Club Runs

The magnificent (artistic licence!) 7 rendezvoused at PC and first headed south and then south-east under Malcolm’s leadership before pointing west to reach our mid-ride destination.

The route took in Little Barningham (puncture stop), Itteringham, Ingworth, Aylsham, Burgh and Oxnead. We then followed the very pleasant Mill Road, crossed the A140 to Allison Street and eventually joined the Buxton Road to Eastgate and thereafter Booton and Reepham.

At the Café to meet us was Geoff P. Firstly we tried al fresco dining but a sudden downpour drove us indoors. By the time we had finished lunch the rain had stopped and Malcolm decided on a fairly conventional route back via Salle, Wood Dalling, Thurning, Briston, Edgefield and Baconsthorpe. At Geoff’s Corner (aka Kevin’s Corner) there was a split as some returned to PC and others to Sheringham and beyond.

Alan, Andrew B, Geoff P, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Robert, Stephen

42 miles PC to PC (62 miles max)

“The sultry summer weather had brought swarms of insects” – little black ones and while they didn’t bite they did get everywhere.

As we tried to count, we eventually ran out of fingers as more and more Wheelers arrived at PC for David’s ride to the coast. A quick call was made to the Café to warn of the invasion, but typically the response was “No problem – look forward to seeing you”

Stephen could not join us on the ride and headed off to work and Graham A punctured soon after Lower Gresham and told us to carry on and leave him to it. But that still left a sizeable group to head south via Sustead to Aldborough and then north-east through Hanworth to Felbrigg, Crossdale Street and a loop to Northrepps. After Southrepps we followed Whitegates Road and then an interesting trundle along the aptly named (and officially closed) Wellspring Road. We negotiated a series of barriers and holes to reach the Gimingham Road and while one or two went cyclocross along a track to the lower road the majority took the more conservative route. Eventually all arrived safely at Trunch and then Knapton, Paston Green, Paston Street and Mundesley; which is more than can be said for one unfortunate motorist who had ran out of/been run off the road and had ended up in a ditch with some damage to his car but not to himself!

At the Café to meet us, looking slightly lonely on a large reserved table, was CJ. The Café’s service was excellent as usual and after welcome refreshments a group of 11 (3 having left for solo rides home) took a direct route back to Trunch and then Lower Street, Thorpe Market, Hanworth, Thurgarton and Matlaske. The group had become smaller by the time it reached Matlaske, several riders having peeled off at different points to take them homewards.

Then in the leader’s own words “Through Matlaske, turning first right at the top of the hill, then second left and a long slog up to West Beckham. Peter and Paula left us just after Matlaske heading towards Plumstead. Jane and Alban took a left on the way up to West Beckham. Kevin, Graham and myself split at the Sheringham Park junction where I turned off towards PC.”

Many thanks to David for leading today’s ride.

Alban, Andrew B, Andrew C, CJ, David C, Graham A, Graham, Jane, John H, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Paula, Peter, Phil, Stephen

42 miles PC to PC (100km/62 miles or thereabouts for some)

8 Wheelers were joined by guest rider Julian at PC for Robert’s ride to the ever popular Goat Inn on what was an unseasonably cool day.

Robert took full advantage of the tailwind to lead us down to Itteringham and on to Oulton Street and Cawston. After Haveringland we passed through Stratton Strawless, Buxton and Badersfield before arriving at our mid-ride destination to be met by CJ and David C.

The atmosphere at lunch was positively jovial helped along by good service and good food. Knowing how the legs can stiffen up if you linger too long we were soon back on the bikes for the return leg.

CJ and David made their own ways and the bunch was reduced to 8 at Church Road when John D headed off towards Aylsham. After reaching Tuttington it was onwards and upwards against a stiffening breeze to Banningham. Then Ingworth and Wickmere where there was a two way split with half the bunch heading towards Matlaske and various destinations thereafter and the other half continuing on to Thurgarton. At this point Malcolm left the group for Hanworth, Thorpe Market and home and the remaining 3 returned to PC via Bessingham and Gresham.

Many thanks to Robert for leading today’s ride.

We hope that Julian enjoyed the ride and the company and will decide to join us permanently.

Alan, Andrew B, Jane, John D, Julian, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Robert. CJ and David C at the Pub.

38 miles PC to PC

With some stretching their legs in different ways, one or two under the weather and others doing extra shifts the group was reduced almost to a pair saved by a welcome visit from Chris of the A5 Rangers Cycling Club.

Two pedalled down from PC to meet up with one more and the threesome left Itteringham by way of The Common and then followed a route taking in Aylsham, Oxnead, Buxton, Stratton Strawless, Hainford, Frettenham, Horsham St Faith, Horsford, Haveringland and Booton to our lunch stop at Kerri’s Café at The Old Railway Station in Reepham. Just over 35 miles for all 3 so we felt in need of refreshment!

There to meet us was Robin who couldn’t meet us at “The Bridge” so rode solo and timed his arrival perfectly! We dined al fresco in the lovely sunshine.

We followed a direct path back to PC; Salle, Wood Dalling, Heydon Park, Oulton (where there was a split as Robin headed for Aylsham), Itteringham and Little Barningham. At Mill Road we pointed Chris’s front wheel towards Sheringham and the remaining pair headed south via Bessingham and Aldborough to Alby Hill with the lone rider continuing on to Colby and home.

A great day of summer cycling!

Brian, Chris, Malcolm

50 miles PC to PC (62 miles max)

Sorry Harvey didn’t manage the 3 score and 10!!

Words by Alan

Five riders met at PC on a day with dubious weather forecasts.

We all set off towards West Beckham and Bodham, crossing the main road and then down to Weybourne and up the Holt Road to Kelling Heath. Across to Wiveton, up to Langham, Cockthorpe, down to Stiffkey, up to Wighton then headed towards Holkham before looping round back to Little Walsingham for a hearty lunch.

After lunch Andrew C departed on a direct route home leaving the remaining group heading to Thursford, Gunthorpe, Britton, Stody, Briston, Edgefield, Baconsthorpe and West Beckham to PC.

A rather “undulating“ route but the rain held off. Thanks for the company.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Kevin, Stephen

PC to PC 47 miles approx.

Editor’s note

Many thanks to Alan for leading the ride and sorry I couldn’t join you. Just got back to Norfolk which explains the late posting of Alan’s report.

The forecast for today was constantly changing in terms of when the heavy rain would come, all that could be certain was that it would come at some point from late morning onwards! So as 5 met at PC for David’s ride to Aylsham it was decided to limit the outward leg to 15 miles or so and then see what happened!

Our route followed a familiar path through Baconsthorpe, Little Barningham and Itteringham. As we pedalled the steady climb up from The River Bure we thought that the Blickling Road beckoned but no we doubled back to The Common and followed the course of the aforementioned river to Ingworth. Then the (old) Cromer Road into Aylsham and an earlier than usual refuel. We received a friendly welcome and good service and just as we prepared to leave the rain started albeit light at this stage.

It looked like we were heading to Burgh but no, another about turn as we headed for Millgate and then Drabblegate to take us out of Aylsham and eventually to Banningham. At Colby Malcolm left the group for home and 4 continued to Alby, Aldborough and PC. At this point it seemed that the rain was set in for the day – although the heavier rain didn’t come until later in the afternoon so we could have had a longer outward leg after all!

Good company and many thanks to David for leading today’s ride

Alan, David C, Kevin, Malcolm, Robert

33 miles PC to PC

 

In a change to the original advertised programme, Malcolm lead the ride to the ever popular ATN on a bright and not too breezy early summer’s day.

10 Wheelers set off from PC after one rider had replaced a rear tube – in double quick time as he came prepared with a CO2 cartridge. No disrespect to the rider concerned but I do wonder if the used cartridges often end up in landfill – I’m not sure if they can be recycled! Mind you what happens to all the used tyres, innertubes, chains and cassettes!

Anyway our outward route was as follows: Bessingham, Aldborough, Erpingham, Banningham, Tuttington, Oxnead, Buxton, Stratton Strawless, Haveringland, Cawston. 25 miles, lots of straight stretches of open road and a steady cadence.

At the Café CJ was already tucking into his lunch and it was great to see him. All Things Nice was indeed very nice and we enjoyed our break before setting off minus John D and Peter.

The return leg took us to Heydon, Crabgate, Thurning and Briston where the group was reduced to 5 as Andrew C, Jane and Trevor left us. The main group continued across to Edgefield, Barningham Green and Little Barningham and up as far as the Barningham Road (to Gresham) where there was a final 2 way split with 3 returning to PC and 2 homewards via Sustead, Hanworth, Thorpe Market and Lower Street.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Gilly, Jane, John D, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Trevor E. CJ at the Café.

45 miles PC to PC (65 – 70 miles max)

 

Rain, sunshine, showers, cloud – but through it all reasonably warm temperatures for the 9 Wheelers who enjoyed Kevin’s ride to the “pie pub” at Warham.

The outward leg took us through Saxthorpe, Thurning, Fulmodeston, Kettlestone, Little Snoring, Great Snoring, East and West Barsham, along a fairly busy B1105 (but fast paced with a following SSW) to Egmere, then turning right towards Wighton. Here we experienced the second deflation of the day but this was realised only after most of the group had reached Wighton. Having regrouped we passed the Iron Age Fort and arrived at our lunchtime destination definitely in need of sustenance with one or two of the group having covered 40+ miles since their bowl of porridge!

We chose to sit outside even though the skies were threatening rain. In the event we were lucky and enjoyed a great lunch before setting off towards Westgate and Binham, the group reduced to 7, Stephen and Trevor having left us. As we approached Field Dalling and Bale the group had become just 5 and then 4 as Peter peeled off towards home.

The gang of four (no political reference intended) rode through Sharrington, Brinton and Stody before reaching Edgefield where there was a two way split with one pair returning to PC via Baconsthorpe and West Beckham while the other continued on to Little Barningham, Erpingham, Colby, Suffield and home.

Many thanks to Kevin for leading today’s run and to the weather gods for sparing us a soaking or something very very frightening!

Andrew B, Andrew C, Gilly, Jane, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Stephen, Trevor E

52 miles PC to PC (70 miles max)

Some felt it was warm enough for short sleeves while others were taking no chances with the unpredictable UK weather. In the event it was a perfect cycling day for the 13 Wheelers who left PC for Peter’s ride to Reepham.

After following a familiar path to High Kelling a broken spoke in Andrew C’s rear wheel necessitated a change of bike and a slight change of route (for the swap) but no one minded and we picked up Andrew again at Wiveton and pedalled on to Saxlingham and Field Dalling. Across the A148 and on to Sharrington, Briningham, Melton Constable and Hindolveston. 22 miles and about another 7 before lunch but the run through Thurning and Wood Dalling was fairly swift until a puncture held up Andrew B briefly, while the remainder of the bunch (except for Malcolm who kept Andrew company) carried on to the Café.

There to meet us were CJ, Geoff and Trevor N so the biggest lunchtime gathering for some time! The staff at Kerri’s were super efficient and after a welcome refuel the original 13 set off for Salle. There was a split in the group just before Salle which meant that Robin and Gilly headed off towards Aylsham while Malcolm went in pursuit of the group unsure about the route they were taking. A post-run quote from the run leader “Took a little dog leg around Salle Common to avoid any cycling on the main Holt/Norwich road then left the group at Little Barningham.”

Malcolm took a slightly different route initially but couldn’t have been far behind the main group through Oulton, Itteringham, and Little Barningham before finally catching them just before PC.

Many thanks to Peter for leading today’s run.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Gill, Graham, Jane, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Robin, Stephen, Trevor E.

CJ, Geoff and Trevor N at the Café.

56 miles PC to PC (70 miles max)