Updates

Three riders met at PC on another great cycling day, for Chris’s ride to Poppylands 1940’s themed café at Horsey. With an earlier 9am start to help Chris get back to finalise his packing for a motorcycle adventure to Wales early Thursday, he also seemed keen to keep the pace high early on.
Our route took us on familiar roads south to Ingworth and then eastwards through Tuttington, Swanton Abbott, to Worstead and on to Honing where we were pleased to meet John S, joining us for the ride.
At Ingham, we headed for Sea Palling, past Waxham Barn and the extra 2.5 miles across the open Broadlands to Poppylands, arriving shortly after 11am.
It was already fairly busy, though we bagged an outside table with a parasol close to the NAFFI hut and were serenaded by Vera Lynn. Unfortunately because we were so early the lunch time menu was not available, so the corned beef hash in a mess tin will have to wait for another time.

Instead three of us ordered the Blitz breakfast and one had the Douglas Bader beans on toast with extra fried egg ration (guaranteed not to run). The large pot of tea didn’t disappoint as it was protected by a fighter tea cosy.

The food arrived very quickly while we were still paying for it and Malcolm arrived at the same time. His coffee and cake apparently was acorn free.

When we had finally drained the teapot it was time to leave, with Malcolm heading back the way he came via Great Yarmouth, while we returned to Sea Palling and took the Calthorpe Street loop back to Ingham. Here we headed north while John continued on to Stalham and home.
The Blitz breakfast seemed to have slowed down our ride leader, who was now monitoring the group from the rear!
We went past East Ruston Gardens, Crostwight, White Horse Common, Bradfield, Thorpe Market, Hanworth to Gresham, where Ian turned for home, leaving two to return to PC. While we caught our breathe at PC, Graham A arrived in his car and stopped for a chat. We wish him the best for his operation at the NNUH tomorrow.

PC to PC was 64 miles at an average speed of 15.7 mph.
Riders: Ian A (photos), Mark M, John S, Malcolm S and Chris S leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday Club run on 26th – Lighthouse Inn, Walcott
Wednesday 30th – Lemon & Rosemary Yard, Elsing
Routes for rides and Saturday club runs on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

Mark, Ian A and Graham A left Pretty Corner to pick up Neil Mc at Cross Green. Still awaiting his postponed hospital treatment, Graham was riding only as far as a refreshment stop at Fakenham Garden Centre before heading home via a more direct route. Brian, Jim and Harvey joined a few miles into the route. Neil S’s recurrent back problem prevented him from meeting the latter trio. Luckily, the heavy overnight rainstorms had abated, although early lying water ensured that ‘winter bikes’ were more evident than is usual for August.

It was a conventionally direct route out to Ryburgh and Colkirk before turning north to Hempton and up the Wensum valley to Shereford, where the Wheelers were relieved to turn out of a strong south westerly headwind, crossing the river at Sculthorpe Mill. From here, we were able to pick up more favourable winds, past the eastern edge of Sculthorpe Airfield, a fast ten minutes on the B1355, turning along the lane to Waterden Bottom to join a section of the Roman road that runs from Toftrees, south west of Fakenham, to Burnham harbour*. The final three miles to the Courtyard Cafe climbed up the Chantry Hills and through the Triumphal Arch before a magnificent descent through the holm oaks, fallow deer and tourists.

Similar to last week, it was a brisk but easy ride back, assisted by a dominant tailwind. Initially on the rough road to the East Lodge, then through the southern edge of Wells town and the traditional route to Warham and Binham before cutting south eastwards to Field Dalling and Saxlingham, where Jim touched a wheel and ended up on his back still clipped in to his Merida. Luckily, the wide grass verge absorbed much of the impact, although the rider still suffered a cut knee and a bruised shoulder. From here, it was across the A148 into Sharrington and the lanes to Thornage (where Jim turned south to Melton), King’s Street down to the ford over the Thornage Beck, where a very substantial new footbridge has been installed to replace the virtually collapsed older version, Hunworth, Starling’s Hill, Edgefield (where Neil Mc departed), Plumstead Green, Baconsthorpe, North Barningham, the top of Plum Lane (where Ian split for home) and Red Barn Lane.

Distances: 48 miles to 68 miles.

*This ancient route connects at Toftrees south westwards, via Little Dunham, to the Peddars Way at North Pickenham and eastwards, via Billingford to Brampton, with its major Roman potteries.

Four riders met at 8am on an ideal cycling day, warm, dry, sunny and with a light wind, north west in the morning swinging to north east in the afternoon.
Our first leg took us south to Lyng, 18 miles mainly downhill and wind assisted, meant high speed and little effort, a great start to a long ride. Enroute to Lyng around Whitwell Common we met the local hunt out on a practice ride, a huge pack of very well behaved dogs and horses of all sizes with riders of all ages and the youngsters who were unable to claim a horse, followed along behind on bicycles.
After Lyng we headed west through Gressenhall, Great Dunham, Castle Acre to West Acre, where we took the appropriately named Tumbley Hill Road to our first café stop at West Acre Gardens after 42miles. At a leisurely stop we enjoyed good sausage or bacon rolls, a scone for one and coffee.

Reinvigorated we continued to Grimston, across the A148 to West Newton and Sandringham, where we stopped for a photo at the famous gates.

Then it was the open and rolling road through Shernborne, Fring and the final long drag up to Docking. Our second stop was at Thornham which was about five miles away, which was easy going until we reached Beacon Hill. When you do finally reach the top, you are rewarded with wonderful views of the marshes and sea stretching out into the distance, followed by a high speed descent into Thornham itself.
We stopped at Thornham Deli (67 miles) which was busy as it was about 1:30pm, but soon found an outside table with some shade and were quickly looked after by the numerous staff. The menu was extensive and it was easy to see why it is a popular destination on the coast road.

Three of us had different varieties of scrambled eggs but Ian’s plain scrambled eggs on toast was huge, he soon finished it though. After paying and filling our water bottles we set off on the eastward home leg.
After a tour of the marsh side houses we took the uphill road to Choseley and the Ringstead Road to Burnham Market, where we took a tour through the village to see the chaos of cars and people before heading up another Beacon Hill, this time to Shammer and the Burn Valley vineyard.

Then it was a good descent into North Creake and on the familiar roads to Little Walsingham, Thursford, Brinton where Clive turned off, Hunworth and the climb up to Edgefield. After a brief rest for a snack and drink, it was on to Baconsthorpe, Bodham Hill where Ian left us, leaving two to complete the route back to PC.

PC to PC was 105.5 miles, 7hrs riding and 2hrs for stops at an average speed of 15 mph.
Riders: Chris S, Ian A (photos), Clive, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 19th – Holkham
Wednesday 23rd – Poppylands, Horsey, 9am start
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

The joys of cycling.

Ian, Neil Mc, Chris, Mark and Geoff met at Pretty Corner on a bright and windy August morning. Geoff was out only for a steady run down to his favourite watering hole at Cawston. Brian, Jim and Harvey joined the route down the road a piece. Neil S would have joined them, but was called up at the last minute for unscheduled domestic duties.

A stiff, gusty south westerly made for a hard-working ride out, taking a direct line through to Reepham and Whitwell Common, before looping over to Sparham, where Ian suffered a snakebite puncture (aka pinch puncture), Elsing, North Tuddenham and Mattishall. From here it was mainly unknown territory for most of the Wheelers, hitting the lost lanes by way of Garvestone, Reymerston Hall, High Common, Swathing and Blackmoor Row to the friendly King’s Cafe in the large mid-Norfolk village of Shipdham. The group of seven refuelled in the roomy wooden shelter at the back of this former pub.

Warm sun and a strong tailwind made it a brisk and pleasant ride back through Thorpe Row, Daffy Green, Scarning, Podmore, Bushy Common, Gressenhall, Worthing, Billingford (where two mature white-bearded Wheelers were asked how they are so fit), Bintree, Foulsham, Skitfield and a direct route back through the lanes via Briston, shedding riders en route.

One puncture:- rear Continental ‘4 Seasons’.

Distances: 60 miles to 74 miles.

Report by ride leader Ian A

Finally a mild, dry and calm day! Three Wheelers met at PC for the ride to Staithe ‘N’ Willow at Horning and the promised excitement of a crossing on the Horning Foot Ferry to boot!
A local lady ‘Sue’ also turned up on a step-through e-bike and pannier bound for shopping in North Walsham and asked to come along as we were going close to NW and she wanted to explore a route there via the smaller lanes. So of course we chivalrously obliged, despite her wearing not a stitch of lycra… Well, I ask you. More later…
The route took us south to Itteringham and across to Ingworth where we met Graham who looked very relaxed on the log bench by the church. But he stirred himself and joined us. After Banningham we joined the North Walsham Road and gave Sue onward directions to NW. We also explained that unfortunately, although we’d towed her to this point, her bike wasn’t suited to joining a group with lightweight road bikes, and directed her to the local U3A group that does social rides of a more suitable pace/distance for her. So in a blaze of flames and dust we left Sue behind and hope she had a good shop and found her way back on the more direct route that she knew.
The Wheelers route then went via Sloley and Ashmanaugh before arriving just a few minutes late for our lunch booking at noon at Staithe ‘N’ Willow. We were joined by Malcolm and sat outside. The food we had ranged from sandwiches (ham/fishfingers/BLT) to a Greek Salad with a smattering of triple-cooked chips for some and even a fat slice of cake as well for one individual. The food and hot drinks were all declared very good and the staff were plentiful.

After lunch we waved Malcom off who was retuning home via Wroxham, and then we discovered that unfortunately the Ferryman had gone AWOL and a phone call confirmed (we think – it was a very bad signal) that he’d swanned off to take someone to Wroxham (possibly) and wouldn’t be back till later. Shame. So we retraced our steps through Ashmanaugh, then turned NE to Dilham, N to Honing, skirted the edge of Bacton Wood and on familiar lanes to Knapton, Trunch, Southrepps and onto Roughton.
Just before Metton we said farewell to Graham who headed N back to Cromer and wished him well for his upcoming (or should it be out coming?) Kidney op and look forward to welcoming him back to the group once he’s recuperated. The remaining 3 headed on to Gresham where Ian turned left for High Kelling leaving the remaining 2 to make their way back to PC and Sheringham.

PC to PC was 57 miles
Ian A (leading), Chris S, Graham A, Mark M

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 12th – Shipdham
Wednesday 9th – West Norfolk
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

On another disappointing summer’s day three Wheelers met at Pretty Corner. Judging by the conversation, two of them had managed to extract the most optimistic forecast from a bad bunch. Fortunately they did coincide with the best of the conditions (relative), with most of the heavier stuff falling early and late and the wind not getting up until late afternoon. Mark, Chris and Harvey set out from PC, although the latter was out only for a couple of hours leg-loosener. The remaining duo rode briskly to the windmill cafe, following the conventional direct route out to Binham and Wighton, then over the higher ground to North Creake, the long climb up to Stanhoe and the back lanes through the Barwicks to the Great Bircham road. Unsurprisingly, the poor weather during the school holidays meant that the venue was busy with families. After refuelling, M and C took a more southerly route back via Bagthorpe, Syderstone, South Creake, the stiff hills over to Egmere, the fast descent to the Stiffkey valley through the Walsinghams, then Hindringham, Bale, Stody, Hunworth, some more serious ascending up Starling’s Hill to Cross Green, Baconsthorpe, the drag onto Bodham Hill and of course the final kick up to PC before descending into Sheringham. Both riders felt pretty done in at the end of a hilly day in cold summer conditions.

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The more ‘senior’ steady riding contingent had decided to ride on Friday and enjoyed a good run out on a bright and windy day. Graham would have been out, but is still awaiting his hospital treatment. Jim had a 10K race at Aylsham on Friday evening (52 minutes in the M75 category). So, Neil, Brian and Harvey set out en route for Bircham, but decided to cut things short by doubling back to the Norton Centre at Little Walsingham, where they took a leisurely break before a longish impromptu run back through the lanes before splitting at Barningham Winter.

Distances (both days): 62 miles to 70 miles.

On a bright and breezy day, with a few afternoon showers forecast, five Wheelers set out from Pretty Corner on the longer outward leg to the Dunes Cafe. However, two were out for the morning only. Four more assembled on Aldborough village green to join the set route around the five miles mark. One however had to head back home from Skeyton. The route out dipped south as far as Horning, Johnson Street and Ludham before diving through the hole in the hedge to cross the Yarmouth road on the edge of Potter Heigham and a fast few miles through Hickling and Sea Palling to a surprisingly quiet cafe, where the bunch was met by Malcolm, who had ridden up from St Olaves. Before departing from the Dunes, some of the Wheelers had a long conversation with a young Dutch couple, doing a section of the North Sea Route, before taking the ferry home from Hull. They were riding a Sparta tandem (made in Apeldoorn). The ride back went directly up to Ingham and then into the lanes by way of Lessingham Star, East Ruston, Crostwight Heath, Witton Heath, Edingthorpe Green (where two of the ‘steady group’ ventured off course when the navigator took his eye off them). Then it was familiar Knapton, Trunch, Bradfield, Thorpe Market and Topshill to a split at Hanworth Common, from where the two Neils went their separate ways home. A couple of short showers were encountered from mid afternoon.

Three punctures: – Vittoria Zaffiro – (one iron hard thorn, one perished valve seating, one lifting patch).

Riders: Brian; Chris; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc; Neil S. Plus Andrew; Ian; Jim – (a.m. only) and Malcolm at the cafe via Yarmouth.

Both Grahams would have been out today if circumstances hadn’t intervened: Graham A is booked in next Friday for hospital treatment. The group hope that this is as brief and as stress free as possible, followed by a short, relaxing convalescence, enabling a return to club runs before the summer is out.

Graham J was committed to a “family day” in Suffolk. It is to be hoped that the family fully appreciate his sacrifice in foregoing a club run on a fine July day.

Distances (full route only): 62 miles to 80 miles.

Report by ride leader Ian A

Four riders met at PC on a dry, partly sunny and eventually warm day and headed south via the Barninghams, across to Edgefield, Stody and Briston, then turning north at Brinton Church and onto Sharrington (too late for strawberries?) From there it was a few new lanes (for some of us anyway) to Bale, Hindringham and on to Gt. Walsingham.
We then looped via Copys Green, Wighton and Warham, ascending the fairly arduous Wighton road before the final descent to Stiffkey Stores. We found a table in the sun at this small but delightful shop & cafe and the substantial cakes were duly devoured. Mark even managed two. Plus ca change. Good coffee too.

We then ascended to Cockthorpe, and onto Langham, Field Dalling, Saxlingham and crossed the bridge over untroubled water at Glandford and up Hurdle Lane. The route took us through the Bayfield Estate (a few yards of loose gravel on entry) and moments later Chris felt a slight stirring at the sight of a vintage Triumph at Holt Motorcycles.
From there we joined the Cley Road for the ascent into Holt. Yes, Dear Reader, there were a few climbs on this ride and yes, the ride leader was questioned why there were so many. Character building innit. After leaving Holt and a particularly choice bit of dodgy driving by one motorist (Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre? Nah, over- rated) we took a short detour to check out progress on Duncan’s new build. Still no roof… Then it was across the bypass and on to the Hempstead Road (another hill) and a left turn to pass Selbrigg Pond where we briefly stopped to see the swan family (still 4 of the original 6 cygnets) and watched a Cormorant circling and apparently trying to decide if it was worth a fishing stop. At the junction after the pond, Ian turned left for High Kelling while the other three turned right to return to PC with a small detour before Lower Bodham to avoid the road closure on Church Road due to the ongoing power cable works.
Other notable highlights: Not a sniff of a mechanical and Chris (finally) stopping for a wee.

PC to PC was 46 miles.
Ian (leading), Mark (hillmeister and photography), Chris and Graham J.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 29th – Waxham Barn
Wednesday 2nd – Wiveton Hall
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/

As so often in north east Norfolk the actual weather was rather more benign than the meteorological forecast. However, the overall level of keenness has been dampened somewhat during this this unpredictably unsettled summer. Today Mark decided to have a rest day after accumulating a lot of miles (and consuming a lot of all day breakfasts) over recent months, Neil Mc went solo on local lanes for an hour or so and Harvey had a couple of hours leg loosener via Cross Green, Corpusty and the Barninghams. Only Chris S felt inclined to do a bit more, riding for about three hours south as far as Skeyton before turning for home, to tot up 45+ miles at 15.6 mph.

The volume of precipitation did increase during the afternoon, but never really set in solidly until early evening.

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Some of the ‘senior’ riders had decided that Friday was a better option.

While awaiting upcoming hospital treatment Graham wanted only a shortish ride at a steady pace, with a coffee and cake stop at Itteringham before his last few miles home. Brian was delayed by a couple of domestic jobs, so it was agreed to meet him at Itteringham cafe. In the event, only Harvey rode with Graham, via Briston and Cawston, to Itteringham. Brian was still anticipating riding to the scheduled Pensthorpe venue, but, after coffee and a chat, it was felt to be more sensible to ride south west for a while before deciding on where to stop for a refuelling break. South of Reepham, Brian was unable to resist another of the Chrysalis Cafe’s jacket potatoes with chilli and cheese, so it was a late break at BugzUK on Nowhere Lane, Sparhamhill. During the break the manager of the BugzUK/Chrysalis enterprise was eager to hear our views on what would attract cyclists to the cafe. From the perspective of two of the NNW veterans, the excellent food is adequate incentive, but a designated bike bay might prove to be useful.

There were a couple of spells of light rain on the way back, but the Wheelers duo avoided the heavier stuff that had left some of the roads south of the Wensum running with water.

Reported distances: from minimum 24 miles on Saturday to maximum 95 miles on Friday.