Club Runs

Eight Wheelers turned out at Pretty Corner for a club run down to the Courtyard Cafe at Pensthorpe. Only a few miles into the route three of the group decided to take a shortcut to rendezvous with the vanguard at the cafe. This soon became a double shortcut after one of the trio punctured on Wiveton bridge. The main bunch of five pushed on west via Langham, Cockthorpe Common, Battledore Hill, Warham, Walsingham, the Stiffkey valley, the Barshams, Sculthorpe watermill, Hempton and the south east corner of Fakenham. It was good to sit out in the spring sunshine in the courtyard, which was sheltered from a fresh north easterly wind.

Group: Andrew; Brian; Chris; Graham J; Harvey; Ian A; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 59 miles to 67 miles.

Two punctures (both Gatorskins).

Ride Report by Ride Leader Graham A

Five riders left Pretty Corner on a fine day with a hint of showers in a gusty SW breeze. We reached the coast road at Overstrand after taking a direct route via E Beckham, Sustead , Metton and Northrepps Hall. After the Sidestrand hill we turned off towards Southrepps and reached Trunch. Alas, the Trimingham “golf ball” landmark on the horizon had been dismantled.
The route then went to Banningham via Bradfield church, Antingham, Suffield and Colby. The B1145 took us to the A140 where we crossed over onto the old B1145 to Aylsham. We went south on the old Norwich Road to the Cawston Road. To put in a couple of extra miles the group went on a loop where water and mud was an annoyance. Purdy’s cafe was close by. On arrival we found Andrew B who had ridden solo after a morning appointment. So we were now six.

The cafe was busy at about 12.30 and my attempt to book a table earlier was ignored and irrelevant. We found a sheltered spot outside under a large gazebo where we enjoyed our refreshments.

The return route went back towards Aylsham where we found the Heydon Road and went westwards to Oulton Street and Oulton village, turning right and then northwards to Itteringham. The ride leader was feeling painfully tired by now and had to peel off for Cromer leaving the remaining five riders to go back to PC via Matlaske, N Barningham etc.

About 42 miles. Graham A (ride leader), Graham J, Mark M, Ian A, Chris S, and Andrew B.

One Wheeler was sensibly taking it easy while awaiting the full results of recent medical tests. Two more had holiday weekend commitments. Seven assembled at Pretty Corner on a cold dry morning, but Neil Mc and Scott were out for the morning only, heading for home from the Corpusty area. It was a pleasant surprise to see Scott out again following a long absence from the bunch. For the remaining five, the route down to The King’s Cafe was largely wind-assisted, heading generally south westwards to the centre of Norfolk through Reepham, over Whitwell Common to Sparham, descending to cross the Wensum and on through Elsing, North Tuddenham, Mattishall, along Cutthroat Lane to Yaxham and the little lanes leading to the large village of Shipdham and the former King’s Head pub, known locally as The King Billy*. It was an inside table today, out of the chilly north easterly. On exiting the cafe, Brian became involved in bartering for a classic bike made in Dronfield, North Derbyshire.

The group then pushed the breeze back along the lanes by way of Daffy Green to the A47 underpass at Scarning to access the Podmore ford on the quiet back roads to Gressenhall, from where it was a fairly direct route up the Blackwater to Worthing watermill, Billingford, Foulsham, Guestwick, Craymere ford, Briston and the familiar direct route to Bodham Hill and Red Barn Lane. Having downloaded the day’s route file, Mark and Chris pushed on for home from the Gressenhall area, while the rump of three followed on, enjoying the welcome afternoon sunshine.

Group: Brian; Chris; Harvey; Mark; Neil S + Neil Mc and Scott out for the morning.

Distances: 67 miles to 78 miles (Brian, building up the miles following his recent intrusive medical treatment).

*Which, on 9th August 1900 ‘was found to be in a filthy state with two horses (sic) heads and other horse parts strewn about. Some pigs were feeding on the horse flesh. … He (Isaac Skipper) was ordered to abate the nuisance at once and pay the costs of 15s’.

Five riders met at Pretty Corner on a nice spring day for a breakfast run to The Parlour (which is served until 11:45am). The planned route took us through Plumstead, Edgefield, Briston, Brinton, Gunthorpe, Thursford and Hindringham. We arrived in good time for a late breakfast, with most opting for the Full English, which was excellent. We had only been there for five minutes when Chris appeared, having had to go back for a mechanical problem on route to PC but had then done the route on his own. We were then joined by Robert and John who had made their own way to the venue, making a grand total of eight members for lunch. After lunch we made our way back through Langham, Kelling, High Kelling, Hempstead, Backonsthorpe, Bessingham, Sustead and Gresham. Unfortunately, we managed to lose Graham on route to Kelling, so bad mark for the leader. Kevin left us at Baconsthorpe to make is own way back home, with Andrew and Ian doing the same at Gresingham. Overall a good ride on a fine day for cycling.

PC to PC 44 miles

Average speed 14.4 mph

Total Elevation 1900ft

Andrew B, Mark, Chris, Graham A, Ian and Kevin.

One Wheeler was still rather sore following recent medical treatment, another had managed to pick up a virus, while a third saw this cold, damp and windy Saturday as an opportunity to put in some work building his vintage curly Hetchins. A fourth rider set out to follow a shorter route to the refuelling stop, but ended up doing fifty miles straight round non-stop; he later regretted not going to the cafe.

So, only Mark Mc and Neil Mc completed the club run route to the Chrysalis Cafe at BugzUK, located on the climb of Nowhere Lane, between Blackwater Equestrian and the main Fakenham Road at Sparhamhill. This new venue enjoys a good reputation as a refreshment break for cyclists and the Wheelers duo confirmed this.

The longer outward route was assisted by a lot of strong north north easterly wind, travelling by way of Briston, Hindolveston, Wood Norton, Stibbard, Ryburgh, the Wensum valley, North Elmham, the valley of the Blackwater and Bylaugh, before turning into the very cold northerly on the long climb up to Sparham village and the descent to Nowhere Lane. The homeward leg turned east and then south east for a while, via the Witchinghams, before a cold slog back north into the stiff wind while anticipating hopefully some signs of seasonal warmth.

PC to PC was 55 miles. Average speed 14.4 mph. Considerably faster out than back.

Despite the grey skies and forecast of afternoon rain, four Wheelers and two guest riders met at PC, with another Wheeler picked up at Lower Southrepps.
Our clockwise route took us down to North Walsham where guest Ian, who has been out with us before, left to follow a shorter route up to Holt.
As our route continued through Worstead to Ashmanhaugh the roads became wetter and muddier and provoked renewed discussion on the value of rear mudguard extensions!
As usual, The Rising Sun looked after us well with quick service and good filling food, though while we were eating, the forecast rain had started and continued for the first few miles of the return leg as far as Badersfield. So even though the rain had stopped, the roads were full of puddles and we splashed our way through Tuttington and across the A140 through the hole in the hedge to Dunkirk.
The southerly wind continued to assist us through Ingworth to Calthorpe, where Graham A branched off for home, leaving five to continue to Matlaske and the next parting of the ways at Baconsthorpe, where Ian A, Andrew B and guest Clive set off for Selbrigg lake and some impromptu toad spotting. The final duo went by West Beckham back to PC to end an enjoyable ride despite the damp conditions.

PC to PC was 50 miles at a 14.3 mph avg.
Riders: Ian A, Andrew B, Chris S, Graham A, Mark M and guests Ian and Clive.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 1st – See website on 31st
Wednesday 5th – Binham Parlour
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

A last minute notification that staff shortages at Jane’s, East Rudham had enforced Saturday closure led to a switch of venue to the Lighthouse Inn, which is always a reliable alternative. With a very strong and gusty westerly blowing, as well as a threat of squally showers, only four Wheelers were out from Pretty Corner, collecting one more on the Burgh Road at Aylsham. From here it was a fast wind-assisted ride out to the east coast, by way of Burgh, Skeyton, Swanton Abbott, Sloley, Frankfort, Dilham, Honing, the mile-long avenue of cream daffodils and Witton Bridge to the pub. The group of five lost a member near Crostwight church, where Harvey, not wanting to stop today, headed back west into the persistent gusty wind.

After a comfortable break with the usual high quality food, the foursome followed the plotted return route as far as Bacton Woods, where Mark and Neil decided to continue west as far as Hanworth, thereby giving the latter a shorter route back home to Kerdiston, as the wind slowly eased, but the heavy showers intensified. Club runs into the north eastern segment of Norfolk have always been a bit awkward for Neil, but he is soon to move house to within eight miles of PC. Meanwhile Chris and Ian continued along the planned contorted route via Gimingham, Trimingham, Southrepps Hall, Northrepps Hall, Metton, Sustead and Aylmerton to Gresham church. So, a rather scrappy day, but at least a few people managed to fit in a hard-working ride on the last day of GMT.

Group: Chris; Harvey; Ian; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 52 miles to 63 miles (Ian). Despite significantly higher levels of energy being expended on the return leg, it turned out to be 2.6 mph slower.

A strong south westerly and a leaden sky greeted four Wheelers at PC and the forecast sunshine seemed unlikely, though after 30 minutes or so, the sun came out and stayed out for the rest of Andrew’s ride to Gressenhall. Andrew took extreme action to avoid writing the ride report, more on that later.
To cover the miles we had a fairly direct route south and west, taking us through Gresham, Matlask, Itteringham (where the pub is up for lease), Heydon Park, Reepham to the crossing of the A1067 at Sparham.
At Elsing we turned west and into the easier crosswind to our destination at The White Swan. Having arrived just a few minutes after the 12 noon opening we were the first customers through the door and were well looked after by the staff.

With a good selection of food and drinks to choose from, we each managed to have something different and were all pleased with the quality of the meals. Chris even claimed the soup was the best he had tried and his dessert looked very good as well. During our meal, a good few other customers turned up, so it was good to see a pub doing well in the current conditions, where closures seem to be happening almost daily.
So after a very good lunch we set off, knowing that we would have a tailwind all the way home and it did make a big difference.
We went up to Brisley Green, then to Broom Green before a stop at the picturesque Bintree Mill, where we watched a red kite soaring in the wind.

From there it was through Foulsham, Thurning to Saxthorpe and onto the Matlaske road for home. We were enjoying the wind assistance and 20mph+ speeds and shortly after the S bends, Andrew hit a lump in the road, lost control and crashed, Chris fortunately just managed to avoid riding over him. Remarkably Andrew got back to his feet without any apparent major damage and his bike seemed fairly unscathed as well, just requiring some rear mech adjustments to get it working again.
A post ride update from Andrew – he went to Cromer Minor Injuries unit for a check-up and luckily got away with minor cuts and bruises.
After that excitement we re-routed to Plumstead and Baconsthorpe to get Andrew home in the shortest distance.

PC to PC 56 miles at a 14.5 mph avg.
Riders: Ian A (photos), Chris S, Mark M and Andrew B leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 25th – Jane’s, East Rudham
Wednesday 29th – Rising Sun, Coltishall
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Seven Wheelers set off from Pretty Corner to pick up one more around the nine mile mark at Ingworth. The bunch pushed into a fresh S.S.E. wind in mild showery conditions, by way of Banningham, Tuttington, Swanton Hill, Worstead, Honing, Brumstead Common, Ingham and Sea Palling to the Dunes Cafe, where Malcolm was waiting after his ride up from the Broads. The cafe was quieter than usual, which presumably had something to do with a poorish forecast for today succeeded by an excellent forecast for Sunday. During the refreshment break, Ian A took the opportunity to claim his prize as the winner of the recent ‘Spot the Bird’ competition.

To avoid the traffic snarling up behind us, the nine rider bunch split into three bits for the first couple of miles main road section to the turn off north west of Sea Palling. As a consequence of these splits, Malcolm and Neil S failed to see the leaders turn right at Calthorpe Fen, while the duo off the back were unable to whistle/shout them back. After waiting a few minutes for the anticipated return of Neil, Brian and Harvey had to chase him down in order to save him detouring via Acle en route to his Beeston Regis destination. Bidding farewell to the southbound Malcolm, the trio set out to rejoin the planned route at Ingham. It was all plain sailing on a helpful wind until Crostwight, where Neil’s rear mech, which had looked hazardously bent all day, sheared off at the hanger. So, it was split the chain, remove thirteen links**, detach the derailleur, tie the cable to the seat stays, rejoin the chain with a Quick Link, and thereby convert the bike to a 39-25 single gear machine. It was then a shorter route back, dropping off Brian at Alby Common, leaving Harvey to guide Neil to a point where he could shortcut home via Aylmerton and West Runton.

Meanwhile the main group continued on the planned route to Calthorpe Street, Lessingham, Crostwight, Ebridge Mill, White Horse Common, Swafield, Thorpe Market, Hanworth Common and Sustead church to Gresham church. Lone ranger Malcolm completed a circuit by way of Yarmouth, Hemsby, Waxham, Hickling, Potter Heigham, Acle and Halvergate church.

Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Ian A; Harvey; Chris S; Brian; Andrew. + Malcolm at the cafe and a few miles of the return route.

Distances: 53 miles to 80 miles.

** PS – The Chain Length Calculator reckons 100 links for 39-25 on 410 mm chain stays.

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.