Club Runs

Club Ride to The Parson Woodforde, Weston,– 23 January 2016

Three riders met at Pretty Corner for our ride to Weston Longville. Our first stop was at The Crown at Banningham where we picked up two more rides. Then it was a hard push down to Taverham via some not so clean roads where just before the stop GP punctured. A quick fix was enacted with help from a couple of members and at last we arrived at the Parson. The car park was buzzing with Wensom Valley riders getting ready for a ride.

Among the people in the pub was the welcome sight of ex member Christine. GP was particularly pleased with this reunion as she had in her car one of the best track pumps going.

Bills paid we rode off home going via Itteringham and finally Sheringham for one rider.

A decent days riding for the time of the year – roads still diabolical in places but there must be a limit to the amount of sugar beet that can come off the fields.

 

Puncture 1, 53 miles, Weather: cool and windy

Club Ride to The Forget Me Not Café at Lenwade – Leader John Dimascio 20 January 2016

The weather forecast for this Wednesday’s club ride was artic cold. Notwithstanding this nine club members turned up for John’s ride to one of the best value cafes in Norfolk. Shortly after leaving Pretty Corner our leader had the misfortune to puncture. There are times when punctures are an inconvenience to say the least but this one was in the back of beyond, no wind, no rain, no traffic and a warming sun which gave us hope that spring is not too far away

Puncture fixed and tyre inflated despite a recalcitrant valve we set off going the back lanes via Briston and Reepham before arriving at café at Lenwade. Here, we met two more Wheelers makinga grand total of eleven out for the day.

After an excellent lunch it was back on our bikes and back via Cawston, Itteringham and home.

An excellent day’s ride in good weather – the only drawback was the state of the roads which remain appalling.

 

Many thanks John.

 

Punctures 1, 42miles, Weather: WARM and Sunny .

 

Welcome to first-timers Phil and Sean, who were part of the six that met at Pretty Corner to follow Trevor to Mundesley.  The weather gods must be cyclists because this was the second Wednesday in a row where conditions were ideal for (winter) cycling.  Off we set, basically heading for Aldborough, Banningham and then Worstead before turning north for the coast.  A nice use of lanes to bring us into Mundesley from the east.

Four more Wheelers met us at the cafe where we were very well looked after and a splendid lunch was had by all.

Suitably refreshed, ten left for the trip home with folk departing at various points along the way.  The route was Trunch, Bradfield, then crossing the A149 at Thorpe Market for a run through Hanworth and home.

A really nice bike ride with loads of sunshine.  Many thanks, Trevor.

10 out.  41.5 miles PC to PC.  Same stats as last week but no punctures – hurrah!

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