Club Runs

The trees were hung with ice – a product of the temperature and fog – very pretty, but somewhat disturbing when the weight overcame the grip.  The ice fell, sounding like a very local hail storm or it formed glacial features under the trees concerned.  As always, when conditions are like this, there is the odd question as to whether you should go.  But it was quite safe and the temperature was set to improve.  So, off we set for a 23 mile run to lunch via Cawston and Brampton.  Four of us met at PC and Trevor joined us for lunch at The Goat.

Conditions weren’t great, though – the fog hung around for longer than expected and we were damp and cold when we got there.

A straight line was selected for the return to PC – Banningham, Ingwoth and Gresham defined the route.

Despite the conditions, this seemed to be the day when farmers decided to plough their fields – lots of mud on the roads.

Still – the consensus was that it was better to go rather than not go – even on days like this.

5 out.  37 miles PC to PC.  0 punctures.  Some very muddy bikes.

Seven! That’s how many met to follow John on his run to Erpingham.  And it was cold.  No temperature at all when we left, but no wind, and dryish roads.

Erpingham isn’t far away from PC, and so you have to think a bit about the route.  It’s also a chance to get creative and do something unusual.  John did just this.  The original plan (yes, there was a plan!) was curtailed a tad given the cold, but it was entertaining nonetheless and kept us on our toes. It did make us wonder why we were taking (what seemed at the time) so many turns away from Erpingham!

It’s best to look at the map to get a feel for where we went.  The bit parallel to the A140 through Ingworth and then on to Itteringham is the return leg.

A very satisfying ride in cold conditions.  It was good to get a full Club Run in.  Many thanks, John.

7 out.  37 miles PC to PC.  No punctures.

Only two turned up at PC forAndrew’s ride to Walsingham – if I am honest, it was two more than expected!  The forecast was for wind with with some heavy gusts in the afternoon.  The forecast was also for it to be dry – but it wasn’t.  We decided to curtail the route in view of the wind and planned a 25 mile loop that would see us back to our bases by lunch, thus missing the gusts forecast for the afternoon.

Off we set towards Baconsthorpe but, as we turned for Edgefield, we discussed the situation and decided to cut the run down even more.  The side gusts on open stretches and as we passed breaks in the hedgerows were troublesome.  We could feel them playing with our front wheels.  So, we headed off down to High Kelling to then wend our ways home.

It was possibly the shortest club run ever but we made the right decision.  Thanks to Andrew for turning up – we will re-schedule the run to The Bull for later in the year.

2 out. A few miles.  No punctures.

With four regulars missing due to illness or other duties, it was nice to see four turn up for the planned ride to North Walsham.  But, we cancelled last week’s run on safety grounds, and with our planned leader missing and Alan present, we decided to take the opportunity to ride to Food Lovers in Aylsham, leaving the run to North Walsham for later.

Off we set in blustery but sunnyish conditions.  It was Saxthorpe, Wood Dalling and Themelthorpe before starting to explore some new lanes (are there any left?) taking in the Witchinghams and approaching Aylsham via Marsham.  We had a significant puncture delay en-route and this, combined with the 32 miles to the cafe, meant we arrived later than anticipated.

We were ready for some sustenance and the helpful folk in Food Lovers responded well to our bespoke orders.  Wonderful!

Given the time, a direct route was chosen for the return to PC, but the wind, that had been fairly neutral on out outward ride, was now quite troublesome.

It was a wonderful ride with quite a few new lanes in taxing, yet rewarding, conditions.  A real treat to be out.

Alan, many thanks for stepping-in and giving us the opportunity to ride the route that was planned for last week.

4 out.  42 miles PC to PC.  2 punctures (one self-inflicted!)

Given the heavy frost and patchy mist, to-day’s run has been cancelled on safety grounds.  See you all next week.

John S

Five go for a Bike Ride

Not really great conditions for a bike run – grey skies, blustery wind, a tad on the chilly side.  Still, five of us were up for it.  Off we set at our usual time to follow a conventional route, with Baconsthorpe coming up first.  Here a loop via Plumstead was taken out given the pesky wind and its direction.  But, it was the winter solstice 14 mins after we set off and from this time, with winter on the ebb and summer just round the corner, things looked better!

As we approached Binham, having taken in Stody and Hindringham, a pretty loop was put in at Andrew’s suggestion, which recovered the miles lost at Baconsthorpe.  The Chequers has become a really nice place to go in the recent past, and this visit was no exception.  A busy bar with early revellers, a cosy fire and welcoming staff – very nice.

A short route for the return was opted for – well, it was the shortest day of the year!  The troublesome wind that had impeded us on the outward journey had abated, reaffirming the soundness of the law of Mr Sod!

A nice but short run in good company.  Rule one rules – “Always Go”!

5 out.  34 miles PC to PC.  1 puncture (better tyres needed!)

Words by Andrew Chapman.

Seven riders met at PC on a very misty murky morning although several claimed to have had sightings of the Sun earlier.  And in prospect, a new venue under the guidance of John Dimascio.

Off we set via Gresham, Sustead, Hanworth and Suffield.  All familiar so far, then less familiar via Felmingham, Westwick, Sloley and Neatishead.

By this time I felt like a member of that short statured tribe whose home is in grasslands taller than themselves and who go round shouting “where are we!!”

We arrived at our destination and were joined there by two more riders.  Sadly one member felt the need not to go in due to socially unacceptable state of his leggings caused by the earlier loss of his rear mudguard!!  Inside the cafe we were promptly served with good value, delicious food by a charming waitress.

Declining daylight led to an earlier than usual return to the saddle.  The return journey was via Belaugh Green, then St. James, on to Baderfield and then the usual trip back to PC.   We regularly shed riders with finally two returning to PC.

An excellent ride on many new lanes to a new destination to which we hope to return – perhaps in the spring with lighter evenings.

Thanks John, my bike computer clocked just under 50 miles PC to PC.

A flurry of, “sorry can’t make it” e-mails before to-day’s ride indicated that we would be small in number for the ride to Foulsham.  In fact, only two met at PC.  Off we set, only to meet Malcolm coming to the start point – and then we were three!  Kevin warned us that it would be a long ride out and a short, direct trip back to PC.  It was Itteringham and then Swanington before crossing the A1067 at Attlebridge.  We were now well south of Foulsham and some nine miles to the east.  But what a lovely set of lanes (some new) to take us to the lunch stop via Foxley and Themelthorpe.  Trevor was waiting for us at the pub – fixing a puncture.

It was just under 30 miles to lunch which was a bit slow in coming.  Time to think about making it home in the light!

Kevin was true to his word with a straightforward route back to PC via Briston.

It was really good to see Malcolm out for a long run – he did really well so we signed him off!

Conditions were good for cycling with a headwind on the outward journey and a tailwind on the return.  A watery, winter sun hung in the sky which presented a glorious pre- sunset vista as we approached Red Barn Lane.

Thanks for a super ride, Kevin – one you may be asked to repeat.

46.3 miles PC to PC.  4 out. 2 punctures.

 

 

Bright and dry conditions greeted the 8 Wheelers who met at PC for the ride to Banningham.  Off we set towards Gresham but we were dodging freshly-cut hedge detritus.  We were 4 miles into the ride, just shy of Metton, when two punctures had to be fixed.  The first being caused by a very stubborn thorn that would not easily come out of the tyre; the second only being noticed when the first was fixed.  Malcolm joined us whist we were fixing things.  A third, this time slow, puncture revealed itself shortly afterwards.  By now we were seriously behind schedule and opted to shorten the outward run by some 5 miles. Ho hum!

Two more Wheelers met us at The Crown where we dined well – all 11 of us seated at the same table.

After lunch, the group split, with 6 heading off towards Tuttington.  And on we rode, only to see another puncture in Alysham.  The group returning to PC decided, wisely, to avoid the newly-trimmed hedge and approached via Matlask.

It was actually a good day out on nice lanes, but a bit stop/start in the morning.  We do need to avoid newly-cut hedgerows in future!

11 out.  35.1 miles PC to PC .  4 punctures.  1 lesson learnt.

5 Wheelers met at PC for Trevor’s ride to Cawston.  There was no rain in the forecast and some of the roads were even dry – whoopee!  And we had the welcome return of Stuart – things looked good.

The path to Cawston is well-trodden but Trevor had done some work on the route.  It started conventionally enough with us passing through Gresham and Itteringham.  At Itteringham we turned back north to find CJ riding in the opposite direction – this made him wonder if he had the venue right!  It was then off to Saxthorpe and the use of some seldom-ridden lanes to put us in Oulton for the final push to Cawston.  And push is a good word, because the wind had really hindered progress on the outward trip.

All Things Nice is an often-visited venue where we always dine well, and 4 more Wheelers met us there.  These included Geoff in shorts who admitted that this was a mistake!

After lunch we headed back to PC following the most direct route.

It wasn’t a blisteringly quick ride but it is winter and everyone was happy, which is what we are about.

Many thanks, Trevor, for putting this ride together.

9 out.  32 miles PC to PC.  1 puncture.