Club Runs

Ride report by Andrew B

Four riders met at PC on a damp late autumn morning for a ride to Lily’s Tearoom, Hadfields Garden Centre, North Walsham.

The planned route took us through West Beckham, Selbrigg (where we picked up Clive), Hempstead, Plumstead, Little Barningham, Wolterton, Colby, Felmingham, Skeyton and Westwick. Unfortunately, Chris had a rear puncture just after Colby but this was soon fixed with some assistance from Mark and encouragement from others.

On arrival at the cafe we found Ian and Graham already there and they had grabbed large table for us all. We all enjoyed a good lunch with some opting for cakes as well! We were rather fortunate as soon after we had finished there was a power cut and all further order had to be cancelled. We were also lucky as the rain that had started as we arrived and became quite heavy stopped just before we left.

Ian left early to make his own way home and Graham also as he had come by car. The remainder took the planned route back through Briggate, Spa Common, North Walsham, Bradfield, Lower Street, Thorpe Market, Metton, Sustead, Lower Gresham and East Beckham.
Unfortunately, Chis had another puncture at the half way mark, this time in the front wheel! He urged us to carry on without him which we duly did, but not without the obligatory photo!

Overall, a good ride which was mostly dry despite the forecast showers and good views (see photo below from Ian).

PC to PC 46.5 miles
Average speed 14.8 mph
Total Elevation 1835 ft
Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Graham A, Clive A, Doug H, Chris S and Andrew B

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th November – Chrysalis Café, Sparhamhill
Wednesday 19th November – All Things Nice, Cawston
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 Doug H

On an overcast but warmer-than-normal day, three Wheelers — Mark, Andy, and Douglas — met at PC. We soon set off towards West Beckham, then on to Baconsthorpe, collecting Ian along the way and heading toward Briston, Stody, and Gunthorpe. From there we rode through Thursford, on to Great Snoring, Barsham, down to Shereford and Whissonsett, and finally to Stanfield for our lunch break at The Old Dairy.
Lunch was great — fast service and excellent food. Our usual chitter-chatter included rare bird sightings in Cromer and the number of Wheelers with a birthday on November 15th. We then decided to head to Algy’s Farm Shop in Bintree for coffee and birthday cake, kindly paid for by Doug.

So off we went towards Brisley, then on to Broom Green, stopping at Bintree Watermill to take in the lovely view. Afterwards, we continued to Algy’s Farm Shop for our second stop — for the birthday coffee and cake — and to check out the recently opened cafe for a future visit.

Then we were off again, and with the sun on our backs, we went via Foulsham, Bates Moor, and Guestwick. Around Corpusty, Andy headed off home. We continued via Saxthorpe and on to Thurgarton; shortly after, Doug headed off to Sustead and back to Cromer, while Ian and Mark returned to PC.
A lovely day’s ride.

PC to PC was 61 miles at an average 15.1mph
Riders: Andy S, Ian A, Mark M, Doug H

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 12th November – Lily’s Tearoom, North Walsham
Saturday 15th November – 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/

San Jamie to Puerto de Bernia
Report by Chris S

Saturday’s ride became manana’s ride. So on a glorious Sunday morning at 10am with a temperature nearing 25 degrees C and blue skies one wheeler set off to tackle Puerta de Bernia.

On the initial climb to Benissa Chris caught up a group of some 20 cyclists who it transpired were English having flown out from Bristol the day before. They were planning to tackle Coll du Rates some 927 metres in height. Managing to breakaway from the peleton Chris sprinted off into the distance leaving them behind.

On arriving at Xalo Chris found the road at the start of the Bernia ascent closed due to a local marathon. With no other way through an officer from the Guardia Civil kindly allowed Chris to pass through the road closure and continue on his way.

Rather than a full ride report a number of photos have been attached to give the flavour of the ride.

Distance 39.95 miles at an average 13.3mph
Total Elevation 1,163m / 3815ft

Ride report by Mark M

After heavy overnight rain which resulted in a couple of early flooded road sections, the day was surprisingly mild and sunny, though a strong south westerly kept temperatures in check when out of the sun, it did also help dry out a lot of the roads.
The warmer conditions meant that some summer clothing made a reappearance, having been previously packed away for the winter, Ian was even wearing his three quarter bibs, together with overshoes.

Mark, Doug and Ian headed into the wind towards Itteringham, meeting Neil at the Little Barningham crossroads and then turning east for a much easier run to Aldborough, across the A140, and through the hole in the hedge. Then it was Suffield, across the A149 and another hole in the hedge to Antingham, Lower Southrepps, Bradfield, Trunch, Knapton, a loop down to Witton then up to Bacton and Watsons at 25 miles.

Arriving around 11:45, we had a choice of tables and quickly had our orders taken and it wasn’t long before the meals arrived. Two generous full breakfasts, a doorstop sandwich and Neil had a smaller toastie, though made up for it with a huge portion of cake as well.
After the usual discussion as to why a pot of tea is invariably smaller than a cup of coffee, we put the world to rights, ribbed Doug about his Spatz obsession and what he was going to get in their Black Friday sale and eventually decided we had to face the wind again.

We started with a long southerly leg taking us to Honing, Dilham and Upper Street. Here we made a diversion to the planned route as the road was reported as closed at Scottow due to roadworks, so we missed the Tunstead dual carriageway and headed for Sloley, the Worstead Road, then picking up the route again at Swanton Abbott.
Now we were heading north west and it was much easier riding, as we made our way towards Felmingham, Banningham, Colby and Erpingham. Neil turned off for home as we continued to Aldborough and at the Bessingham turn, Doug left us to make his wind assisted way back to Cromer.
At Gresham, Ian turned for High Kelling, leaving Mark to complete the circuit back to PC.

PC to PC was 53.3 miles at an average 14.8mph
Riders; Doug H, Ian A, Neil Mc, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th November – Natural Surroundings, Glandford
Saturday 8th November – Old Dairy, Stanfield
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 Andy S

On this dull and damp Wednesday morning four members met at P.C. Ian A was making his own way around the route at a steadier pace to save himself so he is on form for golf the next day.

The four members set off heading through Gresham, Aylmerton and through the grounds of Felbrigg Hall. Leaving Felbrigg we went down to Hall Road heading into Cromer turning right at Comer Zoo. Here we met Doug H. The route took us through Northrepps, Trunch, Bradfield, Banningham to Erpingham. At this point we turned back eastwards through the lanes up a small track to the back of the Artisan Bistro Alby, meaning we didn’t need to touch the busy Cromer Road.

The Artisan Bistro was really busy due to half term ( we think). The highlight of our lunch was Birthday Boy Chris kindly offering to buy the cakes. So as you can imagine there was a big rush from 5 members to get the biggest and best cakes! Thanks Chris much enjoyed and appreciated.

The main course consisted of fry ups, bacon and sausage sandwiches and a very posh baked potato. Birthday Boy ate his cake and decided to miss the main course so he could make his own way back home for a prior appointment.

After lunch we had a brief look at the PYO pumpkin patch next door to the Bistro then headed off towards home through Ingworth.

Instead of going through Blickling Park, due to the wet and the leaves on the tracks we detoured around the back of Blickling Estate on the roads to Itteringham Common to join the route again. At Itteringham Andy S cut off towards Mannington Hall and back to Corpusty. The remaining 4 members headed off through Wickmere, Plumstead, Hempstead to Selbrigg. Ian and Andrew turned off to Kelling and Blakeney leaving Mark and Doug to make their way back through West Beckham to P.C.

All in all we were lucky with the rain holding off till the end of the ride. The roads were wet and muddy at times but the good news is that the acorns are getting less but the bad news the leaves are falling. It was a great day out.

PC to PC was 50.2 miles at an average 14.4 mph
Riders: Chris S, Andrew B, Doug H, Ian A, Mark M, Andy S

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 1st November – Watsons, Bacton
Wednesday 5th November – Natural Surroundings, Glandford
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 Ian A

The first proper chilly one. Fortunately Neil had been out the day before and given us a detailed heads up on the conditions we were likely to face: Blinkin’ cold. Andy, Chris and Mark met at PC in various choices of winter clothing with a rain jacket, a Wheelers’ winter jacket, Polartec and head warmers all on display. Winter tights and over shoes were also de rigeur after the previous couple of days’ rain and likely flooded roads.
The threesome set off and collected Ian at Gresham church. The route then went via Bressingham, Aldborough and Erpingham where we intercepted Neil who was due to meet us outside the Spread Eagle pub, so a seamless rendezvous without stopping (think in flight-refuelling but without the fuel or aeroplanes). Mark set the customary pace as we went via Colby and Banningham, then southeast skirting Felmingham, Swanton Abbot, Scottow and Tunstead where we crossed the main line. Shortly before we had also used the Tunstead Bypass dual carriageway.
Then it was onto Coltishall and Horstead Mill where we stopped briefly to ponder the River Bure where sadly a young man had drowned in August.
After a couple of miles we crossed the North Walsham Road to enter the suburbs of Spixworth where we swung north to reach Hainford and the Chequers pub. We got the usual warm welcome and ordered coffee, teas and a pint for Mark. We all opted for sandwiches but Mark upgraded from crisps to chips. The food was fresh and tasty, if not the biggest portions .

The conversation over lunch ranged from critiquing the art on the pub walls (prints by Tein Lucasson), holidays, homosexuality, and why you would handwash your bibshorts. Apparently one of us does.

As we saddled up after lunch, the sun had come out but it was still cold. We’d enjoyed a steady cross/tailwind on the way out which meant we were in for a bashing on the return leg. Whether he was just ‘on a good day’ or due to his choice of food & drink for lunch, Mark set a cracking pace into the wind. The route took us via Stratton Strawless, Buxton, Cawston, Heydon and Corpusty where we dropped Andy and Neil off. The remaining trio continued from Saxthorpe up the Matlaske Road to Plumstead, Hempstead and past Selbrigg Pond. At the next junction, Ian turned left for High Kelling leaving Mark & Chris to return to PC. We must have ridden through about 10 flooded sections of road today which is possibly a record, but as it stayed dry and the wind wasn’t toooo strong (certainly not from 2nd or 3rd wheel anyway) it counts as a good day overall.
In other news, a reminder that it’s Chris’s birthday soon and he’s kindly buying the cakes at Alby next Wednesday so make sure you can make it and have a light breakfast that morning.

PC to PC was 58 miles at an average speed of 14.9mph
Riders: Andy S, Chris S, Ian A, Mark M, Neil M

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 29th October – Artisan Bistro, Alby
Saturday 1st November – Watsons, Bacton
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

Despite the chilly start, it was an ideal day for cycling, dry, light winds and plenty of sunshine to provide some warmth and highlight the range of colours across the autumn countryside. If there was a downside, it would be the increasing amount of mud on the roads from the sugar beet harvest, though that will probably be washed away over the next couple of days.
Mark, Duncan and Chris were joined for the first time in about three years by Robert N on his recently acquired electric Ribble and he rode with us to Melton Constable, about 16 miles before heading for home.
Our route took us through High Kelling along Bridge Road before turning back on the Holt Road to the track up to Bayfield Brecks. Here we had arranged to meet up with Clive A and his cycling buddies Ken and Ivan. Clive told us about their previous day’s series of mechanicals, one disc brake pad going awol, saddle malfunctions and a tubeless front tyre that developed a large hole requiring multiple plugs to get home and then a tube and tyre boot.

Hoping their tales of woe were behind them and wouldn’t afflict the rest of us, we set off for Letheringsett and Sharrington. After about 4 miles, it was reported that someone had a minor issue with a stone and had stopped, so we carried on to the top of the hill and waited. It was soon clear that it was Ken or Ivan, so Clive set off down the hill to see what had happened and shortly after, Robert acting as messenger on his electric bike came back to report that it was a rear tubeless puncture that was proving difficult to fix and we should carry on as Clive had the route. The tubeless hype and reality seem to be a long way apart.

The four continued on through Brinton, Briningham to Melton Constable where Robert turned for home to keep an appointment, then it was Hindolveston, Foulsham, Guestwick and Reepham. We found Ian already at the cafe, having missed the morning’s excitement and then after some deliberation about sitting indoors or out, indoors with proper plates and cutlery won.
About 20 minutes later, Clive and Ken arrived having taken a more direct route. Ivan had opted to nurse his tyre back to Blakeney, let’s hope he made it.
It’s been a while since we have been to Reepham Station and it changed hands about a year ago I believe, anyway we enjoyed generous portions of tasty food and a couple of us had cake as well.
It was still sunny as we set off, though it felt cold after the warmth of the station and we headed south to Great and Little Witchingham, across to Swannington and then up to Cawston and Blickling, where Clive and Ken left us to take a look at Blickling Hall and Park.
Ian was riding at his own pace, so the remaining trio headed for Ingworth, Calthorpe, Wickmere and Bessingham, where Duncan turned for Holt, leaving Chris and Mark to continue to PC, where for the record Chris won the final sprint.

PC to PC was 52.2 miles at an average 15.5mph
Riders: Duncan S, Chris S, Robert N, Mark M, Ian A, Clive A and guests Ken and Ivan

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 25th October – Chequers, Hainford
Wednesday 29th October – 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/

Ride report by Doug H

On a chilly autumn Saturday morning, Mark, Chris, Andy, and Andrew set off from PC. Heading south, they were joined by Ian and Doug at Gresham, then skirted past Bessingham, Aldborough, Suffield, Felmingham, and Swanton Abbott, collecting Neil on the way. Then with the full peloton we travelled through Horning, Ludham, and Potter Heigham, stopping in Horning to take in the view of the Broads. At this point, Doug admitted to a slight deflation in his new winter tyres, which needed a quick top-up of air.

With that sorted, we headed on to our lunch stop at the Pleasure Boat Inn, where Malcolm was waiting for our arrival.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch and discussed, among other things, how a vole consumes a nut, how to discourage a mole, and whether a very slow puncture should count for the leaderboard!

After another sneaky inflation, we said goodbye to Malcolm as he returned home, then we set off north towards Hickling Green, Ingham, and Happisburgh Common. Passing through North Walsham and Bradfield, we made one minor stop to collect Andrew’s escapee back light, and then had a proper mechanical: Chris’s rear derailleur cable detached, leaving him with just two gears. It didn’t seem to slow him down much, though!

Continuing on to Thorpe Market, we were surprised to run into Graham just as Doug was about to head back to Cromer via Metton. We all enjoyed a quick catch-up, and Doug and Graham rode back together to Cromer — with, yes, one more inflation!

The peloton continued to Hanworth where Neil and Andy headed home, then Andrew, Mark, Ian, and Chris carried on back to PC.

A great day of riding — 60.6 miles at an average 15.3mph
Riders: Andy S, Andrew B, Chris S, Mark M, Ian A, Doug H, Neil Mc, Malcolm S at lunch and Graham A on return route.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 22nd October – Reepham Station
Saturday 25th October -Chequers, Hainford
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 Andrew B

Four riders met at PC on a damp late autumn day for a ride to a new venue, the Coast Cafe, Trimingham.

The planned route took us through East Beckham, Gresham, Barningham, Matlaske, Wickmere, Erpingham, Banningham, Bradfield, Trunch and Mundesley golf course and Mundesley. However, there was a lengthy stop at Gresham as we spotted Brian P and Phil S sitting on a bench pouring over a map and stopped for a chat. Good to report that they both looked well and were planning an off-road ride. The rest of the ride passed with no major incidents although we had to make a number of stops for farm traffic and horses. The farmers were very busy bringing in the sugar beet and potatoes, we also saw a small mountain of apples.

On arrival at the cafe which is on a caravan site, we found Ian and Graham who had made their own way there.

Were all enjoyed a good lunch with choices ranging from Paninis to a full English for Mark. There was a potential issue for paying as there was minimum £10 card spend and the prices were very reasonable. However, this was easily solved by ordering more drink and Magnum ice creams (in the absence of cakes).

Graham and Ian decided to make their own way home (although we kept catching/being overtaken by Ian!). The remainder took the planned route back through Gimingham, Lower Street, Antingham, Suffield, Alby with Thwaite, Alby, Erpingham, Calthorpe, Wolterton, Little Barningham, Edgefield and Hempstead. Andy S left us at Edgefield for home.

Unfortunately, the rain came a bit earlier than forecast and we had fairly heavy showers for 45 minutes, although this was punctuated by periods of bright sunshine!

Overall, a good ride despite the late showers and a very interesting route with plenty of open views.

PC to PC 54 miles
Average speed 14.9 mph
Total Elevation 2170 ft
Riders: Mark M, Ian A, Graham A, Andy S, Chris S, and Andrew B.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 18th October – Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling
Wednesday 22nd October – Reepham Station
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/