Club Runs

Report by Ride Leader Chris S
There was a good turn out with five riders meeting up at Pretty Corner. The weather was dry and sunny for a change but with a brisk to strong south westerly wind which increased in strength throughout the day.

The outward leg took the group through Gresham and Susted where Graham A joined the group then onwards through Aldborough, Suffield, Swanton Abbot, Sloley and on to Wroxham Barns. The condition of some of the smaller lanes was poor to say the least with a mixture of mud and wet leaves making the surface very slippery and slowing down the group.

Although the original destination was Hoveton Hall this was changed to the Courtyard Café at Wroxham Barns on account of the former being closed for the winter. However after arriving at the café early at approximately 11.45am a good hot lunch was enjoyed. Malcolm also turned up having cycled from St Olaves.

The return journey was via Coltishall with a steady climb along Hautbois Road to Badersfield. The wind strengthened veering west making it harder work. At Skeyton, Graham opted to take a sorter and less windy route back to Cromer. The rest of the group continued onto Tuttington, Banningham, Ingham and Calthorpe where Duncan then turned off. The ride then continued to Matlaske and onto Barningham Road where Andrew and Ian turned off left to head back to High Kelling. This left only Mark and Chris to finish the ride to PC

Total Distance 46.7 miles Average 14.3mph
Riders: Chris S (Leader), Duncan S, Mark M, Andrew B, Ian A, Graham A and Malcolm S at lunch, (Malcolm’s total was 53miles)

Reminder to complete the short Club Survey:
https://nnwheelers.co.uk/2023/11/15/the-club-invites-you-to-take-this-short-questionnaire-to-help-inform-the-committee-thanks/

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 18th Nov – Lighthouse, Walcott
Wednesday 22nd Nov – Recruiting Sergeant, Horstead
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/

And then there were ten. After recent concerns about falling numbers, exacerbated by unprecedented levels of illness and injury, it was a double figures turnout in sharp, bright conditions for the first of the shorter GMT weekend club runs. Only three Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner, but, as anticipated, two more groups joined the route at the three and five mile markers. It was a fairly stiff headwind out, riding roughly parallel to the coast, by way of Salthouse Heath, Glandford, the back road up Wiveton Downs, Langham, Cockthorpe, Binham (where Jim experienced a minor chute), Warham, Wighton, Copy’s Green, Great Walsingham and a detour west onto the Old Wells Road.

The Norton Centre cafe was busy, with a lot of hungry pilgrims, as well and a large group of loud and excitable Liverpudlian women, who Brian thought were “obviously discussing the Holy Bible”. The food and drink were of high quality, including one Wheeler’s choice of tea with salad cream. Today’s big bunch were well rewarded after the break with glorious sunshine and an exhilarating tailwind on a route that took them via the Snorings, Thursford church, Briningham, from where Andrew turned for home, Burgh Parva, Hindolveston, Burnthouse, Briston (Jim had a short ride home to Melton from here) and Cross Green, where Neil Mc turned south for Corpusty and a steady riding bunch of four headed over the Edgefield Range to various points east.

Group: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham A; Harvey; Jim; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S;

Distances: this shorter ‘winter’ route was about 54 miles, while individual distances ridden ranged from about 43 miles to 67 miles.

Despite the wet forecast and drizzle from before the start, three Wheelers, allegedly of sound mind, met at PC for the ride to Purdy’s at Woodgate garden centre. The strong southerly wind ensured we didn’t have to wait too long between showers.
Fortunately our route meandered east to Northrepps, Hungry Hill and Trunch before heading west to Suffield. Here we turned south into the wind for a few miles to get down to Tuttington before heading west again to reach Aylsham via the hole in the hedge at Dunkirk.
Spurred on by the thought of shelter and hot food we cranked through a busy Aylsham to reach a deserted Woodgate car park, no problem getting a table then, except that Purdy’s was closed.
We didn’t hang around trying to find out why it closed, instead we set off for a bonus mile and a half ride up to Aylsham Garden Centre on the A140, which was open. As we parked the bikes, an ancient steam powered car arrived, which turned the focus of attention away from the weather and extra miles to wondering why anyone would take such an old and valuable vehicle out in the rain, it didn’t even have any windows, just a hood.
Aylsham Garden Centre is undergoing a major expansion, which had demolished part of the old café and it was busy. We found the last large table and enjoyed very good food, tea, cake and managed to warm up and dry out a bit.
As we set off for home we were bathed not in the sunshine that the ride leader had predicted but more drizzle, but now we did have the wind behind us as we made our way through Aylsham again and on to Oulton. Next was Itteringham, Plumstead, Hempstead and Selbrigg pond to drop Andrew off, before the remaining duo continued to Bodham Hill, where the drizzle turned into proper rain for the final couple of miles back.
No flooded roads today, though very wet and a lot of leaf mulch about.

PC to PC 47.5 miles at an average of 14.1 mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 11th Nov – Norton’s Walsingham
Wednesday 15th Nov – Hoveton Hall
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/

The poor weather forecasts leading up to Saturday, led to Harvey’s Steady Group delaying their ride to Sunday and only Chris and Mark meeting at PC on a much improved Saturday morning. While there, Geoff P stopped for a chat, on his ride to Junction 21 at Themelthorpe, a bit of rain won’t stop Geoff!

We were using Harvey’s original 61mile route which took us down through the flood by the pigs on Plum Lane to Little Barningham and then across to Edgefield. As we were going through the woods Jane Armstrong was cycling the other way, I managed a quick hello as we sped past each other.
As we entered Foxley we met Harvey, who had already done most of the route in the reverse direction, so he joined us for a few miles before continuing on his was home to rack up a 50 mile ride as a warm up for Sunday. He had caught a couple of heavier showers in the morning that we missed, though we did find some light showers on the way to the café.
Our route took us to Worthing, so we stopped at the bridge to check the river, which was at the top of the bank with a lot of flooding across the fields in the distance. We were then heading into the gusty SE wind as we went via Bylaugh to Sparham and then the café. We arrived and ordered while the café was quiet, but it soon had a number of families arrive for lunch. We had a good lunch, cake and two mugs of tea before we decided to venture out once more. It was heavy drizzle/light rain as we left and that persisted for the next hour and a half as we took another southerly loop through Lyng to Ringland before stopping at Attlebridge to check the river, which was flooding the meadows.

Now we were heading north, so had the benefit of a good tail wind as we took the regular route back, through Cawston, Itteringham to PC.
On the way to Itteringham, the rain stopped and the sun came out, initially creating a weak rainbow in the distance and then lighting up the woodlands ahead of us, highlighting the autumn colours. That didn’t last long before more clouds took over, but we made it back home before the next band of rain came through. A quick look at the Bure at Itteringham bridge showed the level looking just a little higher than normal.

All in all, not a bad day out, not too cold or too wet and PC to PC was 61 miles at 14.8 mph average.
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, with Geoff P, Jane A and Harvey T enroute.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 8th Nov – Purdys, Aylsham
Saturday11th Nov – 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/

Report by Ride Leader Andrew B
Three riders at Pretty Corner on a gloomy autumn day with forecast of showers and strong winds. No sooner had we started the ride when there was a heavy shower, however this had stopped when we met Ian at High Kelling as prearranged. The rest of the ride was mainly dry with the route taking us through Hempstead, Edgefield, Briston, Thurning, Wood Dalling, Heydon, Oulton Street, Bickling (with a diversion through the grounds to avoid the main road) and Ingworth.
On arrival at the pub we met Graham who as planned had cycling directly from home and was enjoying a beer (non-alcoholic!). We were shown to a table in dining area (very posh for us) and we all enjoyed an excellent meal and refreshments (although there was a bit of a delay in the food arriving).

The rain had still held off as we started on the way back, however, Graham had a puncture about four miles into the route.

Chris decided to leave us at this point as he had to be home on time. This proved to be a good move as shortly after we resumed riding the heavens opened up! It was therefore decided to take the quickest route back to PC from near Antingham, via Suffield, Aldborough and Matlaske. Graham left us shortly after the decision to shorten the ride. Ian and Andrew split off at Matlaske to make their own way home, leaving Mark to cycle back to PC

PC to PC 45 miles
Average speed 14.0 mph
Total Elevation 1750 ft
Mark, Chris, Ian, Graham A and Andrew leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 4th Nov – Chrysalis Café, Sparhamhill
Wednesday 8th Nov – Purdys, 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/

Due to other commitments, only Chris and Mark were available to meet at PC, on a cool but bright morning with the forecast sun beginning to break through hazy clouds blown by a light south westerly.
We went through Hanworth, Thorpe Market to Lower Southrepps where we met Graham A, out on a 20 mile ride, regaining his fitness after his recent op.
He had also just met Harvey’s steady group, consisting of Brian, Graham J and Jim, but no Harvey as he had turned back due to a mechanical.
Knowing that Harvey is the only one of the group that knows the route, the chances of them reaching the café before it closed had reduced considerably!
Despite them being just up the road, we never met them as we followed the route through Bradfield, Trunch, Paston, Witton to Happisburgh and then the 6 miles to Waxham. In Sea Palling there was a huge flood on the way into the village and we had to take to the pavement to bypass the worst of it.
As we arrived at Dunes, Neil S was sat outside enjoying his lunch, he had his covid jab in the morning and had taken the coast road to join us.
I was just finishing my baguette when Brian, Jim and Graham arrived. They were unable to tell us where they had been or how far they had gone, but were pleased to have arrived.

Brian told us that Harvey was on his new bike and had a problem with the seat post slipping down, apparently he realised it was an issue when his knees were touching his chin. We were all sure that Harvey would be back on the road and would probably meet us somewhere on the homeward route.
After a particularly long lunch stop enjoying the company and the sun, it was time to head for home, some following the route others their nose.

The return route took us on the loop up to Ingham, Brumstead and East Ruston Common. Here we did meet Harvey on the new bike, a very good looking Mercian. The problem had been with the seat clamp bolt, it just needed to be removed, given a stern talking to and refitting.
So, the three of us continued to Worstead and Swanton Abbott, where Harvey continued to Aylsham and home (after 84 miles) and we turned for Tuttington, Banningham, Ingworth and the regular route north back to PC.
We assume that the steady group made it home and are not going round in circles in the depths of the Norfolk countryside.
At Aldborough the motorbike garage was open with bikes and people outside, so we stopped to have a look and a chat. A very interesting collection, which included a Sunbeam frame with a flat four VW engine and a Moto Guzzi 850 T3.

PC to PC was 62 miles at an average speed of 14.9 mph
Riders: Chris S, Mark M, Neil S, Jim H, Graham J, Brian P, Harvey T, with Graham A and Geoff P enroute.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 1st Nov – Banningham Crown
Saturday 4th Nov – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hill
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Five riders met at PC for the ride to Litcham as well as Geoff P and Robert N, who were going to Junction 21 at Themelthorpe. All of us had to negotiate the deep flood by the pigs at the top of Plum Lane, there were a number of damp feet afterwards!
We were fortunate to have a virtually wind free day and a lot of warm sunshine, very different to last Saturday morning.
Our fairly direct route took us down to Corpusty, Bintree, Billingford and to Worthing, where a stop at the bridge showed that the water level had gone down by at least 3 feet and the river was now well within the river banks again.
We resisted the call of quiche as we went past Gressenhall and took a diversion to Beeston to take a look at the recently re-opened community pub, the Ploughshare. It looks very good and has plenty of seating inside and out, so is one to put on the list for next year.
A couple of miles further and we reached Litcham and the Deli is beside the church, so we parked the bikes in the churchyard and went in for lunch. The building goes back a long way has a decent amount of seating and a good selection of savoury items, paninis and great cakes.

We all enjoyed our generous lunches and were pleased that Chris S had suggested the venue.

From Litcham to Fakenham was about 8 miles on the same road, which seemed odd as we don’t usually do more than two or three miles without turning onto a new road or stopping at a junction.
After Fakenham it was Great Snoring, Hindringham and Bale, where Clive left us. At Sharrington we changed our route to avoid the fords at Hunworth as Andrew had found them in full flood on Saturday, so went via Stody and Briston to Edgefield, then Hempstead and Selbrigg, where Ian and Andrew turned for home, leaving Chris and Mark to complete the circuit.

PC to PC was 64 miles at 15.1 mph average
Riders: Ian A (photos), Andrew B, Chris S, Clive and Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 28th – Dunes Café, Waxham
Wednesday 1st – Banningham Crown
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/

Unauthorised deflation at Foulsham.

Mark and Chris met at Pretty Corner before riding down to pick up Neil Mc at Cross Green. Brian and Harvey joined the route at around seven miles. There was a brief encounter with Andrew, who was out for a short ride following laser eye treatment early in the week and whose dark sunglasses gave him the appearance of a late-20th century Italian roadman. Much of the outward route was very familiar to North Norfolk Wheelers, travelling basically south west to Craymere, Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree, Billingford, Worthing and Gressenhall, where three Wheelers were tempted into the Mardler’s Rest by thoughts of warm quiche and hot tea on a dank and drizzly day. The rest of the route for the remaining duo was along less well known lanes via the Podmore ford, Scarning and Daffy Green to the King’s Cafe at Shipdham, at the heart of Norfolk. The return leg took the back ways into Yaxham, then along Cutthroat Lane, up the Stone Road to the eastern fringe of Dereham, Etling Green, Elsing, Fustyweed, Lyng and over the ridge to Reepham before deviating from the plotted route, heading more eastwards towards Brian’s home base. From Gressenhall the main group cut across by way of Woodgate and Hunters Hall to rejoin the set route at Elsing. Neil Mc departed at Corpusty leaving Mark and Chris to negotiate the last of the flooded dips through the Barninghams and back to PC and Sheringham town.

Following Friday’s deluge, it was a day of predominantly light rain with some fairly brief heavier bursts. Basically, the further south west you ventured the wetter it became. The Shipdham contingent were pretty wet by the time they arrived at the cafe. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of surface water about. The Blackwater, the Wensum and the Tud all filled their natural flood plains with some impressive floods. A few places today would have been impassable six/eight hours earlier, particularly at river crossings, such as the Podmore ford, where it was evident that the water had backed right up the slope to the junction, which would have rendered the footbridge inaccessible during the early hours.

One puncture: Durano Plus.

Distances: 40 miles to 75 miles.

Ride Report by Ride Leader Ian A.
It was a bright but windy day (18-20mph ESE). And it’s complicated, so pay attention. This is the one where one of the three swallows at Cley disappeared and the remaining two turned into magpies and popped up at Blakeney instead. See, I told you so.
Mark was the only rider expected at PC so set off to pick up Ian at the junction for Selbrigg Pond. The route then went via Hempstead and Pond HiIlls Road, skirting Edgefield and Briston and on to Melton Constable, then north to Blakeney. Maybe it was the pair’s excitement at the prospect of ham, egg & chips and a pint for only £11 at The Three Swallows at Cley, or maybe the prevailing tailwind too, but they were on track to arrive 30 minutes before opening time(!) so decided to go the the Two Magpies cafe in Blakeney instead… (You see dear reader, it all makes sense now!)
With a good view over Blakeney Marshes from the window seats, they enjoyed good coffee while waiting for sausage rolls to arrive. And they waited. After 30 minutes they chased up the order (which had clearly been lost) and after a further 10 minutes they arrived – hot on the outside but stone cold on the inside. But tasty. So they ate them anyway. And the ride leader managed a very good brownie too. (Consistently chaotic service from this chain at both Holt and Blakeney.)
Heading out of Blakeney they tried to spot the new cafe ‘Folks’ but looked up the High Street and it’s actually on Westgate Street – it gets good reviews so probably worth a return trip. From Blakeney the route headed to Wiveton, Newgate (Three Swallows) and then the long drag to Holt into a head/crosswind all the way. Heading out of Holt on the Hempstead Road, the route crossed the outward leg and went on to Baconsthorpe, Plumstead, Matlaske and Aldborough. It then swung north to Bessingham and Gresham, where Ian turned for home, leaving Mark to head back via PC.
A decent route with bright weather but the strong wind made it hard going on the return leg.
Mark plus Ian A leading.
PC to PC was 42 miles (14.6mph average)

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 21st – King’s Café, Shipdham
Wednesday 25th -Litcham Deli
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 bright and windy day for the club run to No.17 Cafe at Mundesley, which is housed in the front half of the former Cafe Jonet. Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner, while five more joined the route a bit further down the road. Assisted by a stiff westerly, the longer outward leg was fairly fast, riding by way of Barningham Winter, Thwaite, Alby Common, Suffield, Felmingham, Swanton Abbott, Scottow, Frankfort, Worstead, Meeting Hill, White Horse Common, Spa Common, Knapton and Trunch. No.17 is an interesting enterprise, with sparse accommodation and serving basically baguettes, jacket potatoes and doughnuts. The range of fillings is impressive however, the quality is top class and the prices are surprisingly cheap in these inflationary times.

Stiff climbs and a stiff headwind were features of a return leg that also benefited from beautiful autumn sunshine. It was also a very contorted route, which travelled via Paston, Little London, Swafield, Bradfield, Gimingham, Trimingham (from where the convalescent Graham headed for home), Clapham Dams, Northrepps, Metton, Sustead (where Neil Mc turned off) and Lower Gresham. Some of the steadier riders cut off the plotted route in order to accompany Brian back to Alby Common, before continuing westwards to Thwaite Hill and Aldborough, where Neil S turned north for the coast, leaving two to continue to Plumstead Green, where they split for their respective destinations.

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

Distances: 47 miles to 73 miles.