Club Runs

Three met at PC on a cold morning, made colder by a strong south westerly which gradually increased in strength during the ride. The first few miles as we went to Felbrigg and picked up Graham, were a tailwind, though that soon changed as we headed south west to Hanworth and Aldborough.
Then it was a good few hard miles west through Plumstead, Edgefield to Hunworth, where we finally turned northwards to Letheringsett and then took the long climb up to Bayfield. Then we had a good descent down to Glandford and Cley Newgate before climbing up to Salthouse Heath, followed by the drop down to Kelling and the Old Reading Rooms.
The café was busy though we managed to get the large table and had just got settled when the place started reverberating to the sound of the Iceni Harley Club arriving, well half a dozen of them anyway, also out to enjoy good soup, coffee and cake. I doubt if the wind was causing them too many problems.

After lunch it was uphill into a head wind towards Holt and then down into Weybourne where Graham left us to head on the coast road back to Cromer, for the rest it was uphill past the station and the steep grind to the holiday park and eventually to Bodham.
At the junction with Lower Bodham, Ian turned for home but not before admiring a few early daffodils braving the cold. That left two to set off for North Barningham and Barningham Winter, when the route looped back to Baconsthorpe, Duncan continued on into the headwind for Corpusty. Mark finished the route via Hempstead, Selbrigg Pond, West Beckham to PC.

PC to PC was 49 miles at 13.7 mph average.
The wind combined with the hilly route made for a hard day out.
Riders: Ian A, Duncan S, Graham A, Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 3rd Feb – Watson’s, Bacton
Wednesday 7th Feb – 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/

On a cold, but dry and bright day ten riders were tempted out, although they stuck together only briefly as a single bunch. The initial split was into two pace groups, then Neil Mc had to break off early and Mark was riding to an afternoon memorial event in Wells. Over the years, the Walsinghams have been a frequent destination for North Norfolk Wheelers club runs, so variety of route is always a bit of a challenge. Today’s edition was west by way of Lower Bodham and Salthouse Heath to Wiveton before turning south up the valley of the Glaven, climbing up the back of Thornage to Sharrington, round by Saxlingham to Field Dalling and Binham, finishing off into the Walsinghams by way of a northerly detour to Copy’s Green. The food at The Norton Centre always seems to be first class these days, noticeably better than it was a couple of years or so back.

The route home was planned as Thornage, Gunthorpe, Swanton Novers, Hindolveston, Thurning, Corpusty, Matlaske and Bessingham, but, due to a range of factors, this was largely ignored. The plotted route from PC to PC was about 53 miles, but individual distances ranged wildly up to about 68 miles.

Riders out: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham; Harvey; Ian; Jim; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S.

Next week is to Watson’s at Bacton, with the shorter leg out in the hope of bagging a good table.

Andrew, Chris and Mark met at PC on a clear, sunny and mild morning, only the very strong westerly wind prevented it from being an ideal cycling day. However as our route initially took us eastwards, picking up Graham at Northrepps Hill and onwards to Trunch, the going was easy.
From Trunch we turned into the wind through Bradfield, Antingham to Suffield, where we made a change to the planned route to give ourselves a better angle to the wind to get to Aylsham.
At Colby we met up with Brian P who was out on his mountain bike for a ride along some of the Weavers Way then onto the Bure Valley trail back to Aylsham.
We split paths at Banningham as we headed straight to Aylsham and made our way to the café at the ACT Community Centre. It is a fairly small café but had a good choice of food and cakes. Wednesday is roast day, so two of us had a full roast lunch with a chocolate pudding desert, while the other two opted for the very generous omelettes. We were all impressed by the new café find and will be back again.
As we left we took a shortcut down a rough track to the Heydon Road and then on through Able Heath to Oulton, where we now turned north and out of the headwind. At Itteringham, Graham turned off for Cromer, having been riding all morning without a puncture! Let’s hope his good luck continued all the way home.
The remaining trio went via Plumstead to Hempstead, then Selbrigg Pond to drop Andrew off close to home, then it was a tail wind again as we went to West Beckham and the direct route home through Upper Sheringham.

Mileage with route changes PC to PC 42 miles. Average speed 13.9 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Graham B, Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 27th Jan – Norton’s, Little Walsingham
Wednesday 31st Jan – 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/

It was a fairly odd route today, although certainly not without interest and varied terrain. There was also a last minute alteration to the refuelling destination. A number of Wheelers would have liked to get out today, but were prevented from doing so for a range of reasons. So, only five riders headed out on a dull day that was marked by a very strong and chilly southerly as the weather systems started to change. The route went initially eastwards by way of Metton, Roughton, Northrepps, Southrepps, Thorpe Market, Tops Hill, Hanworth, Aldborough, over Thwaite Hill (but missing out an originally scheduled circuit of Thwaite Common), Erpingham school, Ingworth and the back lanes of Aylsham town to the The Conservatory (formerly Food Lovers), an old favourite of many North Norfolk Wheelers, but which has passed through a period of unpredictable closures. The cafe was busy, but the staff, consisting of two ladies, was remarkably efficient and friendly, despite there being only one printed menu to share between twenty three people.

The morning ride featured a meeting and a chat with a pedestrian Graham A, apparently adopting a rather extreme method of avoiding punctures. Further along the road, Brian and Harvey took the leisurely approach to new levels when stopping for a long chat with Johnny, the Aylsham postman/fireman.

A shorter afternoon leg saw powerhouse Chris driving Andrew and Neil Mc to a rapid ride home, while Brian and Harvey maintained a steady pace, and also truncated the plotted route to enable Brian to get back east in reasonable time. The full scheduled route was Abel Hearh, Oulton Street, Cawston, Brandiston, Booton, the edge of Reepham, Salle, Heydon Park, Itteringham and Barningham. Neil departed at Barningham and Andrew turned west at the top of Plum Lane.

PC to PC was about 49 miles, but individuals rode between 50 miles and 60 miles.

Report by Ride Leader Chris S
Only three riders turned up at PC on what was probably the coldest day of the year so far with temperatures hovering around the 3 degrees Celsius mark and a light northerly wind.

Whilst the roads were dry there were patches of ice around but nothing that couldn’t be avoided. Chris (leading), Andrew and Ian made good progress with the route taking them through Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Thorpe Market, Bradfield, North Walsham, Worstead and Tunstead.
Just after North Walsham the trio encountered a major sugar beet loading operation which blocked the road to all traffic except the intrepid cyclists who passed it with ease. The only other hazard was a large flood comprising of some very dank black water near Tunstead with no option other than to ride through it!

On arrival at the Rising Sun in Coltishall a table near the roaring Woodburner was very welcome. After some hot food the trio were about to leave when about 20 odd (well they may not have been odd!) people arrived at the bar. Andrew bravely fought through the crowd and paid for lunch (sadly I think he expects to be reimbursed by Chris and Ian – good luck on that one Andrew!).

The return journey into the northerly head wind was relatively uneventful with a photo stop at Oxnead by Ian – never one to miss a photo opportunity!

The three took turns to lead the return journey with Andrew setting a cracking pace for a while. After Matlaske, Andrew and Ian turned left into Rectory Road to take them directly back to High Kelling leaving Chris to take the easy route back to Sheringham via Upper Sheringham.

Mileage 47 to 53 miles. Average speed 14.5mph
Andrew, Ian and Chris leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 20th Jan – Artisan Café, Alby
Wednesday 24th Jan – Orange Blossom Café, Aylsham
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/

Four North Norfolk Wheelers at Nelson’s Cafe via Holkham Hall – wondering where the other four have vanished to!

A steady group of four set out a bit early to be pursued by four more Wheelers. However, the handicap system fell apart as soon as Salthouse Heath, where Graham experienced an exploding rear inner tube inside a Vittoria tyre that looked as though it had been fought over by a pair of Rottweilers. So, the PC contenders swept on, following a direct route to The Courtyard Cafe at Holkham Hall, only to be greeted by a ‘Temporarily Closed’ sign. Undaunted, the intrepid foursome continued along the set route, which, conveniently, passed by the old NNW favourite of Nelson’s in Wells, where they reported being well looked after with some excellent nourishment.

Meanwhile, back east, Harvey had to ride into Holt to collect a replacement tyre and a new inner tube. The heavily-delayed semi-bunch eventually headed west, but decided that Walsingham would now have to suffice on a winter’s day. Inexplicably, the ride leader, who had earlier in the week warned the Wednesday Wheelers that their programmed destination at the Norton Centre would be closed this week, led the steady riders to —- the Norton Centre**. So, it was over the Stiffkey ford to O’Brennans in Great Walsingham for fancy pies.

Both contingents enjoyed a lot of tailwind for the return trip. The Holkham/Wells people rode by way of Warham, Binham, Clipstreet, Sharrington, Brinton and Stody to Cross Green for the first split. Close to home, Ian picked up a staple through a tyre, which miraculously remained inflated following careful removal of the said object. The Walsingham group took a more southerly route back to north east Norfolk, despite the repeated protestations of Graham, who strangely insisted that he wanted to go through Briston.

Conditions: cold with a stiff westerly wind, but again more sunshine than forecast.

Riders: Andrew; Chris; Ian; Neil Mc; Brian; Graham A; Harvey; Neil S.

Distances: c.42 miles to 61 miles.

**Psychiatric research has demonstrated that exploding inner tubes can disrupt normal rational thought processes.

Report by Ride Leader Ian A

With other commitments for some and risk aversion strategies for others, just three riders met at PC on a cold and breezy morning.  Two of the trio had met some unexpected patches of icy slush on the way to PC through Lower Bodham and more patches of treachery were also encountered during the ride.  This often caught us unawares as some of the route was on bone dry roads but we all stayed ‘rubberside down’ despite a few front wheel twitches. 
The route took us via Bodham to High Kelling and over the railway to Newgate, Glandford, Saxlingham, Binham and onto Great Walsingham.  A healthy tailwind (you know what that means for later dear reader!) helped us make good progress, with the ride leader punching the trio through the air to reach O’Brennans soon after 11:30am. 

Despite the dark inside, the cafe was indeed open for its first customers of the day and we enjoyed good bacon/sausage sandwiches and eggs on toast by the (not quite roaring) wood burner. 

True to form Chris repeated his indulgence with the chocolate fudge cake he enjoyed last January.  Though this time he left off the whipped cream and ice-cream he had with it before.  Mindful of his figure perhaps?  And no doubt conscious of his new found affiliation with the racing whippets in the Wheelers’ Triathlon contingent at the Tuesday night spin classes.  Fair play to him.

Saddling up, the route (and tailwind still!)  took us through Little Walsingham and on to the Barshams.  And that, dear reader, is where the fairytale ended.  We turned east for Great Snoring, Thursford, Gunthorpe and onto Hunworth, Edgefield and Hempstead.  All into the headwind now and (as often in a headwind) it all seemed mostly uphill too!  Courteously, we all did a turn on the front on the return leg.  Spurning the opportunity to stop and coo at the swans at Selbrigg Pond, the group split at the top of Selbrigg Road, with Chris turning right to head back to Sheringham while Ian and Andrew turned left for High Kelling. Filthy bikes again, despite some dry roads…

PC to PC was 46 miles at an average speed of 14mph.
Andrew, Chris and Ian leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 13th Jan – Holkham Hall
Wednesday 17th Jan – Rising Sun, Coltishall
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations:  https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos:  https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

North Norfolk Wheelers obviously treat New Year’s resolutions seriously as nine of their number turned out for the this weekend’s club run to the Station Cafe at Reepham. Neil Mc, Mark, Ian, Chris and Andrew set out from Pretty Corner, while a steadier contingent, comprised of Neil S, Jim, Harvey and Brian, met for mutual geographical convenience at Barningham. With the local average monthly rainfall being exceeded during the first five days of 2024, it was a question of fingers crossed that the worst of the road flooding could be avoided, but in the event it proved to be not too challenging. The vanguard group managed fairly rapid progress by way of Saxthorpe, Foulsham, Jordan Green, along the Blackwater and through the hamlet of Whitwell Street for an early refuelling break. The catering at the Station Cafe has always been fairly decent, but seems to have stepped up a couple of notches recently.

The afternoon run back to base was by way of Booton, Great Witchingham, Swannington, Cawston, Oulton Street, Itteringham (from where Neil Mc turned for Mannington and Corpusty), Wolterton, Wickmere, Aldborough and Bessingham. The High Kelling duo headed straight back over Bodham Hill, while the Sheringham pair climbed back up to the morning meeting point. The off the back section split at various points for Melton Constable, Alby, Beeston Regis and Holt. They also however added an extra leg to the route, detouring round by Upgate and Felthorpe church, thereby encountering the biggest flood of the day.

Conditions: – Cold northerly wind. Cold light showers. Much more sun than forecast.

The PC to PC distance was just shy of 50 miles. Individual distances ranged from 40 miles to 65 mile

Report by Ride Leader Andrew B
Four riders met at Pretty Corner for the first run of the year on a damp morning following a night of heavy rainfall. The route took us through East Beckham, Lower Gresham and Sustead where we met up with Graham as pre-arranged. We the continued on through Hanworth, Alby Hill, Alby, Erpingham, Colby and Felmingham through a number of significant floods when Graham had a front puncture just past Corvette Kingdom. This was soon fixed by Mark with the rest of us giving moral support – see photos.

We then continued through Aylsham via Tuttington with Graham unfortunately discovering he had a slow puncture in the rear tyre. However, he managed to limp to Blickling with the help of Andrew pumping up his tyre!
The cafe was nice and warm and we all enjoyed a good lunch with very quick service.

After lunch Graham discovered that his tyre was completely flat but optimistically pumped it up hoping it would get him back.

We then continued on through Silvergate and yet more floods including a half mile river/road!
However, after a couple of miles Graham realised that the tyre was flat again, so with Mark’s help he finally gave in and replaced the innertube.

The repair work was watched by the rest of us and an interested horse looking over a gate – see photos. We then proceeded on the route via. Oulton Street and Oulton where Graham left us to make his own way back (hopefully puncture free!). The remainder carried on through Corpusty, Ramsgate Street, Edgefield, Hempstead and Selbrigg Pond where Ian and Andrew left off to go back to High Kelling. The remaining two riders then followed the normal route back to PC. A good ride despite the hold ups, floods and intermittent heavy showers.

PC to PC 42 miles
Average speed 13.0 mph
Total Elevation 1500 ft
Mark, Ian, Chris, Graham A and Andrew leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 6th Jan – Reepham Station
Wednesday 10th Jan – Obrennan’s, Gt 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/

Winter fun at Edingthorpe.

On a dank and drizzly December’s day, punctuated by some heavier patches of precipitation, only Mark and Neil Mc departed from Pretty Corner. They were soon to be joined, however, by Andrew and Clive (from Chester). So, a fast-moving foursome headed for the east coast. To avoid Neil having to traipse home alone in the final hour, the sensible decision was made to reverse the set route for the day. At Edingthorpe the smooth rhythm was interrupted when fate interfered to deal Mark his first Gatorskin puncture in 4863 miles. Adding insult to injury, Neil punctured a Durano Plus soon after. The culprits on both occasions were thorns. So, the day’s second sensible decision was taken; head directly to a busy, but dry and warm Watson’s at Bacton, where some good food and hot beverages were suitably appreciated.

On a day notable for sensible decisions, the route was amended further in order to keep the company together as long as possible on the way home. Neil cut off at Aylsham for Corpusty, while the remaining trio continued north westwards via Calthorpe, Plumstead and Hempstead before splitting for Sheringham, High Kelling and Blakeney.

Individual distances varied, but Sheringham to Sheringham was about 56 miles. A day to test the patience and determination of the club cyclist, but at the end of the day there was the righteous glow of solid winter miles and a feeling of well-being.

On Friday four more of the North Norfolk Wheelers took a steady ride in bright, but very windy conditions to the original venue at Walcott’s Lighthouse Inn. Brian, Neil S and Harvey enjoyed a lot of wind assistance, particularly during the second half of the outward leg. Getting his New Year’s resolutions in early, Malcolm rode up from St Olave’s, via Stalham and Catfield. After the break, the northerly trio had a bit of a slog back into the wind, although they have to admit that the lanes afforded significant shelter and that the wind was easing slowly during the afternoon. Malcolm followed the coast road for most of the way home, reporting unusually heavy traffic en route.

The set route was 49 miles, although two riders completed more than 60 for the day, with Malcolm putting in 64.