Another dry and sunny morning though with a cold easterly wind, greeted three Wheelers at PC. They set off on mainly dry roads through Gresham and Bessingham to pick up Neil at Matlaske crossroads and then headed south via Itteringham, Cawston, the Witchinghams, with a stop to look at the flooded Wensum at Lenwade. Then with the wind helping, we made brisk progress to Elsing, Swanton Morley, Hoe and the White Swan at Gressenhall. This community owned pub has been a Wednesday ride destination a couple of times and has always provided a friendly welcome and good food and drinks.
The refurbished Gressenhall, White Swan. 9th March 2024
Today we went for the light lunch options and between us had soup and sandwiches, which were tasty though the soup could have been warmer. By the time we were ready to leave, the place had filled up, so a popular destination.
Always happy when food is on the table, L-R, Neil Mc, Mark M, Chris S, Ian A. 9th March 2024
Our return leg took us through East Bilney to Brisley, Broom Green to Guist, where we now turned into the wind for Guestwick and Corpusty. We dropped Neil here and continued along the Matlaske road turning for Plumstead, where Ian turned off for Hempstead and home, leaving two to continue to Baconsthorpe, W Beckham and Upper Sheringham and home.
PC to PC 62 miles at 15 mph average Riders: Ian A, Chris S, Mark M, Neil Mc
Report by Ride Leader Andrew B Four riders met at Pretty Corner on a mild and dry morning to ride out to the Dial House Reepham. Unusually this was planned as a two pit stop strategy, with a mid-morning coffee break at Erpingham Village Hall. The route took us through Gresham, Metton (where we picked up Graham as pre-arranged), Hanworth, Thurgarton, Alby and onto Erpingham. The coffee stop opportunity had been spotted on a previous ride as a suitable location as they are holding charity coffee and cake mornings every Wednesday in the winter. This proved an excellent choice as we all enjoyed hot drinks and home-made cakes for less than £10 all in. Even better, Ian paid for it all as it was his birthday the next day! He certainly knows how to treat us
Wednesday Coffee & Cake mornings at Erpingham Village Hall. 6th March 2024
After coffee Chris had to leave us to complete the rest of the route alone as he had an urgent matter to sort out at home. The remaining four then followed the route through Ingworth, Blickling, Oulton Street and Cawston where we spotted another Wheelers group in All Things Nice. Following a quick chat, we then proceeded via. Eastgate, and Booton to Reepham (cutting about five miles of the planned route as we were running late by then). We all enjoyed some excellent food and drinks at the Dial House, which offered an excellent choice of cakes and snacks. As a bonus the sun had come out by then and we were able to sit outside. See photos below.
Andrew B is spoilt for choice at the Dial House, Reepham. 6th March 2024Warm & dry enough to sit outside the Dial House, Reepham. L-R Mark M, Andrew B, Graham A, Ian A camera. 6th March 2024
Following lunch we made our way back to PC via. Guestwick, Briston, Stody, Hunworth, Edgefield, Hempstead and onto Sellbrigg Pond where Andrew and Ian split off to go home, leaving Mark and Graham to complete the route. It was good to see Graham back to form. Presumably Chris was the only rider to complete the planned route! Overall, a good ride despite some residual flooding, with no rain and even some sun.
PC to PC 48 miles Average speed 14.1 mph Total Elevation 1600 ft
A strong cold south easterly greeted the three that met at PC, though that would work in our favour as we headed west to Holkham, the return leg would be another matter. At High Kelling we picked up Ian and Andrew and made good progress to Cley Newgate, where we gave a quick wave to Andrew C as he was getting into his car. Then it was across a fast flowing Glaven to Glandford, Langham, Cockthorpe, Binham to Great Walsingham. As we crossed the Stiffkey it was creating a huge roar as it funnelled under the bridge, no cycling through the ford today. Then it was the long drag up to Egmere, then entering Holkham Park from the south, passing through the Triumphal Arch with sunshine and a blue sky.
Spring sunshine at the Triumphal Arch, Holkham 2nd March 2024
We arrived at the café just before noon and found a good table indoors in the warm. As we were enjoying our lunches we could see it was raining heavily outside, so we waited for it to pass before we set off on the windy leg home. We soon realised what we would be in for as we fought the wind and the long straight uphill road back to the south gate. The roads were now very wet and the sky heavy with rain clouds as we went to Waterden, the Barshams and up to Great Snoring. Here it started to rain, so it was time for rain jackets while we admired a double rainbow and then to Hindringham for Bale.
Rainbows and rain at Great Snoring, 2nd March 2024
As we set off down the Bale road, there was another flood, particularly long but little evidence of how deep it actually was. So Mark headed into it with feet off the pedals expecting to get most of the way before needing to pedal again. It was only a few yards before the water was over the chainrings and the bike was slowing rapidly. Realizing that it was time to bale out, he got off and sploshed his way back with the water filling his shoes, much to the amusement of the rest of the group that had sensibly waited to see how deep it was.
A little deeper than it looks. Bale road, Hindringham 2nd March 2024
For an alternative route we went to Gunthorpe, where Neil turned for Corpusty, then it was Brinton and Stody. Here we had planned to go via Hunworth until Andrew pointed out that one of the footbridges over the very likely flooded fords was broken. So we decided to head to Briston and the regular route to Edgefield and beyond, it was also raining heavily at this point, so we didn’t need any more delays or detours. Ian and Andrew went via Hempstead for home, leaving Chris and Mark to take the Upper Sheringham route home. It was still pouring after getting home.
PC to PC 58 miles at 14.3 mph average Riders: Neil Mc, Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Ian A (camera)
Report by Ride Leader Ian A On another chilly but dry morning 5 riders met at PC for a ride out to The Kings Arms at Blakeney. Most of the miles were front-loaded before lunch, but most of the climbing was saved for after lunch. The route took us through West Beckham and past Selbrigg Pond to Hempstead, Plumstead and Edgefield. Then down the hill to Briston, the drag to Melton Constable where we swung north via Briningham and Brinton to cross the A148 at Sharrington, then past the pig farms and west to Saxlingham, Field Dalling and Binham where we regrouped (again) to allow the steadier contingent to catch up. We looped to Langham via Cockthorpe and past the Langham Dome with its shiny Spitfire (Note: THE BIG ANNIVERSARY Open Day on Sunday 21st July 2024). From Langham it was a short climb up the Langham Road before the descent into Blakeney and the welcoming Kings Arms. The food was good: seafood chowders, jacket with tuna, chilli and baguettes were all declared good. Three of us enjoyed a refreshing pint too!
Good food at the Kings Head, Blakeney. L-R Graham A, Andrew B, Chris S, Mark M, Ian A camera. 28th Feb 2024Blakeney harbour on 28th Feb 2024
Not far lads, only 13 miles back to PC. But the Ride Leader had engineered it so the route took us from Wiveton to Holt, pretty much uphill all the way. We did the usual detour to see Duncan’s ‘new build’, now looking quite resplendent in wooden cladding that nicely matches the brickwork (a bit of weathering should sort that out…) and even the garage looks nearly finished. Can’t be long now before Duncan moves in. From Holt we took the undulating Hempstead Road to Baconsthorpe and North Barningham. We regrouped here (again) after a short ‘retrace’ to find Graham – he’d received an urgent phone call. At the foot of Mill Road in Gresham we said goodbye to Graham and the remaining 4 headed up the hill to the top of Red Barn Lane where Ian & Andrew headed back to High Kelling, leaving Chris & Mark to make their way back to PC. A chilly day but at least the sun came out for some of it.
PC to PC was 45 miles at 14.4mph Riders: Ian A (leading), Andrew B, Chris S, Graham A and Mark M.
This should have been a 62 mile ride to Mundesley and back, however misfortune changed the itinerary, but let’s start at the beginning. The usual five met at PC on a chilly, dry, windfree day with the promise of the sun burning off the mist and providing a bit of warmth. Our route took us through Gresham, Bessingham, Aldborough and Erpingham to cross the A140 for Colby. At the main road we met Jim H, part of the day’s steady group, who had just had his second puncture/same tyre (rear Gatorskin) of the day and was on the phone to International Rescue to be collected. We continued on to Colby and were nearing Banningham when a van appeared, Brian P rode through a puddle to allow some room and hit a deep pothole, throwing him over the bars and into the road. It was obvious Brian was not in a good way as he had a deep cut in the back of his head and his left hip was causing a lot of pain. An ambulance was called, the van driver, a local businessman, provided some bubble wrap and a towel to help keep Brian warm & then took Brian’s bike home for him, before coming back to check on progress. A paramedic duly arrived along with a couple of police officers as we were effectively blocking the road and the ambulance arrived within an hour. They gave him some pain killers and scooped him up and got him into the warmth of the ambulance. The rest of us then went to the Banningham Crown to warm up, have coffee and some lunch. After lunch, we decided to make our way back home via Ingworth, Calthorpe where Graham left us and the remaining four went to Plumstead, Hempstead, Selbrigg Pond with a quick stop for the swans. Then Ian and Andrew turned for High Kelling, leaving two to take the Upper Sheringham route home.
30 miles for the day Riders: Ian A, Andrew B, Neil Mc, Chris S, Mark M, Brian P, Graham A, Jim H, Phil S.
We start this report with the sad news that on Wednesday 14th Feb, Chris Brown collapsed in his garden and died. Chris had a passion for all things cycling, had a vast knowledge of the history of cycle brands and race teams, a much admired collection of bikes and parts and was an all-round good man. R.I.P. Chris.
Two Wheelers met at PC and it started raining hard enough to make us put on rain jackets before setting off to collect Andrew and Ian at Bodham Hill. By Baconsthorpe it was dry and warm enough to take off the rain jackets for the rest of the day, though there would be occasional spells of drizzle later on. On our way to Briston we picked up Neil Mc at Edgefield, then at Hindolveston we turned south for Foulsham, Bintree and a stop at Bintree Mill to look at the amount of water flowing through the mill and the bypass sluice.
Plenty of water at Bintree Mill. L-R, Neil Mc, Andrew B, Kay B, Mark M, Chris S, Ian A camera. 17th Feb 2024
It was here that we met up with Harvey, who was making sure that guest rider Kay B from North Elmham found us and joined the group, before he set off on his route again. Then it was up the poorly surfaced and busy B1110 before turning off for Gateley, Great Ryburgh, up the Ryburgh Bergs to a surprisingly quiet Pensthorpe café. Here we found the steady group of Brian P, Neil S and Graham A already tucking into their lunches. As usual with Pensthorpe, our food arrived quickly and was very good. While we were eating, the café filled up and the queue became so long, it stopped Andrew from going to order cake!
Full and happy at Pensthorpe. L-R Neil Mc, Kay B, Mark M, Chris S, Ian A, Andrew B camera. 17th Feb 2024
Brian and his crew set off a good while before us and though we followed the same route via Kettlestone, Fulmodeston to Hindolveston, we didn’t see them again. In Hindolveston Kay turned south for North Elmham while the rest turned north for Melton Constable, Sharrington, Saxlingham and Wiveton. Then it was the last big effort up Bridgefoot Lane onto Salthouse Heath, High Kelling where Andrew and Ian peeled off, leaving two to take the West Beckham, Upper Sheringham route home.
Steady Group report from Graham A; On the outward journey Brian, myself and Neil missed out the loop from Hindolveston via Foulsham, Bintree, Broom Green and Gately. Instead we went via Fulmodeston and Stibbard joining the route near Ryburgh. On the way back at Hindolveston we went via Thurning, Heydon park and Itteringham. Brian peeled off at Wolterton and Neil at Sustead. I had a mileage total of 55 Cromer to Cromer. Brian would be similar and Neil slightly less.
PC to PC 56 miles at an average 15 mph Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Ian A, Neil Mc, Guest Kay B, Brian P, Neil S, Graham A.
Report by Ride Leader Chris S On a somewhat overcast but warmer than average Wednesday morning four riders turned up at PC – two from High Kelling and two from Sheringham. Even Valentine’s day couldn’t stop the intrepid four venturing out into a rather brisk head on wind for the outward leg – the forecast was for a “light breeze”. The four comprised ride leader, “No wrong turns Chris”, Ian A, Mark M and Andrew B.
The outward journey took the four through Bessingham, Calthorpe, Ingworth, Heydon, Salle, Reepham and on to Junction 21 café at Themelthorpe arriving just before 12 noon. No major incidents were reported along the way although the roads were very wet with a number of floods due to the recent rain. Graham A was already at the café and was halfway through his lunch having made the journey solo from Cromer. However having asked nicely he was permitted to join the foursome for the return journey. As usual the food at the café was very good.
L-R, Andrew B, Chris S, Graham A, Ian A, Mark M enjoy lunch at Junction 21, Themelthorpe. 14th Feb 2024
The return journey went through Foulsham, Guestwick, Thurning, Edgefield and Plumstead where Graham left the group to return to Cromer. The remaining four then continued to Pond Farm where Ian and Andrew turned off to High Kelling leaving Chris and Mark to return to Sheringham via upper Sheringham. All riders took a turn at leading the ride throughout the day. Luckily the weather generally remained dry.
Riders: Chris S (Leading), Mark M, Ian A, Andrew B and Graham A. Distance 47 – 52 miles Average speed 14.21
After a couple of very wet and windy days, Saturday was calm, dry and unseasonably mild, with some occasional sunshine for good measure. So the five Wheelers that met at PC were looking forward to enjoying the good conditions, though we would find that there was a lot of water on the roads and a number of flooded sections. The first leg of the route was mainly south, taking us through Itteringham then Oulton Street and to within sight of the main Holt Road when Chris’s crank arm decided to fall off. Unfortunately the securing bolt required a 10mm hex key and the largest we had available was 8mm. So we pointed Chris back in the direction of Oulton Street and various farm buildings to see if he could find someone with the correct key, failing that he would have to call home for rescue. The remaining four bravely carried on through Cawston, Swannington to Attlebridge where we stopped to admire the Wensum in full flood, dirty brown and surging under the bridge. Then it was a loop round to Ringland, round Attlebridge airfield and down Cadder’s Hill through a huge flood at the bottom and into Lyng. Again the Wensum was in flood and as we climbed the hill out of Lyng we could see a huge expanse of flood plain covered in water. We had not been at Chrysalis café many minutes when Brian and Neil S arrived, having used a mix of road and muddy trails for their route. They reported that they had seen Chris and stopped to help, though they had nothing larger than 8mm. Before we had reached the cake and extra coffee round, Chris arrived. He had found a farmer with a 10mm key, fixed his bike, followed the full route and made it in time for lunch, Chapeau Chris!
L-R, Clive A, Brian P, Neil Mc, Neil S, Chris S, Mark M and Andrew B camera. Chrysalis Cafe 10th Feb 2024
After lunch Brian and Neil S headed for Whitwell and the Marriott’s Way, while the reformed five went through Sparham, down the hill and through another great flood and then up to Bawdeswell, Themelthorpe, Foulsham to Briston where Neil Mc turned for home. Just the other side of Briston, Clive turned towards Stody and on to Blakeney, leaving three to head for Edgefield, Baconsthorpe, Bodham Hill where Andrew turned off, while Mark and Chris went via Upper Sheringham to home.
PC to PC was 55 miles at an average of 15 mph. Riders: Andrew B, Clive A, Neil Mc, Chris S, Mark M, Brian P, Neil S.
Report by Ride Leader Andrew B Four riders met at Pretty Corner on a cold but dry morning to ride out to the Artisan Cafe, Alby. The route took us through Gresham, Metton, Northrepps, Southrepps, Thorpe Market, Hanworth, Aldborough and to the back entrance to the cafe. Fears had been expressed before the start that we would arrive too early at the cafe, but the leader fixed that by taking numerous phone calls and puncturing (front Marathon Plus) half-way through the route!
Many hands make light work and eventually get the tyre back on the rim. 7th Feb 2024
The cafe was busy, but we were shown to a good table and despite being too early for lunch (and too late for breakfast!) we were quickly served with drinks and our order taken. The food came quickly and was excellent, with Mark winning the largest cake eating competition!
A tempting selection of cakes and savouries at Artisan Cafe, Alby. 7th Feb 2024L-R, Mark M, Chris S, Andrew B, Ian A enjoying good food at Artisan Cafe, Alby. 7th Feb 2024
After lunch we made our way back to PC via Ingworth, Aylsham, Cawston, Reepham and Salle, where it was Chris’s turn to puncture (rear Marathon Plus)! This gave some of the party a chance to visit the church which was very impressive, while Chris fixed the puncture.
Where did Chris S get his puncture? In his rear Marathon Plus. Andrew B & Mark M offer support. 7th Feb 2024
By the time we resumed it was getting late in the day, however, the rest of the journey proceeded without incident, with the route taking us through Heydon Park, Oulton, Itteringham and Plumstead, with Ian and Andrew leaving for home at Pond Farm. Overall, a good ride despite the punctures, with good weather for February.
PC to PC 52 miles – Average speed 14.0 mph Total Elevation 2200 ft Mark, Ian (camera), Chris and Andrew leading.
Editor’s Note – 2024 Puncture Challenge – While Graham A leads with an impressive 4 flats, Andrew & Chris have now made it onto the scoreboard.
Another windy day, this time a strong westerly, though it had brought much milder conditions, touching 12 degrees, quite a contrast to the frosty start of Wednesday. The first few miles south towards Little Barningham were in a blustery crosswind, then we turned eastwards for a fast run through Aldborough, Gunton Park, Lower Street, Trunch, Knapton, Witton and up to Bacton. At the café we found Brian and Graham at a large table already tucking into their lunch, so we joined them and had a good chat while our food was being prepared. They then took the opportunity to get a head start on the route home while we had our very good lunches.
The popular Watsons cafe at Bacton. 3rd Feb 2024
As we left we looked at some vintage motorbikes, mainly Ariels, in the car park. Then it was down to Honing, Dilham, Tunstead, Scottow to Swanton Abbott where we met Brian and Graham, who were being creative with their route choice home. We also met them again a few miles further down the road, so they must know all the short cuts! We continued to Colby, Erpingham and back to Aldborough again, where Neil turned for home and then it was the usual route north to Gresham where Ian and Andrew peeled off, leaving two to make it back to PC. A surprisingly warm day with mainly dry roads, sunshine mainly in the morning and just a few spots of rain in the afternoon, that were quickly blown away by the strong westerly.
PC to PC was 55 miles at an average 15 mph. Riders: Ian A, Andrew B, Chris S, Neil Mc, Mark M, Graham A, Brian P.
North Norfolk Wheelers 