Club Runs

Ride Report by Mark M
I arrived at PC to find Neil Mc and about six other cyclists all in their club kit. My first thought was that they were holidaying in the area and were going to join our ride. The reality was much different and our 65 mile ride would have been a warmup for them. They were Velo Club 167 https://vc167.org.uk/ from the Darlington, North Yorks area and were riding an audax down to Ipswich, stopping there for a few hour’s sleep before heading back north. It seems that they took an easterly route down, crossing the Humber and riding through the night for a checkpoint in Sheringham and were having a rest and regrouping at PC after about 250 miles by my reckoning, prior to the 75 mile minimum ride to Ipswich. Depending on their route back, it would be a round trip of at least 640 miles /1000km. Not bad for a weekend ride!

Back to our ride, holidays and injuries meant that it was just two Wheelers, heading off into a south westerly breeze with some ominous black clouds on the way. Our route took us via Holt, Letheringset, Bale, Hindringham, Walsingham, South Creake, Syderstone to Houghton Hall deer park before crossing the A148 and arriving at Biaggio’s. We had managed to avoid the showers and had no more than a few spots of rain a couple of times. We sat outside enjoying a sunny spell as we had a good lunch and excellent cakes.
When we set off again we now had a helpful tail wind. Neil spotted a field of poppies through the hedge, so we stopped for a quick photo as we had failed to take one at lunch.

We stopped at Sculthorpe Mill to look at the river, still higher level than normal but now clear enough to see the bottom. Then it was on to East Barsham, Great Snoring, Thursford Green, where Neil turned for home and an afternoon garden party. So it was a solo ride through Gunthorpe, Hunworth, Edgefield, Plumstead, North Barningham and back to PC.

PC to PC was 64.7 miles at an average of 15.3 mph
Riders: Neil Mc, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 26th June – Heydon Tearooms
Saturday 29th June – Fairhaven, South Walsham – also start of Tour De France in Florence
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
Finally, the day before the summer solstice, a forecast of sunshine and a clear sky. Despite the chilly northerly wind and it being overcast initially we looked forward to completing a ride without getting soaked and having to wash bikes.
Geoff P stopped for a chat at PC, he was on his was to Junction 21. He had hoped to meet us there last Saturday but had been soaked by a shower in Cawston and had headed for home instead. He should have two cakes today to make up for it.
With holidays reducing numbers, Mark and Ian set off via Itteringham for Ingworth to meet Graham. Then it was Aylsham, Buxton, Hainford, Frettenham, across the B1150 Coltishall road and the A1151 Wroxham road to Salhouse and Little Plumstead.
The Walled Garden café is in the grounds of the old Hall, later turned into a hospital. Most of the grounds have become housing, so it is surprising to find this tranquil café and gardens through residential housing. Malcolm came up from St Olaves via Reedham ferry and we all sat outside with a tasty lunch and enjoying the weather and gardens.

After lunch we headed for Woodbastwick with Malcolm turning for Acle, Mautby and Great Yarmouth for a 52mile round trip.
With the sun shining we called into the Woodfords Brewery pub, the Fur and Feather to enjoy a fresh pint in the sunshine, it tasted even better as Ian had bought them, cheers Ian.

Refreshed we headed through a quiet Wroxham, onto Worstead, North Walsham and Antingham, where Graham turned for home. The remaining duo took the familiar route home through Suffield, Aldborough, Barningham Winter, Bodham Hill and home.

PC to PC was 67.2 miles at an average of 15.1 mph
Riders: Ian A, Mark M, Graham A, Malcolm S

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 22nd June – East Rudham
Wednesday 26th June – Heydon Tea Rooms
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
Chris, Clive and Mark met at PC on a very overcast morning. Despite the ominous clouds we convinced ourselves that the forecast would be true and the heavy showers would hold off until lunchtime. At Gresham we picked up Doug and headed south into a light headwind to Aldborough, Ingworth, Itteringham Common and on to Oulton to meet Neil.
With Neil we also found Ian, who was out for a short ride, had already had coffee and cake at Itteringham and was on his way home via Saxthorpe.
So, the group of five continued through Heydon Park, Cawston to Swannington, then west through the Witchinghams to Nowhere Lane. With about four miles left to reach the shelter of the café we kept looking at the darkening sky and pressed a bit harder on the pedals. With less than a mile to go, the first few spots of rain fell but we were able to park the bikes and get inside Junction 21 before the heavy rain started.
Junction 21 now offers a wider range of hot and cold meals than previously and we all tucked into a tasty and filling lunch, with one Wheeler unable to wait for his own order, devouring half of his neighbours lunch! We all found room to have some of the excellent cakes as well.
Unfortunately there had been very little rain while we had lunch, it had waited until we were ready to leave, so we set off in heavy rain, with the forecast of heavy showers for the rest of the day.
The decision was made to shorten the route back, so we headed straight for Guestwick and on to Corpusty. At Corpusty Neil headed for home and as the rain had stopped, the rest headed up the hill to Edgefield.
At Edgefield we took the usual route back to Baconsthorpe and Bodham Hill instead of going via Plumstead and encountered a couple of showers on the way. At Bodham Hill, Clive turned for High Kelling and Blakeney, Chris took the Upper Sheringham route home and at Red Barn Lane, Doug continued on to Gresham and Cromer, leaving Mark to return to PC.
Helpfully there was a spell of sunshine while the bike was washed and put away before the next heavy shower.

PC to PC was 49.6 miles (instead of the planned 54 miles) at an average of 14.9 mph
Riders: Chris S, Clive A, Doug H, Neil Mc, Mark M with Ian A briefly.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 19th June – Walled Garden, Little Plumstead
Saturday 22nd June – East Rudham Deli or Biagio’s
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
Morning rain and an overcast sky, meant that Andrew and Mark had wet roads and chilly conditions as they headed south via Gresham and Ingworth to Cawston. The roads were drier by the time we reached Swannington and as a result it also felt a little warmer, which was welcomed. After the usual stop at Attlebridge to look at the Wensum, it was on to Weston Longville, Primrose Green and Elsing.
It was too cold to sit outside in the rear garden, so we found a table indoors and placed our orders. At that point Chris unexpectedly arrived. He had almost joined us at PC when he realised that he had a slow puncture, so he headed downhill back home to get another bike and set off back to PC.
To make his life a little easier he took a more direct route to Elsing, but then had to take to a field to avoid a cable corridor road closure on the Sparham-Elsing road.
So we had a good lunch and then cake and more coffee as we discussed house renovations and summer snow road closures in the Dolomites.
We had decided over lunch to make the route home shorter than planned and we took the Lyng road to cross the A1067. At this point it started raining and the black sky looked as if it may last, so we stopped to don rain jackets, prior to heading for Themelthorpe and Guestwick. By Guestwick the rain had passed and it was getting warmer, with the odd glimpse of sun.
We followed the planned route to Hindolveston and Melton Constable, where we abandoned it to head to Briston and the regular Edgefield, Baconsthorpe route home. Andrew left us at Bodham Hill and Chris and I went home through Upper Sheringham, meeting three buses on the bends in the village!

PC to home was 56.6 miles at an average speed of 14.5 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Mark M and Chris S, chapeau Chris for the bike change and making the effort to join us.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th June – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Wednesday 19th June – Walled Garden, Little Plumstead
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 cool morning with a westerly wind greeted Doug, Mark and guest rider Phil at PC. We set off to pick up Ian at High Kelling, who had previously seen a field of poppies along Bridge Road near Lowes Farm. We found the field and stopped to admire them and to add more colour to the view we took a photo of the new club kit.

We then went to Wiveton and on to Blakeney quay, where we found Graham J sat on a bench admiring the view. He had been riding with the steady group of Graham A, Neil S and Jim H, and a recent ear infection meant that he was only out for a short ride. We also saw Andrew B returning home from his sailing.
The sky had become very black so we all put on rain jackets for the imminent rain. The forecast was for a band of rain to pass over from 11am to 12noon and for once it was very accurate and the rain was heavy, starting as we left Blakeney for Langham.
We dropped down to Stiffkey and as we climbed the hill back to the Warham road, we met a number of classic cars off to an event somewhere. We splashed through Warham to Wells, where the rain was so heavy it pointless visiting the quay for the view, so we continued into Holkham Park through the East Gate and exited from the West Gate towards Burnham Market, by now the rain had eased off, just leaving rivers in the road.
As we approached the crossroads at Leith House we became caught up in a cycling event heading to Burnham Overy Staithe, also on our route. As we approached the village, there were many people on the side of the road cheering and waving, finally the recognition we deserved!
Alas, it was not for us but for the competitors in the annual Norfolk Superhero event, which takes place in the village and consists of a 1mile swim, 4mile kayak, 45mile cycle and 8mile marsh and beach run.
Norfolk Superhero: https://www.norfolksuperhero.co.uk
After that excitement it was a short ride through the Burnhams (Overy, Market, Thorpe) to North Creake Abbey and the Barn Café, which has recently reopened. We were in no rush and happy to enjoy a tasty panini and coffee, followed by cake and coffee as we warmed up and dried out.

There was no sign of the steady group, they must have found food and refuge from the rain elsewhere.
By now the clouds had gone and the sky was clear and the sun was drying the roads, again as forecast. Not only that but we would be heading east with a tail wind most of the way home. From North Creake it was Waterden, the Barshams, Great and Little Snoring, Thursford Green, through the hole in the hedge to Barney and Fulmodestone. Then the run to Hindolveston, Thurning, Little London, Edgefield, Hempstead, Selbrigg to drop Ian off at the High Kelling junction, Bodham to Red Barn Lane where Doug continued to Cromer and Phil and I continued to PC.

PC to PC was 68 miles at an average speed of 15.2mph
Doug gets today’s mileage award, his extra miles from Cromer and back would have been a total of around 80 miles.
Riders: Doug H, Ian A, Mark M and guest Phil from Milton Keynes

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th June – Lemon & Rosemary Yard, Elsing
Saturday 15th June – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
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/

Report by Ride Leader Ian A
On (yet another!) cool and breezy morning, Ian, Mark and Duncan met at PC for the run down to a new stop for the ‘Club Rides’ group: The Java Bean Cafe on the site of what was RAF Coltishall until it closed in 2006 and is now Scottow Enterprise Park. (We were a couple of minutes late leaving due to some fettling required to Duncan’s rear derailleur. But it ran perfectly afterwards thanks to Mark.)
The route took us via Gresham and Sustead, down to Hanworth, then directly west to Thorpe Market and Gunton where we picked up Graham. The group of 4 then went via Trunch, then southwards, skirting North Walsham via White Horse Common, continuing on to Worstead and down to Ashmanaugh where we turned east, and went via some quiet lanes to avoid the commotion of Coltishall, northwest to Little Hautbois and on to Badersfield and the cafe stop. We’d made good time with a generally downhill route, helped further by the prevailing westerly wind and stayed dry until the final ten minutes but it didn’t amount to much.
The cafe was busy, primarily with workers from the business park but the good value food and excellent coffee (they grind/sell their own) arrived quickly. On clearing our plates, Ian spotted a tray of freshly baked chocolate cake that was destined for the counter but hadn’t made it yet. All four of us decided to have a piece and it was excellent. Washed down with more coffee.

A group of local hairy bikers arrived as we were leaving so it clearly attracts a good crowd. On departing, we had a brief stop at the heritage centre at the site entrance (only open Thu & Sun) before starting back via Skeyton, Burgh next Aylsham, Tuttington and Banningham where we waved goodbye to Graham who headed back to Cromer. The three of us continued on to Ingworth, across Itteringham common, then Little Barningham, Plumstead and Baconsthorpe, where Duncan turned off to head back to Holt via the Hempstead road. Ian and Mark continued on to the Hill Farm/Rectory Road junction where Ian turned left for High Kelling and Mark turned right for PC and Sheringham, enjoying a westerly tailwind one last time. No rain on the way back either. The roads were mainly dry, but inevitably muddy in some places and one flood.

PC to PC was 56 miles at an average speed of 15.1mph
Riders: Ian A, Duncan S, Graham A, Mark M

Footnote: RAF Coltishall was a fighter airfield in the Second World War and afterwards, a station for night fighters, then ground attack aircraft until closure. After long standing speculation, the future of the station was sealed once the Ministry of Defence announced that the Eurofighter Typhoon, a rolling replacement aircraft, displacing the ageing SEPECAT Jaguar would not be located there. The last of the Jaguar squadrons left on 1 April 2006, and the station finally closed, one month early and £10 million under budget, on 30 November 2006.

Saturday 8th June – North Creake Abbey
Wednesday 12th June – Lemon & Rosemary Yard, Elsing
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
For the first day of summer it was overcast, chilly and with a strong northerly wind, but at least it was dry, which was a big improvement from last Saturday.
This annual ride in memory of keen club rider Bruce McEwen, pauses at Felmingham Church to meet up with Bruce’s wife Heather for a chat and a photo.
Mark set off from PC and picked up Doug at Gresham, then Neil M at Aldborough School, then went past Brian’s and through the flooded road on the way to Suffield and onto Felmingham Church.
As we arrived Malcolm was going off with Heather to fix a mechanical, which he had sustained taking his bike out of Sue’s car in the church car park! Also waiting for us were Graham A, Neil S and Jim H, so now we had a group of seven. After our chat and photo with Heather we set off as a group for Waxham.

Before we had reached the end of the road there had been two more minor mechanicals, though after that it was an easy wind assisted ride to Worstead, Honing and a diversion via Crostwick to avoid the Honing bridge replacement works, Ingham, Calthorpe Street, Sea Palling to Waxham Barn.
The café was busy mainly because no-one wanted to sit outside in the cold, yet we managed to get two tables and enjoyed the usual good lunch and giant cakes.
There seemed to be reluctance to get up and leave, though eventually we had to brave the wind, all of us except Malcolm who was heading south to Yarmouth where he saw the recently arrived Spanish Galleon replica.

The steady group followed their own more direct route back, while the remaining three followed Harvey’s route and headed further south to Hickling before turning north for Ingham, Lessingham and the lanes to Ridlington and Bacton Wood. From there it was the familiar roads to Knapton, Trunch where Doug turned for Cromer, Thorpe Market where we met up with Neil S again, Hanworth and the Aldborough road where Neil M turned off and finally PC.

PC to PC was 64.4 miles at an average speed of 14.9 mph
Riders: Mark M, Doug H, Neil M, Malcolm S, Graham A, Neil S, Jim H
Spanish Galleon: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24351700.17th-century-replica-galleon-ship-arrives-great-yarmouth/

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th June – Java Bean, Badersfield
Saturday 8th June – 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 Mark M
Being a longer ride of 81 miles we had decided on an earlier start time of 9am. So Ian, Andrew, Duncan and Mark met at PC on a dry, warm morning with a westerly breeze and the possibility of showers.
Setting off via Gresham, Aldborough, Little Barningham to Corpusty, where we found Neil Mc waiting for us. Having avoided last Saturday’s rain fest he thought he would try his luck today. So the group of five continued to Foulsham and Bintree Mill for a photo stop in the sunshine before heading through Gately, Horningtoft to Whissonsett. We caught a brief light shower here but it was gone before we needed to stop for rain jackets and it remained dry through Tittleshall and on to Litcham at 32 miles. As we arrived Andrew announced he had a slow rear puncture (Conti Gatorskin).

Graham A was already eating his lunch and had bagged a large table, having taken a more direct route from Cromer and the Deli was busy with other cyclists and customers all arriving at the same time, which made for a hectic 20 mins for the lady running the place. Andrew took the opportunity to change his tube and even managed to recruit some of the other cyclists to help.
After lunch Andrew and Graham set off together, with each taking a more direct route back home, leaving four to tackle the last leg into the wind to Great Dunham, Castle Acre and West Acre.
At West Acre we took the Tumbley Hill Road, past the very nice West Acre Gardens and café and on to Great and Little Massingham, East Rudham, Shereford and another photo stop at Sculthorpe Mill, which had high water levels.

Then it was up to Cranmer and on to West Barsham. As we descended the hill, Ian called for a visit to Barsham Brewery as they now have a shop and we ended up having a beer in their sunny yard, a birthday treat from Duncan, thanks Duncan.

After that unscheduled stop we continued on to our planned stop at 63 miles, Norton’s in Little Walsingham for tea and cakes, again sitting outside in the sun.
After a splash through the ford at Great Walsingham it was the regular route home of Wighton, Binham, Langham, Wiveton and up the hill (I was dropped) to Salthouse Heath and on to High Kelling, where Duncan and Ian headed home.
Neil and I continued to the end of Red Barn Lane, where we were surrounded by very black clouds, Neil opted to continue to Gresham and follow the route back to Corpusty, while I headed to PC. Within a minute the heavens opened, I quickly put on my rain jacket and it poured back to PC, finally easing as I descended Holway Road back into Sheringham, shortly after getting home the sun was back out! Neil would have had a very soggy ride home with rain soaked roads keeping him wet after the rain stopped.

PC to PC was 82.2 miles at an average speed of 14.9 mph
Riders: Ian A, Andrew B, Duncan S, Mark M, Neil M, Graham A

Saturday 1st June – Bruce MacEwen Memorial Ride
Wednesday 5th June – Java Bean, Badersfield
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
Despite heavy rain at 8.00am it had eased off to light rain by 10.00 am. However, only two wheelers, Chris S and Mark M met at PC. A third Wheeler, Ian A, joined the two wheelers at the end of Red Barn Lane. Neil M wisely decided to opt out of the ride as did the riders of the Steady Group.

The three Wheelers headed through Saxthorpe, Heydon and Reepham where a short detour was taken to avoid the recently re-laid gravel surface on the Reepham Road. Just after crossing the A1067 the group encountered a road closure due to the enabling works for the Hornsea wind farm cabling. Heros fencing stretched not only right across the road but also well into the verges. However careful manoeuvring of one panel allowed a very narrow gap which with a bit of lifting of the bikes enabled the three to squeeze through and continue with the ride without having to take a detour.

The route then continued through Elsing and onto North Tuddenham where despite a balmy 13 degrees centigrade and light rain a pitstop was made at Dann’s Dairy to partake of their excellent ice cream. (Chris kindly paid for all the ice creams, thanks Chris – Ed.)

On leaving Dann’s Dairy the rain then became heavier as the group rode through Yaxham, Mattishall and Shipdham cutting out a mile off the route before arriving at the King’s Head. A hot meal was then enjoyed before climbing back onto the bikes in much heavier rain which increased in intensity the nearer the Wheelers got to PC.

The homeward route took the group through Scarning, Gressenhall, Worthing, Billingford and Bintree where Chris’s rear tyre punctured (so much for Marathon Plus puncture proof tyres!).
Conveniently the puncture happened beside the bus stop which gave shelter from the continuing heavy rain whilst repairing the puncture.

Three very wet riders then continued through Foulsham, Guestwick and Briston where Chris then managed to hit an unforeseen submerged pothole due to the amount of surface water now covering the roads. Although he managed to stay on, the jolt caused by the front wheel hitting the hole broke his Garmin holder resulting in the GPS flying off the bike and hitting the road. On its recovery it was found to have a cracked screen.

By then the rain had become even heavier as the three passed through Baconsthorpe to the junction with Rectory Road where Ian then turned left to head back to High Kelling. Chris and Mark headed home by way of Upper Sheringham.

Riders: Chris S, Mark M and Ian A
Distance 64.6 miles. Average speed 15.0 mph

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 29th May – Litcham Deli – 9am Start
Saturday 1st June – Bruce MacEwen Memorial Ride
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 north westerly breeze made for a foggy, damp and chilly PC when Chris and Mark met for the day’s ride. With a forecast of 17-18 degrees inland we were looking forward to finding it. We set off and picked up Neil M at Edgefield, then it was Briston, Guestwick to Foulsham.
Here we found Jim H heading in the opposite direction, he told us that having just returned (Thursday) from his motorhoming trip abroad he wanted to get back on the bike and had met the steady group at Gresham and went as far as Foulsham before heading home to catch up with many jobs. Well done Jim on getting out and clocking up some miles.
A short distance later we met up with Graham A and Neil S, who would take a more direct route to the cafe as we continued down to Bintree Mill, Broom Green, Brisley and East Bilney before looping around towards Mileham and past Bittering quarry, then joining the larger Litcham Road to Gressenhall.
It was our first visit of the season to Mardlers’ and other than some new menu boards and signs, it was as reliable and good value as ever. We all sat outside, though it was still cool as the sun had not been able to break through until we were just leaving.
The route back took us to Hoe and Worthing and along the Wensum Valley. Graham and Neil planned to take the more direct Bawdeswell route home, while we continued along the river to Attlebridge. At the customary stop on the bridge, we had warmed up enough to remove jackets and gilets. It was noticeable how the river seemed to be back to normal levels after the winter flooding.
Looping around Swannington Upgate to Cawston and then the familiar route north, into the wind to Itteringham and the Mannington Hall turn, where Neil M left us and on to North Barningham and back to PC.

PC to PC was 65 miles with an average speed of 15.9 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Neil M, Graham A, Neil S, Jim H

Fun Fact – Giro d’Italia stage 14 time trial winner, Filippo Ganna used a 68 tooth chainring

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 22nd May – Java Bean, Badersfield
Saturday 25th May – Shipdham, Kings Head
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/