Club Runs

Four Wheelers met at PC on a warm and sunny Thursday morning for the rain rescheduled ride to Horning
We initially headed into a noticeable SW wind to Barningham Winter where we turned South East for the small lanes of Wickmere, Calthorpe, Scarrow Beck road and risked the usually flooded Lodge Lane (only one side of the road was wet) to get to Banningham. Then it was Sloley and a zig zag triple crossing of the rail line including the seldom used Tunstead Church Lane pedestrian crossing and then the few miles to Horning.
The Staithe n Willow was fairly quiet and we were able to sit at a double table in the courtyard and enjoy the sun and quick service of a good light lunch. We had expected Malcolm to join us for lunch and his absence sparked rumours of him having succumbed to the wind or dogs once more. He later reported that he was fit and well but life had got in the way of his cycling plans.
Our route home took us around the pretty lanes of Irstead and Neatishead, then Dilham, Honing, Bacton Woods to Knapton where we had to walk through two sets of road works, guided by friendly workers. Next was Trunch, South and Northrepps were Graham turned off for Cromer and the rest headed West for Metton and Aylmerton Cross where Robert turned off for West Runton, leaving two to return to PC.

As we passed RAF Neatishead, we saw signs for a robotics business and it was also featured tonight on Look East. Here is a link I found about the new business: https://www.forces.net/technology/heart-britains-cold-war-defences-given-second-life-incubator-cutting-edge-tech

PC to PC 57 miles
Wheelers riding, Graham A, Robert N, Andrew B and Mark leading
Wheelers unable to make the revised date, John S and Malcolm S.

Luckily the much-needed rain fell during the night, although there was a chilly fog when six Wheelers departed from Pretty Corner for the weekend club run to the Norton Centre cafe. This soon gave way however to a gloriously fresh May day with lots of warm sunshine. The bunch headed out over the heaths to Cley Green, up the valley to Glandford, over the steep ridge to Letheringsett and Thornage, taking the long drag up the B1110 to Norfolk’s second highest point, clipping through the edge of Swanton Novers, the back lane round by secretive Thursford church, two Snorings and three Barshams to finish off down the Stiffkey valley into a busy Walsingham, where Neil S devoured two large cakes. Someone suggested that Malcolm was a lazy so ‘n’ so for not riding up to meet the bunch again. Brian took his fellow Wheelers on a nostalgic trip back to the Sheffield folk club scene of the 1960s. Two riders claim to have seen Geoff approaching Walsingham, although he wasn’t seen again, so this might have been a phantom Geoff** in search of the fabled Great Walsingham pies.

It was welcome warm sunshine for much of the way back on a route that went by way of Hindringham*, Thursford, Barney, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Wade’s Farm (two large roe deer ran in front of the bunch), Foulsham, Guestwick, Wood Dalling, Saxthorpe full mill, Ramsgate Street and the direct way back to Red Barn Lane over Bodham Hill.

Group: Andrew; Brian; Graham A; Harvey; Mark; Neil S.

Distances: 58 miles to 76 miles. – *(Hindringham) – reminding the leader that the advertised route was meant to be a slightly longer way to Hindringham, so about a mile to deduct here.

**PS – Phantom materialises: – apparently Geoff was indeed in the Walsinghams, but things didn’t go to plan. His Garmin packed up first and then his ‘phone, preventing the customary (since Maureen’s illness) mid-ride call home. So, it was a quick coffee, no pies and straight back to base.

Three wheelers met at PC for a ride to Reepham on a muggy spring day with forecast of rain later. The route provided took us through West Beckham, Bodham, Holt, Hunworth, Edgefield Street, Corputsy and Wood Dalling. On arrival at The Old Railway Station we were met by Geoff who had made his way separately. We able to sit outside although the sky was looking very dark by this time. We all enjoyed a good lunch, but by the end light rain had started to fall. The route back took us through Cawston, Oulton Street, Itteringham and Matlaske, where Graham left us for home. The last two of us then made our way back to PC via. Bessingham and Gresham. Although there had been intermittent light rain, we stayed pretty dry apart from being sprayed by the odd farmers irrigation system!

PC to PC 47 miles

Average speed 14.5 mph           Total Elevation 1302 ft

Mark, Graham A and Andrew B leading.

With two club run Wheelers sailing today and one probably still in Spain, a small field was anticipated for today’s sixty mile loop via No.77 Cafe in the Red Lion at Coltishall. However, Ben was back after recovering from an infection, we were joined by Matt from Malvern Cycle Sport (Worcs) and Chris S had returned from his motorcycle trip to prove finally and conclusively that the rain in Spain does not fall mainly on the plain, but on the Picos de Europa.

Although lighter than of late, the cool northerly gave a good measure of wind assistance on a conventional direct route as far as Little Hautbois, before turning into the minor lanes over Mayton bridge to Langmere, Frettenham church, Crostwick, Granny Bard’s Lane and Heggatt Hall. Once again Malcolm rode up from St. Olave’s to meet the bunch. A rumour that he is now qualified to pilot the Reedham Ferry has been denied. So, nine riders set off from the cafe, heading round the back way to Belaugh Green and the Hoveton road, from where Malcolm turned south for his ferry crossing. The bunch continued by way of Ashmanaugh, Neatishead, Cat’s Common, Tunstead church, Worstead, directly west to skirt the edge of Aylsham (from where Neil Mc headed for home) to Drabblegate, Ingworth, Blickling watermill and Itteringham (where Graham A turned off for Cromer), before taking a less conventional route back to PC, climbing past Up Wood onto Bodham Hill.

Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Harvey; Graham A; Chris S; Ben. Plus Matt (MCS) and Malcolm, who completed 52 miles on land and two ferry crossings.

Distances: 60 miles to 77 miles.

And one more thing, as an old pal of Geoff used to say. Over a number of years, various attempts have been made to keep a decent number of riders on the road for NNW club runs. By and large, the circulation of route files has enabled Wheelers of fairly wide-ranging age and fitness to follow the same route to the same cafe. It was assumed that natural on-the-road splits would occur from time to time. The main problem with this method seems to occur when some of the more senior riders start chasing after the natural breaks and consequently start to blow up at around two thirds total distance. The current runs organiser is completely bemused by this phenomenon, unable to comprehend why it isn’t normal to settle into a secondary steady miles group for the last hour or so. Unless someone can come up with an alternative model, it has got me beat. Perhaps it has something to do with pensioner pride.

PS. It is a convenient oversimplification to refer to ‘senior riders’ and ‘pensioners’.

Three Wheelers met at PC on an overcast and cold day. With no forecast of sun and a light north easterly breeze it was no surprise to see everyone well wrapped up in their winter gear.
Our wind assisted outward route took us via Alby Hill, Suffield, Swanton Abbott, Sloley, past Hoveton Hall Gardens and through Horning. At Horning roadworks meant that the main A1062 was closed which reduced the traffic on the two mile section we used to get us over Ludham bridge before taking the backroads to Ludham airfield and down to Bridgestones.
As we arrived we found Malcom waiting for us, having had a shortish 24 mile ride out from St Olaves. We opted not to sit outside but in the dog friendly section, which was sheltered from the wind but close to the bikes. Everyone seemed happy with their meals and refreshments. Andrew B had to leave early to fulfil other obligations, while the remaining three chatted and postponed venturing back out into the cold. Eventually we set off, Malcolm heading south and two heading north into the wind via Catfield, Lessingham, Crostwight, North Walsham to Gunton Station, where Graham A continued north to Cromer and Mark took the usual route back to Hanworth, Gresham and PC.

PC to PC 60 miles
Graham A, Andrew B, Mark leading and Malcolm joining us for lunch.

With two motoring to Spain, one in Birmingham and another taking a day off, the numbers were down again, but a decent bunch of six turned out at Pretty Corner for the club run to Wells. It was a fast ride out with a surprisingly strong ENE tailwind, following a fairly direct route out over the heaths, up the Downs, across Cockthorpe Common, an unusually easy ride over the exposed drag to Crabbe Castle and past Blunt’s Corner to turn through the Triumphal Arch and down the long descent through the Holkham estate, finishing off into Wells by way of the rough road through the east gate, thereby avoiding the full headwind on the busy main road. Wells was busy and Nelson’s cafe was packed to the gunwales, so it was across the road for the inaugural visit to Flo and Joe, where the bunch sat out front at the picnic tables (the pies are good Geoff).

The longer return leg was sufficiently devious to take a lot of the sting out of the gusty wind, with lots of ducking and diving along high-hedged lanes via Warham, Copy’s Green, Hindringham, Thursford, Gunthorpe, Pigg’s Grave, Briningham, Burgh Parva, Hindolveston (from where Neil continued south to base), Burnthouse, Growle Abbey, skirting Briston to finish off with a bit of variety by dropping into Hempstead, past Selbrigg Decoy Pond, Lower Bodham and the final split at Red Barn Lane. On the homeward trip the bunch split 50/50 between a bairns interval training group and a septuagenarian LSD section (for the uninitiated, the S denotes steady rather than slow). These on-the-road splits, enabled by the route file for the day, seem to suit the majority of the weekend cohort at the moment, although it is never going to be perfect. It is pretty certain that about half of the current potential group (15-16) would benefit from RLSD: R as in regular (weekly); L=4-5 hours; S=steady.

Bunch: Andrew; Brian; Graham J; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 62 miles to 79 miles.

Six wheelers (including new man Chris) met at PC for a ride to Coltishall on a beautiful spring day. The route provided by Duncan (who was unable to make it), took us through Gresham, Sustead, Aldborough, Felimgham, Swanton Abbot, Worstead, Smallburgh and Tunstead. We made good speed despite the moderate head wind, although some diversions were necessary due to road closures.  On arrival at The Rising Sun we were able to sit outside and watch the boating activities on the Bure. We all enjoyed a good meal, with beer being the preferred beverage, albeit mostly of a low alcohol nature! John then left us to make his own way home. The route back took us through Little Hautbois, Baderfield, Tuttinton, Banningham, Ingworth and Matlaske. Chris and Graham A left us at on route to make their own way home to Aylsham and Cromer respectively. Overall a great days cycling along a great route (thank you Duncan).

PC to PC 47 miles

Average speed 14.8 mph           Total Elevation 938 ft

Mark, Graham A, Graham J, John, Chris and Andrew B leading.

There were seven Wheelers at Pretty Corner for the club run to the Lighthouse Inn, which is always a good venue on busy holiday weekends. Once again the food and the service were first class. The route was an anti-clockwise loop as far south as Tunstead on a lot of dry lanes, consigning the February wet weather and sugar beet frenzy to distant memory. Malcolm turned up at the pub, making it eight riders sat out in the warm sun and stiff, cool ESE wind. Disaster was averted soon after the restart, detouring round the bottom of Ostend, when Brian managed skilfully to extricate himself and machine from a telescopic dog lead, which became entangled in his drive train when a poorly controlled dog ran across the road. This was reminiscent of a similar last gasp extrication from jeopardy when he was riding passenger in a motorcycle sidecar race, managing to release the lace of his baseball boot from the petrol tank cap just before negotiating a tight left hand bend. Today’s incident summoned up bad memories for Malcolm, who suffered a serious chute when brought down on a club run by an uncontrolled dog. In the last few miles, Chris S went off course unobserved when he shot straight over the top of the hill at Cottage Wood, ending up in Cromer, from where he found it expedient to just head home along the coast road to Sheringham.

Bunch: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Harvey; Graham J; Chris S; Brian + Malcolm at the refuelling stop, who rode with the bunch for the first few miles back, ending up with 68 miles.

Distances: 58 miles to 81 miles.

Four wheelers met at PC for a ride to Whitwell Station on an overcast but warm spring day. The route took us through Hempstead, Holt, Hunworth, Corputsy, Wood Dalling and Reepham. We made good speed despite the moderate head wind. On arrival at Whitwell station we were met by Andrew C who had made his own way there. The sun had appeared by then and were able to sit outside. We all enjoyed a hearty lunch, which was served quickly. After lunch we made our way back to PC via, Booton, Cawston, Oulton Street, Itteringham and Matlaske. Graham A left us at Itteringham to make his own way back to Cromer. Again a good pace was made with everyone wary of the forecast rain. We made it back to PC before the rain which was fortunate as there were heavy showers a couple of hours later.

PC to PC 41 miles

Average speed 15 mph  Total Elevation 1,154 ft

Mark, Graham A, Graham J and Andrew B leading.

Seven turned out at Pretty Corner, although one was out only for a short morning. Progress was interrupted after only a few miles when Chris S punctured at the top of Bridgefoot Lane. Three continued on the route, while three hung back to sort the unauthorised deflation and one headed for home. The outward trip was a bit of a slog at times with long stretches into a stiff, cold north westerly, but relieved from time to time on southbound sections. The route was over the heaths and up the Downs, then back ways to Binham, Walsingham, up the Stiffkey, climbing over to the upper Wensum watermills* and Broomsthorpe for some welcome refreshments at Jane’s Coffee Corner overlooking East Rudham village green. Brian took the opportunity here to true his back wheel after suffering a drive side broken spoke. The first half home was assisted by an even brisker tailwind than anticipated, followed by a mixture of cross wind, short sections of headwind and some more tailwind. It was a glorious afternoon through the Raynhams, Colkirk, Ryburgh, Wood Norton, Guestwick (where early bird Neil Mc headed for home), Thurning, Briston and directly back to Red Barn Lane for the main split.

*Crossing the bridge over the tailrace of the former Sculthorpe watermill, now an upmarket pub/restaurant, one well-known veteran Wheeler suggested that this would make a good NNW club run venue. In February 2022 the Sculthorpe Mill won a Michelin Bib Gourmand award and in 2021 was voted Sunday Times Best Hotel in the East of England! The bunch pushed on to Jane’s Coffee Corner.

Bunch: Brian; Chris S; Graham A; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc and Neil S (out for a morning lung opener).

One puncture: rear Schwalbe Durano Plus (more commercial claims of invincibility shattered on Norfolk roads). One broken spoke.

Distances: 64 miles to 82 miles.