Club Runs

Ride Report by Ride Leader Ian A
On a chilly but sunny day with lightish winds, 5 Wheelers met at PC for a modest 44 mile loop via the Artisan Cafe at Alby. It was good to see Kevin H out after a prolonged absence.
The route took us on the familiar lanes to Saxthorpe via Baconsthorpe, then skirting Heydon and south to Southgate (which seemed apt). The ride leader had recce’d the original route and subsequently tweaked it in a couple of places to avoid some main road stretches, before having it loaded to the Club website. Unfortunately he had omitted to update his own version, so a couple of slightly confusing navigational moments were rescued by a gentle hand on the tiller by the ever helpful (if slightly smug) Mark…

From Oulton Street we went through the pretty village of Silvergate which took us to the magnificent frontage of Blickling Hall, joining the ‘normally a bit busier’ main(ish) road and turning for Ingworth and Erpingham and onto the cafe at Alby Arts & Crafts Centre. The welcome was zealous to say the least! But overall the staff were very friendly and efficient and the general consensus was that the food (and coffee) was very good. Graham’s soup was, unfortunately, not quite up to scratch. But then again, plus ca change…

After a brief gentle descent down the grassy & moist (OK, muddy) Blacksmith’s Lane beside the cafe, Graham had collected quite a clod between mudguard and front wheel. After much fettling with several sticks of various lengths and thicknesses (true in all walks of life) plus some helpful advice from comrades, the wheel refused to free itself. So off it came and the problem was finally sorted. Ian asked what he should do with the stick he was still holding? No comment. Or certainly nothing printable.
After Thwaite Common, we turned East to Suffield then via Antingham and north to Southrepps (slightly less apt). More gentle tiller work from Mark at Antingham… Then onto Northrepps where Graham turned for Cromer, and the remaining 4 took the usual route via Metton to Gresham Church where Duncan headed back to Corpusty and Kevin headed back via West Beckham and Upper Sheringham. The remaining 2 Wheelers went on to East Beckham where Mark headed back to PC and Ian turned for home via West Beckham.

PC to PC 44 miles
5 Riders: Ian A(leading & photos), Duncan S, Graham A, Kevin H & Mark M.

Editor’s Comment – Many thanks to Ian for leading his first Wheelers ride, hopefully the experience didn’t put him off and he will lead more rides in the future.

With sub-zero overnight temperatures following Friday’s snow and sleet and a yellow warning for ice on wet roads, this week’s club run was postponed until Sunday. Many of the more shaded lanes were indeed icy until at least 11.00.

At least three potential riders were abroad this week and two more were committed to family affairs, so only four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner for the run to the Courtyard Cafe. It was a hard slog out into the strong W.S.W. wind, over the heaths and Wiveton Downs to Langham and Binham, then via Walsingham ford, Bunker’s Hill, Blunt’s Corner and the long descent to North Creake, where, after 24 miles, the small group turned first north and then east to pick up a strong tailwind from Burnham Thorpe up the long climb to South Holkham and the descent to the refreshment stop. After a comfortable break dominated by discussions about curly Hetchins and the relative merits of 52/42, 53/39 and 50/34 chainsets, it was out through the East Lodge gate and a wind-assisted ride back by way of Wells, Warham, Binham, Field Dalling, Saxlingham, Sharrington, Brinton, Stody, Briston, Edgefield, Plumstead and North Barningham.

Group: Graham A; Harvey; Mark; Neil S. – Brian fitted in a couple of hours on the sunny Saturday afternoon.

Distances: 60 miles to 72 miles.

Three Wheelers braved the cold conditions to meet at PC. With a lot less frost and ice than forecast and the start delayed to 10:30am, the roads were dry and clear. The cold easterly wind meant temperatures stayed around 4C, with the occasional light snow flurry for good measure.
The route out was south westerly and mainly wind assisted, through Edgefield, Wood Dalling, Foulsham, Billingford and up the Dereham Road to Hamptons Cafe.

Hamptons was very warm, had a great choice of food and cake options, so it was not too surprising that it was busy.
We were given a table so long as we were finished within an hour as it was booked. With our order taken quickly and the food arriving promptly, we had time for sandwiches, jacket potato and then after some deliberation, cake and 2nd coffees, all with time to spare.

It felt a lot colder when we ventured back outside. We soon crossed the A1067 through the hole in the hedge to continue through Bawdeswell and along the Reepham Road to Jordan Green. Then on to Whitwell, past Booton Church and on to Cawston, where Duncan turned for home. The remaining duo continued through Ingworth, Wickmere, Hanworth, Sustead, avoided the crowds as they left Gresham school and back to PC.
All in all a much better day than forecast, with dry roads and no showers.

PC to PC, 51 miles at an average speed of 14.5 mph
Riders: Chris S, Duncan S and Mark M leading.

Upcoming Club Runs –
Saturday 11th – Courtyard Café, Holkham
Wednesday 15th – Artisans Café, Alby
Routes for club runs and Wednesday rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Six riders out from Pretty Corner picked up one more at the five mile marker, but one Wheeler was forced by the effects of an old back injury to turn for home from Cawston. Aided by a stiff north westerly, the group of six continued south via Swannington, the old Wensum bridge at Attlebridge, Marl Hill, the long descent to Ringland, the steep climb to Merryhill and onto Telegraph Hill, Weston Green, Lenwade and the steeply undulating lanes through Great Witchingham to a busy Reepham Station Cafe, where a fit-looking Geoff was waiting after following the traditional route from Sheringham. The bunch of seven Wheelers managed to commandeer two small tables in the side room for some good quality nourishment.

While Geoff headed directly back, the bunch set out initially southwards before turning north and north west by way of Whitwell Hall, Jordan Green, Themelthorpe and Foulsham. The more north easterly direction of travel from Skitfield Lane gave the bunch welcome relief from the nagging headwind en route to Thurning, where Neil Mc turned for his last few miles home while the remaining five looped round by Rookery Farm into Briston, where the leading trio didn’t like the look of Mack’s Loke after the recent rains, so continued north east on the more conventional ways to The Old White Horse, Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and West Beckham. Meanwhile Brian had stopped to chat to NNW timekeeper John C., after which the rearguard pair decided that it would be fruitless to pursue the vanguard, so stuck to the planned route along the Mack’s Loke shortcut, Roper’s Farm (inexplicably serious flooding), a fast mile on the B1354 and up Ramsgate Street to five lane ends, where Brian turned for Barningham Green, Erpingham and home.

On another cold day of mainly light showers, the only heavier spell of rain was over the couple of miles between Telegraph Hill and Weston Green.

Group: Neil Mc; Mark; Ian A; Harvey; Chris; Brian. + Neil S (Beeston Regis to Cawston and back) and Geoff (direct routes to and from the cafe).

Distances (main group): 60 miles to 68 miles (Brian).

Despite the wet start to the day, four Wheelers braved the weather and met at PC for the ride to Junction 21.
With a moderate NE wind and showers forecast, the riders were prepared with rain jackets and warm clothing. The showers started as soon as we did and continued throughout the day, some were heavy and prolonged and were often followed by blue sky and warm sunshine, so our spirits rose and fell together with the temperature.
Our route to the café would be a wind assisted, long and meandering 32 miles. The first section took us via Erpingham to Ingworth then past the scene of Graham A’s icy crash to Itteringham Common and on to Heydon Park. Here Graham A had a front puncture (Vittoria), fortunately this was one of the sunny periods, so it was warm and peaceful in the park while we watched Graham and offered helpful advice.
Just a mile further on it started to rain heavily as we made our through Cawston, past the church to Booton House (childhood home of Stephen Fry), Brandiston, Swannington and the Witchinghams.
With stomachs rumbling and fingers crossed that the café would be open we set off for the last few miles down Nowhere Lane to Jordan Green and Themelthorpe.

As we arrived we saw Geoff P waving to us from inside. We soon joined Geoff in the warmth, he had seen we were going to Junction 21 and thought he would meet us and we had a good chat as we waited for our lunch. Geoff set off for home as we had our lunch, which was followed by more coffee and cake for some.
It felt cold when we ventured back outside, pulling on wet gloves and setting off for the shorter leg home. Foulsham, Guestwick, Thurning were passed in a mix of rain or sunshine, to Duncan’s turn off point at Town Close. While the remaining three continued to Edgefield, Plumstead, Barningham Winter where Graham turned off, up to Bodham Hill and back to PC.

PC to PC 55 miles at an average speed of 13.2 mph
Riders: Graham A, Chris S, Duncan S, Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 4th – Reepham Station
Wednesday 8th – Hamptons, Bawdeswell
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Five Wheelers met at PC for Harvey’s ride to Pensthorpe, with both Graham A and Graham J only going to ride part of the route.
With showers forecast and a cold and strong NNE wind, Harvey’s figure of eight route minimised the amount of headwind miles, though it was still a tough day out and my legs were pleased to reach the end.
The first 21 miles were easy and downwind and when the sun came out it was very warm. We went on the familiar route to Briston and picked Harvey up around Craymere Beck, then continued through Guestwick. Near the end of Peddlars Turnpike, Graham J had a puncture (Gatorskin), here the group split in two, with the Grahams going to leave the route at Foxley and go to Bawdeswell for coffee anyway and Harvey stopping to assist and then make his own way back home, leaving three to continue to Pensthorpe.
Between Billingford and N Elmham, Chris S decided to stretch his legs and left his companions in his dust. Regrouping in N Elmham we now headed north into the wind to Gately, Great Ryburgh and the testing bergs of Little Ryburgh before joining the main road for the last mile to the cafe.
Despite the wind and the cold, Pensthorpe and the café were fairly busy, though we found a table indoors with the sun streaming in through the window. I think the menu has changed since I last visited and I can recommend the Breakfast Bloomer, we all enjoyed our much needed lunches, knowing it would be harder work getting home. After a photo op in front of a plastic woolly mammoth it was time to head off.

These and more photos can be found here:
https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

An initial uphill headwind section to Kettlestone was followed by a relatively easy 10 miles of crosswinds through Hindolveston, Thurning to Heydon Park, were we negotiated suicidal sheep before turning north east. This was the hardest leg with hedges providing some shelter from the wind but with the added bonus of being uphill from Itteringham, through Wickmere, Thurgarton, Sustead to Gresham.

As we recovered outside Gresham church, Ian asked about the grasshopper on the village sign, unable to receive a sensible answer from his companions, he said he would undertake painstaking research when he got home.
Three seconds of Google searching later he had fulfilled his quest:

“In 1571, the Royal Exchange opened in London. The building (or rather its Victorian replacement) still bears a golden grasshopper, the emblem of the Exchange’s founder Thomas Gresham. He chose this to commemorate one of his ancestors, who as an illegitimate baby was abandoned in a Norfolk field.”
https://londonist.com/london/secret/why-is-there-a-giant-grasshopper-on-the-royal-exchange

PC to PC was 57 miles at an average speed of 14.3 mph
Riders; Chris S, Ian A, Graham A, Graham J, Harvey, Mark M.

Upcoming Runs –
Wednesday 1st March – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Saturday 4th March – Reepham Station
Routes for club runs and Wednesday rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

With five Wheelers away with other commitments, Ian A and Mark thought they were the group, so they were surprised and pleased to see Graham J roll up. With Graham not having been on a club ride since October he planned to ride part of the route before heading back but wanted to say hello and let us know he was fit and well and would be joining us for future rides as time permitted.
Unfortunately the first hour of the ride was a lot wetter than forecast with rain and drizzle soaking the roads and requiring rain jackets. As the day progressed and we headed further south, it became dryer and brighter and the roads were mainly dry for the remainder of the ride.
Our route took us to Hanworth, Lower Street, Felmingham and then some different roads through Westwick, up the B1150 to Heath Road, across the A149, Yarmouth Road to Sandy Hills to cross the A149 again.
It was here in the trees that we had another surprise, John S was waiting for us. We had not seen John since our December mince pie feast at the Lighthouse, Walcott, so it was great to see him out as well.
So we headed south through Worstead to Anchor Street to join the busy but wide A1151/A149 for about a mile to Vera’s at Meales Garden Centre. Vera’s didn’t look that busy but many of the tables were booked, though we were found a table that was vacant for the next hour.
Meales is a big garden centre and the café is large and obviously busy and the staff were friendly and efficient but the food and coffee we had was nothing special, it was filling and reasonably priced, so it did the job.
Leaving Vera’s we had another mile on the main road and B1159 before turning onto quieter lanes for East Ruston. Here we deviated from the route to go to Honing Long Lane (the golden mile) to view the daffodils as we had seen patches of daffs in full bloom. Alas the golden mile was only green, we were probably a week too early. So we continued to Witton, where we re-joined the route and at Bacton Wood, John headed for home while we continued on the familiar route north west through Knapton, Trunch, Northrepps, Metton to Gresham for the final split.

PC to PC 52 miles at an average speed of 13.9 mph
Riders: Ian A, Graham J, John S and Mark leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 25th – Pensthorpe
Wednesday 1st March – Junction 21, Themelthorpe
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Only five Wheelers assembled at Pretty Corner, but they soon collected one more at Gresham church. So a group of six headed off to No.77 Cafe in the Red Lion at Coltishall. The first half of the outward leg was fairly conventional before diving into the web of lanes around Sloley, Frankfort and Anchor Street. After crossing the A1151 to Neatishead, there were more hidden lanes to negotiate over Workhouse Common and Threehammer Common, before turning into the strong westerly through Cangate, Ashmanaugh and Belaugh Green to Coltishall village.

No.77 was busy but welcoming and served up some good refreshments. Malcolm rode up from his retirement cottage to meet us at the refuelling break and then joined the bunch for the first four miles home before heading south down Granny Bard’s Lane to circle home via Ranworth, South Walsham, Acle and Yarmouth. The very strong, gusty wind subsided considerably during the afternoon, although the Wheelers were able to avoid a lot of potential headwind sections anyway and even enjoyed long stretches of cross tailwind on their cunningly devised route back north west via Heggatt Hall, Frettenham, Hainford, Stratton Strawless, Buxton, Brampton, Botany Bay, Eastgate (Neil Mc’s point of departure), Cawston, Itteringham (from where Brian headed off home) and points north, with only three staying the course to PC.

A mild and windy February day with light showers both early and late.

Group: Brian; Chris; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S +Malcolm at Coltishall.

Distances: 60 miles (Malcolm) to 67 miles.

Four riders met at Pretty Corner on a clear day with the promise of sunshine later, for a ride to Purdy’s at The Old Reading Rooms. The planned route took us through Matlaske, Plumpstead, Edgefield, Briston, Stody, Brinton, Gunthorpe, Bale, Field Dalling, Langham and Wiveton. A good pace set by Mark, especially on the downhill leg to Langham through Bale. On arrival at the Old Reading Room, which was full as it was half-term, we managed to find a table and all enjoyed a good lunch with free coffee and tea refills. To our surprise Ian was also there with his wife and nieces which was nice. After lunch we made our way up the hill back to PC via High Kelling in bright sunshine.  Duncan left us shortly after to make is way back home. The remaining riders continued onto via. Baconsthorpe, Bessingham, Sustead and Gresham. Unfortunately, Andrew had yet another puncture on this leg, but this was soon sorted with Mark’s help and his new frame pump. A good days cycling in great weather for February with a temperature of 14degC recorded!

PC to PC 40 miles

Average speed 14.1 mph

Total Elevation 2060ft

Andrew B, Mark, Chris and Duncan

Nine riders set out from Pretty Corner to collect one more along the Matlaske Road, from where it was straight through Corpusty, the climb over Holly Heath to the Blackwater bridge and Thurning church. From here the route followed a fairly direct line into a fresh westerly through the Snorings and the steeply undulating roads through the three Barshams and the descent into the Stiffkey valley. From North Barsham, five followed the plotted five mile loop via Waterden and the Roman road to Haggard’s Lodge, while the other half of the bunch continued straight down the valley to a busy Norton Cafe. Unsurprisingly in this second week of February the massed snowdrops in the Priory grounds were at their impressive best.

After the refreshment break, the group of ten reassembled for a shorter route back that went by way of Thursford, Gunthorpe – (from where Neil Mc continued southwards towards his home base), Sharrington and Little Thornage to Letheringsett, where Graham A and guest rider Nick turned onto the A148. The rump of the bunch pushed on down the valley of the Glaven, crossed the footbridge at Glandford, ascended the stiff climb of Bridgefoot Lane, crossed Salthouse Heath and onwards to West Beckham and Red Barn Lane, shedding riders on the way.

Graham, who had opted for a shorter ride back from Letheringsett crossroads, suffered the misfortune of a rear wheel puncture on Bodham Hill, so ended up chatting to Brian and Harvey at the junction of Osier Lane before the parting of the ways.

Following his recent successful operation, Andrew was going like a train.

Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Ian; Harvey; Graham A; Chris; Brian; Andrew & Nick from Chelmsford.

The basic plotted route from PC to PC was 55 miles. Some did more, while others settled for less.