Club Runs

This was the third consecutive windy Saturday, although the velocity of the gusts becomes a little bit less each week. Five North Norfolk Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner, picking up Chris B south of Gresham, who was out for a morning ride and accompanied the bunch as far as Antingham. The route to the always welcoming Lighthouse Inn was by way of Hanworth Common, Thorpe Market, Trunch, Edingthorpe Green, Crostwight Heath, Hill 60*, Happisburgh Common and Ostend.

After some high quality nourishment it was in and out of the gusty wind again, following a contorted route via Witton, Bacton Gas Terminal, Paston, the edge of Mundesley, the back lane to Trunch, Stump Cross, Hungry Hill, Sally Bean’s House, Metton and Sustead to a split at Gresham.

*The summit of Hill 60 is reputed to stand sixty feet above sea level at Happisburgh. However, the more recent metric Ordnance Survey denotes 19 metres elevation. North Norfolk Wheelers are therefore looking for a volunteer to knock on the door of Hill 60 cottage to tell the owners that they need to change the name of their bungalow to Hill 62.335958.

Bunch: Brian; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S + Chris B out for a short one as he gets back to full health following an autumn bout of Covid.

Distances: 53 miles to 72 miles.

PC was a Wheelers hot spot this morning as the four that had assembled for the ride were joined by Robert N who had driven out just to have a chat and confirm that he would be out cycling with us again soon. Good to see you again Robert. Then Geoff P stopped for a quick chat on his way to Reepham and a rendezvous with a large cake. Current Wheelers count = 6

So, the four set off for Mundesley in mild but overcast conditions with a steady Westerly wind that would soon be on our backs after we had passed through West Beckham and Matlaske. Then onto Thurgarton, Town Green, Thwaite and Erpingham. We then took the little used Lodge Lane and soon discovered why it was little used, a large flood close to Erpingham Lodge which forced a detour via the field headland, this was a well-worn path suggesting the flood was a semi-permanent feature. Onto Banningham and back lanes to cross the A149, then Bradfield, Trunch and up and over Mundesley Golf Course, where it started to rain and then downhill to the café.

More Wheelers! Out on their own ride but deciding to stop at the cafe were Brian P and Chris B, they had finished their coffee and cakes when we arrived so after a chat they set off again.  Also waiting for us was John S, who was able to join us for lunch and for some of the homeward route.
Total Wheelers count = 9!

After a good lunch, the rain and the wind had stopped, which was ideal for the generally westerly route home. We continued our circuit of Mundesley, then Trunch, Knapton and down the Paston road to the N Walsham road, where we said goodbye to John S and we headed up to Swafield, Bradfield, around Southrepps to Hungry Hill near Sidestrand where Graham A left us to take the coast road home.

The remaining three took on Hungry Hill, Northrepps, Sally Beans, Crossdale Street, Metton, Sustead and the split at Gresham church.

In summary, the morning was dry roads and the wind on our backs, the afternoon, the wind had fortunately dropped but the roads were wet and the bikes were liberally covered in mud. Plenty of Wheelers out and enjoying the mild conditions.

Andrew B, Duncan S, Graham A and Mark leading. Guest appearances by John S, Brian P, Chris B, Geoff P and Robert N

PC to PC was 50 miles.

Brian, Mark, Neil Mc and Harvey set out for No.77 Cafe at Coltishall on another windy Saturday. Obviously not satisfied that the lanes were filthy enough today, the small bunch ran across a sugar beet field carrying their bikes after only two miles on the road*. The morning ride meandered round a lot of lanes by way of Lower Gresham, Aldborough School, the shortcut past Hanworth Timber, Suffield Rectory, Felmingham, Swanton Hill, Sloley, Ashmanaugh and Belaugh Green. The group was supplemented at the cafe by former Wednesday supremo, Malcolm, who had ridden up from his new domicile over the marshes, via the Reedham ferry. The return route to Sheringham featured a lot of changes of direction to avoid the worst of a rising gusty wind and to enable a largely wind assisted last hour. So it was south initially past Heggatt’s Hall before heading home via Frettenham, Stratton Strawless, Buxton, Allison Street, Cawston Eastgate, from where Neil headed for home further west, Oulton, Itteringham, the Barninghams and a split at Red Barn Lane.

One slow puncture (thorn in front Gatorskin).

Distances: 56 miles to 68 miles.

*Two lorries and a sugar beet loader completely blocked the East Beckham to Gresham lane, tight up to the thorn hedge, enforcing drastic diversionary tactics. Despite following a route that passed close to the Cantley refinery, Malcolm’s bike was as clean as a whistle; an enquiry into this phenomenon is called for.

Four riders met at PC on a cloudy morning with a moderate breeze from the west.

We set off south, crossed the Holt/Norwich road at Saxthorpe, through Corpusty towards Thurning and Hindolveston and Fulmoldeston. Andrew B then punctured a rear tyre near Little Snoring. With great team work between Andrew and Mark we were soon back on the road. However, as we had lost some time, we decided to head direct to Walsingham instead of the original plan to head towards the Barshams and loop around via Waterden to enter Little Walsingham from the west.

At Norton Cafe, we enjoyed a good lunch and a chin wag before starting the return leg. We set off for Wighton, then to Binham, Langham and Wiveton, with weather, although still cloudy, a lot milder than in previous days. After the climb up from Wiveton, we continued across Salthouse Heath to High Kelling, across the A148 to Lower Bodham, West Beckham and back to PC.

Duncan S (leader), Andrew B, Mark, John

PC to PC 42 miles.

Not many fancied the Dutch hills today, so only five riders set out to tussle with Storm Malik. As so often on such blustery days, the cross winds proved to be nearly as testing as even the more exposed sections of headwind. Jim suffered a rear wheel puncture before reaching PC, so the small bunch detoured to pick him up before heading for Bessingham, Aldborough, Erpingham school, Ingworth, Moorgate, Itteringham Common, Oulton, the hidden detour round Oulton Manor, Heydon Park and Salle, where Geoff was gathered up on his direct route to the cafe. After a chatty refuelling break in the cafe’s new hut, the return route looped out further north west in order to pick up some substantial tailwind. Back to base was via Kerdiston, where the bunch stopped to chat with Mrs Mc and the dog out for a walk, Themelthorpe, Foulsham, Hindolveston, where Jim headed the short distance home, Nethergate, Briston, where Neil headed for home, and conventional ways back to Red Barn Lane for the final split. The latter section was effortlessly fast, aided by a big wind up the back end.

Group: Neil Mc; Mark; Jim; Harvey; Brian. Geoff was at Reepham and Malcolm was at Coltishall; any further claims should be submitted by Monday evening.

Distances: 50 miles to 63 miles. The 63 had a perceived effort feel of a genuine 75 plus, so anyone who feels short distanced today can add an extra 20.63 per cent to their logged total.

One puncture (flint in rear Conti).

Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner for a ride to Pensthorpe on a milder and mostly sunny winter day. Good progress was made through Matlaske, Edgefield, Hindelveston and Wood Norton, until the group arrived at Little Ryburgh, less than three miles from the lunch venue. The narrow road was closed for tree surgery and passing was prohibited. So the disappointed riders had to go back up the hill to the Stibbard crossroads now followed by Graham (Duke of York, not). On the A1067, Pensthorpe was soon reached. The return route took the group north of the A148 to Little Snoring airfield and then south to Gunthorpe and Sharrington, crossing the B1110 at Thornage to Hunworth. Then a steep hill to Holt failed to slow Mark who always demonstrates an example of what is expected from relative youth. 

PC to PC 48 miles

Average speed 14.2 mph           Total Elevation 1,781 ft

Andrew B, Mark, Duncan and Graham A leading.

Only four Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner on this persistently icy morning as a cold north westerly wind kept the glaze on the shady lanes. Brian suffered the misfortune of stripping his freewheel very early in the day, being forced to abandon. He hasn’t enjoyed much luck with components this winter. The victim substituted with three hours on fixed wheel in the early afternoon. Jim headed home early, leaving only the seaside pair of Mark and Neil S to refuel at a quiet Norton Cafe. South of Great Snoring, this fast-moving duo were met by the late-starting veteran, Harvey, who was approaching up the scheduled route in the wrong direction! These three riders enjoyed a lot of tailwind assistance until swinging north after Oulton.

The route for the day was Salthouse Heath, Glandford, Letheringsett, Thornage, Saxlingham, Field Dalling, Binham, the Walsinghams, the Snorings, Thursford, Gunthorpe, Swanton Novers, Hindolveston, Thurning, Heydon Park, Itteringham and the Barninghams (red kite).

One stripped freewheel.

The Sheringham contingent covered the greatest distance today:- 61 miles.

Five Wheelers set off from PC in sunny but cool conditions, fortunately the overnight cloud had prevented a repeat of the previous night’s icy conditions. Joining the Wednesday ride for the first time was Neil M, a regular Saturday group rider, hope you can join us again Neil.

Andrew B had the only puncture of the day, less than 4 miles from PC. Unable to find the cause of the deflation, a new tube was fitted and fingers crossed and fortunately the tyre held up for the rest of the ride. Front Michelin Pro Endurance for those keeping score!

Our outward leg of about 25 miles took us via Gresham, Hanworth, Gunton, Bradfield, Swafield, around the eastern edge of North Walsham, White Horse Common, Briggate, Worstead, the International Farm, Tunstead crossing to Coltishall and The Rising Sun.

The staff at the pub looked after us very well, we had a table to seat eight, with a view over the river and also of the bikes. The food was filling and good value and it was with some reluctance that we left the warmth of the pub to set off for home.

While the return leg was shorter at about 20 miles, it was soon apparent that the North Westerly wind had increased and most of the road seemed to be uphill and into the wind!

Our route home was St John, Great Hautbois, Lamas, Buxton, Brampton, Aylsham, Drabblegate, Ingworth, Calthorpe, where Graham A seeking a more favourable wind direction set off for Cromer. The remaining trio then pushed hard into the wind for the remaining 5 miles to the split at Gresham church.

All in all, a good day for a ride, intermittent sun meant the temperature was variable but ok for January and we enjoyed good food and company.

The roads were mainly dry but there was plenty of wet mud about to ensure a good coating over the bikes.

PC to PC was 46 miles

Andrew B, Duncan S, Graham A, Neil M and Mark leading.

Seven set out on this shorter club run to the Corner House Cafe. There was far less fog than forecast, but it remained murky for much of the day with a nagging chilly south east breeze. However, good bright spells lit up the middle of the day. The route was an anti-clockwise loop by way of Aldborough, Erpingham, Banningham, Tuttington, Felmingham, Antingham, Trunch, Gimingham, Southrepps Lower Street, Northrepps, Metton, Sustead and Gresham church, for a three-way split.

Over the break, someone started a conversation about pop music. It is hoped that the young staff weren’t listening. Phil W turned up after the break and spent some time updating the bunch on the latest from the time trial community. The last two stragglers on the road bumped into Geoff on his way home from Coltishall.

Bunch: Andrew; Brian; Graham A; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S.

Distances: 41 miles to 63 miles.

One puncture: slow and hard to find.

This was a curate’s egg of a club run, which only goes to show that you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a cold but sunny morning with little or no wind. The route to Blakeney took us through Matlaske, Plumstead, Edgefield, Briston, Brinton, Sharington, Binham, Cockthorpe and Langaham. Unfortunately, the group spilt in two after Binham as the back two missed the turn to Cockthorpe, however both ended up at the Magpies at about the same time! On arrival we were able to find a table easily, which given the popularity of the Café was a relief and we were served quickly. The food was very good with generous portions (a little to generous when riding on!). The route back to PC was via. Wiveton and up to Salthouse Heath, were Duncan left us for Holt and the then down Long Lane to Kelling were Graham left us for home. The two remaining riders then continued up to High Kelling, and back towards PC via. Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and West Beckham. Although the lanes were very muddy a great ride in beautiful winter weather.

PC to PC 39 miles

Average speed 14.6 mph           Total Elevation 1,506 ft

Mark, Duncan, Graham A and Andrew B leading.