Club Runs

With the prospect of a fine dry day nine met at PC for Trevor’s ride to the always popular pub on the Broads at Coltishall.

We started with the familiar route down as far as Barningham Park but then rather than continuing along Church Road we took the Wickmere and Wollerton Roads to Itteringham. Then round the back of Blickling Park to follow the course of The Bure to Ingworth. At this point we parted company with the mighty Bure and indeed with the mighty Robin who had things to do and people to see!

Onwards to Banningham then along Bridge Road and past Colby School on to the B1145 – not for long however before turning right and continuing due south to pass over The Weaver’s Way. The Swanton Abbott Road led us to Scottow Road and then a great route through the lanes to Frankfort, Ashmanhaugh, Belaugh Green and eventually Coltishall. On the way there was a lot of field activity with the potato harvest but with no recent rain the roads were pretty good – a fair bit of hard dried mud and other debris however so we had to take care!

David C met us at the pub having reserved a couple of outside tables. Unfortunately the sun disappeared for a while – but despite that we had a pleasant enough lunch before leaving via St James up to Sco Ruston and the B1150. We missed the left turn into The Hill which would have avoided cycling along the often busy B1150 but with a tailwind and on the whole considerate drivers it wasn’t too bad. Along to Scottow where we turned left to follow the relatively quiet roads to Swanton Abbott and a loop round to Skeyton (well just up the hill from Skeyton). Trevor bade us farewell and Malcolm then lead the group via Back Lane to Tuttington. With the wind behind us the drag up to Banningham was barely noticeable! Malcolm left the group at High Noon Road heading off in the direction of Suffield and home while the remaining 7 Wheelers pedalled the familiar route via Erpingham back to PC.

Thank you to Trevor for leading the ride today.

Alban, Alan, David C, Graham, John S, Malcolm, Robert, Robin, Stephen, Trevor

49 miles PC to PC

With only one waif and stray (no offence Graham!) to collect at PC Geoff arrived at the Banningham pick up point to meet two more Wheelers for Malcolm’s ride to Cart Gap. Although it had been a slightly chilly and damp start to the day the weather was improving rapidly and the four of us were looking forward to it.

Pretty standard Tuttington, Skeyton, Worstead and Briggate before a left turn just after the North Walsham and Dilham Canal into Corner Common Road and then a steady climb with lovely views across towards North Walsham. It is slightly puzzling how you can cross one North Walsham Road to reach another North Walsham Road; however this is what we did turning right and shortly left into Sandy Lane to take us to Bacton Village before descending to the coast road. We cut back inland following the lanes to Ridlington and then straight to Happisburgh and the café stop. About 21 miles from Banningham but all four had put in extra miles to get to the pick up point.

We were joined by Trevor and David C and after good food and friendly service we set off under increasing cloud to retrace our steps (or should that be wheel tracks?) to Ridlington. Then Witton Bridge and back to North Walsham Road! Trevor left us to head off home and the five continued along the lanes to Edingthorpe Street, Paston Green and Trunch. David C bade us farewell.

We reached Lower Street where we met two thirsty cyclists (with a dog in a basket) in search of a pint at the Gunton Arms. We pointed them in the right direction which in fact was the direction in which we were going but having said goodbye to Robin we pedalled ahead of the two thankful cyclists reaching Thorpe Market and then eventually the junction with the A140. Geoff was not with us, had he had a mechanical? Malcolm and Graham waited and then cycled back a short distance until we met him.

“Where’s Robin?” said Geoff.

“He left us at Lower Street”

“Oh that’s alright then, I thought we’d lost him”

Malcolm headed off at Hanworth to leave just the two to make their way back to PC.

David C, Geoff, Graham, Malcolm, Robin and Trevor

56 miles PC to PC; 45 miles B to B

Six Wheelers met Malcolm just down (or should that be up!) the road and the seven cycled as one – well they tried to since Andrew was clearly turbocharged today as he led us onwards to Letheringsett.

Plumstead, Barningham Green and Edgefield came and went in an instant before we paused to catch our breath at the B1354 to continue to Thurning and Swanton Novers. Shortly after SN a shout came from the back – had someone punctured? It turned out to be a loose cleat and despite all efforts the only solution was to remove it completely since the offending bolt was knackered – I think that’s the correct technical term. We carried on. “This feels very weird” exclaimed Robert.

After leaning his bike against a tree during the aforementioned mechanical Kevin had picked up a hitchhiker – a snail had decided that the drive side crank of his bike would be a perfect resting place. Not sure how it would feel after falling off a few miles down the road and then taking a month or so to get back home!

Where were we – oh yes Sharrington and then gourmet style lunches at the café which was all very pleasant.

Robert and Stephen left us, heading for home along the main road, while the remaining five left the A148 asap and pedalled on via Thornage, Hunworth, Stody and Briston (almost) to Edgefield and Baconsthorpe. Andrew and Alban headed NW and home at this point leaving just three to chat for a while at the T-junction reflecting on life, the universe and everything before two went broadly in the direction of PC leaving Malcolm to wend his way home.

Thank you to Andrew for leading the ride today.

Alan, Alban, Andrew, Kevin, Malcolm, Robert and Stephen

42 miles PC to PC (65+ miles for some)

We need two marshalls for the club 18.5m hilly TT on Sunday – 2pm to about 3pm. No previous training required. Meet at Henries next to Splash in Sheringham at about 1.30pm. Please email David Carrier if available, thanks.  shortandcrisp@hotmail.co.uk

Club Run 16 September 2017 to Walsingham Barns

Waiting at Pretty Corner was a new potential club member called Geoff, who lived in Potters Bar and had ridden (like the old club members Geoff), both with Hertfordshire Wheelers and the North Road Cycling Club.

Also, waiting was our latest recruit Alban, not put off by the soaking of the previous week.

The weather forecast for the day was however heavy rain and potential thunderstorms. Neither of these predictions concerned our intrepid trio and they set off to the pick-up point at Itteringham where we met Brian who was back from his epic journey to Spain.

We rode to Mannington Hall and then back ways to the outskirts of Briston where we rode down to Hindoveston and then Kettlestone to past the “oldest church in England” and finally, to the pie café.

After excellent lunch we rode back the standard route going via Hindringham to Sharington to Hempstead and home.

Rain ? what rain ? 

A good days cycling despite the predictions made better because of the two new potential Saturday recruits

Miles 50 for most

Brian, Geoff, Alban, Geoff

 

 

 

As 9 Wheelers were about to depart from the Banningham pick up point there was a rather loud pop as Harvey’s rear tyre instantly deflated to absolutely zero. This was not a regular flat and would need some close attention so Harvey waved us through and wished us well on today’s run to Waxham.

Malcolm was happy to step up and off we went via Tuttington, Oxnead, Badersfield, Scottow and Tunstead to the still mud free (well mostly) back lanes to Smallburgh. A brief foray on the A149 as a necessary connection for the road to Dilham and then Honing. The conditions were bright and quite warm – could it be that we would be lucky and miss the forecast showers?

After East Ruston we crossed the B1159 to continue on to Brumstead. As we approached the Star Inn at Lessingham it may have suited one or two in the bunch to stop here for lunch particularly as we were running slightly late after a puncture a few miles earlier. However the leader for the day pressed on knowing that once we joined the Palling Road there would be enough tailwind to make up at least a few of the lost minutes.

We arrived at Waxham before the bride and groom – there was a wedding reception in the Great Barn – but as none of us had brought a tie there was little chance we could mingle and sneak a glass of champagne! So we settled down to a pleasant lunch instead.

The skies were certainly darkening but what to do except set off on the coast road to Sea Palling where it was suggested we take the aptly named Beach Road (those that were there will know what I mean) into Heath Road, through Hempstead and full circle back to Lessingham. Only light rain so far! Whimpwell Green, Happisburgh and Ridlington came and went and even Witton Bridge and Edingthorpe Street were quite dry but Knapton was another story as the heavens opened and we sought refuge first under trees and then in the bus shelter.

After a few minutes Trevor decided he would head off and take his chances and soon after the remainder pedalled to Trunch where there was a parting of the ways but all getting a soaking on their various paths home. After Bradfield just three riders were left to follow the traditional route via Hanworth back to PC. However Geoff and Barry later reported that our latest Wheeler recruit was there one moment and gone the next so hopefully he found his way home without too much difficulty.

By the by Harvey expertly rescued his split tyre by judicious placing of plastic wrapper and was able to nurse his bike home but sadly missed out on the weekend run.

Alban, Barry, David C, Geoff, Harvey, Ian, Malcolm, Robin and Trevor

60 miles PC to PC

Ten met at PC for Alan’s ride to Hilltop Café on a bright and breezy morning.

Fortunately the breeze was at our backs as we headed towards Lower Gresham. Malcolm didn’t even get that far as he punctured courtesy of a North Norfolk flint! He was at the back of the group and alas his shouts were not heard. After a quick repair he chose the correct route to Hanworth and after a call to the leader they met at the A140 before the two rejoined the group at Suffield.

Onwards via Felmingham and Swanton Abbott and then along School Road onto the B1150, left into Westwick Road (towards Worstead) before turning right in the direction of Sloley. Just as well it was dry as this stretch of tarmac is not great in the wet! Finally onto the Tunstead Road and straight (pretty much dead straight) to Hoveton. Here we paused briefly before weaving our way through the centre of Wroxham and then relief from the traffic as we flowed down The Avenue. The B1140 took us to Salhouse and from there just a short distance via Muck Lane back to the Wroxham Road and the café at Rackheath.

The café was as busy as usual but this didn’t prevent prompt service and after a good value refuel we were back on our bikes. Leaving the main road we entered Swash Lane and carried on pretty much due north via Granny Bard’s Lane to Horstead. Here we bade farewell to John D and Peter as we continued through Coltishall, Little Hautbois and Badersfield. Robin left us en route and Trevor also peeled off as we reached The Goat at Skeyton.

Exposed to the stiffening breeze it was a bit of a slog up to the crossroads but up and over we went before Malcolm turned off towards Felmingham and home while the remaining five, under threatening skies, did a direct route back to PC via Banningham, Alby, Thwaite Common, Aldborough, Little Barningham and Gresham.

Everyone managed to avoid the showers!

Thank you to Alan for leading the ride.

Alan, Alban, Andrew, John D, Malcolm, Peter, Robert, Robin, Stephen, Trevor made it an enjoyable run out.

52 miles PC to PC

Just a reminder to iron your club kit and clean your bikes for the club run on Saturday 30th September to Pensthorpe.  We are keen to get as many members out as possible.  Aim to meet at Pretty Corner at 9.45 for a 10am depart.