Club Runs

Hi all,

There is heavy rain forecast for tomorrow’s Drive and Ride.  Andrew and I have decided to cancel and reschedule the run for the spring next year.  This is a shame as these runs are always very enjoyable and Andrew has put a lot of effort into this one – still, next spring isn’t far away!

John

Four fine folk met at PC for the ride to Lenwade.   We are still missing some regulars but four is fine for an autumnal ride to probably the best value cafe in the world – and we might lose it as a venue if a buyer is not found soon.

The south-westerly wind meant in would be on our noses for the 22miles to the cafe but, no matter, conditions were fine for cycling.  It was Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Wood Dalling and then Lenwade.  The farmers were out, with many large tractors and trailers being encountered – they were the reason for the muddy conditions that we came across from time to time.

Four other cyclists from the East Anglian Cycle Club were at the cafe – two groups of four for food.

Having dined, the route home was straightforward – Cawston (where Trevor left us) and Itteringham, before the usual approach to PC and the last gasp “sprint” up the hill on Red Barn Lane.

A nice day for a bike ride on nice lanes, with nice company and nice food – nice.

4 out.  40 miles PC to PC.  0 punctures.

We will meet in the new car park off of North Street in Burnham Market.  Cost is £3.00 for 5 hours.  The postcode for your sat navs is PE31 8HG.  If you come in from Burnham Overy Town, it is on your right.  The car park is brand new and is on the green field to the north of North Street.

We will leave the car park at 10:30.  The ride out is 26 miles to the Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham, some of it along cycle route 1.  Back to Burnham is another 16 miles.

See you there!

Words by Andrew Chapman.

Just the two of us…

“ What on earth are you doing here?” said JD.  With that we waited to 10.40 and then the two of us set off. Out towards Felbrigg then looping round south, then heading west via Bessingham into what felt like a wind tunnel, punctuated by the odd brisk shower – lovely. Onward to Baconsthorpe, Edgefield and down to Hunworth. Right at Little Thornage and up over Bayfield Brecks into the gale, right at Cley uphill to Salthouse Heath and down to the Dun Cow.

Fortified by an excellent lunch we tackled Bard Hill (no Wheelers records broken) but JD commented “its bard is worse than its bite!” and on to High Kelling, then back along the main road to PC.

32miles.  900ft ascending.  An excellent route and, once we got going, oddly enjoyable.

Thanks John!

I contemplated looking for a suitable spot to build an ark whilst driving over to PC for Kevin’s ride to the White Horse in Crostwick – it was raining hard.  This explains why only four met at PC.  But, rule one is “Always Go” and the forecasting folk were at odds as to how hard and for how long it would rain.  We were right to turn up.

It was off east towards Northrepps, then south to Southrepps (figures!), a scoot around North Walsham to turn south for Worstead and then we dropped down through St. James to Coltishall and approached Crostwick from the lanes we normally use when going to Rackheath.  31.6 miles was the distance we pedalled for our first Wednesday ride to the White Horse.  There was a lot of water and mud on the road and we looked pretty dishevelled when we got there – still, we were very warmly welcomed and fed well.

The return was Frettenham and Buxton to put us in Banningham.  From here, it was the usual route home.

Yep, we got a bit wet, and yes, it was windy with seemingly a head wind in both directions, but what a good, hard day on the bikes!  Lots of cleaning to do though – suddenly it’s winter.

Many thanks, Kevin for putting together a really super ride.

4 out.  51.1 miles PC to PC. 1 puncture. 1 new bike. 1 new venue.

Five met at PC to follow Robert to Reepham.  It was yet another dry day with a blustery wind which seemed to be unsure of its direction.  It was Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Thurning and Hindolveston before turning south for Foulsham and Themelthorpe and then crossing the Trans Norfolk Expressway (B1145) to approach Reepham from the south.  We were not really sure whether the wind was with us or against us, but we were really chuffed to see Geoff and John H waiting at the cafe to meet us.

Yet again, we dined outside – it’s becoming something of the norm!

The return saw us take in Heydon and Oulton before scooting around the north of Blickling and turning north for Ingworth.  What a pretty, and long, lane this is.  It was then a conventional route home via Thurgarton and Gresham.

Robert’s route brought into play lanes that we have not used for a while, which was really nice.  Many thanks, Robert.

7 out.  44 miles PC to PC.  No puncture (but one large flint extracted just in time!).  1 new bike.

Well – it is still summer!  6 met at PC for the run to Blakeney in great conditions for a cycle.  It was windy though – visitor Phil described it as a “nagging wind” – this proved to be a good term.

Off we set via Gresham and Thurgaton for Edgefield.  We turned NW just before Briston to track the River Glaven down to the coast, turning away from the river at Wiveton.  The approach into Blakeney was along the quay side road and it looked super in the autumnal sun.  It was easily warm enough to sit outside at the pub and we dined alfresco for what could be the last time this year. Bikes were talked about (surprise!) – expect to see two new disc road bikes out shortly.

The wind had “nagged” quite a bit out of us and the return was at a gentler pace.  It was south to Field Dalling and across to Brinton and Hunworth before pedalling up “Hunworth Hill”.  From the top of this it was the usual route home via Baconsthorpe.

It was good to see Francis out again and visitor Phil from Melton Mowbray.

6 out.  40 miles PC to PC.  0 punctures.

The continuing warm weather brought 8 to PC for Trevor’s run to Mundesley.  There was a bit of a head wind as we set off but this didn’t stop Trevor from forcing the pace.  It was Aldborough, Erpingham, Banningham, Swanton Abbott, Sloley, Dilham, Honing and Edingthorpe before approaching Mundesley along the coast road through Paston.  David C was at the cafe to meet us.  We were a bit late to the lunch stop as I punctured but it gave me the chance to use a gas canister inflator – blink and you will miss it!

The return trip saw us head towards Bradfield and here the group split, leaving two to return to PC via Antingham (who passed Brian on the approach to Gibbet Lane).

A longish ride to lunch at good pace – somewhat slower on the return.  A good number of folk were out – especially as 4 regulars were absent.  It was great to see both John H and David back in the saddle.

A very nice run on a very nice day – many thanks Trevor.

9 out.  45 miles PC to PC.  1 puncture.

An “about to be frazzled five” met at PC to follow Alan to Rackheath.  It was very hot!  Off we set to Saxthorpe at a good pace.  Then it was Heydon, Cawston and Horsford before turning east for Spixworth and the cafe.  It was an approach to this popular venue not used before and new lanes were again a feature.  How hot was it?   Well, everyone was leaking pretty profusely when we stopped for lunch and we opted to shelter inside from the sun’s rays.  The thermometer said 31 deg C and we clocked 15.7 mph average to lunch.

The return was Horstead, Coltishall and Skeyton before a conventional return to PC via Banningham.  Only Alan made it back to PC as riders returned home from various points along the route.

Alan always researches his runs well and this was no exception.  Well thought-out and well led – many thanks, Alan.

5 out (plus Robert on his motor bike for lunch).  PC to PC 51 miles.  No punctures. Many pints of fluids lost!

The famous five of Peter, Kevin, Robert, Alan and myself set off from PC on a humid but blue sky day. We went out to High Kelling, Glandford, Langham, Cockthorpe and Binham. On to Great Walsingham, across the ford and up Bunker Hill, south along the Wells Fakenham road for 1/2 mile then a welcome descent to Little Walsinham and the welcoming Black Lion. An excellent lunch that was taken outside in welcome shade.

The return discovered CJ sitting at the Bull inn which was a shame, but after brief greetings we returned via Hindringham, Bale Stody, Briston and Edgefield.

28 miles out and 18 back at a none too shabby 15.2mph.

Words by Andrew – thanks!.