Updates

With a forecast of light winds, showers all morning followed by a dry and occasionally sunny afternoon, four riders met at a dry PC to then collect Graham at Itteringham. On our rides we often see surprizing glimpses of nature and today was no exception, as we rounded the bend at Itteringham Common Mill we spotted a semi-clad young lady who we guessed had been for a natural swim. We waved but she didn’t turn around to wave back!

Our only rain shower of the morning came as we left Buxton and stopped shortly after we donned rain jackets. We continued through Stratton Strawless, Frettenham, Salhouse, Little Plumstead and on to the site of the old Little Plumstead Hall, which later became a mental hospital.
Today most of the estate has been turned into housing, but the original walled kitchen garden remains and has been restored and run as a community shop, café and garden project. It is very impressive and a surprising location in what is now a housing development. It was busy and we found a table under a large parasol that later kept off a light shower as we had lunch. Unfortunately the chef was on holiday and so the choice of light lunches was limited but all very tasty and a good cake selection.

A brief history of the Hall can be found here: https://thewalledgardenshop.co.uk/history

Our return route took us through Woodbastwick, a back route through most of Wroxham until we had to deal with the traffic over the bridge and onto the quieter road to Ashmanhough. Around the International Farm it started to rain and the black sky suggested it was going to last, so on went the rain jackets again, not to be removed until we reached home. We must have missed the heaviest of the rain because at Worstead the water was flowing down the roads like a river. So we splashed through the puddles as the rain eased and navigated through North Walsham and Lyngate, towards Antingham. Graham turned off for Bradfield and home and we headed west for Suffield and Alby Hill and another heavy shower, before we parted ways at Gresham and two continued up to PC.

PC to PC 64 miles at an average speed of 14.6mph
Riders: Andrew B, Ian A (photos), Chris S, Graham A, Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 22nd – Pensthorpe
Wednesday 26th – Stiffkey Stores
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 a day 45 mph gusts and forecasts of heavy showers, only Mark and Chris departed from Pretty Corner. The ‘steady’ group (represented today by only Brian and Harvey) started a bit further down the road and tacked in and out of the wind along a lot of little lanes before picking up the later stages of a plotted route that headed south by way of Cawston and Felthorpe before crossing the Wensum at Attlebridge, climbing over to Ringland, up the stiff drag of Merry Hill, towards Weston Longville, over the high country to Primrose Green, the steep descent into Lyng and the final lung opener up Sparhamhill to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe at BugzUK for some top class food and a conversation that focused on Spain.

The foursome then set off back together, but soon split in two through Sparham village, on a return route that travelled via Elsing Lane, Bawdeswell, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Wood Dalling, Heath Road, Edgefield, Hempstead, Selbrigg and the final drag up over Bodham Hill. The steady pair headed east from the Guestwick area to get within striking distance of Brian’s home parish.

Despite various predictions and a lot of threatening cloud, there was only one period of significant rainfall, a sustained squally cloudburst —– which was exciting to watch through the cafe window.

Distances: 58 miles to 70 miles.

Chris S, Andrew B and Mark M left PC to pick up Graham A at Gresham on a hot morning, cooled by a moderate south westerly wind. Our longer leg out to Hamptons would generally be heading SW and into the wind, but that did mean the wind would be helping us home on the return leg.

As we rode through Itteringham Common, Andrew’s Specialized tubular metal saddle rail broke and fell off to be lost in the undergrowth. As we stopped to investigate, it had not broken at the seat clamp but on the bend up to the rear of the saddle and then fallen out of the retaining boss on the saddle, the other side remained intact. Too many cakes perhaps?

So Andrew left us to head slowly for home, while the remaining three continued onwards. On our way to Oulton Street we picked up Duncan S who had been busy with house build admin first thing and unable to make the PC start, so back to four Wheelers again.
We continued to Swannington, Alderford, Great Witchingham, Sparham Hill, Lyng, Bylaugh and up the Dereham Road almost to the A1067 to Hamptons.
We sat at tables outside, sheltered from the wind but able to observe the increasing number of black clouds scudding across overhead. This was our second visit to Hamptons, the first being in March this year, and unfortunately likely our last as they are due to close permanently this September.
The service was quick and the menu varied, we all chose from the wide choice of available sandwiches and were very impressed when they arrived, stuffed full of the filling of choice, with some crisps and salad leaves, tasty and filling.

After lunch we set off for the 20 miles home, crossing the main road and through the hedge into Bawdeswell, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Thurning and dropping Duncan off at Town Close/Little London. Then on to Edgefield Street, Edgefield, via Pond Hills to Hempstead, Baconsthorpe, North Barningham, where Graham turned for Gresham and home, leaving two to complete the course back to PC.
Surprisingly, despite the rain clouds we didn’t get any rain at all.

PC to PC 55 miles at an average speed of 13mph
Riders: Andrew B, Chris S, Graham A, Duncan S, Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 15th – Chrysalis Café, Sparham Hills
Wednesday 19th – Walled Garden, Little Plumstead
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/

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2305472?units=km

Weather forecasts around 9.00 predicted a 70-80% chance of thunderstorms by early afternoon in the Walsingham area, so it was decided to switch this week’s club run to Cafe Carmel at Bacton Green. Chris was back from a fortnight in eastern France, but Jim, Neil S and Ian were away. This quartet have more holidays than Judith Chalmers. Andrew and Neil Mc were otherwise engaged, so only Chris, Mark and Graham A left Pretty Corner to follow a contorted route to the east coast on a humid day. Brian and Harvey had departed a bit earlier and also cut out a southerly detour in the plotted route, which looped round by Crowgate and Beeston St. Lawrence. The latter pair did though cleverly intercept the others at Dilham. The five Wheelers sat outside the cafe to refuel on some excellent tortillas, avocado on toast and a ‘super salad’, a far cry from the beans on toast of days of yore. The humid air and greasy-looking clouds seemed to augur rain later in the return ride, but this failed to materialise in north east Norfolk. The morning’s south easterly headwind did however veer through south to end up as a fresh north westerly by mid-afternoon, thereby giving one rider a hard slog home over the final seventeen miles. The ‘steady’ pair left the scheduled route after East Ruston Common in order to head back by way of Brian’s house, while Graham left the Sheringham bound riders at Lord Anson’s Wood for a shorter run up to Cromer.

Distances: 63 miles to 80 miles.

Four riders met at Pretty Corner for a run to Natural Surroundings Cafe, Bayfield Hall on a cool day with the threat of some rain later. The route took us through East Beckham, Bessingham, Matlaske, Little Barningam, Saxthorpe, Thorning, Hindolveston, Melton Constable, Biningham, Brinton and Sharrington. Despite the strong head wind a good pace was maintained and we arrived at the cafe before lunch was available! However, we were able to order and had coffee in the beautiful wild garden (the cafe is well named) whilst waiting as the sun had come out by then. The lunch arrived very shortly afterwards and was excellent, especially the toasted sandwiches and cake. After lunch Clive left us to make is own way home and the remainder made their way back through Wiveton, Kelling, Holt, Hempstead, Backonsthorpe and Plumstead. Despite some minor spots of rain we missed the forecast heavy showers and again maintained a good speed especially when the wind was behind us! The route back included a diversion to review progress on Duncan’s new build – very impressive. Duncan spilt of for home towards the end of the route and Andrew at the top of Red Brick Lane, leaving Mark to head back to PC alone. 

PC to PC 42 miles

Average speed 14.9 mph

Total Elevation 1863 ft

Mark, Clive, Duncan and Andrew leading.

Holidays kept the club run numbers down again for this longer route to King’s Cafe on a cool day with a strong and blustery south westerly. Another of the regulars, Ian, had decided that he would complete the last two sections of the Rebellion Way on Sunday and Monday, so conserved his energy by turning back from Lyng today – (no stamina these youngsters). Only Mark and Neil S therefore completed the scheduled route. The morning leg travelled south to cross the Wensum at Lenwade before climbing stiffly onto the high plateau around Collin Green, over the A47 bridge to Mattishall, a lot of little lanes through Brakefield Green, Bird’s Corner and Thorpe Row and a final fast section on the A1075. The ‘steady’ section (GSR) were also depleted today by holidays as well as Neil S’s chute on Wednesday, which left him cut and bruised. Meeting a few miles into the route, Brian, Graham A and Harvey arrived at the ‘King Billy’ five minutes before the PC pair. After enjoying some good food and friendly service, the five Wheelers took advantage of a lot of strong tailwind for a fairly speedy ride back, completing the two miles longer return leg 1.5 minutes quicker, despite noticeably less effort than during the morning ride. The GSR mini group also cut the ride shorter by missing out the Letton Hall and Cranworth section, after which the route passed Southburgh church, crossed the railway at Thuxton, meandered through Welborne, recrossed the A47 to Elsing Hall, kept to the south of the Wensum by way of Fustyweed and Lyng, up and over the Fakenham Road to Nowhere Lane and a conventional run back over Whitwell Common, through Reepham town and the lanes to Heydon and Corpusty, where Neil Mc terminated at his new base (from where he had ridden to PC in the morning). Meanwhile, the ‘steady’ group had kept further to the east to make it easier for Graham and Brian to get home after a fairly long day out. So, only Mark continued to PC and Sheringham.

Distances: 70 miles to 82 miles.

Six Wheelers met at PC on a hot, overcast and humid morning for the clockwise loop to Heydon. For a change of scenery we went through Felbrigg Park, down to Cromer Zoo, through a couple of housing estates to The Avenue and on to Northrepps. Then south to Tuttington where Graham J turned north for home in order to keep an appointment, while the rest turned west for Dunkirk, Oulton Street and on to Heydon. Both the Tea Rooms and the Earle Arms had plenty of people sitting outside and we claimed the last outside table at the pub that had an umbrella, though it did require some jerry-rigging to get it to stay up and open.

The Earle Arms had a good choice of meals from good full sandwiches, a specials board through to full three course meals. All the food we had arrived quickly, was tasty and good value and the local Hindringham beer also got the thumbs up. Andrew was very impressed with the sugar scuttle, see photo.

Our return leg took us through Heydon Park to Oulton and on the way to Irmingland, Andrew B had a front puncture (Vittoria Zaffiro), ignoring the helpful advice he was receiving, Andrew made quick work of changing the tube and we continued on to Corpusty where we dropped off Duncan S and Neil Mc.
The remaining three, continued up to Edgefield, on to Plumstead Green before turning for Hempstead. Having ignored multiple signs that the road was closed and having got passed Hole Farm without any issues, we had just about reached the junction with School Lane when we came across the closure due to prep work for the cable corridor. Fortunately the guys working were quite happy to let us walk through, we did see signs and a cctv camera at the closure point, as they don’t want motorised traffic trying to get through.
We stopped at Selbrigg pond, firstly for a throng of school kids crossing the road and then to take a look at the swans. Currently four very grey cygnets, I believe five hatched and we also saw lots of small fish and minnows near the edge. With the nature box checked, Andrew and Ian turned for home, leaving me to complete the loop to PC.

PC to PC 49 miles at an average speed of 14mph
Riders: Graham J, Duncan S, Neil Mc, Andrew B, Ian A (photography), Mark M leading.

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 5th – Natural Surroundings, Bayfield
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/

Exhibits from Peter Martin’s exhibition of Tour de France memorabilia at Thorpe Market church – (more pictures in Club Runs Photo Gallery, courtesy of Ian ‘Snapper’ A.).

With three riders away and Ian A delayed by a puncture in the garage, only Mark, Neil Mc and guest rider Ben from Beds. set out on a short first leg, which took them via Hanworth Common to the very impressive exhibition of Tour de France memorabilia on display this weekend in Thorpe Market church. They were joined there by an earlier departing ‘steady’ group consisting of Neil S, Graham A, Brian, Lucinda S and Harvey, as well as the delayed Ian. After chatting with various enthusiasts, both bunches set out for some real cycling, following a lot of lanes by way of Bradfield, Trunch, Knapton (from where Neil S was forced by persistent back pain to head for home), White Horse Common, Briggate, Worstead, Ashmanaugh and Bylaugh Green to the Piece of Cake cafe, which was a rare mistake by the organiser!

Meanwhile, Malcolm, who had ridden up from the southern Broads, had gone to the usual venue at the No.77 Cafe and had to be retrieved before the expanded bunch headed off for the return trip. Soon after Heggatt Hall, en route for Granny Bard’s Lane, the bunch split again into two smaller groups for the ride back north through Frettenham, Stratton Strawless, Buxton, Oxnead, Burgh, Tuttington and Banningham, where the steady backmarkers continued north to Colby (from where Graham headed for home), Brian’s house and a final split that saw one rider heading directly back to Sheringham, while the remaining Wheeler followed a number of detours that took in Thwaite Common, Calthorpe, Wolterton, Squallham, Matlaske, Barningham Winter, Bodham Hill and Lower Bodham. From Banningham, the vanguard group rode back to PC via Ingworth, Blickling watermill, Itteringham, Little Barningham, Plumstead, Baconsthorpe church and Bodham Hill.

A total of ten riders out today.

Distances: 45 miles to 67 miles.

Ride Report by Ian A

“This was the longest day. Which is not a reflection of today’s company. Just that it was the Summer Solstice. And so it was that on a warm midsummer’s day morning with light winds, 3 Wheelers and newbie Shelley set off from PC, picking up Graham at the top of Red Barn Lane. The group of 5 continued on via Baconsthorpe, Edgefield, Briston, Hindolveston, Great Ryburgh, cutting down to Whissonsett to give Fakenham a wide birth. We crossed the Swaffham Road at South Raynham, then went through pretty West Raynham and shortly reached East Rudham. The gentle wind had been a small hindrance most of the way there. Jane’s wasn’t too busy and we got a table outside, wrestling with the sunshade to provide some shelter. For some of us anyway. Most of us opted for the very nice sausage, lettuce & tomato sarnies (is an SLT rather than a BLT a thing?). Whilst the fellas were mindful of their waistlines, Shelley went for cake too… The coffee was good also, so a very good stop NB Jane’s is only open Tue-Fri, so let’s hope it survives.

After lunch we immediately crossed the A148 and looked forward to a gentle tailwind most of the way back. The route took us through South Creake and onto Little Walsingham, Thursford, Stody, Hunworth and Edgefield. (At one point a group of 5 or 6 cows had jumped a ditch from their field and were blocking the lane, but the spearhead group managed to persuade/scare them into returning without further incident.) The Hunworth Road towards Edgefield, whilst normally sandy, was a bit deeper at one point causing one of us to slip but the jury is out as to whether it was a proper “off”. Duncan departed for Corpusty at the Rectory Road/Holt Road junction, smugly informing the rest of us it was all downhill for him. From Edgefield, the remaining 4 continued back to PC by retracing the outward leg. Ian turned left for High Kelling by Hill Farm at the bottom of New Road, leaving the remaining 3 to find their own way back on the final 2.5 miles to PC. Interestingly, despite the helping breeze, the average speed on the return leg was only a fraction higher than on the way out. Maybe general fatigue (for some!) was to blame? I think we all agreed it was a good ride and a pretty route. Aren’t they all?!

We hope to see Shelley and her very bling Trek Madone out midweek on a regular basis.

PC to PC was 64 miles at an average speed (for the majority) of just over 15mph

Ian (leading/photography) plus Duncan, Graham A, Mark, Shelley

Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 28th – Earle Arms, Heydon
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Ian, Chris, Jim, Mark, Neil Mc refuelling at The Mardler’s Rest.

Graham, Harvey, Sue, Brian, Neil S + Malcolm in the cafe getting more chips.

With some of the more senior Wheelers looking for a steadier ride and a couple of the fast lads currently under medical treatment, there was a sensible split into two smaller groups for the club run down to The Mardler’s Rest Cafe at the former Mitford Poor Law Union workhouse at Gressenhall. So, only three set out from Pretty Corner for the shorter outward leg. This soon became four when Chris, Ian and Mark picked up Neil Mc at The Old White Horse at Edgefield. This compact group set a brisk pace in a generally helpful ENE wind, clipping down to Little London, up Heath Road, over some poor quality road surfaces around Wood Dalling, then on through Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree and Billingford, crossing the Blackwater at Worthing watermill (resting briefly to watch a Highland cow keeping cool and hydrated in the river), up the pretty valley road for a while, before a short detour around Beetley to the cafe where the steady group were already ensconced, along with Malcolm and Sue, in their role as cultural tourists. As ever at this time of year, it was extremely pleasant sitting in the sheltered courtyard watching numerous swifts performing aerobatically around the former workhouse buildings.

The longer route back took in a big loop to the south west by way of quiet lanes through Longham, Bittering and Stanfield before heading north to Whissonsett and Colkirk and then east and north east to Ryburgh, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Nethergate, Craymere, Briston, Edgefield (where Neil Mc headed for home), then a few more twists and turns before the drag up to Bodham Hill and Red Barn Lane. The basic distance from PC to PC was 64 miles.

In the interests of mutual convenience, the steady group consisting of Brian, Graham, Neil, Jim and Harvey, assembled at 10.00 at The Old White Horse before following the day’s plotted route for an early arrival at the refreshment stop. By mutual consent, they then started off home on the set route, but then cut out a significant portion of the longer ride back. This enabled them to complete a good distance while accommodating riders from as far apart as Melton Constable and the south east side of Cromer. As a special treat, the club runs co-ordinator was given a load of grief by two groups today instead of just the usual one.