Club Runs

Six Wheelers met at PC to follow Kevin to Walsingham.  And, for the first time in ages, there was no wind – must have had something to do with the passing of the sprout season.  However, Wheelers were not the only ones out and about – the hedge cutters were, too!  The first puncture occurred about 200 yards from the start – a record, I believe.  Robert dealt with this quickly and we were off – only to meet David C at the junction of Gibbet Lane and Red Lane.  David was mending two punctures, one in each tyre, and decided to retire from the ride (which he hadn’t quite started!).

But the six were in feisty spirits and shot off towards Walsingham.  It was basically Saxthorpe, Thurning and the Snorings before arriving in Walsingham.  It was a pacey ride – must have been all that “resistance training” in the preceding weeks.  We ended up eating in The Black Lion due to the target venue not serving food.  This was our first visit there but it won’t be our last – it was just right.  Geoff, Trevor and John D met us at the pub, which was quite something, as this was not where we were intending to go!

Suitably recharged, we returned to our bikes for the trip home – only to be greeted by two flattish tires owned by Kevin and Dan.  Still, could have been slow punctures, so more air was added and off we set.  This was a tad optimistic as they had to be fixed in the end.  No matter, punctures are social experiences and the weather was fine.  And so on to Wiveton – where Alan punctured.  At this point we were beginning to feel a little hard done by!

Despite the punctures, it was a very good ride – a good work-out and new lanes to boot.  Many thanks, Kevin.

9 (or 10) out.  41.5 miles PC to PC.  Oh, and 6 punctures!

Rule 1 is “Always Go” but this was subject to challenge for this ride.  Despite the wind, four hardy souls met at PC for a festive, end of year ride to Alysham.  First timer Dan noted that the wind was strong – he was spot on!  It was also from the south, which is where we were headed.  It was Baconsthorpe and Edgefield before heading towards Cawston and then turning for Alysham.  The wind really impeded progress and strong gusts made us careful.  The positive spin on this was to consider it a, “resistance training ride” – hmmm!

We got a warm welcome at the lunch stop which was not busy.  Wonder why?

With a strong southerly wind, the northerly trip home was a blast – literally!

We had a 14.6 mph average moving speed which, given the conditions, is not too shabby.

4 out.  35.5 windy miles PC to PC.  0 punctures and no rain.

What a nice day for a bike ride!  A tad on the breezy side but sunny, clear skies greeted the 7 who met at PC to follow David to Banningham.  David had cooked-up an unusual route which saw us cycle through the grounds of Felbrigg Hall and go up and down the coastal ridge a number of times.  It’s always nice when there are a couple of new lanes involved but this ride had a fistful of them.  It was basically north east towards Overstrand, then south east towards North Walsham before heading for Banningham via Colby.

Robin hooked-up with us as we approached The Crown and Malcolm was waiting at the pub for us.

Lunch was a leisurely affair with conversation turning towards the approaching festivities.  In this regard, David had to leave us to go to the cinema with his family.  As a clue to what he went to see – he had to swap his bicycle pump for a light sabre.

The group dispersed pretty quickly on the way back and only 2 returned to PC.

Great ride David – many thanks.  We have room for the mince pies now!

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

Leader John Hayward

Ten members were out in force for John H’s last club run (probably) as leader to a now regular club destination at The Olive Branch in Tunstead.  Having already racked up 30 odd miles John met three riders at PC and headed off into the wind to Banningham via Aldborough and Erpingham.  With a short delay due to a horse lorry blocking a back road and nearly taking out two cyclists and numerous people forgetting how to drive (Christmas spirit?) we picked up four more riders at Banningham.

John took us north and then east to Trunch, Bacton Woods, Dilham and to Tunstead. Despite no rain nearly all the roads were wet and muddy but at least it was mild and the pace was good.

Lunch was as good as usual and two more Wheelers met us at the cafe.  Mike Burrows also joined us arriving on an interesting looking carbon bike called ‘Gordon’ with an internal gearbox (see photo).  Deciding it was probably slower than our road bikes we decided not to speed off on it and continued on our way.  With riders departing like the fading sun we made it back to Sheringham via a longer route through Ingworth and Itteringham and waved goodbye to John who still had a few more miles left in him.

All in all a great send-off to John, who will be concentrating on time trial training next year.  Thanks to his efforts on the club runs over the last few years.

John’s impressive stats from today’s ride:

• Distance 162.0km (100.6 miles)
• Moving Time 6:13:12
• Elevation 875m
• Estimated Avg Power127W
• Energy Output 2,834kJ
• Average Speed 26.1km Max 51.5km/
• Heart Rate 130bpm to 179bpm
• Cadence 71 to 103
• Calories 3,160

60 to 70 miles for the mere mortals, 0 punctures, lots of mud!

Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year and I’ll leave you with a quote from John F Kennedy “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.” 

Club Ride to Fakenham Garden Centre or was it? – Leader Geoff Poulter 12 December 2015

Last week club ride went ahead despite high winds. This week’s club ride had high winds and heavy rain to contend with. GP, crawling up the Holway Road, was pleased that his efforts were not in vain as Barry C had made the journey from Holt to join him. Bearing in mind the latest weather predictions which were that there would be heavy rain all day long and high winds after 1.00pm he chose an alternative to the planned route. Instead of Fakenham we would ride to All Things Nice at Cawston and then ride round to Briston clocking up some 40 miles and getting home before high winds could become a problem.

On route to the café we were blessed by a visitation from Brian P who was content to ride the shorter route. At the café we watched the rain becoming ever heavier and more persistent with the wind becoming strong by the minute.

BP decided wisely to head for home leaving GP and BC to ride the remaining route. BC and GP parted at Brison with GP riding off into the gathering storm.

Well, 40 odd miles. Soaking wet, bitter cold and an irritable side wind – not the best club rides this year but thanks to BC and BP for coming out.

 

Puncture 0, 40 miles, Weather: bitter cold, rain, rain and rain with high winds.

Here are the runs for the first two months of next year.  Let’s hope for some nice weather!

John

January 2016

6             The Bull Inn, Walsingham                                           Kevin Hornshaw

13           The Corner House Cafe at Mundesley                         Trevor Neild

20           Forget Me Not at Lenwade                                          John Dimascio

27           The Chequers Inn, Binham                                          Alan Fisher

 

February 2016

3             Hadfield Garden Centre, North Walsham                    David Carrier

10           The Old Railway Station at Reepham                         Robert Nixon

17           Explorers Bar & Coffee House, Briston                       Andrew Chapman

24           The Butchers Arms East Ruston                                  Geoff Poulter

Club Ride to the The Queens Head at Foulsham – Leader Alan Fisher 9 December 2015

Club rides in December tend to be a little on the short side bearing in mind inclement weather and the shorter daylight time. No one had told Alan this so he cooked up a cracking 50 miler for our ride to Foulsham. Six riders turned up for this Xmas feast and soon we were in a strong head wind going down to Itteringham then Reepham where we crossed the town centre road and rode on to Lyng and then Elsing to Swanton Morley. Just when we thought there was no more hills up came another one and a hard push to Billingsford to Bintree and finally the pub. Just on 30 miles at the stop.

Food at the pub was excellent with the service second to none. TN had ridden out to meet us and had wondered if we had been attacked by a string of punctures – no – just hills and high winds.

After lunch the group split into smaller rides with the main riding to Guestwick, Wood Dalling tp Heydon, Little Barningham and finally Sheringham and home.

An excellent ride with 50 miles in the bag – thank you Alan

Puncture 0, 50 miles, Weather: Sunny and windy!

After a first gear 8mph crawl up Hollaway road three Wheelers headed into the wind towards Banningham.  There they met Trevor and we took a route to Oxnead, Buxton, Dilham, East Ruston and then Cart Gap.  With M.P and J.H a few miles ahead a Strava segment to the cafe beckoned and they went for it.  KOM to the cafe and 3rd/4th overall, (although it was helped by a 40mph tail wind!).  After a deep bowl of soup and other large plates of carbs we reluctantly headed back into the wind and home via Paston, Trunch and Thorpe Market.

Weather: Grey and windy but dry,  two punctures, two large pieces of cake, 55+ miles.

Club Ride to the Hill Top Café at Rackheath – Leader Robert Nixon 2 December 2015

Seven riders came to Pretty Corner to follow Roberts’s club ride to Rackheath. This is one of the longer Wednesday club rides of the year and with the weather being unseasonally warm for December it was one not to be missed. On route we came to cross the busy A140 when a kindly motorist flashed us to cross. This kind motorist was none other than “Gentleman Geoff Paice”, President and one time ace club rider. We continued down many minor roads which were a challenge due to the state of them (mud, mud and leaves which were not on the line but in piles everywhere we rode). Eventually we arrive at the café on the outskirts of Rackheath and decided to sit outside making the most of the clement conditions.

The Hill Top Café must surely be a contender for the “best valued cafes” in Norfolk – a rival to The Forget Me Not café at Lenwade. Meals gigantic were served at very reasonable prices and tea was but £1 per cup. It was remarkable how much food some members were able to consume and still find power in their legs to hammer home.

Club member MS joined us at the café making a total of nine which is a good number for this time of the year. We still however have room for a few more.

After lunch it was back on our bikes and a quick ride to Coltishall, over the bridge then up to the HM prison and then down past The Goat before riding up to Banningham and then onto more minor muddy roads to Sheringham.

A really good ride, thanks Robert. Most remarkable in that despite the poor condition of the roads not one puncture! Now that does take organising!

Nuff said !!!

Puncture 0, 50 miles, Weather: Sunny and windy!