Club Runs

Three wheelers met at PC for a ride to the Blickling Hall on a cold but fine autumn morning. The route took us through Gresham, Sustead, Fellbrigg, Crossdale Sreet and Northrepps, where we met up with Graham A as pre-arranged. The four riders then continued through Southrepps, Gimingham, Trunch, Bradfield, Antingham, Felmingham, Banningham and Ingworth. On reaching Blickling Hall we found a good table and enjoyed a good meal in the warmth. Following discussion, it was agreed to change the planned route back as this was on busy roads. Mark therefore led us on a parallel route through Oulton Street, Corputsy, Edgefield Steet, Edgefield, Hemstead and Selbrigg, where Ian left us to make his own way home. The remaining riders the proceeded back to PC with Graham splitting off at the top of Red Barn Lane. Overall a good ride in excellent conditions for late November, with the latter part of the ride in bright sunshine.

PC to PC 43 miles

Average speed 14.1 mph           Total Elevation 1385 ft

Ian, Graham A and Andrew B/Mark leading.

Ride Report by Brian P
A sunny day encouraged more riders out today, 5 in number, including Mark and Graham who, having just recovered from Covid, were keen to stretch their legs again. So much so, that Mark, on the interminable drag from Wighton up to Egmere found himself a mile ahead of us and realised the difficulty in communication before he moderated his pace and joined the light hearted banter of the peloton.
We followed familiar lanes to Great Walsingham, but not before Andrew suffered an unauthorised deflation (rear Gatorskin), but urged us to continue without him, and shortly after, a surprise brief meeting with our regular routemaster Harvey T who told us of tests under way to address his recently diagnosed anaemia.

A more than usual amount of shotgun fire caused us to duck as we rode along the hedgerows. The Great Walsingham Barns, renowned for splendid pies hosted us admirably, despite a shortage of staff and even with a later arrival of a shooting party (the culprits, with an average age exceeding ours! ) speedily served us well.
Andrew B had meanwhile re-joined us, and using the stirrup pump donated to the café by Cycling UK, deflated and re-adjusted the wobbly tyre on his rear wheel. Having eaten, he then excused himself, to get back in time for his sailing club AGM, for, as every sailor knows, the tide waits for no one!

A comfortable return journey with pauses at select gentlemen’s conveniences had us heading towards PC and peeling off in our different homeward directions with lights being necessary in the approaching dusk.

Riders were, Graham A, Andrew B, Mark McV, Brian P and Neil S.
PC to PC 50.6 miles at an average speed of 13.8mph.

Next week’s ride (3rd Dec) is to the Fork Café, Hoe.

Three Wheelers met at PC on a dry, bright and sunny Thursday morning, as Wednesday’s correct forecast of rain all morning meant we had postponed the ride by a day.
Our clockwise route took us through Hanworth and Thorpe Market to Lower Southrepps, where we picked up Graham A, out for his first ride post covid. Then it was a familiar route through Trunch, Knapton and Honing via the Golden Mile and onto Dilham, then back lanes to Tunstead Church, the pedestrian only rail crossing and into Tunstead and the Horse and Groom.

Unfortunately for Andrew B, as soon as he arrived, he had to turn around and head for home for a pre-arranged event. Hope you got back in time and managed to get some food, Andrew.

To fill Andrew’s seat, Malcolm had ridden up from St Olaves to join us for lunch and a chat.
Some Wheelers may well remember the venue as the former Olive Branch café, which Malcolm recalled as being a very good and popular destination.
The pub was taken on and refurbished early this year by a couple that also run the successful Ferry Inn at Stokesby, nr Acle.
We were the only customers and as a sign of the times, the heating was off, so it didn’t have the roaring fire that I had been anticipating. However the menu choice was extensive and we all enjoyed the meals we had.

So, after sending Malcolm off south into a headwind, we headed north west and enjoyed a good following breeze as we made our way through Swanton Abbott, Tuttington, Aylsham to Oulton. At Oulton we turned north to Itteringham, where Graham A turned off for Cromer, then the remaining duo had a wind assisted 5 mile blast up to Bodham Hill, where we split and headed for home.

Ian A was out on his recently purchased Holdsworth carbon gravel bike, with Sram Force 1×12 and 38mm tyres and full mudguards, he is now well prepared for Norfolk’s mud and gravel strewn winter roads! It seemed to go fairly fast as well.

PC to PC was 49 miles at a 14.2mph average speed. Back home shortly after 3pm with time for a quick bike wash before dark.
Andrew B, Ian A, Graham A, Malcolm and Mark leading.

Two Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a cold but dry autumnal morning for a ride to Watsons cafe following a route provided by Harvey. The route took us through Gresham, Crossdale Street, Northrepps, Overstrand and Sidestrand where we met Harvey who then rode with us for a few miles. We then proceeded through Trimingham, Mundsley, Trunch, Knapton, Edingthorpe and Bacton. At the cafe we both chose the vegetarian all day breakfast option which was excellent. The route back took us through Ridlington, Honing, Worstead, Swanton Abbott, Burgh next Aylsham, Aylsham, Ingworth and Aldborough, where Brian left to make his own way home. The lone rider then proceeded through Gresham before making their way home. An excellent days cycling along a good route in sunny conditions.

PC to PC 50 miles

Andrew B and Brian.

Two wheelers met at PC for a ride to the Old Reading Room, Kelling on a sunny autumn morning. The route took us through East Beckham, Matlaske, Plumstead, Edgfield, Briston, Stody, Brinton, Gunthorpe, Thursford, Hindringham and onto Binham. As it had started to rain by the time we reached Binham and Ian had no waterproof (never trust forecasts!) we decided to stop for coffee and cakes at the Priory Parlour cafe. The cafe was welcoming and the food and drink were excellent. It was still raining slightly when we left the cafe so we decided to head straight back without stopping at Kelling. The route back was through Langham, Wiveton, Kelling and onto High Kelling where Ian left to make is own way home. I then continued back to PC via. Baconsthorpe and West Beckham. A nice ride despite the unscheduled rain.

PC to PC 40 miles

Average speed 14.5 mph           Total Elevation 1500 ft

Ian and Andrew Bassett leading.

Ride Report by Chris S
Once again the weather was surprisingly dry and warm for mid November. However the turn out for the ride was low mainly because a number of the usual group had other commitments and also Mark M had finally succumbed to Covid.
Therefore I found myself to be be the only rider starting from Pretty Corner. Following the route I picked up Ian A in High Kelling at the junction with Cromer Road. We continued along the route when just before Glandford we found Harvey T waiting by the side of the road. After a short chat Harvey joined us for approximately 6-7 miles before peeling off and going his own way. Ian and myself continued to Reepham with some light head winds arriving just before midday.
Departing at around 12.30 after a bite to eat at the Station Cafe we had an enjoyable ride back in sunshine with Ian turning off towards High Kelling shortly before Pretty Corner. I arrived back at Pretty Corner at approximately 1425 hrs having covered some 52 miles at an average speed of 14.7mph.

Four riders left Pretty Corner at the revised time of 10am on route for Wells Beach Cafe. The planned route was somewhat different to begin with as it took riders to Weybourne via Bodham. Holgate Hill warmed us up for the rest of the journey which took in the usual villages of Glandford, Binham and Warham. Rain threatened us at one point but the only evidence was wet roads from Wiveton Downs onwards. After 21 miles and some strong breeze at times the cafe was reached, and light refreshment was enjoyed. We walked up the slope to view the new lifeboat building with glimpses of the newest and fastest lifeboat.

Returning to Wells on Beach Road we met Jane A who was hoping to meet us for lunch. This was rather disappointing for her and for us but there was no immediate remedy only lessons to learn for future meet ups. After a short chat with Jane the four riders continued to Wells S and SW along the Holkham estate wall, fighting a strong headwind. Turning E it was easy going to Wighton, Copys Green and Hindringham. We went via Bale, Sharrington, Brinton and Stody where Neil Mc left for home and the three remaining riders arrived at Hunworth.

We took a steep  idyllic route at Hunworth starting at a ford and through woods bordering Hunworth Common. The track was invisible, being carpeted with leaves but it was firm under our wheels, possibly having a tarmac surface. That was our rough stuff for the day! Then we went to Holt and through the houses to Hempstead Road. Andrew B left after Selbrigg pond and the remaining two of us soon reached Pretty Corner.

PC to PC 49.5 miles

Average speed 13.7 mph

Andrew, Mark, Neil and Graham A leading

Four Wheelers, Chris S, Neil S, Brian and Mark set off from PC in cool and dry conditions, though the overcast sky kept providing a few spits of rain during the day. We picked up Jim H and Chris B in Gresham and set off via some lesser used lanes for Erpingham, then Aylsham’s Dunkirk to Tuttington and Brampton.

It was here that both Chris B and Jim H decided that they were not feeling up to the full ride and would head home, they had of course already completed a good few miles in getting up to Gresham to join us.
So, the remaining four made their way to Coltishall, encountering some light rain on the way. As we arrived, so did Malcolm, having used the Reedham ferry to come up from St Olaves.

No.77 was nicely warm with the usual good food and service. Brian was showing off his new phone, this one can take photos! After we had all featured in Brian’s selfies, it was time to head for home, with Malcolm heading east for Wroxham and the rest going west to Horstead and Frettenham.
From Stratton Strawless we took the long straight road through the woods to the outskirts of Felthorpe, then north through Haveringland, the edge of Swannington airfield to Cawston and beyond.
At Itteringham, as Brian and Neil S turned right to make their way home, Neil Mc appeared, out for a quick ride between house renovation tasks, so he joined us for a couple of miles before making his way back home. Leaving the final two to continue back to PC.

Group: Chris S, Neil S, Brian, Mark, Jim H, Chris B and brief appearance by Neil Mc.

PC to PC 54 miles at an average speed of 14.4 mph.

Next week’s ride (12th) is to The Station Café, Reepham.

Three Wheelers met at PC for the first of the earlier Wednesday Winter rides with a start time of 10am. It was a sunny though cool morning with a strong South Westerly wind.
Our clockwise route took us through Felbrigg park on the way to Cromer zoo, then through some residential areas before the climb of Northrepps hill. On the way to Southrepps we negotiated the seemingly permanently closed section of Wellspring road, then on to Antingham, Colby, Erpingham and Thwaite Common to our lunch destination.

Surprisingly the café was full of old codgers, so the additional three that had arrived by bike had to sit outside and share the sheltered courtyard with a couple of very tame peacocks. After enjoying a good lunch (cyclists not the peacocks), we continued down to Blickling and across to Oulton before turning north and getting the wind on our backs.
Wind assisted we blew through Itteringham and on to Wickmere where Graham A turned off for Cromer. Leaving two to skirt around Barningham Winter, Up Wood to the top of Bodham Hill, where Andrew A turned off and one rider returned to PC.

PC to PC was 45.6 miles and with a steady 13.3 average speed, the earlier start time meant that all riders were home before 3pm.
Andrew B, Graham A, Mark leading.

Next week’s ride (9th), also starting at 10am, is to the Beach Café in Wells, buckets and spades optional.

Six Wheelers met at PC for the last Saturday ride before the clocks change and the afternoons become shorter.
Early morning rain had stopped by departure time, though the sky remained cloudy for a lot of the day with a weak sun failing to provide the forecast 18-20c temps. Wet roads, leaf mulch and the usual beet season mud meant all bikes needed a wash by the end of the ride.
The forecast South East becoming Southerly wind was non-existent for the initial leg to Edgefield and then it increased to provide a tail wind on the route West through Hunworth, Gunthorpe, Gt Snoring to East Barsham. We then followed the river Skiffkey through the Barshams to the Slipper Chapel where we caught up with a motorist in a stinking diesel van creeping along the road and stopping and berating every motorist coming the other way for driving too fast.

We eventually reached the café, to find that it was full and everything except baguettes and cake was sold out. Fortunately the sheltered courtyard meant we could enjoy our baguettes and Brian the last jacket spud, outside without getting cold.

Our route back was now into the wind from Gt Walsingham, Hindringham, Barney to Stibbard before turning East through Wood Norton to Guestwick where Neil Mc turned off for home. From Wood Dalling we headed mainly North, dropping off Brian and Chris B at Little London, so they could head further East for home. The remaining trio continued via Edgefield, Hempstead to Selbrigg lake where we caught sight of the swans and on to West Beckham and down Lodge Hill to Upper Sheringham to check out the mermaids on the village sign before going our separate ways in Sheringham.

Harvey, our regular Saturday ride leader and route planner extraordinaire has decided to take a rest from the Saturday rides over the winter, though you may well see him out and about on his bike during the week. He has very generously offered to continue his excellent planning of Saturday ride routes for our enjoyment.

Group: Brian, Chris S, Neil Mc, Graham A, Chris B, Mark

PC to PC 58 miles