Club Runs

Club Run on the 11 May 2016 to the Forget Me Not Café at Lenwade. – Leader Alan Fisher

Hard work on preparing a club run always pays dividends. This was certainly true of the club’s Wednesday ride to Lenwade which totalled some 51 miles.

Six club members rallied to Alan’s call for a spirited ride to one of the cheapest cafes in the County.

Leaving Pretty Corner we rode first of all to Little Barningham, then Saxthorpe and then onto Guestwick. On route we picked up John M out for a ride. He decided to join us for a while.

Next it was onto Foxley Wood (land of the blue bells) and then Billingsford. We then rode from Billingsford through the beautiful Bylaugh Park and on to Mill Street then Lyng and finally the café.

Large quantities of sustenance later we were ready for the return leg going via Branston, Cawston, Oulton Street and then finally Itteringham and home.

An excellent ride and thank you Alan. 

Conditions: Brilliant – except for the occasional muddy lane which gave consternation to one club member…….. 

Café: Good and cheap

Min: 51 miles

Role of Honour: John S, John M – part way, Alan, Robert, Kevin, Barry, Malcolm – at café.

 

 

 

Message from Chris Knowles:

Chris Knowles and Geoff Paice  have agreed that providing the weather stays as it currently is tonight’s time trial will go ahead as planned.

They stress however, once again, the importance of competitors having a rear light for increased visibility.

Thank you

 

   We have waited months for a break in the cold wet dismal weather of winter and finally we got it on this Saturday. With summer bikes polished and summer gear on three club members met at the Park and Ride destination of Hempton for a glorious tour of the lanes of West Norfolk. On our travels we were able to see the Wash in the distance as well as view the imposing church spire of Sedgeford. Also, we saw the majestic building of Houghton Hall.

Best of all was however, the number of “new lanes”we were introduced to on this club run.

Our outward journey was via Shereford, Broomsthorpe, Bagthorpe, Stanhoe, Docking, Fring, Inmere, Sedgeford, Fring and finally, Bircham Mill and then the café.

 The pace was good on the outward journey and we were assisted by a reasonable tail wind. Bircham Mill is surely one of the cyclist’s favourite cafes – there is a good selection of food at reasonable prices and the service is hospitable.

The homeward bound route was via Houghton, Weasenham, Lexham, Litcham, Wellingham, the Raynhams, Oxwick and finally, Beacon Hill.

On this leg GP had the misfortune to collect a side slit in his tyre from an evil flint which effected a burst which could possibly be heard in Sheringham. This minor problem was soon rectified by a make do patch (thanks Harvey) and a long pump (thanks Barry).

With no more mishaps it was homeward to Hempton.

A glorious days cycling, quality miles in the legs as a reward. For those who could not make it, sorry this was a real cracker, but take heart, another journey to the West is already being planned.

Conditions: Brilliant

Café: First Class

Min: 59 miles

Max: 97 miles Note: This route also has the options to be considerable shorter if time is short or legs are tired.

Quote from Barry “reckoned it was the best ride he has had in Norfolk”.

Role of Honour: Harvey, Barry and Geoff

 

 

Puffing Hilly Ride – 4 May 2016 – leader John Sharples

With the weather set at last in summer mode a good turnout of 12 club members met at Pretty Corner for the seemingly innocuous club ride to The Globe at Wells Next The Sea. A popular destination for members with the added attraction that we would be able to sit outside in glorious sunshine.

Leaving Pretty Corner we rode back lanes to Bodham where we then crossed the main road to ride down the hill past Weybourne station. This may have given some in the group an inkling that there may be a penalty to pay for the glorious swoop down to the village. Sure enough, a quick turn left found us on part of the clubs 18.5 mile club hilly. All members appreciated, having climbed forever upwards to the summit, how hard it must be for the time trial members to race there.

We then followed a series of hills and dips as we made our way across to the outskirts of Stiffkey where another challenge for the legs awaited us. Finally, we arrived at The Globe, tired having had an excellent tour of the hills of coastal Norfolk.

Not that much rest for the wicked (or club members) after excellent refreshment speedily served we were on our way again. This time it was a canter to Wighton, Binham, Saxlingham and then a quick main road to Holt and a cleaver diversion to Baconsthorpe and finally home.

A super challenging ride – thank you John

Conditions: Brilliant

Café: Good

PC to PC 40.63

Average 14.7 mph

Calories: 2154 !

Role of Honour: John D, John S, Trevor, Alan, Robert, Kevin, Robin, Andrew, Peter, Paula, Paul, Phil and Geoff

 

 

 

Seven Wheelers met at PC for Trevor’s run to Banningham.  Those cycling to the start from the east recorded “personal worsts” for the cycle to PC – the wind was quite strong.

At the top of Red Barn Lane, Malcolm joined us for the speedy “with the wind” passage towards Banningham.  We were close to Antingham in no time but Trevor was enjoying the easy cycling conditions and led us further south east.  This was good fun but the further south east we got, the longer the slog into the wind for the return to Banningham.  We were well past RAF Coltishall before we turned.  But it wasn’t that bad and we had a stonking average speed to the turn.

Geoff was at the pub to meet us.  The Crown always looks after us well and we dined in great spirits.

The run back to PC was the traditional direct route via Ingworth and Thurgarton and, as usual, riders left the group at various points, leaving four to return to PC.

Whilst the wind was pesky, the sun shone for the whole ride and the countryside looked fantastic.

A really nice ride out that saw the welcome return of Hugh.  Many thanks, Trevor.

9 out.  38 miles PC to PC.  0 punctures.

   Club Run – 20 April 2016 to The Old Railway Station at Reepham – leader John Sharples

In contrast to the recent Saturday club rides Wednesday rides have been cloaked in warm sunshine with dry roads and little wind. This Wednesday was no exception. From Pretty Corner eight club members met with John for a rearranged ride to Reepham.

This was one of John,s classics. We left Pretty Corner in good spirits and headed out towards Bodham. Next on the agenda was a hard push round the back lanes accumulating in a long hammer up hill. Eventually, and after many turns, we arrived at the café to be greeted by Ian S and Robin R.

The weather was quite remarkable allowing us to sit outside and enjoy almost summertime warmth.

Homeward bound was via Briston and then the enjoyment of a little tail wind for good measure.

Our thanks John for a splendid ride

Conditions: Brilliant

 

Café: Good

 

PC to PC 45

 

Role of Honour: John D, John S, Trevor, Alan, Robert, Kevin, Ian, Robin, Andrew, Peter and Geoff

 

 

 

   Club Run – 23 April 2016 to the Small Sticks Café at Cart Gap

From Pretty Corner there were no takers for the club’s Saturday ride. GP rode a lonely furrow to the pick-up point at Banningham. On route he was treated to a hail storm and the now traditional heavy down pour of rain. At Banningham , better luck as two club members had braved the element – Trevor and a welcome return of Robin Rush.

Setting off we rode down to Tuttington where heavy rain fall could be seen in the distance. Then to Swanton Abbott where Robin started his own class of spinning. The reason for this was unfortunately his freewheel had gone and no amount of persuasion could restart it. It was a case of “all the kings horses and all the Kings men could not get Robin’s freewheel moving again”. Assistance called for we said goodbye to Robin and made our way to Cart Gap. Here, John H met us for lunch having already done over 60 miles.

Food gone and now into a difficult headwind we rode homeward via Ridlington, Edingthorpe Green, Truch, Thorpe Market, Hanworth, Sustead and finally home.

Conditions: Mix to say the least

Café: Good  

PC to PC 50 miles 

Role of Honour: Trevor, Robin ( part), John H ( at café) Geoff

 

As many of you will already know, David had an accident on his bike just after the end of the club’s time trial on Tuesday evening. An ambulance was called for and David was taken to hospital.

The latest information we have is from Chris Knowles, who spoke to Dave’s wife yesterday. Thankfully there appears to be no broken bones. David, has however, sustained severe bruising to his spine, and it will be at least six weeks before the inflammation comes down and a further assessment can be made.

Our best wishes go to David and we hope he will make a speedy recovery.

A tale of one club run but in two parts.

Not surprisingly, only two stalwart members of the club turned up in monsoon weather to ride to the Barns café at Walsingham. This was not a “mirror image” of the previous week club ride as the rain fell upon the members from the start of the day rather than later on. Memories of Wednesday’s club run became just distant dreams of warm weather, dry roads and sunshine. Determined not to bow to inclement weather however, the valiant two rode out of Pretty Corner to Edgefield, Briston, The Beck, Hindoleston, Fulmesdeston, Croxton, Kettlestone to Little Snoring, Great Snoring and finally, the café. On route the roads had become rivers and each member took it in turn to “paddle” through the deluge.

Cafes are welcome on any club run but surely no more than this café. A roaring fire, places to dry gloves, headwear and warm soaking wet clothes.

And the Pies are fantastic.

With many thanks to the lady with enormous pies we set off homeward bound.

By now the rain had stopped falling and warm sun was upon us with a tail wind for good measure. We rode home via Hindringham, Bale, Sharington, Stody, Edgefield, Hempstead and then home. An enjoyable ride quite in contrast to the outward journey.

A shorter club run than envisaged but at least we had miles in the bank. 

Conditions: Challenging

Café: Pies to die for.

PC to PC 45 miles

Role of Honour for the Webbed Feet membership: Kevin The Brave – Geoff Of Webbed Feet

 

 

 

After months of wind, rain, mud and muck the day finally came when there was no wind, no rain and no muck but plenty of sunshine and warmth plus dry roads. Add to this a planned visit to one of Norfolk’s best priced cafes and you have the essence of an excellent days riding. Nine riders met at Pretty Corner to follow John D on a superb club run. Among the nine was a welcome return of Peter.

We started by going down Gibbet Lane, then through (nearly) Matlaske to Aldborough. We then went via Ingworth, the back way to Aylsham, Dunkirk and then across the A140 and on via back lanes to the Buxton Road. Then from Buxton, towards Stratton Strawless through Hainford, Frettenham and Staninghall to the North Walsham road. On route our numbers increased as David C joined us. Straight across here to a bunch of delightfully named lanes; Caius Heath, Burntwood, Granny Bard’s, Primrose, Dobbs, and lastly Sloe, which led us to the Wroxham road with fine views across the construction site of the new North Norwich bypass. Then a small climb to the cafe. Here, we were able to eat outside. Meals in this place are enormous and reasonable priced. Bafflement how some riders were able to hammer home afterwards.

Meeting us at the café was Malcolm.

The return route was past another interesting lane – Muck Lane – which thankfully we did not use. Then it was via Horstead Mill, Coltishall, the Hautbois’s, Badersfield ,Skeyton and then Tuttington, Banningham, Erpingham and finally Sheringham. 

A day to remember – many thanks John 

Conditions: Excellent

 Café: meals gigantic 

PC to PC 51 miles. 

Role of Honour : John D, John S, Robert, Trevor, Malcolm, Kevin, Peter, Paul , David, Andrew, Alan and Geoff