Club Runs

Seven departed from Pretty Corner for a brisk run down to the Dunes Cafe at Waxham Great Barn. After a short delay for a ‘phone call, the bunch went by way of Gresham, Erpingham, the familiar lanes to Swanton Hill, Worstead and Honing, over East Ruston and Brumstead Commons, the back way to the recently renovated Ingham Swan, Calthorpe Fen and the final push down the coast to Waxham, where the Wheelers were joined by Malcolm, who had ridden up from his hideaway in the southern Broads. The conversation over the refuelling break turned to the best way to heat the home. Malcolm stuck with the group as far as Hickling before continuing south via Ludham and the Reedham ferry. The Wheelers turned off for Sutton to connect into the little lanes leading up to Lessingham, Happisburgh Common, Hill 60, the secret way into Ridlington and past Hoole House, before finishing off on a ‘traditional’ NNW route through Trunch and Thorpe Market for Hanworth, Gresham and the split.

Group: Brian; Graham A; Graham J; Harvey; Jim; Mark; Neil S + Malcolm.

Distances: 64 miles to 85 miles (Jim H as a part of the stamina building phase in his marathon training regime).

One puncture – (front Conti, just south of Sea Palling).

Strangely, only three Wheelers braved the overnight deluge, forecast strong SW winds and heavy thunderstorms to meet up at Pretty Corner, for Jane’s planned ride to Mundesley. Jane, wisely had passed the route onto Andrew B and decided to stay somewhere warmer and dryer.  Mark, however foreseeing the likely reduction in numbers had pre-planned an alternative 37mile route via Mundesley so Jane can lead her route another time, Yay! You can thank Mark later Jane!

After an earlier dry and sunny spell to fool the optimistic, 10:30 at Pretty Corner saw torrential rain and a howling South Westerly, surely it can only get better said the three wise men. Eventually it did get better and we saw blue skies and sunshine but that was after negotiating many flooded roads of varying and unknown depths (it were only half way up the ducks, claimed the yokel) also removing two large branches blocking some obscure road, only to have a motorist sail down the road moments later, oblivious of our good deed.

So our southerly route took us through West Beckham, Barningham Winter, Alby Hill, Erpingham, Colby, Bradfield, Trunch and eventually, after Graham’s shoes could take no more water, we arrived at Mundesley and decided to try the former Jonet restaurant, now The View. The food was tasty, but maybe smaller portions and a little pricier than usual. Surprisingly, by now the sun was beating through the window and drying out the Wheelers and their gear prior to the next and shorter home leg of the journey.

As we headed NW out of Mundesley, around Gimingham we came across another flood, which Mark as usual blindly rode into at speed, only to discover the water above his knees and it becoming increasingly difficult to maintain any momentum, eventually after much panic induced pedalling the water became shallower and dry tarmac came into view. Once his fellow Wheelers had composed themselves, they wisely took to the adjoining field to bypass the flood.

After that, the ride was uneventful, with Graham heading off to Cromer north of Northrepps, the remaining duo avoiding the flooded car under Crossdale Street railway bridge and battled against the ferocious headwind to Metton, followed by the downpour around Gresham, where Mark bravely turned north to Sheringham leaving Andrew to enjoy the crosswind to Kelling

PC to PC 37miles, 1575 feet of climbing and six waterlogged feet

Andrew B, Graham A, led by Mark

Alan from south Warwickshire club, Wellesbourne Wheelers (93 members), joined five North Norfolk Wheelers for the run down to the Mardlers’ Rest cafe. It was a relatively short outward route, travelling by way of Bodham Hill, Up Wood, Plumstead, Saxthorpe, Salle, Reepham, Blackwater, Sparham, Bylaugh, Robertson Barracks and Hoe. The conversation at the break turned to the relative merits of Kalas and Gear Club clothing. For the second week running Brian snaffled the last jacket potato. It was a gloriously sunny, warm and tailwind-assisted afternoon for the return leg via East Bilney, Brisley, Great Heath, North Elmham, Billingford, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Odessa, Wood Dalling, Heydon Park (where Neil S thought he was in paradise), Oulton, Itteringham and the very familiar last eight miles back to Sheringham.

Bunch: – Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Harvey; Brian; Alan R.

Distances: – 59 miles to 75 miles.

3 Wheelers met for the ride to Reepham on a good autumnal day for a bike ride.   Dry roads, sunshine and a gentle breeze combined to make really nice conditions.  It was a westerly route via Holt, Melton Constable and Hindolveston before lunching alfresco at The Old Station.  At Hindolveston, we turned south east.  Now, with a following wind and really quiet roads, things were very pleasant indeed.

The chat at lunch was pretty techy with bike computers (Mark has a new one) and electric cars taking centre stage.

The return was a straightforward run home but we went east after Itteringham to pass through Thurgarton and Sustead which offered up some nice lanes.  Graham left us at Sustead leaving Mark and John to complete the run by cycling up Gibbet Lane – always a good way to finish!

The route is shown below.

Overall a great few hours on the bikes.

Graham A, Mark and John S.

38 miles PC to PC

1400 ft ascending and 1400 ft descending.

14 mph average.

It must be something about mellow autumnal days, but today’s run attracted eleven Wheelers, several of whom are themselves mellow and autumnal. Today’s turnout included new man, Neil, who has recently moved up from Cambridge. The relative proximity of Mundesley offered an opportunity to follow a devious route, travelling by way of Lower Gresham, Sustead, Thurgarton, Erpingham, Colby school, Hylton Crossways, Skeyton Goat, Scottow, Frankfort, Dilham, Honing, Edingthorpe and Paston to the Corner House Cafe. It was noted in passing that the Jonet Cafe has reopened. The Corner House staff dealt admirably with the large influx, pulling together a couple of tables and dealing efficiently with eleven orders. The way back climbed up to Trunch and Knapton, crossing the outward route to Dead Man’s Grave, Pigney’s Wood and the little lane to Swafield, swinging back north and west via Bradfield, Southrepps Hall, Northrepps, Sally Bean’s, Mill Road and Metton to splits in the bunch at Gresham church and Red Barn Lane.

Bunch:- Andrew B; Brian; Graham A; Harvey; Jim; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S: Ben; David; Scott.

Distances (for those starting at PC): 53 miles to 77 miles.

With a decent sized bunch out today, it was again evident that sensible use of downloadable route files makes it feasible to accommodate a wide range of weekend Wheelers, from the steady touring element right through to those who like to push on a bit. Even if only three riders load the route to Garmin and another who knows the route keeps an eye on the rearguard, then everyone can follow the same route, but at variable pace.

Alternative options were offered to try to avoid the worst of the approaching weather, but, in the event, the four Wheelers who met at Pretty Corner opted for the original plan to ride to Jane’s at East Rudham. So Brian, Mark, Jim and Harvey set out in overcast conditions and a rising south easterly by way of Salthouse Heath, Wiveton, Letheringsett, Thornage, Sharrington, Bale, Hindringham, Great Snoring, Thorpland Hall, Fakenham Town, Dunton and Broomsthorpe to the pleasantly located cafe on the village green at Rudham. The forecast rain started at 12.55 while we were in the cafe. The direction of travel of both the weather front and the riders dictated that persistent precipitation pursued the bunch all the way home. The return route took in the Raynhams, Colkirk, Ryburgh, Stibbard, Fulmodeston, Hindolveston (where Jim turned for home in Melton), Craymere, Briston and the frequently ridden roads back towards Bodham Hill and West Beckham.

Distances: 65 miles to 76 miles.

On a more general (and optimistic?) note, perhaps circulated route files ARE the answer to the club run problem of trying to accommodate different levels of fitness, an ageing group and newer, Strava-driven members, who can maintain the longer-term vitality of this element of NNW activity. Obviously this would require more people making a bit of an effort to utilise this facility, which doesn’t necessarily require loading to Garmin. It has already been shown this year that these route files do give more freedom to club run participants.

Three Wheelers met at PC on a sunny but breezy day, which in contrast to the previous week felt very autumnal. The route to took us through Baconsthorpe, Edgfield, Briston, Melton Constable, Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, Braney and Thursford Green. We then diverted from the normal route to Walsingham, through Little Snoring and Great Snoring on the old airfield road. At the café we were joined by Jane who had cycled separately. It had been determined beforehand that the café was only open for takeways, on Wednesdays, however, we were allowed to eat this outside and we enjoyed an excellent lunch despite the cold wind. After lunch we made our way back via. Binham, Bale, Gunthorpe, Brinton, Hunworth, Edgefield, Aldborough and Sustead, were Graham left us to make his own way home. The two remaining riders split at Gresham to go their separate ways too. Overall, a good ride despite the strong wind with the rain just about holding off.

PC to PC was 50 miles

Average 14.1 mph and accent/decent 2,100ft

Mark, Graham A and Jane, led by Andrew B

Generally the cafe at Lyng Stores is too small to cater for a weekend club run as well as the locals out for their Saturday treat, so hitherto we have used it only on wet winter Saturdays when only 1,2 or 3 riders were out. However, with at least seven of the regular bunch committed elsewhere, an elite trio of Wheelers took the opportunity to enjoy good food and drink at what certain North Norfolk Wheelers like to refer to as “reasonable prices”. It is also worth noting that Lyng Stores has recently installed several more outside tables and chairs.

Today’s route was a little shorter than normal, travelling directly to Cawston, then Haveringland church, Swannington, Attlebridge, the marl pit climb, the long scenic descent to Ringland, Weston Green, Collin Green and the steep descent of Cadder’s Hill to the cafe. After the break it was follow the Wensum by way of Fustyweed and Bylaugh before climbing over the ridge to Billingford and home via Foulsham, Odessa, Wood Dalling, detouring round the back of Briston past Rookery Farm and Growle Abbey to a conventional last few miles through Baconsthorpe to Bodham Hill and Red Barn Lane.

Mark, Graham J and Harvey enjoyed good autumnal weather for a brisk run out.

Distances: 59 miles to 75 miles.

Four Wheelers met at PC on a fine late summer day. We were also joined briefly on the ride by Ian a former regular, who came along to say hello. He told us that he started riding with the wheelers over 40 years ago! The route to Banningham took us to West Beckham, Bodham, Baconsthorpe, Hemstead, Edgfield, Briston, Corputsy, Itteringham and Ingworth. Although the roads were mainly dry, some of the lanes were sandy/gritty which made for some cautious riding. On arrival at the pub we found a table outside in the shade and enjoyed an excellent lunch with local ales. The route back was straightforward, going via. Colby, Hanworth, Sustead, and Gresham. Robert left near the end of the route to make his way home. Overall a good days cycling in fine weather.

PC to PC was 37 miles

Andrew B, Andrew C and Mark, led by Robert

Andrew B, Ben, Geoff, Harvey, Mark and Neil rode the run to Walsingham on a lovely late summer’s day with warm sun and a fresh south easterly. It was pretty much straight out west parallel to the coast as far as North Creake in the morning, before climbing back over to Walsingham for the refreshment break in the courtyard of the Norton. There were some testing little climbs on the way back too, including the lumpy bits through the Barshams and over to the Snorings, then over the airfield to Thursford, through the hole in the hedge (HitH) to Barney, into the wind down to Stibbard, finally working back round to pick up a lot of tailwind by way of Nethergate, Craymere, Briston, the Pond Hills undulations, Hempstead and Baconsthorpe.

Geoff managed to survive an unprovoked attack by a chicken on the light railway bridge at Wighton.

Distances: 63 miles to 80 miles.

Observation (over a period of time): – as things stand, and being realistic, the regular bunch is becoming less and less capable of completing Saturday’s 60 odd milers at a decent pace and still being back in Sheringham at a reasonable time. One of the objectives of advertised club runs has always been to attract new members to NNW. Inevitably some of the old stalwarts pass on for various reasons and some are replaced by new people. However, much more significant numbers of people make enquiries, turn up for a couple of weeks and then vanish without trace. Why? Obviously because they don’t like what is on offer. It might be sensible to re-badge what is currently on offer. This could be along the lines of fit and very fit veterans group (VC Vetus Velox), but all ages welcome and downloadable route files available for those who want to push on a bit. A veterans group would also be less tied to Saturdays and the evidently increasing problems with cafes at weekends. Friday might prove to be a better option, although a couple of the younger members (Ben and Scott?) might justifiably protest. Given the size of the Strava group on the NNW website, it always seems surprising that there is no demand for a younger, more dynamic Strava–driven group, more suitable to 21st century cycling boomers.