Club Runs

Words by Andrew.

5 met at pretty corner for the ride to Horning.  Blue skies, a balmy 11deg C and lightish SE winds were the conditions. Amongst the starters was our old friend Graham from Nottingham. 4 of us were in bib shorts, so, summer is officially here.

Off we set collecting Malcolm at the top of Gibbet Lane, then out to Matlask and over to Itteringham.  It was left at the Walpole Arms and north of Blickling to Ingworth and then on to Banningham, Tuttington, and Buxton Lammas. Thence on to Coltishall via St. James where we lost Robin and Malcolm, only to catch them up on the roads north of Wroxham.  They obviously knew a short cut!   Finally, down to sunny Horning after 29 miles at 14.5 mph.

4 went for the steak and kidney pie with mash, all eaten outside in glorious sunshine.

The return was towards Tunstead, Worstead and on to Skeyton, Banningham and home – clocking up 54 miles on dry quiet lanes at 15.3 mph.

Great route, thanks to Trevor.

 

Just two Wheelers met at PC for the ride to Bawdeswell.; the rest either on holiday or not fancying the conditions.  But, Rule 1 (Always Go) rules and we were glad we did.  A stiff tail wind blew us to lunch quickly.  It was sort of straight there, but with a loop out towards Cawston.

Hamptons is nice to visit, significantly improved since its Park Café days.  Trevor met us there – whoopee! Three out!  We need more.

The return was again straightish, but now with a loop out towards Edgefield and Trevor left us as we turned for Edgefield.  The wind, though, was not now in our favour.  A mixture of strong gusts and calmer conditions punctuated the route home but this did not really matter – the route was nice and we should repeat it.

The beauty of Rule 1 is that it really works, almost regardless of the outcome –  and this time, the outcome was good.

43 miles PC to PC.  3 out.  0 mudguards, but not quite summer yet.

Leaving Pretty Corner was a quite affair as only one rider was present. A quick push down to The Crown at Banningham found the welcome sight of Trevor ready and waiting for the off. We rode the “traditional” route to Cart Gap which was down to Tuttington, Swanton Abbort, Worstead, to Briggate, Honing, East Rushton and finally the café. Here, we found the court yard taken over by a large group of walkers and dogs plus one very large bloodhound. No problems though, they had been well fed so there was no wait for us.

After an enjoyable break we were back on our bikes for the homeward trek. The route back was via Ridlington to Bradfield where the two riders parted company. On reaching Thorpe Market GP spied the welcome sign of tea and cakes at the church where they were holding a craft fair. Double fuelled GP set off for the final leg to Sheringham having completed just under 60 miles.

Good ride, slight wind, no rain,

Roll of Honour: Trevor and Geoff

 

 

Words by John D.

Not raining yet!

And surprisingly it didn’t until about 400 yards from Pretty Corner on the return leg – and had our leader had some more in the tank we would have been home five minutes earlier and in the dry.

Four hours before, a trio of riders met at the usual place – viewed the threatening weather and wondered where they’d rather be. Undaunted however, they set off down Gibbet Lane to start a loop of the coastal fringe that took in Gresham, Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Hunworth and Stody before turning into a biting breeze. Our leader cunningly kept heading for the blue bits of sky – there was plenty of black about and  Kevin remarked at one point that it looked like Sheringham was getting it today.

Crossing the A148 at Sharrngton we kept on northward until turning down to ford the mighty Glaven at Glandford and continue into Cley. It was then a breeze (ha ha) along the coastal road to our lunch at the Dun Cow. And in my view one of the places where the food, although expensive, is definitely worth it.

Barred (or it would be if I had my way) Hill was next, followed by the long haul up through Kelling and the usual way home.

So, 3 out – Alan, JohnD and Kevin, no incidents and 34 hard miles.

 

Two  club members left Pretty Corner and rode to Itteringham Bridge where a third was waiting to join them for the club run to Walsingham . We rode back towards PC from Itteringham and turned left to go past the great house and gardens of Mannington Hall. From here we turned left to go to Corpusty and then over the hills towards Briston via Horseshoe Lane. From here we rode on minor roads turning left down Sandy Lane and a bundle of back roads to Hindolveston. It was then a quick canter down to Kettlestone and across the main road via the Snorings and past the “oldest round church” in Norfolk.

With the temperature a mean 8 there was no loitering and we made our way to the famous pie café. Here, we were joined by GT looking fit and fast.

After pie’s galore we set sail for home, now facing a bitter cold wind which had been building all day. The route home was via Hindringham to Sharrington and then towards to Edgefield. Instead of riding directly to Hempstead, GT took us on a more entertaining route to Edgefield where the riders split into two groups..

A good days ride, no rain, 50 miles and a few more for one or two.

GP would like to say thanks to his comrades who helped him round the route after being his first club run out for over a months due to back problems.

Role of honour : Brian P, Guy T, Nick and Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 met at Burnham Market for Andrew’s ride to Great Massingahm.  It was sunny but coolish, with a generally easterly wind that was set to build throughout the day.  Andrew said it would be undulating – he is a man of his word!  There were some biggish undulations on the route out to Ringstead – and he was in no mood to hang about, undulations or not! We then turned south to Sedgeford and Roydon.  Thereafter, it was east for a swift 7-mile run into Great Massingahm.  It was a smidgen under 27 miles to lunch, which was done at a smidgen under 15 mph average.

The Dabbling Duck is lovely to visit, and particularly so on a nice day like this.  The food and setting were great – as ever they are.

The return took in East Rudham and Stanhoe before the swoop back down into Burnham.

We were away from our regular stomping ground and Andrew served up one of the prettiest rides ever on great lanes – it was wonderful.  Many thanks, Andrew.  You probably merit the, “King if the Undulations” jersey – we just have to design one and get it made!

And it was good to see Mark and Peter P back with us.

6 out.  43.4 miles on new and little-pedalled lanes.  Big smiles all round!

We will meet in the new car park in Burnham Market. It is off North Street in the Foundry Field development.  Cost is £3.00 for 5 hours – coins only.  The postcode for your sat navs is PE31 8HG.

We will leave the car park at 10:30.  The ride out is 26 miles to the Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham.  Back to Burnham is another 16 miles.

With winter trying to still hang on, the weather was forecast to be showery and windy.  Never-the-less, six met at PC to follow Robert to Alysham. Robert had promised us a “long loop” to lunch – he is a man of his word!

With a force 5 westerly wind blowing, the first part was an effort.  And it rained as we got to Melton.  On we pressed, still into the wind and still not towards Alysham.  We were ready for the turn to the east.  The new direction was a delight and the speed built accordingly.  The average was just on 15 mph for the 30 miles to lunch.

Purdy’s Tea Room was busy, so we squeezed ourselves in and Peter joined us again for lunch.

The return to PC was direct and dispatched without incident.

A nice ride in some testing conditions at times, and new lanes were on the menu again.  Many thanks, Robert.

7 out.  40 miles PC to PC.

The route as recored by Robert – note he started and ended in West Runton.

 

 

Six met at PC for the ride to The Crown and three summer bikes were out to boot!  Quite rightly so, as the sun shone and the roads were dry.  Not a single puddle was seen all day.  Off we set towards Baconsthorpe, then past Little Barningham before turning east towards Antingham.  It was then south to nearly touch Swanton Abbot before turning for Tuttington and Banningham.  The wind was on our backs – and it was strongish, so we were there early.  Never mind, The Crown is a pleasant place to sit and Peter joined us for lunch.

The conversation was varied – it’s amazing how many topics you can cover in an hour!  It was suggested that we are gentlemen who lunch, but pedal to get there.  This might be true, but there is effort involved and the wind that had helped us on the outward journey was now about to “up” the effort stakes.

The return was not direct as you can see from the map.  An excursion to Antingham and Southrepps added the miles but did not remove the need to head generally north-west into the stiff, north-westerly wind.

Folk left at various stages on the return, with only two returning to PC.  A very pleasant ride in good company, with the most-visited venue refuelling us well.

7 out.  40 miles PC to PC. No bike cleaning required.

Four Wheelers met at PC for Kevin’s ride to Rackheath.  The weather really couldn’t make up its mind as to whether it was winter or spring – we had overcast conditions at first which gave way to some sunshine and then back to overcast again.  Kevin had put a lot of effort and thought into planning this route and this was clear from the outset.  We set off towards Thorpe Market and then crossed the A149 and approached North Walsham via Bradfield.  It was then off towards Bacton to begin the scoot south via Honing and Horstead to Rackheath.

It was 32 miles to the café, where Trevor and Malcolm were waiting to meet us.

Gosh, they do serve big portions! Which was fine, as we felt we could do with some sustenance, but not so fine given that we would be pedalling at least 20 miles on full stomachs!

After lunch, we followed Kevin to Spixworth,  before turning north to Banningham for the traditional run back to PC.

A delightful ride, well led and well prepared – many thanks, Kevin.  Long, though, at 55 miles PC to PC – just as well it’s BST!