We’re heading East to discover the ‘delights’ of some of the rural roads between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft/Oulton Broad.
We will be parking at Mill Lane Playing Fields and Community Centre, Bradwell, NR31 8HS. There are two car parks – the Community Centre car park and another just before the entrance to the Community Centre. We’ll use the general playing field car park that’s immediately ahead of you as you make the turn from Mill Lane. See the image below.
See you there.
Club Run on the 9 April 2016 to Waxham Barns – A Pensioners Day Out
The weather prediction for Saturday would make the most ardent cyclist think twice before donning his wet gear and setting out on a ride. This, however, did not deter three of the NNW’s senor member’s team from deifying the forecast and setting off for a day’s enjoyment in the outer reaches of the North Norfolk lanes.
With only two members meeting at Pretty Corner the decision was taken to ride to the pickup point at Banningham. Meeting there was another club member, Trevor, who also had poured scorn on the forecast.
All agreed that we would ride to the clubs destination – The Great Barn at Waxham. Our route out was via Banningham, Skeyton, Worstead, Dilham church, High Hill, Brumstead Grange, Calthorpe Broad. Conditions were favourable going out with only a small drop of the wet stuff falling upon us.
Arriving at the Barns we were still relatively dry and ready for fuel.
Spirits raised by food and the thought of a tail wind most of the way home we set off on the long ride for home. Our route was Ingham, Happisburgh Common, Honing Hall, Briggate, Swanton Abbot, Tuttington, Erpingham.
Having said goodbye to Trevor near Skeyton our luck finally ran out and the heavens descended upon us in biblical proportions and did not stop until we arrived home.
Were we down hearted ? no , did we enjoy ourselves yes, were we wet ? YES
A fine route, taking us the back lanes to the Waxham – surely one to do again when the sun comes out and we are on summer bikes.
Average age: 70
Conditions: Better than the workhouse.
PC to PC 66 miles.
Role of Honour : Trevor, Harvey, Geoff
We are back on the original 18.5 mile course for tomorrows hilly TT. See you there. https://www.strava.com/routes/4544008
Club Run on the 6 April 2016 to The Goat at Skeyton – Leader Andrew Chapman
The weather forecast indicated light rain occasionally until 2.00pm and then a deluge after that. Notwithstanding this sober prediction seven club members met with Andrew to test the water on the club run to Skeyton.
Leaving Pretty Corner one member unfortunately punctured. Like dropping buttered bread which always lands the wrong way, the puncture was in the back tyre which always make life that little bit more entertaining. Puncture fixed, we rode to Itteringham and then up the hill to Blickling. It was here the weather forecast proved as trustworthy as a three pound note.
Down came the rain, if not in buckets then in rivers. The rain was coupled with high winds which were dangerous to say the least.
All riders were however, for carrying on despite the rain and wind– there a tough lot in the NNW’S’ . We then rode down to Cawston, past the defunct Rat Catchers and onto Marsham where the luckless club member punctured again. Following this we rode to Buxton, Lamas and then Skeyton and finally the Goat.
Lunch was excellent – first class service and food – we had the total attention of all the staff. Shortly after lunch it was back on our bikes and a wistful hope that the rains would stay away. Leaving the pub we went to Felmingham, Antingham, Hanworth, Sustead and Gresham. On route another cloud burst fell upon the riders as they neared home.
Not the best of weathers – much talk about water proof gloves – but a really enjoyable route – one to do again in dry conditions.
Thank you Andrew – may the sun shine upon you.
Conditions: back to winter
Eight riders out from PC: – Andrew, Trevor, John D, John S, Alan, Geoff, Paul, Mike (for a short while)
Two punctures – one bike. PC to PC 40 miles.
Club Run on the 2 April 2016 to Pensthorpe Wild Life Park
Six members met at Pretty Corner for a club run billed for the café at Burnham Deepdale. However, as one member had a need to be home before the “witching hour” it was kindly decided to go a slightly shorter route.
With weather gloriously like spring the scene was set for an excellent days riding. We left Pretty Corner going out via West Beckham, Baconsthorpe, Stody, Thornage, Sharrington, Hindringham, by-road to Walsingham, Little Snoring airfield and then to Pensthorpe. This was a magical mystery tour for most riders had only travelled over parts of this route.
Pensthorpe café was its usual excellent food and service.
After lunch, a further treat was in store, instead of going home via the traditional route through Fakenham to Hindringham we went right out of Pensthorpe and then right into Little Ryburgh, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Foulsham, Guestwick, Odessa, Red Pits, Corpusty and Barningham Winter.
In all a cracking club run – plenty of new roads and a totally new route..
Homeward bound one member arrived home at 3.28.16 to just the faint smell of sulphur….
Conditions: Spring
Six riders out from PC: – Ben, Darryl, Geoff (pumpkin), Scott, Trevor, Harvey.
One puncture.
PC to PC 57 miles.
Mileages 58-68.
Club Run to The Kings Head at Blakeney – 30 March 2016 Leader Kevin Hornshaw
A good turnout of nine riders met with Kevin at Pretty Corner for his annual “over the hills and far away” run to The Kings Head at Blakeney. The nine included new potential member Paul who we welcomed to the pack.
Leaving Pretty Corner we rode down towards Itteringham turning left at the bottom of the hill to ride to Gresham. Here, unfortunately, one rider punctured. No problem with that, a nice quite lane to mend the offending tyre. However, no sooner had we started than cars and farm equipment of all sorts and sizes came trundling along the lane sending club members into the hedges for safety. This even included a lady enquiring about joining the club and riding tandem…..
Once the puncture had been fixed we were on our way going via Gresham-Hanworth-Lt Barningham-Edgefield-Hunworth-Thornage-Letheringsett- which included some fords and a collection of hills which were not for the faint hearted.
We finally arrived at the The Kings Head in Blakeney where we met Malcolm sitting outside enjoying the warm spring day.
Excellent food and good service are the pubs hall mark. Soon however we were back on our bikes riding home via Glandford-Letheringsett-Hunworth-Stody-Edgefield-Baconsthorpe and then home.
1 1/2 punctures, many fords and some of the best hills in Norfolk.
Interesting to note that this was the second “Kings” pub we had visited in the course of the week.
PC to PC 43 miles.
Weather: Glorious Spring
Many thanks Kevin
Roll of Honour
Kevin,Robert,Phil,Dave and Son,Paul,Malcolm,Alan,John S, Andrew, Geoff
Club Run to The Kings Head at Hethersett – 26 March 2016
With the weather forecast showing high winds all day from the south it was encouraging to find that six club members were ready for the journey down to The King’s Head at Hethersett. Among the valiant six was a welcome return of Tom G from Leeds University. Our first stop was down to Corpusty where we briefly met Phil out on a training ride. No takers at Corpusty however so we snaked round to Cawston where we were joined by Trevor.
Now seven, we tackled both the head wind and a collection of hills as we rode to Swannington, Attlebridge, Ringland, Marlingford Mill, Great Melton and finally to the King’s Head at Hethersett.
It was more than two years since we had visited this establishment, that time it was in glorious summer.
After much needed refreshments it was soon time to get back on our bikes for the return ride home. This time however, spirits were high as the wind that had been our master on the outward journey now became our servant as we travelled home via High Green, Wramplingham, Barford, Colton, Slade Hills, Weston Longville, Lenwade, Little Witchingham, The Grove, Oulton Street, Itteringham. On route we stopped and briefly looked at the residency of Bill Bryson who had been the subject of lunch time discussion.
Excellent days club run – character building to say the least !
PC to PC 61 miles.
Individual mileages 60 to 74.
Roll of Honour
Brian, Dave, Geoff, Scott, Tom, Trevor, Harvey. + Phil joined us for a while on his training ride.
And no punctures
Club Ride to Erpingham Arms – 23 March 2016 Leader: Geoff Poulter
Eight club members came out for the club’s ride to the new venue of The Erpingham Arms. The club run was to be long going out and short coming back.We rode down to Itteringham and then up the hill to the cross roads where we turned right and then soon again, left, to follow some very back lane roads which eventually came out at the back entrance to Heydon park. Here, we had a quick tour of the magnificent grounds of the park before we came out in Heydon Village.
From here we rode over to Cawston and then round the back to Marsham and then onto Tuttington,Banningham and finally, Erpingham and the pub having ridden just under 30 miles.
At the pub we were greeted by Chairman Chris.
The food here was excellent with the exception of a new item on the menu – breadless soup. The general consensus was however that this venue was very worthy of being added to our list of establishments.Leaving the pub, the westerly wind had increased in strength and it was now heads down for the final ten miles of the ride.
A good days riding – dry roads – little traffic and light winds for most of the day.
Thank you to all who came out.
Conditions: Dry roads. Cool – no punctures.Distance: 40 miles
Roll of Honour:
Trevor, Phil, Kevin, Andrew, Alan, John S, Dave, Chris K, Geoff
Club Ride to Pensthorpe Wild Life Park – 19 March 2016 – Leader Geoff Poulter
A cold day mixed with sporadic rain greeted the three riders at Pretty Corner for the days ride down to Pensthorpe. With a new pick up at Corpusty we rode straight down to the Little Barningham cross roads where we turned right to ride to Corpusty Village Green. The experimental pick up point certainly worked for waiting for us was a further two club members.
Onwards through Corpusty we went to pick up the Briston road to Cramer Beck and then along the road to Hindolveston and Fulmodeston. Here, it was decided to introduce a loop by going down to Great Ryburgh. The inviting downhill stretch to Great Ryburgh however, proved too much of a temptation for a couple of the riders as they powered downhill at warp speed. This missed the right hand turn and we ended up having a Tour of Fakenham before eventually arriving at the café having now done some thirty miles.
At the café we were pleased to meet up with Scott who had ridden out directly from work.
After lunch it was back on the bikes and a revisit to Fakenham before going off the traditional way home via Hindringham, Sharrington, Stody to Edgefield and home. The homeward ride was considerable harder than the outward ride as we were now riding headlong into an uncompromising cold head wind.
In all, a very good days cycling, spirits not at all dampened at all by light rain or cold winds.
Many thanks for all that came out and we look forward to your company again.
Conditions: Dry roads. Cold, some sunshine but not enough and a little rain.
Distance: 55 miles for some – more for others
Roll of Honour:
Trevor, Ben, Malcolm, Barry, Scott, Geoff
8 Wheelers met Alan at PC for his ride to Tunstead. Conditions were dry with a cold, easterly wind which we were confident would be on our backs for the return trip – hmm.
Off we set towards Itteringham but with a strange loop taking in Little Barningham – a sign of things to come? With the sun now on our backs, it was Cawston and Brandiston before turning east for Hevingham, Stratton, Strawless. Coltishall was the next town before we turned for Tunstead through St. James.
The Olive Branch is a great venue for us and it didn’t disappoint. David and Geoff were there to meet us and we all dined well.
There was a puncture as we left but, being a cycling venue, The Olive Branch has a track pump which was really helpful.
Off we set towards Scottow but, again, there was an unusual loop. And so the non-traditional approach continued as we went through Swanton Abbott and skirted Banningham, Erpingham and Aldoborough. Alan had put in some work and crafted a route to take in lots of new lanes – excellent!
Contrary to expectation, the wind was not co-operating for the trip home as it had turned to the north, but the sun was still with us.
A super ride, longish and cold but with the sun to warm us. Many thanks Alan.
10 out. 49 miles PC to PC. 1 puncture.
North Norfolk Wheelers 