Club Runs

No weather problems today as 10 Wheelers met at PC for the Wednesday Bunch’s inaugural visit to The H&G lead by John S!

Although there were extensive overhead power works going on in East Beckham we were still able to get through and thereafter followed a familiar path to Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth, Thorpe Market, Gunton Station, Lower Street and Bradfield. We followed the small lanes to the A149 Cromer Road, then Greens Road, past Rossi’s and over the Weavers Way.

Just after Westwick Wood we paused for a group photo and then continued on to Swanton Abbott and then across the B1150 in the direction of Worstead. Even in drought-like conditions lanes in and around Sloley always deliver and so it was as we negotiated a muddy flood on taking a right turn to take us through Sloley and eventually to Market Street and our lunchtime destination at Tunstead.

Shortly after our arrival CJ appeared and we sat in lovely warm sunshine. While it doesn’t have the cycling specific feel of The Olive Branch, The Horse and Groom was welcoming and provided us with good quality refreshments so it will certainly be a permanent fixture on the Wheeler’s list!

CJ and Robin made their own ways back and the remainder returned via Scottow, Swanton Abbott (from where Peter headed off homewards), Skeyton, Felmingham, and Corvette Kingdom. We passed St Margaret of Antioch Church and followed a long straight stretch up to the Suffield Road where Malcolm and Graham headed off towards Antingham and home leaving just 6 to return to PC.

Many thanks to John S for leading today’s ride.

Alban (yes he’s back!), Andrew B, Andrew C, Graham A, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Robin, Stephen. CJ for lunch.

41 miles PC to PC

 

Due to the less than ideal weather conditions yesterday it was decided to cancel the run. Whilst a ring round was made to the core group of Wednesday Wheelers, apologies to anyone who may have turned up at Pretty Corner yesterday or even have cycled to Wells to meet us. We intend to reschedule the run to The Globe in the not too distant!

8 Wheelers met at PC for Malcolm’s ride to the coast on a day that promised (and gave us) a mix of cloud and sun!

Matlaske, Erpingham, Drabblegate to Aylsham, Burgh and up to the Tuttington/Oxnead crossroads where a slow rear deflation meant a stop for a change of tube for Alan. Phil (Greg’s Dad to his friends!) had tips and tricks to help things along and we were soon back on the road to Swanton Abbott.

We completed the outward leg by way of Worstead, Lyngate, Briggate. Corner Common Road to Old Hall Road, along and across the two North Walsham Roads to reach Sandy Lane, then Bacton Village, around the back of The Gas Terminal and finally on to The Coast Road through Paston Street and into Mundesley. Just over 28 miles.

There to meet us at the Café were CJ and David C. We arrived slightly later than planned but the Café staff did not mind and served up great value lunches in their normal friendly and efficient way.

Robin and CJ decided to make their own ways back but David C joined us for the return leg via Trunch (where we said goodbye to Gill and Phil). We caught up again with CJ who cycled with us as far as Lower Street while the remainder of the group were lead by Malcolm to Antingham, Suffield, Alby with Thwaite, Alby, Aldborough and Thurgarton. At this point Malcolm retraced his steps to Aldborough, Erpingham and home while 5 returned to PC via Bessingham and Gresham.

Thanks to all for the company.

Alan, Andrew B, Gill, Kevin, Malcolm, Phil, Robin, Stephen. CJ and David C at the Café.

46 miles PC to PC (max 62 miles)

 

Words by Robert

8 Started at Pretty Corner with the sun shining for Robert’s ride to Aylsham.

Down to Gresham, then left to Northrepps and then on one of the Quiet Lanes down to Southrepps and across to Trunch. This is when the first incident of the day happened; a puncture, a hiss and we all stopped. 10 minutes later we were back on the road. We went through Kapton and at Paston Green we found we were only 7. Kevin went back to look for Graham (who had punctured) but he could not be found. So (with apologies to Graham) we continued, going south of North Walsham, crossing the A149 and on to a dirt track (as planned) and over the railway line. Then down to Westwick via the B1150 which included a white van overtaking the leader, who was clearly indicating right, on double white lines!

With lunch in sight we sailed across to Aylsham via Tuttington and received a warm welcome at The Conservatory, with Maureen and Chris waiting for us.

This is when the leader found that his back wheel was wobbling on its axle (which had been adjusted that morning for the same problem). Nothing could be done so he just decided to ride as it was.

After lunch the group was down to 5 and we continued due north up to Ingworth, past a field of cowslips and back to Pretty Corner.

8 out, (one lost), 9 for lunch

40 miles PC to PC

Update on Robert’s back wheel

“When I got home a found that the replacement ball bearings that had been used in my back wheel were different sizes and one had completely disintegrated.”

Editor’s note

Many thanks to Robert for leading the ride and his report. Hope that the rear hub has not been completely trashed!!

8 Wheelers met at PC for Kevin’s ride to a destination that’s a spiritual favourite for some but we would be there mostly (entirely?) for the homecooked food and especially the cakes at one of our favourite cafes!

A straight run, with a twist at Barningham taking in Matlaske and Wolterton, down to Itteringham. After the climb up to the Blickling Road a breather was called for due to the somewhat fast pace (albeit slightly assisted by the fresh easterly!). Still, it gave us an opportunity to regroup before continuing on through Oulton Street to the B1149 Holt Road. Always a busy road but we weren’t on it for too long as we took the left turn to take us past Heydon then Crabgate, Wood Dalling, Guestwick, Wood Norton, Fulmodeston, Little Snoring, Great Snoring and finally Little Walsingham. A tad over 31 miles and only a tad slower over the full distance out than the first few miles. A great route and good to see Trevor E again (after an auto-immune malfunction kept him off his bike for a while) who left us as we arrived at our lunchtime destination.

Lots of activity at the Norton Café (Easter being the start of the Pilgrimage Season) but the staff were very welcoming as always and lunch was served pretty quickly.

After a very pleasant rest in the sunshine we made our way to Great Walsingham, crossing over rather than ploughing through the River Stiffkey. Now facing a headwind we pedalled across to Binham and Langham losing 2 on the way as Peter and then Stephen peeled off homewards. Andrew C left us at Wiveton before the longish haul up to Bridge Road and High Kelling where Andrew B said goodbye. That left just 3 to tackle the next longish haul up to Geoff’s Corner where there was a final parting of the ways as 2 returned to PC via West Beckham while the lone North Norfolk rider continued into the headwind to Gresham and then Bessingham, Hanworth and home.

A good day out and a game of two halves with the easterly helping us on the longer way out but doing its best to make it harder on the shorter way back!

Many thanks to Kevin for leading today’s ride.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Stephen, Trevor E

50 miles PC to PC (70 miles max)

Great to see Stephen again after his recent hip rebuild joining 4 other Wheelers for Malcolm’s ride to Reepham.

The outward leg was generally assisted by the cool north-easterly breeze (17mph so maybe that should be wind!). The route followed a straight path to Oulton Street where we turned right to Oulton and thereafter Heydon Hall Park and Heydon Village, Crabgate, Thurning, Hindolveston, Foulsham and Themelthorpe. We then took the Kerdiston Road with picturesque views to the B1154 and into Reepham. A short detour to avoid the roadworks and we arrived at the Café to meet CJ and a few minutes later Peter, who had cycled all the way from Murcia SE Spain (aka Bale) to join us.

CJ pedalled his own way home while the expanded group returned to Oulton Street via Booton and Cawston and then to the surprise of one or two members Malcolm’s route then went Abel Heath, Silvergate, Blickling, Ingworth, Erpingham, Aldborough; the logic being not to follow the same route back to PC and also to gain a bit of shelter from that north-easterly. It seemed to work and as we arrived at the crossroads just after Thurgarton, Malcolm left the others and pedalled into the headwind to Hanworth and homewards, while 5 returned to PC via Bessingham and Gresham.

Apparently some “new” roads were cycled on today which is always a good thing!

46 miles PC to PC (60 miles max)

Alan, Andrew B, John S, Malcolm, Stephen. CJ and Peter at the Café and Peter on the return leg

 

 

4 Wheelers left PC to join 3 more at Erpingham for Malcolm’s ride to the ever popular Corner House Café at Mundesley on a cool, cloudy but dry day.

Having avoided the ongoing road closure in Erpingham by taking the School Road route out of the village the group made their way to Drabblegate and followed the course of The River Bure into Aylsham, busy with Market and Car Boot. After Burgh and as we approached the turn to Oxnead David punctured but was ably assisted by Brian and we were soon on our way again.

Our route thereafter was Mill Road to Allison Street to High Street to the Buxton Road. Buxton, Lamas, Badersfield, Swanton Abbott, Worstead, Lyngate, Briggate. Then, feeling the effect of the cool north-easterly breeze, up to and over the North Walsham Roads (there are at least two!?!) down Sandy Lane to Bacton Village where we were later to discover there was a two way split as half the group took an unauthorised detour and ended up at Trunch rather than Mundesley.

Both groups did manage to refuel – the Café was its usual efficient and friendly self while the Crown appears to have become “gentrified.” It should be said, by the way, that this parting of the ways was purely accidental and will have no lasting effect on the good relationships within the Wheelers!!

The CHC group followed a course home through Trunch, coincidentally, Lower Street, Thorpe Market and Hanworth where there was a two way split with one half heading off to Aldborough and back to Erpingham and homewards while the other half returned to PC.

Ben, Brian, David C, Geoff, Malcolm, Scott, Robin.

54 miles PC to PC; 43 miles Erpingham to Erpingham; 65-70 miles max

All were back to winter clothes and winter bikes (with the exception of Andrew B as his winter bike needed a service!) for John’s ride to Coltishall.

5 Wheelers followed a straightforward route to Lower Gresham and Sustead and then neatly bisected Aldborough and Hanworth before reaching Alby Hill, Alby and Alby with Thwaite. We took the quiet lanes from the A140 to Suffield and more of the same past Corvette Kingdom and onwards to the Trans-Norfolk Highway (B1145). The threatened showers had arrived but nothing too bad as we made our way via Felmingham, Skeyton Corner, Skeyton, Swanton Abbott and Scottow to Tunstead.

John had considered an alternative route from Tunstead knowing how muddy the Coltishall Lane/Tunstead Road stretch into Colishall can be after rain; however the rain had not been too heavy and the last few miles to our lunchtime destination were as pleasant as the others on the outward leg. Not sure if Andrew B felt the same way on his summer road bike!

There was a warm welcome at The Red Lion with the radiators being a bonus to dry out and warm up our gloves and after a good quality and good value refuel we were pleased to see that the rain had stopped for our return.

Great and Little Hautbois, Badersfield and down to The Goat before the small climb to Church Road. A brief pause before descending New Road at which point Malcolm headed off to North Walsham and home while the main group carried on to Tuttington and the long drag up to Banningham at which point John punctured “Andrew B heard it fizzing and we could all see it in the surface water when I was stopped.  Nice place to change a tube there on the green!”

All four then returned to PC via Aldborough, Gresham, Mill Lane and Red Barn Lane.

Definitely a return to more wintry weather today but a good ride out and many thanks to John.

Andrew B, Andrew C, John S, Kevin, Malcolm

40 miles PC to PC

 

The Rolling English Road 

Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode,

The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road.

A reeling road, a rolling road, which rambles round the shire,

And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire;

A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread

The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head.

So wrote G. K. Chesterton

 

Geoff’s Report

Saturday’s Club Run was not, however, via Birmingham or indeed to Beachy Head, it was to the well-known café at Pensthorpe Wild Life Park.  The route there did, however, have some resemblance to Chesterton’s poem – rolling around the County with a couple of fair sized hills for good measure.

Three club members met at Pretty Corner to be joined by three more at Itteringham Bridge. From there we back tracked to go via Mannington Hall and then down to Corpusty, where we picked up the back roads to take us towards Briston.  Turning off at Sandy Lane we made our way to Hindolveston and then Fulmodeston where we turned to ride down to Stibbard and then Great Ryburgh.  Here, all riders were challenged to ride up the Street, which consists of two very steep hills.  Their reward was a quick ride down to the Pensthorpe café.

The café was its usual excellent self – fast service and an extensive menu. After lunch we set out on the home run – losing David C but at the same time being joined by Scott fresh out from work.

Our route back was via Fakenham to Hindringham and then Sharringtom, Briston and then home to Sheringham.

Excellent weather – no wind and no breakdowns – bliss!

PC to PC 50 miles

Brian, Ben, Scott, David, Malcolm, Robin and Geoff

Addendum

Just to mention that there was a two way split on the return leg at Edgefield with 3 heading off via Little Barningham to Erpingham where there was a further split as the 3 pedalled their own ways homewards!

Many thanks to Geoff for leading today’s run.

7 Wheelers lead by Alan left PC at the usual time on a cool but dry day for a ride to the North Coast.

Our route followed a familiar path to Matlaske and then Plumstead, Edgefield, Briston, Craymere Beck, Hindolveston, Swanton Novers and Briningham, just after which Andrew C had a rear wheel puncture. With the stopwatch running Andrew was making good time until that last few inches of the tyre which can sometimes and on this occasion did prove to be a bit difficult.

All fixed we continued on to Brinton, Sharrington, Glandford, Wiveton and finally the Coast Road for a high tempo last stretch to our lunchtime destination. 28 miles of glorious Norfolk lanes with just a hint of more major roads! We had obviously arrived at a good time as we had a choice of where we sat and the food came quickly. As we prepared to leave for the return leg the Pub had filled considerably.

Andrew C and Jane continued up Bard Hill and homewards while the remaining 5 riders made their way up to Wood Lane and then eventually to the Cley Road which took us to Holt. Shortly after crossing the A148 Andrew B left us at Hempstead. After Baconsthorpe Kevin left us at Geoff’s Corner and there was a final parting of the ways as Malcolm headed for Gresham, Aldborough, Erpingham, Felmingham and home while just the 2 completed the circuit back to PC.

Many thanks to Alan for leading today’s ride.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Jane, John S, Kevin, Malcolm

40 miles PC to PC (64 miles max)