a group of six, we had an easy wind assisted downhill run to Hindolveston and Foulsham, then turned for Themelthorpe, Whitwell and up to Reepham and the Station Café.
On arrival we met Graham, sitting outside in the sun and it was decided we would all sit outside, however before all the lunch orders had been placed, the sun disappeared and the same cyclists rushed to find tables indoors. It also meant that lunch was served on crockery instead of a takeaway box, which pleased Chris as he had ordered the soup.
It seemed as if the café had recently changed hands, with different staff, a change of decoration and a slower service, though the food was as good as before.
After lunch Graham joined us as we headed home via Salle, Heydon and towards Corpusty, we turned off at Cropton Hall, while Graham continued on a more direct route back to Cromer. Our route took us through Red Pits and along Blackwater Lane for Briston, where Jim turned for home and the original group of five turned into the wind for the climb up to Edgefield.
So after dragging them uphill and sheltering them from the wind, I was mugged as soon as the end came into view, with Neil, Ian and Chris battling for honours at the top, apparently Neil was first, Ian a very close second (according to Ian) and Chris getting third spot on the virtual podium, Doug kept me company and made sure I didn’t get lost.
Neil followed the old adage of quit when ahead and turned for home, while we continued east to Little Barningham and Wickmere, turning for Matlaske and up Blossom Hill, pausing at the top to pay our respects to the cyclist who died there recently, a spot marked with a selection of flowers.
Next was Gresham, where Ian and Doug headed off in opposite directions, leaving two to complete the loop back to PC.

PC to PC was 49 miles at an average speed of 14.6 mph
Riders: Chris S, Doug H, Neil Mc, Ian A, Mark M, Jim H, Graham A

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 19th March – Goat Inn, Skeyton
Saturday 22nd March – 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/

We all thought Summer had arrived after Saturday’s sunny ride out. Ohhh no it’s not !!
Three Wheelers ( Mark M, Chris S , and Andy S ) met at P.C. and all the lily white legs were all put away and back into winter wear. We set off to grey skies and a cold, keen north westerly wind.

Our route took us through Bodham, Hempstead, Edgefield, Hunworth, Sharrington, over the main road heading out to Field Dalling. All of which seemed to be in a head wind.
At Field Dalling we turned north east to Saxlingham, Cley and onto the Old Reading Rooms at Kelling for a spot of lunch. Soup, pasties, jacket potatoes seemed to be the order of the day and lots of cake.
Graham A took a trip on the Coast Hopper to join us for lunch. Ian A then turned up, after coming directly from home , said he didn’t deserve much lunch as he hadn’t ridden far enough then proceeded to have two portions of cake.

The afternoon took us to Holt, Hunworth, Stody, Briston and up the hill(slope) to Edgefield. Ian and Chris , after making lots of excuses that they were not making a bid for the King of the Mountains, proceeded to speed off in race mode. Ian took the win with Andy acting as broom wagon at the back.

Andy S peeled off down into Corpusty and the remaining three riders made their way to P.C.
A good ride. Hopefully summer will arrive soon and get some well deserved sun on our backs.

PC to PC was 44.4 miles at an average 14.4 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andy S, Ian A and Graham A for lunch.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th March – Station Café, Reepham
Wednesday 19th March – Goat Inn, Skeyton
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
On yet another day that promised wall to wall sunshine (or should that be wheel to wheel?) with above average temperatures, five Wheelers met at PC for the second ride out to The Chequers pub at Hainford. With Mark leading, the five headed out via West Beckham and Lower Bodhan to pick Ian up at the Selbrigg Pond junction. Winter Longs had been discarded and replaced with shorts/knickers by most if not all of us (Doug what were you thinking!) and a fair number of calves honed by winter training were on display. These ranged from chicken drumsticks to medium-sized legs of lamb. And a bit more on dress-code later. [Note: The previous evening, 39 toads had been rescued crossing the road from the woods near Selbrigg Pond by the local Toadwatch patrol, 3 toads were lost (i.e. run over) and 3 frogs saved. The warmer evenings have kick-started their annual march into Selbrigg Pond to spawn.]

The route took us on to Hempstead, Plumstead and down to Corpusty. We then skirted Heydon, went through Cawston, gave the centre of Buxton a near miss and rode through Stratton Strawless to reach The Chequers just before midday. As on our previous visit, we received a very cheery welcome from the barmaid. It was Ian’s birthday the day before so he kindly offered to ‘get a round in’. Well he’s got to spend his new state pension on something! Beers, plus a latte and even a pot of tea were taken outside while we studied the lunch menu.

We all opted for the good sandwiches and some upgraded to chips instead of crisps for a very modest £1.50. But then it was quite a modest portion of chips. The food and drink was all good and we sat outside in warm sunshine. As usual, the conversation was wide ranging: Cromer Tennis Club and its splendid grass courts, playing sweaty squash smelling of farmyards (let’s just leave it there…) and the merits or otherwise of orange socks with an orange bike and white socks with black shoes. No real consensus was reached. The thorny subject of who owns which tea rooms in Holt again raised its ugly head and I can categorically state that it’s all still a bit unclear. But The Folly Tearooms in Holt is definitely under new ownership and comes highly recommended if you’re over that way.
We slightly reluctantly remounted after lunch (more beer in more sunshine was certainly tempting, but we’re athletes with homes to get back to). So just another mile or two into the gentle southeasterly headwind before we turned for home to enjoy a tailwind most of the way back. Soon after leaving the pub we passed the rather splendid All Saints church opposite Hainford Primary School, then down to Frettenham before turning north to head back via Badersfield, Swanton Abbott, Colby, Erpingham/Calthorpe where Andy and Neil diverted back to Corpusty. The other four riders continued on through Aldborough where soon after we pointed Doug back to Cromer via Sustead & Metton. The remaining trio continued on to Bessingham and Gresham, where Ian turned up Holt Road to head back to High Kelling via West Beckham, leaving Chris and Mark to head back to PC. All in all a very pleasant ride in warm sunshine and well-deserved after all those cold and muddy miles through the winter.

PC to PC was 51.4 miles at an average speed of 15.1mph
Peloton: Andy S, Chris S, Doug H, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th March – Old Reading Rooms, Kelling
Saturday 15th March – Station Café, Reepham
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 Wheelers met at PC for the ride out to the ever popular Old Dairy at Stanfield. It was good to see Mark out after his recent bout of man flu that had kept him off the bike for a week. We were to enjoy a day of uninterrupted sunshine (not quite ‘warm’ yet) but some of us had shed our winter overboots. Spring has indeed sprung!

The route headed south from PC via North Barningham to the Old School House at Matlaske where the group picked up Ian who had a cunning plan: Due to the mud and detritus on the road at Lower Bodham (Anglian Water roadworks – closed to cars) he had ridden from High Kelling via Selbrigg Pond and Baconsthorpe to intercept the main peloton. The five riders then continued on via Corpusty, Wood Dalling, Foulsham and Bintree where we crossed the A1067 Fakenham Road.

We were enjoying dry roads and very nearly (but not quite) puddle and mud free surfaces. Onwards via Broom Green and Brisley Green we soon arrived at the Old Dairy after 24 miles.
Despite some initial scepticism from Ian we opted for a table outside which proved to be a good decision as the garden is sheltered and we were bathed in the Spring sunshine. Drinks and food were ordered, arrived soon and was enjoyed by all – soup, sandwiches, quiche and a spanish omelette all hit the mark. WIth the generous portions and Chris focussed on his F-plan diet (the granary bread with his soup was noted) only Ian was up for cake, but Andrew was soon persuaded when Ian offered to pay. Well half a cake actually as they shared a triple chocolate brownie – and more coffee…

As we set off we were in good spirits knowing it was pretty much a tailwind all the way back (and compensation for the headwind all the way there). The route took us via the Ryburghs, the short climb out of Great Ryburgh and on to Hindolveston and Briston. Mark led the group up Briston Road to Edgefield, and nearing the top Ian tried to take advantage of Mark’s recent ill health and made a bid for the KoM points! But Mark’s shadow loomed large and close to Ian’s rear wheel and with a healthy spurt (always a good sign) Mark took the honours. After the customary verbal back slapping we sent Andy on his way back to Corpusty while the remaining four of us headed onwards. Just before Baconsthorpe Ian diverted back to High Kelling via Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond to once again avoid the Lower Bodham roadworks. He really does have cunning in spades. The remaining three Wheelers rode back to PC via Baconsthorpe and West Beckham.
Botanical Notes: Still plenty of snow drops around and it was good to see daffodils and early primroses along the verges. All say aaahhh.

PC to PC was 48.6 miles at an average speed of 14.6 mph
Peloton: Andrew B, Andy S, Chris S, Ian A, Mark M.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 8th March – Chequers, Hainford
Wednesday 12th March – Old Reading Rooms, Kelling
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 Mc
Six Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a still, sunny morning. It started cold and very slightly misty, but the sun burnt the mist off quickly and it warmed up throughout the day.
The outward run went via West Beckham, Baconsthorpe and Edgefield and the peloton arrived on time at The Old White Horse at the top of Ramsgate street where Neil Mc and Jim H were waiting on the bench. This meant we had a (near) record turnout with 8 wheelers on the road, a much better showing than usual for the year so far.

The ride turned down the hill to Hunworth with the usual game of dodge-the-pothole. This road is bad at the best of times, but it was in fine winter form with an unholy trinity of holes, gravel and mud. Norfolk cycling at its finest.
Onward to Stody and through puncture alley to Gunthorpe (none today). Then across the A148 and a swift run to the first (!) tea and cake stop at Thursford Church. On an earlier ride that stopped at the Church for a look, a notice had been spotted advertising a 1st Saturday free Coffee & Cake event. This was too good to miss!
We were made very welcome and plied with excellent home-made cakes, tea and coffee. They were so pleased to have guests that they asked us all to sign the visitors book. Great hospitality, great cakes – we’ll be back!

We all dragged ourselves away from the cakes and set off for the next leg to Walsingham, Wighton and past the iron-age fort to Warham. Then on toward Binham, but diverting down the hill to Stiffkey and then back up the long drag to Binham. Jim hadn’t been out for a good while and he left us to head straight to Binham and home before we diverted to Stiffkey – nicely avoiding the hills. Very crafty those runners.

We carried on through Binham, Field Dalling, Saxlingham and down onto the Glandford road where we took a right to Bayfield Hall and the Natural Surroundings cafe. After a small misunderstanding about acceptable places to leave bikes (i.e. not under the bird feeders where people are watching the birds!) we were welcomed into the cafe. Those in the know immediately ordered cheese-on-toast. This seemed rather puzzling to those of us who hadn’t been to Natural Surroundings before, but when impressively large doorstops brimming with melted cheese arrived all was explained. Only Ian and Andy managed cake this time, the rest of us were still caked-out after our Thursford stop. After a quick visit to see the tiny field mice in the hut out back, we took a group photo opportunity before leaving.

Unfortunately, disaster had found Doug and not only did he have a puncture in his tubeless rear tyre, but also a broken spoke to boot. He bravely insisted we went on while he wrestled with installing an inner tube and no-doubt liberally coating himself with tyre sealant in the process. We were all impressed with his miniature battery powered pump though, that might have cancelled out the fail in modern wheel and tyre technology. (Hope you got home OK Doug!)

The remaining group headed toward Glandford, over the ford and toward Cley where Clive left us to head back to Blakeney. The remaining group attacked the hill up toward Holt with Neil winning the KOM spotted jersey ahead of the peloton. Chris was complaining about his performance and insisted that he was going to lose some weight and get fit again for Summer. We all heard him, so the challenge is on!

Onward to Kelling where Ian left us for home and on to the split where Neil and Andy carried on to the top of Red Barn Lane and down the Matlaske road to Corpusty and home. The remaining group of Chris and Andrew carried on to West Beckham and back to Pretty Corner & home.

Altogether a great day’s cycling in the early Spring sunshine with a bumper haul of Tea & Cake!

Out on the Road: Andrew B, Andy S, Clive A, Ian A, Doug H, Chris S, Jim H, Neil Mc.
PC to PC 44 miles at 14.1 mph average
Elevation 2212 feet

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th March – Old Dairy, Stanfield
Saturday 8th March – Chequers, Hainford
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
Three riders met at PC on a cold morning with a threat of heavy rain for a run to Back to the Garden, Letheringsett. Two of the regulars had cried off due to illness and the poor forecast. The planned roue took us through East Beckham, Lower Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Alby Hill, Alby, Erpingham, Ingworth, Corpusty, Briston, Stody and Thornage.
The rain held off for the first nine miles but then gradually increased to become very heavy. We arrived at Back to the Garden, soaked but managed to find storage for the bikes at the rear. Once inside we found a good table in the warm and dry and all enjoyed soup, cake and coffee. Midway through Clive arrived and joined us for coffee having not had time to ride due to other commitments (lucky him!).
After lunch we ventured out to find that it was still pouring with rain. We therefore agreed to shorten the route back to PC via. Thornage, Hunworth, The Green, Plumstead and Matlaske. Andy S peeled off on route to make his own way home, leaving Andrew B and Chris to return back to PC. To be honest not a great day’s cycling and I don’t think I have ever been so wet, however it was good for the soul!
The attached picture is from last week’s ride in the sun which looked somewhat different when we passed the same spot on the ride in the pouring rain!

PC to PC 40.42 miles
Average speed 13.7 mph
Total Elevation 1700 ft

Riders: Andrew B, Andy S and Chris S.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 1st March – Natural Surroundings, Glandford
Wednesday 5th March – 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/

Ride report by Chris S
Two wheelers, Mark M and Chris S, met at PC for the Saturday ride. Chris arrived at the meeting point bruised and muddy after his front wheel slipped from under him when turning into Cranfield Road in Upper Sheringham. Luckily there was no other damage. The weather was a total contrast to the previous Saturday when the ride had been cancelled due to bitterly cold weather. Today’s ride was the first ride of the year when the temperature reached double digits – 10 degrees C. although it was still overcast but the wind was a generally light westerly wind.

The original route which was to The Star at Lessingham was changed at the last minute due to a lack of a chef at the pub and no food being served.

The pair set off collecting Ian A at Gresham then heading to Erpingham via Bessingham and Aldborough. At Erpingham Neil M joined the group.

The quartet then continued through Ingworth, Banningham, Skeyton, Worstead and Crostwight to name but a few places before arriving at the Lighthouse Inn at Walcott just before 12am. Having ordered food, Malcolm S, then arrived having cycled from St Olaves via main roads. His bike was totally immaculate when compared with the mud splattered bikes of the other wheelers.

After an enjoyable lunch (and a beer in Mark’s case) the group bid farewell to Malcolm and returned to PC via Witton, Knapton, Trunch, Thorpe Market, Hanworth (where Neil headed back to Corpusty), Sustead and Gresham. At Gresham Ian left the two remaining wheelers to return to High Kelling.

Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Neil M and Malcolm S
Total Distance: 46 miles
Average Speed: 14.2mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 26th February – Back to the Garden, Letheringsett
Saturday 1st March – Thursford & Glandford
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
Three members met at P.C. (Mark, Andrew and Andy ) on this very cold, dull morning with a bracing south easterly wind ( A lazy wind that goes straight through you ).

We were a little late leaving P.C. due to a potential new member driving up to introduce himself (Barry).

We set off through Gresham, Aylmerton, Felbrigg Hall and onto Cromer Zoo where we met Doug and Ian. The five riders carried on through Northrepps towards Antingham. A small road around Southrepps was a bit of a challenge as the badgers had been digging the road up. So lots of holes to dodge!

We continued through Colby and Erpingham to our stop of the day at Alby Cafe. Up to this point we seemed to be fighting a cold headwind, so the Cafe was a welcome sight. We met Graham here who had saved us a table. Unfortunately he had to leave us at the Cafe due to family commitments. Coffee and fry ups were the order of the day topped up with more coffee and cake.

After lunch we carried on through Ingworth, Aylsham and Oulton. Andy S turned off to Corpusty leaving the remaining four riders to make their way up through Itteringham, Wickmere and back to P.C.

Although very cold it was nice to ride on dryish roads giving us an uneventful ( no punctures or broken spokes) ride.

PC to PC was 44.6 miles at an average 14.2 mph
Riders: Andy S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, Doug H, Graham A

P.S. Book NNW Annual Social Evening by Feb 21st: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2025/01/29/annual-club-social-evening-2025/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 22nd February – Star Inn, Lessingham
Wednesday 26th February – 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 Mark M
Another overcast, damp and cold day welcomed Andy, Chris, Andrew and Mark at PC. Ian and Graham would meet us for lunch around 11:30.
Setting off for Metton, then down to the Hanworth road for the run across to Thorpe Market. Just as we approached the village Andrew managed to pick up a large thorn and bit of hedge from a hedgecutter working on the field side of the hedge, though still managing to hurl debris into the road. At the junction with the main road, Andrew stopped to pull out the thorn and surprisingly the tyre stayed up, so we continued the short distance down the A149, turning for Gunton Station. Just as we turned Chris had a spoke break in his rear wheel, he doesn’t have much luck with spokes (last time he used his bike in Spain, all the spokes in the wheels came loose as he tried to descend a mountain), I’m sure he will try to convince us it is due to the power he puts out!
To avoid any further issues, he decided to head the nine miles back to PC. As we set off again, Andrew declared that his tyre was going flat, so we stopped to replace the tube. We then continued to Bradfield, Lyngate, around North Walsham, Spa Common to White Horse Common, as we were now running late, we cut three miles off the planned route and went to Meeting Hill and picked up the route again, heading for Sandy Hills and Hadfields Garden Centre.
Andy had to get home for an appointment, so headed off, while Andrew and I went in to find Ian and Graham tucking into scones and coffee. We had arrived between breakfast and lunch service, so ordered paninis for lunch but started with coffee and cake. A robin kept appearing at the window, it clearly knew where the food was.

After lunch the four of us crossed the main road and the railway crossing to Tollgate Farm, then down to Westwick and up towards Felmingham, where Graham continued north for Cromer and we turned for Hyltons Crossways, past Corvette Kingdom and on to Colby. Crossing the A140 again to Erpingham, Wolterton, Little Barningham, Plumstead and the Hempstead junction. The planned route was through Hempstead, Selbrigg Pond and back to Bodham Hill, but the cold and damp had weakened my resolve, so we sent Ian home via Hempstead while we took the shorter route to Baconsthorpe and Bodham Hill, then to PC.
Chris reported that he made his way home without further incident and stopped at Black Bikes to see Nick, who replaced his spoke there and then, so he is all set for Saturday.

PC to PC was 42.3 miles instead of the planned 46.4 miles. Average speed 13.6 mph
Riders; Andy S, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Ian A, Graham A

P.S. Book NNW Annual Social Evening by Feb 21st: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2025/01/29/annual-club-social-evening-2025/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th February – Nelsons, Wells
Wednesday 19th February – Artisan Café, Alby
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
Fortunately the strong easterly winds of Friday had abated, though it remained cold, damp and overcast. That didn’t deter a total of seven Wheelers who were out to confront the weather and plenty of mud from the ongoing sugar beet season. Six left from PC and headed via Plumstead and Edgefield for Little London where we picked up regular Wednesday rider Andy S, out for his first Saturday club ride.
We continued on to Thurning, Guestwick and Foulsham, arriving at Junction 21 for about 11:30 and having the place to ourselves for the first half hour before some hardy walkers came in. With plenty of tea and coffee and good value food, plus cakes, everyone was in good spirits and there was plenty of chat, with Ian claiming to have heard a skylark enroute!

As we prepared to leave and ventured back outside into the cold, we couldn’t help noticing that it had started to rain and those earlier good spirits soon evaporated and were replaced by general muttering. It was clear that a few hard miles were required to warm everyone up and make them incapable of speech, let alone muttering. So it was Nowhere Lane, Blackwater Lane and up the hill to Great Witchingham, pausing at the top for a breather, before Little Witchingham, Brandiston, Cawston, turning at Southgate to avoid the cable corridor road closure, Oulton Street and Itteringham. Here Neil continued for Mannington and back to Corpusty, while we turned right for Wickmere, Matlaske Wood, Bessingham and Gresham. At Gresham, Ian and Andy headed west, Doug turned east, leaving three to continue north back to pc. The last few miles were the best of the day as the clouds parted and the sun finally made an appearance.

PC to PC was 45 miles at an average 14.2 mph
Riders: Ian A, Neil Mc, Chris S, Andrew B, Mark M, Doug H, Andy S

P.S. Book NNW Annual Social Evening by Feb 21st: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2025/01/29/annual-club-social-evening-2025/

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th February – Lily’s Tearoom, North Walsham
Saturday 15th February – Nelsons, Wells
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/