Club Runs

Club Runs in April.

Some relatively short club runs will start from Saturday April 10th. All welcome. Once we get established again, with any luck, it will be easier to gauge what people are looking for this year. It is assumed that we will be able to split into relevant pace groups in due course.

1. April 10th. Mundesley Torpedo 46. Depart Pretty Corner 10.00. Erpingham 10.30.

Destination – the torpedo at Mundesley. Bring some nourishment. Takeaway coffee available from the door of the Corner House. Cash only. Mask required.

As we will almost certainly need to split, I will send a route file to various people.

2. April 24th. Sitootery 50. Depart PC 10.00. Pick up to be confirmed. All welcome.

Destination – one of the cafes with a large open air seating capacity, anticipating that weekends will be busy. Venue to be determined by the weather and who turns up on the day or whether a certain number of riders commit in advance to the event.

Hopefully, this will be followed by similar, but possibly slightly longer rides on 1st, 8th and 15th May. The future might entail small compact groups carrying downloadable route files.

See full list of club runs here https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Please see the Dates and Destinations section under Club Runs for more information.

Would the “Rule of Six” be sufficient to accommodate all those that wanted to join Malcolm’s ride on this pleasantly mild and dry but slightly blustery Wednesday? Easily as it happens because only two (including the leader) managed to meet at PC.

Our route was determined partly by the occasionally muddy roads and the wind direction so to take advantage of the latter on the return leg we made our way to Erpingham, followed by Ingworth, Aylsham, Burgh, Oxnead and Buxton. We stopped for refreshments at Dollies Bakery located in the Red Lion at Coltishall. As we parked our bikes Geoff P waved at us from a window so, suitably socially distanced and at different tables, we were able to enjoy good value food and drink inside the cafe before setting off on the return leg.

Geoff took the lead (just for old times sake) as we followed the lanes to St James and then the Great and Little Hautbois Roads along to Badersfield. Turning right at The Goat at Skeyton we made our way up the Blackhorse Road and at Skeyton Corner there was a parting of the ways as Malcolm headed off to North Walsham while the remaining duo pedalled towards Tuttington and thereafter Banningham and eventually PC.

Great to be out on a Wednesday Club Run again and hopefully there will be a couple more before we say farewell to 2020.

Andrew B, Geoff P, Malcolm

Distances 40 – 50 miles

We have returned to the “rule of six” and for those missing the social side of things the Wednesday Pool of riders is active once more.

Same rules apply – no just turning up at PC, you must have opted into the Pool and therefore have received your weekly invite to join a ride. There will be a cafe stop for a takeaway if it can be planned in but otherwise bring your own refreshments. Details will be given in advance.

A polite reminder to prepare your bike for the winter (including lights just in case) and don’t forget your masks!

Now you have a choice of kit supplier that you can order yourself see club kit pages here https://nnwheelers.co.uk/membership/club-clothing/

We had our full complement of 6 on a bright and breezy day for Malcolm’s ride to the coast. We were hoping for no mechanicals today as we planned to arrive earlyish on what would probably be a busy lunchtime during half term week for this popular cafe!

The route followed a well worn path to Little Barningham where we turned left to reach Calthorpe and then Erpingham. At the top of Eagle Lane one Wheeler was keen to go straight on and take a risk with the (inevitably) deeply flooded lane. Our leader was less keen and took the Ingworth route to Banningham. From there it was the lanes to Colby School and then the Trans Norfolk Highway (aka B1145) all the way to North Walsham.

As the B1145 remains closed due to bridge repairs we followed the Lyngate Road to Bradfield and then onwards and upwards to Trunch before reaching our destination after some 24 miles! The Cafe was very organised and was thankfully able to accomodate all 5 of us (Andrew B not joining us due to an afternoon appointment).

The return leg was initially along the Coast Road but then cutting inland to Gimingham and Southrepps. The first split was at Northrepps with two heading off to Cromer while the remaining 3 pedalled via Crossdale Street and Metton to Sustead where Malcolm peeled off towards Hanworth and home leaving 2 to complete the circuit back to PC.

A great day out and great company plus decent weather. Lets continue to make the most of it while we still can!

Alan, Andrew B, Graham A, Malcolm, Robert, Stephen.

PC to PC circa 40 miles (55 – 75 miles max)

Due to Yellow Weather Warnings on Wednesday Stephen’s ride to Wells was rearranged for Thursday. The Met Office didn’t get it quite right as it was raining as the group gathered at PC but we were confident that the keen south westerly would blow it away before too long.

Just 4 Wheelers headed off down Gibbet Lane and on reaching the crossroads at Mill Road it became three as Malcolm realised he had dropped something so he went back to PC for a quick search.

The group of 3 continued on to Kelling, Cley, Binham and Warham. After his fruitless trip back to PC Malcolm wasn’t sure which route the group would follow to Binham and took a different path choosing to go via Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Hunworth, Brinton, Sharrington and Field Dalling. Despite Andrew Cs best efforts the last of several messages did not succeed in reuniting the group on the road but all was well in Wells as he was waiting for Malcolm to arrive and guided him to Stephen’s house for lunch.

After enjoying great food prepared by Stephen’s wife we bade farewell and began our return leg. Andrew C had set off solo and shortly after Malcolm and Andrew B also left to follow the Warham Road. We met Andrew on the roadside at Binham fixing a puncture but he was happy for us to continue. Our route back to High Kelling was Cockthorpe, Langham, Wiveton and then the familiar long haul to Bridge Road and eventually the junction with the A148. Here was the final split of the day with Malcolm almost completing the circuit back to PC but at the junction of Red Barn Lane and Mill Road he carried straight on to Gresham, Bessingham, Alborough, Erpingham and home.

Many thanks to Stephen for the ride and hospitality – plus this week’s gold star for the quality of the salmon and broccoli quiche!

Andrew B, Andrew C, Malcolm, Stephen.

44 miles PC to PC (70 miles max inc the extra there and back to PC)

A “full” complement of 6 Wheelers gathered at PC looking forward to Andrew C’s ride to a lunchtime venue not visited for some time.

As we made our way towards Briston via Baconsthorpe, Plumstead and Edgefield we were pushed along by a tailwind blowing from the north-east. Craymere Beck was a mere trickle, even after the recent rain, and thereafter the roads were surprisingly dry and mud free (mostly).

The group began to feel the sidewind as we pedalled the long straight stretch to Fulmodeston (with Swanton Novers National Nature Reserve to our right hand side). Then we turned into the wind, first to Barney and then Hindringham and onwards to Bale, Field Dalling and Saxlingham. We bumped into Peter en route who was off to pick up his camper van.

After some 28 miles and as it started to rain we arrived at the café, just as Nigel W, out on a training run, passed by saying a brief hallo.

We enjoyed great service and equally great coffee and food before deciding it was time to leave. Stephen headed west while 5 were led by Andrew to Wiveton and then up the hill of Bridgefoot Lane to the junction at the Holt Road where he left us to our own devices. Graham and then Andrew B left the main group shortly after to leave just 2 to make their way back towards PC. A short and not too heavy shower didn’t dampen the spirits and a familiar route was followed to the junction at Mill Road where the final split of the day took place with one going towards West Beckham and the other towards Bessingham.

Alan wins today’s gold star for being the only rider to complete the circuit back to PC.

Many thanks to Andrew for leading the ride.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Graham J, Malcolm, Stephen

40 miles PC to PC (62 miles max)