Updates

Please note that due to the adverse weather conditions Chris Knowles has decided to cancel tonight’s time trial.

Seven Wheelers met at the Reservoir for Kevin’s ride. As we sailed through East Beckham en route to Lower Gresham we were stopped in our tracks by a cement lorry about to dump its load (so to speak) but all managed to scramble through a small gap between it and the hedge and onwards and upwards we continued.

With a helpful tailwind we seemed to fly along Cromer Road, where we were joined by David, through Metton and eventually reaching an extremely busy B1436. We waited and waited and waited a bit more and were grateful to a more than decent motorist who stopped and allowed us all out to continue our journey in the direction of Roughton, A left turn into Old Mill Road took us via Carr Lane (again very busy for some reason) the A140 and New Road to Northrepps at which point it only seemed fair to carry on to Southrepps.

Just after Lower Street Robert hit something sharp and his front tyre rapidly deflated but it was a good place to have a short break and in the very pleasant sunshine we chatted while Robert toiled but we were soon underway and reached Trunch via Brewery Road. On to Mundesley, past the Windmill, then Paston, around the back of Bacton Gas Terminal and then a great route which took us via Witton Bridge and Ridlington Street to Walcott Green. After an interesting loop we recrossed the B1159 Walcott to Stalham Road only to find our approach to the Butchers Arms had been sabotaged by the dreaded North Norfolk Surface Dressers. The tar was still wet and the gravel loose which made the riding conditions hazardous to say the least.

Having enjoyed a fine lunch we decided not to proceed to Honing as the NNSD had gone as far as that at least and instead plotted a route that took us back towards Ridlington and then in the direction of North Walsham (Dyballs Lane, Crostwight Road, Heath Road, Broom Lane) to Ebridge Mill then taking a left off the Happisburgh Road along Meeting Hill Road.

On reaching Worstead we were back on track and then a familiar route through Swanton Abbott, right at Skeyton where we said good bye to Robin and Peter and on towards Felmingham. At rapid pace (that is eyeballs out and speechless) we reached the Suffield junction where Malcolm and David headed home and that left Kevin, Andrew, Alan and Robert to return to Pretty Corner via Hanworth, Lower Gresham and East Beckham.

Thanks to Kevin for leading the ride and to the Sun Gods for giving such a lovely day for cycling.

Kevin, Alan, Andrew, David, Malcolm, Peter, Robert and Robin

PC to PC 52 miles (Some did a little more but what’s a few miles between friends)

(Good luck to Robin on Sunday 4 June when he will raise funds for charity cycling the Norwich 100)

With a beautiful, warm day forecast, it was a fairly safe bet that we would have more riders out for Robert’s run to Erpingham than we had last week!  And so it was, with 8 meeting at PC.  These included returner, Trevor.

Erpingham is an interesting venue in that you have to “weave” your way there to create a meaningful run– and Robert had planned some “weaves” for us.  The route took us to Gresham, Sustead, Roughton and on to Southrepps, Trunch and Swafield.  We then cut back to Antingham to head for Felmingham and Aylsham before turning north for Erpingham.

On the approach to Erpingham, Malcolm warned of a spot in the lane that is nearly always flooded.  Surely not in these dry conditions?   But flooded it was.  The group split roughly 50/50 on how to deal with this.  Those wishing to keep their bikes clean opted for a walk along the verge and braved the nettles.  Those planning to clean their bikes later (maybe) rode on through, successfully avoiding the potholes that lurk beneath the surface.

After just a tad over 30 miles we arrived at the pub to find that Trevor had ridden out to meet us.  Alfresco dining was the choice.

Robert had offered us a choice of routes home, but given the hot conditions, we opted for a directish run to PC, parting with folk along the way.

A very pretty route with some seldom-ridden lanes – made all the better by the delightful, summery conditions.  Many thanks, Robert.

9 out. 39 miles PC to PC.

Words by Kevin.

With riders coming from Aylsham, North Walsham, Sheringham and Swanton Abbott it was probably appropriate that the start point today was opposite the Crown at Banningham.

So the group of four set off in slightly disappointing overcast conditions but nevertheless warm enough for three at least to be showing off their knees! Perhaps the fourth had heeded the warning of showers and wanted a bit more protection.

Through Ingworth along the delightful Drabblegate and on to the Banningham Road. Avoiding the centre of Aylsham we crossed the Blickling Road on to the Heydon Road and then followed the traditional route to Cawston. The slight cross/headwind was noticeable but it was generally agreed that riding conditions were good.

After Cawston we continued via Eastgate along the Buxton Road until the Marsham junction taking us to the very busy A140 where we gritted teeth for half a mile before reaching the more tranquil Mill Road to Brampton giving us lovely views.  Geoff remarked he hadn’t been on this stretch of road for some time – always good for the ride leader to hear! Onwards to Skeyton, Swanton Abbott, Worstead, Honing, East Ruston and finally Cart Gap – distance 28 miles (but of course with a few more added for each rider to reach the start point).

Meeting us there was David Carrier. An enjoyable lunch was had with topics of conversation centring mainly on the NHS and the cost of social care. With the average age of the group approaching 70 perhaps this is not too surprising. Anyway with a youthful leap we all remounted our trusty steeds and under threatening skies we set off via Happisburgh and Ridlington. At this point Trevor headed straight home and the remaining four went cross country initially under heavyish drizzly rain via Witton, Edingthorpe and Knapton to Trunch. On to Southrepps where we said goodbye to David and then Thorpe Market and Hanworth where we paused in the middle of the familiar herd of cows who were thankfully far more interested in munching grass than us.

Robin peeled off towards Aldborough while Malcolm accompanied Geoff as far as Gresham before returning to Banningham to complete the route.

Malcolm (lead rider), Geoff, Robin, Trevor and David enjoyed a good Saturday run.

Banningham to Banningham 58 miles

Words by Andrew.

5 met at pretty corner for the ride to Horning.  Blue skies, a balmy 11deg C and lightish SE winds were the conditions. Amongst the starters was our old friend Graham from Nottingham. 4 of us were in bib shorts, so, summer is officially here.

Off we set collecting Malcolm at the top of Gibbet Lane, then out to Matlask and over to Itteringham.  It was left at the Walpole Arms and north of Blickling to Ingworth and then on to Banningham, Tuttington, and Buxton Lammas. Thence on to Coltishall via St. James where we lost Robin and Malcolm, only to catch them up on the roads north of Wroxham.  They obviously knew a short cut!   Finally, down to sunny Horning after 29 miles at 14.5 mph.

4 went for the steak and kidney pie with mash, all eaten outside in glorious sunshine.

The return was towards Tunstead, Worstead and on to Skeyton, Banningham and home – clocking up 54 miles on dry quiet lanes at 15.3 mph.

Great route, thanks to Trevor.