Club Runs

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.

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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.

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!

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.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 21st Feb – Crosskeys, Dilham
Saturday 24th Feb – No17, Mundesley
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/

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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.

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

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 17th Feb – Courtyard Café, Pensthorpe
Wednesday 21st Feb – Crosskeys Inn, Dilham
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/

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!

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.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 14th Feb – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Saturday 17th Feb – Pensthorpe
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
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!

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!

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.

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.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 10th Feb – Chrysalis Café, Sparhamhill
Wednesday 14th Feb – 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/

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.

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.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 7th Feb – Artisan Café, Alby
Saturday 10th Feb – Chrysalis Café, Sparhamhill
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/

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/