Club Runs

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!

Club Ride to Pensthorpe WildLife Park – Leader Geoff Poulter 28 November 2015

With the weather pattern similar to last week it was again a club ride to beat rain and strengthening wind forecast for later in the day. Unfortunately only three riders decided to brave the element for a club run that is normally popular with most.

We left Pretty Corner and rode straight into a head wind going down to Briston (riding the long way round via Edgefield). At Briston we rode round to the Beck and then along the long road to kettlestone before turning left to the Park.

At the Park DISAPPOINTMENT when we learnt that meals and hot food would only be served after 12.30 ! due to the pre booking of Chrismas lunches. So, sandwiches and a rouge bowl of soup later we were ready to ride again when MP arrived.

One rider decided to stay and another two agreed to head for home with the expectation that they would meet on the road somewhere – but they never did !. We rode home via Hindringham, Sharrington and then finally Sheringham. Getting home before serious rain and wind.

My thanks to Harvey, John H and Mike P for coming on the ride which was in less that convivial weather

Puncture 0, 49 miles, Weather: windy and very cold

Club Ride to the Norton Café at Walsingham – Leader Trevor Neild 25 November 2015

Seven club members met with TN for a ride down to The Norton Café. The route started out a little strange but soon took us on some familiar roads going down to Briston and then Kettlestone where we crossed the main road and proceeded down to the Snorings and then Walsingham and the café. Just beforehand one rider had the remarkable “luck” to acquire a tin tack in his front tyre. Just in time for Christmas !.

After lunch we rode home going via some minor roads to Brinton, Sharinghton and beyond. Before we arrived at Sheringham a sudden rain storm hit the riders sending them for cover as the temperature plunged.

In all an interesting club ride – good route but rubbish weather – even for November

Many thanks Trevor

Puncture 1, 35 miles, Weather: windy and very cold with rain to boot !

Club Ride to The Old Railway Station – Leader John Dimascio 18 November 2015

With the weather forecasters predicting wind speeds of 40 + there was some doubt as to whether   the club run would actually take place. After a number of emails and telephone calls the decision was taken to go ahead with the proviso that we were all back by around 2.00 pm when it was predicted that the storm would be at its srongest. Seven riders assembled at Pretty Corner to join John D on his masterly ride to Reepham avoiding being blown off course by skilfully using the hedges to our advantage.

Shortly after the start, just up the hill and into the teeth of the head wind, we noticed that one of our party was missing. Unfortunately TN’s free wheel had decided to completely free wheel and with a conviction that would have won him an Oscar he regretfully said that could not come with us.

Now reduced to seven we hugged the hedgerows for some protection as the wind strengthened.

Finally, we arrived at the café for a welcomed break having ridden some twenty hard miles.

Mindful of the time, we left the café and rode to Briston with the wind still SSW so it was on our side but not in our face. After Briston the wind became a friend rather than foe as it now powered us home to Sheringham.

In conclusion a day that could have been lost was in fact won and a good ride was had by all.

Many thanks John

1 puncture, 40 miles, Weather: windy but dry

Club Ride to Nelsons Café at Wells Next the Sea – Leader Geoff Poulter 17 October 2015

A bitter cold start to the club run suggested that General Winter is on the march and that summer will soon be a distant memory. This club ride is a North Norfolk classic and the four rider who came out intended to enjoy the day. We rode the back lanes to Briston and then round the Beck to go along the long road to Kettlestone where we crossed the main A148 for the Snorings. Here, Harvey took us on a detour to the Barshams which eventually lead us to the gates of Holkum Hall. It is always the highlight of any club run in this area to ride down to Holkum Hall and then out on to the Wells road.

At the café disappointment for some as the soup of the day was for carnivores’ and not herbivores’.

Putting this aside we had an enjoyable break and then it was back on our bikes for the journey home. We rode home down to Binham and then up to Bale. Unfortunately the sky was by now becoming black with rain on the coast which was threating to come inland. JH punctured and shortly afterwards the rain fell upon the riders as we neared Sheringham

GP punctured a few miles from home but was able to get enough air in the tyre to keep going.

A sort of enjoyable day – a bit like the curates egg – good in places.

2 puncture, 60 miles, Weather: Bitter wind – rain – and a tiny bit of blue

Club Ride to The Kings Head at Blakeney – Leader Kevin Hornshaw 14 October 2015

This club ride could either have been could have been called “The Tour of the Hills of Norfolk “or even “The Tour of the Fords of Norfolk”. Perhaps, even better “Tour of The Hills and Fords of Norfolk”. Whichever title given would not have done justice to the cocktail of roads, fords and hills Kevin served up for the five riders who joined him at Pretty Corner. Yes, we are still stuck on six riders from the start.

Starting out the ride appeared innocuous enough but it soon became apparent that this would be a hilly day. We rode towards Briston and then turned down “gut wrench hill” to the gravel bottom and then onwards over many hills until unfortunately our leader punctured on a remote country lane.

Quite remarkably, this quite road became a hub of activity as soon as we stopped with tractors and cars coming from all directions. Once the tyre was fixed it was up the hill and then down to the pub where we met Trevor N riding out to meet us.

Good food and a warm welcome from the Kings Head which of course are standard.

After lunch a committee decision was taken to continue with Kevin’s planned route which encompassed a long drag up to Leatheringsett and a couple more fords for good measure plus a few more hill for good measure.

This was surely a five star club ride encompassing so much of the North Norfolk countryside and despite the cooling weather made for a great day out.

Many thanks Kevin.

2 puncture, 47 miles, Weather: A real mixed bag.

Club Ride to The Parson Woodford at Weston Longville  – Leader Mike Padfield 10 October

Some club rides leave little or nothing to report on as they are standard club runs with little or no memorable events. Mike’s ride to The Parson Woodford did not fall into this category. With four riders arriving early at Pretty Corner GP elected to leave early for Banningham therefore giving the “pack” something to chase. And chase they did catching him just about to cross the main Norwich road. At Banningham TN joined us so we now numbered five. Mike then took us from Banningham around to the back of Blickering and then down to Heydon where we rode through the Heydon Estate and in doing so had to move a herd of cows that were blocking our path. The cows did not seem to like this intrusion on their patch.

Onwards then to Reepham and Mike lead us down some walk ways which I doubt even the locals are aware of. We then moved on towards Weston Longville and became increasingly aware of black clouds forming all around us. About five miles out the heavens opened and a deluge hit the riders. We tried to find cover under a tree but the rain was so heavy that it provided no relief. Soaking wet and now cold we decided to ride on the next couple of miles to the pub.

Now I had mixed feeling about the pub but when we arrived they could not have been more accommodating. We were given seats next to a roaring fire and told not to concern ourselves with the puddles of water we were leaving be hide us. The food was fantastic – real chips – superb soup – brilliant burgers and a tea pot of Mad Hatters proportion.

Spirits now raised and semi dry we thanked the pub for their hospitality and set of for home.

It was on the homeward stretch that GP and TN encountered a moron motorist which would make a Neanderthel appear intelligent. The driver of this 4*4 drove at speed, with no regard for other road users, into part of the road which was heavily flooded thus soaking both riders. GP lost vision for some 10 – 15 seconds and only luck prevented him from having what could have been a serious accident. Now soaking wet again our only option was to ride as fast as possible home before rigor mortis set in…..

When we arrived at Cawston once again our luck changed and to our amazement the roads were dry and the sun was out warming us yet again. In all, a superb ride despite the atrocious conditions for part of it.

So, well done Mike – Well done  Parson Woodford – look forward to this ride again.

0 puncture, 58 miles, Weather: A real mixed bag. Curses on Moron Motorist too many to number.

And Happy Birthday John H !