Club Runs

Words by Andrew B

Five Wheelers, Duncan, Robert, Graham, Stephen and leader for the day Andrew B met at PC for a ride to Walsingham.

The route zig-zagged towards Binham, taking in Plumstead, Edgefield, Stody, Brinton and Sharrington. The weather was colder than expected with some clouds and a headwind.

Stephen had a puncture just after Sharrington, however the delay proved to be fortunate as there was evidence of rain having fallen when we resumed through Field Dalling. After Binham the route took us through Wighton and finally to Little Walsingham for lunch at The Victorious where we met up with Geoff. This is a new venue for the Wheelers which has a good sized garden and the food/drinks were excellent. Luckily the weather by then was improving and we were sheltered from the wind.

After lunch Stephen headed back home and the remainder of us carried on to Binham via Hindringham. Strangely the wind was against us again having swung round!

After some discussion at Binham it was decided not to return to PC and we headed towards Stiffkey and then looped back to Langham. As the weather was by then a lot warmer and the wind had eased, it was decided to head towards Cley via Wiveton and then along the Coast Road towards Weybourne. At Weybourne Andrew and Duncan pedalled towards Holt, leaving the others to continue towards home on the Coast Road.

There was no return to PC but the distance was estimated at 47 miles.

Note from Malcolm

Many thanks to Andrew B for leading today’s ride. Sorry I couldn’t join you and I hope to be out again next week.

Following a 23 weeks break, the tentative restart run took place in dry conditions with a cold north easterly wind.

Nine riders were involved at some stage during the ride, including Duncan from the Northants-based club, A5 Rangers.

This latest attempt to split weekend club runs into viable pace groups was cleverly foiled by the tactically sophisticated North Norfolk Wheelers. Those of us who have ridden a lot of these runs over recent years realise that if this element of the Wheelers’ activities is to be revitalised to accommodate wide ranging abilities, an unarguably ageing cohort and some new blood then an effort to ride as separate groups might well be worth the bother in the longer-term. The present attempt will depend on the circulation of a downloadable route file for the day.

Under current restrictions, today’s event depended on refuelling alfresco (in the true meaning of the word on a cold day) at the Royal Engineers memorial on Mundesley seafront. The worst combination was pork pie with hummus and chilli and there wasn’t a Marmite sandwich to be seen.

The official start to finish route was relatively short, but distances ridden varied greatly up to a maximum of about 65 miles.

Thanks to Scott for leading today’s vanguard group. Next week Ben will be leading a group on a loop down to the Wensum valley en route to refreshments at the tables outside the cafe at the former Reepham station.

3 Wheelers met at PC for Malcolm’s ride to Coltishall,

The route followed a clockwise direction taking in Metton, Thorpe Market, Lower Street, Swafield, Edingthorpe, Honing, Dilham, Smallburgh, Anchor Street, Tunstead and more quiet lanes to our lunctime destination – the peace and tranquility only briefly disturbed by the horn of an approaching goods train as we waited to cross!

Our original plan for refreshments at Dollies Bakery was changed as it was closed due to illness so we carried on to A Piece of Cake where the friendly staff served up welcome coffee and baps – shame it was a bit on the chilly side for al freso snacking!

The return leg was slightly heavier going than the outward as we now had to battle against the north-westerly but it wasn’t too bad. After Buxton we headed towards Cawston and Malcolm left the group at Eastgate to join the Trans-Norfolk Highway. With the wind gradually turning he enjoyed a tailwind home while the remaining duo had no choice but to continue north-westerly towards Holt.

This week the circuit was not completed as no one returned to PC. The individual mileages for the day including the journeys to PC were:

Andrew B 57 miles; Duncan 61 miles; Malcolm 59 miles

So Duncan wins this week’s gold star!

A welcome return to TT racing by a select few, who braved the icy northerly winds. The hail held off for a couple of hours and the sun came out… Thanks to the timekeeper and roundabout marshalls.

No.	Name	Time	Notes
5	Procter, Sam	22.53
4	Padfield, Mike	24.56	RB*
2	Walsh, Nigel	26.59
1	Platts, Brian	30.34
3	Williams, Stuart	31.15
	RB* = Road Bike Rules

5 Wheelers met at PC for the first ride of the season in glorious sunshine and it would remain like that for most of the ride – just a few clouds in the afternoon attempting to spoil the fun.

Malcolm set out at a reasonably strong pace perhaps testing his own as much as anybody else’s legs!

The route was through the lanes and minor roads to Gresham, Thurgarton, Erpingham, Ingworth and Aylsham before joining the A140 for a short sprint to Marsham. Much to everyone’s relief we left the main road to follow High Street through Marsham and to the Buxton Road. It was then a straight run to Booton before the final mile or so to our refreshment stop.

Although still retricted to offering a takeaway service the friendly staff at The Station Cafe served up some welcome coffee, cake and baps. It was busy and in amongst the crowd we spotted Andrew C and Geoff who came over to say a socially distanced hallo.

Andrew C (on his rather smart e-bike) joined us for the return leg which was a familiar path to Salle, Wood Dalling, Thurning and Briston. En route Andrew couldn’t resist a smile as he demonstrated the advantage of turbo power on the uphill sections! At Briston there was a two way split, one half heading towards the coast and the other to Edgefield.

At Edgefield Malcolm opted for a direct cross country (not off-road btw) route home via Barningham Green, Erpingham, Colby and Suffield leaving just two to complete the circuit back to PC.

Great to be out with the group again and reassuring that we have not lost our social skills or sense of humour!

Andrew B, Duncan, John S, Malcolm, Stephen and Andrew C

37 miles PC to PC (56 miles max)

Just to say again that the group number for Wednesdays will be limited to 6 members for the time being even though the latest British Cycling guidelines state that up to 15 members can meet for rides organised by affiliated Clubs under the “organised sports exemption” rule.

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!