Club Runs

It’s 12 miles if you take the direct route from PC to Cawston but Alan’s rides are usually longish in the mornings with shorter runs home in the afternoon.  This was to be no exception.  We set off towards Aldborough into a stiffish south-easterly wind;  “Punishing”, was the adjective used by Robert – it impeded even when we were going downhill.  We continued south-east (remember the wind direction?) to then turn south near Skeyton and pass through Badersfield.  Then came some respite as we turned west to Felthorpe and then north west to Cawston.  It was 28 miles to lunch.  We were ready to refuel.

We knew that we would have the wind on our backs the for the return to PC.  It was no longer punishing but really quite helpful.  It seemed like we were flying back.  We pedalled up the climb to the coastal ridge from Itteringham at an unusually quick pace.  Could be that we are just getting fitter!

Alan had put together a really tasty route with variation in road types and a new approach on to how to get to Cawston.  It all worked very well indeed, so, many thanks, Alan.

7 out.  40 miles PC to PC.

 

Yep, it’s spring – and a gloriously blue sky, light winds and dry roads greeted the five who met at PC for Andrew’s run to Wells.  Andrew offered us a choice of lengths but it was clear that the mood was for the 28-miler to lunch, taking in Holkham Hall.  Two riders sported short leggings; one sported shorts and one was overdressed (me).  Yep, spring.

It was Baconsthorpe, Holt, Hunworth, Bale, Wighton and then the 3 mile swoosh through the delightful Holkham estate.

The Globe was as welcoming as ever and John D was there to meet us on his Bianchi, making it two summer bikes out.  The roads were pretty dry – should have taken mine!

The return was Warham, Binham and Field Dalling before facing the conventional slog up to PC from Wiveton.

There are only three words to describe the ride; these are splendid, splendid and splendid.  Great route, great weather and great company.  But, we were a tad tired on the run back up to PC.

Many thanks, Andrew.

48.4 miles PC o PC.  6 out. 2 wispy clouds.

With the Wizard of the Lanes unable to lead this club run the baton was passed over to “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” to concoct a route to Pensthorpe.

Three left PC and rode down to the pick-up point at Itteringham where three more were waiting. One however, had pressing engagements elsewhere and he (rr) only joined the club for some 250 yards…..

For a short while we rode back towards PC but then turned left to pass Mannington Hall and then left to go to Corpusty. At Corpusty we passed the Duke ph and then a right to go down Horseshoe Lane and up a very steep climb to turn right towards Briston. On route we turned left down Sandy Lane and then left at the Reepham road to turn right to Hindoveston. A good pace was maintained all the way to Kettlestone where we turned left to the main road and to Pensthorpe.

With excellent weather we were able to eat “alfresco”. However, the imaginative menu of the café had on offer 2 meals for £12 for couples instead of the normal cost of £17. This offer was too much for two riders who decided to go into civil partnership and claimed their savings,

Meal over it was time to get back on our bikes. The return leg of the ride was through Fakenham and then up to Little Snoring to Hindringham and then Sharrington to Hempstead and finally Edgefield. Here, two riders rode off to the serenade of “I getting married in the morning”.

In all an excellent days cycling with wonderful weather and great companions.

 

But roll on next week and the return on the Wizard

Mileage 55 – 60

 

Riders: Kevin, Nick, Trevor, Malcolm, Geoff and Robin (250 yards)

Words by Andrew.

A second trip to a pub called The Bluebell in 4 weeks.  Also, another new venue for the Wheelers.

6 met at PC for the ride to the North Walsham Bluebell with a definite feeling of spring in the air.  Under Trevor’s guidance we set off for lower Gresham and then on to Hanworth, collecting Malcolm on the way. Then to Suffield, Felmingham, Worstead and north to Briggate coming into North Walsham via Spa Common – so some new lanes. Nice following wind on the way out.

The Bluebell is spacious and serves an excellent range of beers and with a main and pudding for £8 we thought it was good value. Also, safe parking of bikes to the rear in the garden.

The return took us on some new lanes to Swafield, Bradfield and then on to Thorpe market, Hanworth and back to PC via Sustead. Nearly all the return journey was into the wind. Dry, but bikes still filthy though!

An excellent ride. Thanks Trevor.

 

PC to PC 37 miles. Trevor leading followed by Chris, Robert, Kevin, Alan, Malcolm and Andrew. NO punctures.

 

 

What a nice day for a cycle!  Blue skies and a rain free forecast were the back drop for our run to Reepham.  A route had been crafted to make use of lanes not often ridden or not in the direction of travel usually used.  Off we set to Gresham, Hanworth, Aldorough and Erpingham.  Thereafter Itteringham and Oulton before approaching The Old Railway Sation via Salle.  And a pretty route it was too.

We briefly discussed whether the time was right for alfresco dining but opted to eat inside – hopefully not long now, though!

Alan suffered a side wall tyre failure as we rolled out of the car park.  This was fixed with card reinforcement and Alan opted to cycle home rather than risk the run back to PC.  And what a nice route back to PC it was.  Wood Dalling and Saxthorpe were en-route with an unusual left at Little Barningham to approach PC via Baconsthorpe.

Dryish roads (but some really muddy ones in places) and sumptuous countryside characterised the day.

4 out.  37.4 miles PC to PC. 1 puncture and 1 new tyre required.

Just three of us met at PC for the inaugural ride to The Blue Bell in Langham – all sporting disc brake bikes to boot.  It was Edgefield and Hindolveston before turning north to approach Langham via Gunthorpe.  We were looking forward to the new venue and it didn’t disappoint; cosy, welcoming and super soup.  We could have stayed a while!

We chatted about disc brakes and the rate at which they consume pads – we are now aware that the winter conditions we ride in can wear them quickly.  They are not too expensive, though.  So, if you have a disc brake bike (particularly with resin pads) and are riding on the lanes in winter, keep an eye on them.

On the return, we zig-zagged to Glandford and powered up Bridgefoot Lane to High Kelling.  Thereafter, it was the usual route back to PC.

It was 26 miles to lunch with a shorter trip back to PC – making 40 miles in total.

A very enjoyable run, well thought out and well led – thank you, Andrew.  We will be going back to The Blue Bell.

 

The Explorer’s Bar is not currently doing lunches so we will be heading somewhere else on the 22^nd.  Looks like it will be Langham or Binham.  Please look at the web site on the 21^st.

 

John

Six met at PC to follow Robert to Mundesley.  Off we set in dampish conditions towards Plumstead before heading towards Antingham and maintaining a generally easterly direction. We then approached Mundesley from Paston.  We got a bit wet (but nothing to trouble us really) on an uneventful and pleasant ride through the Norfolk countryside.

Malcolm met us at the café which was busy as it’s half term.  Nice to see this,though.

The trip back was punctuated by Barry’s two punctures which afforded social opportunities in glorious sunshine – spring has sprung!  We stayed to the east of the A149 before crossing it at Roughton.  It was then the usual route to Gresham and home.

New lanes again – it has to stop sometime, surely!

Thanks, Robert, for a pretty route with some pacey cycling at times.

7 out. 36 miles PC to PC.  2 punctures in newish Gatorskins.

 

Words by Alan Fisher.

Four riders met at Pretty Corner for today’s ride . The route was Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Edgefield Street, Briston, Melton Constable, Wood Norton, Twyford, Foulsham , Bawdeswell. Lunch at Hamptons very enjoyable and good value for money with John Damascio meeting us.

Route home B1145 to Reepham , then Salle, Corpusty , then usual route straight back to Pretty Corner.

Riders: Alan, Andrew, Kevin and new member Chris.  44 miles. Weather reasonable for time of year .

Bikes are great and a super way to exercise, and we live in an area with a wonderful infrastructure for cycling.  So, whilst only 3 turned up for the run to Walsingham, we were all glad we did.  The route is shown below and it was a really nice one (some new lanes to boot).

Kevin was in a mood to keep the pace up which was good.  We had reasonable conditions for the 1^st of Feb; on the mild side with some drizzle – mucky, though.

A good day on the bikes – very satisfying.  Many thanks, Kevin.

3 out. 44 miles.  Some cleaning to do!