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Six riders met at Pretty Corner on a beautiful sunning day for a run to All Things Nice Cafe at Cawston. This included newcomers Shelly and Nigel who were welcomed to the club. The route took us through West Beckham, Bodham, Hempstead, Edgefield, Briston, Guestwick and Reepham. Shelly and Nigel had to split off part way through the ride due to other commitments but hope to join us again for future rides. On arrival at All Things Nice we met up with Ian who had made is own way there having had a long ride the day before and we all enjoyed a good lunch. It’s good to see the cafe back on the schedule following reopening after Covid as it was a former favourite. After lunch we made our way back through Oulton Street, Ingworth, Banningham, Felmingham, North Walsham, Antingham, Thorpe Market, Hanworth, Bessingam and Gresham. Graham and Andrew spilt off just before the end to make their own way home, with Mark and Chris going back to PC.

PC to PC 51 miles

Average speed 13.8 mph

Total Elevation 1600ft

Mark, Graham A, Chris, Nigel, Shelly and Andrew leading.

On easily the warmest day of the year so far, it was a fast, wind-assisted ride out to the Courtyard Cafe at Holkham Hall. A compact group of four Wheelers rode by way of Stody, over the ridge to Gunthorpe, crossing Little Snoring airfield, Great Snoring, the steep Canister Hall descent into the Stiffkey valley at Houghton St Giles, the series of climbs and descents to the Burn valley at North Creake, from where the foursome turned into the blustery ESE wind and up the long ascent to South Holkham before descending rapidly through Holkham Park to their refuelling break in the shaded courtyard, where they were surprised to see Harvey sitting out of the sun supping a large beaker of tea. Over substantial refreshments, it was reported that Graham A is progressing well following his recent operation.

On departure through Holkham’s east gate, it was decided that Harvey would accompany Jim back to Briningham and Burgh Parva. The remaining trio pushed on into the wind along a published route that travelled via Wells, Warham, Wighton, Binham, Cockthorpe Common, Langham, Summer House Hill, Wiveton, the long drag up Rectory Road onto Salthouse Heath for Bridge Road and Bodham Hill.

Group: Mark; Neil Mc; Jim (who is looking to start a steady seniors’ group); Chris (just back from riding some of the biggest Pyrenean cols – assisted by a 1250cc engine).

Distances: 63 miles to 69 miles.

Unfortunately (for the victim) a painful cycling-related hip bursitis has forced the current club runs organiser to ease off. Consequently, future club runs will be organised by Mark, Andrew, Neil, Chris and Ian.

Another overcast day with a cool north easterly wind greeted two Wheelers at Pretty Corner, for the ride to the recently reopened Darby’s pub in Swanton Morley.
The wind assisted outward and longer leg took us south via Aldborough, Blickling, Cawston, Attlebridge to Weston Longville. Just as we turned on to the Weston Longville road we spotted a tall bush completely covered in webbing, possibly created by Ermine Moth caterpillars (thanks Ian)
Here we headed west past the café at Elsing and on to Swanton Morley at around 29 miles and ready for lunch.

The pub was fairly busy with most people eating and we found a good sized table in front of an old cooking range built into the chimney. The menu had a good selection from sandwiches, light lunches to full meals and was reasonably priced. They no longer have a selection of cakes though. If the sun had been out we would probably have sat at one of the many tables outside, some of which were sheltered under a marquee.
As we set off for home, the sun made a very brief appearance, not long enough to improve the temperature though. We went to Billingford, Foxley and north via Craymere Beck to Briston. Just before Craymere Beck we came across a field full of bright red poppies which were worthy of a photo stop.

After Edgefield we took the scenic Pond Hills Road to Hempstead, where Ian continued for home and I turned for Baconsthorpe. As I passed the solar farm at the top of Bodham Hill, three escapee sheep ran off down the road, pursued by a shepherdess in a truck. I stopped to help block the road for a few minutes to see if they could be rounded up, but they had found better things to eat and wouldn’t budge, so she said she would come back for them later.

PC to PC 54 miles at an average speed of 13.1 mph
Riders: Ian A, Mark M leading

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 10th – Holkham Hall
Wednesday 14th – All Things Nice, Cawston
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

June sunshine at the Chrysalis Cafe.

It is a shame that only Mark and Ian could make it to PC on a day of welcome warm sunshine and fresh north easterly breeze. This duo were however joined by Ian Fletcher for a while. The route to the excellent Chrysalis Cafe, located on the BugzUK site at Sparhamhill, was by way of Itteringham, Cawston, Swannington, Attlebridge, Ringland, Merry Hill, Telegraph Hill, Weston Green, Frans Green, Collin Green, Primrose Green, Peaseland Green, Elsing, Fustyweed (where some selfish so ‘n’ so has nicked the village sign), Lyng and Pockthorpe. On arrival at the Chrysalis, the two Wheelers were surprised to see Harvey sitting in the sun sipping a large beaker of tea. After an extended refreshment break, with extra cake and beverages, three riders headed over the ridge to Sparham Hole on the Wensum, climbed up to Bawdeswell, skirted the Fakenham road through Foxley village, shedding one rider at Themelthorpe, then pushed the fresh wind home via Hindolveston, Burgh Parva, Briningham, Stody, Hunworth, Starling’s Hill, the edge of Edgefield, over the Range to Plumstead Green, Baconsthorpe church, Up Wood and Bodham Hill.

The basic route from PC to PC was 60 miles.

Next week, Holkham Courtyard via North Creake. Link to route file on website.

Ride Report by Andrew B
Two riders met at Pretty Corner on an unseasonably cold summers day for a run to Reepham Station.
The planned route took us through East Beckham, Bessingham, Matlaske, Calthorpe, Ingworth, Blickling, Oulton Street and Cawston. Unfortunately, on arrival at the Station Cafe it was closed due to staff shortages, so we diverted to V’s Cafe in the village centre.

The food and drink were good and we had just ordered a second coffee when Brian arrived with his off-road group.
As the cafe was full by then we let them have our table and eventually were able to join them for a chat when another table came free. After lunch we made our way back through Themelthorpe, Foulsham, Hindolveston, Briston, Hunworth and Holt. Andrew made his way home from Selbrigg Pond with Mark continuing back to PC.

PC to PC 44 miles at an average speed of 14.7 mph
Total Elevation 1550ft
Riders: Andrew B leading and Mark.

Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 3rd – Chrysalis Café, Sparham
Wednesday 7th – Darby’s, Swanton Morley
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

Neil S, Scott, Neil Mc, Mark, Malcolm, Andrew, David, Harvey, Graham J, Heather.

Ian (camera), Sue A (off camera).

This was a ride in memory of Bruce, who thoroughly enjoyed his club runs, be they long, short or middling. For example, he was one of only two riders to complete the runs to Goodies, near Pulham Market in south Norfolk, Wortham in Suffolk and the Sandringham, Gayton, Castle Acre 100 miler.

Eight North Norfolk Wheelers departed from Pretty Corner on a twelve mile first leg to meet others at Felmingham, where it was discovered that Neil S’s square taper crankset was working loose and that he had brought the wrong toolkit. Neil therefore decided to head for home and he was accompanied on the ride back north by Scott and Dave, who had ridden down from Cromer for the Felmingham meet. Malcolm made the group back up to seven riders for the trip down to the Lighthouse Inn to the south of Walcott. After a chat with Heather, a devious route was followed, avoiding any hint of sunny Whitsuntide holiday traffic. Some good quality food and drink was enjoyed in the sunny beer garden, although, unaccountably, the conversation focused on accidents and injuries.

Lots more little lanes were followed on the way back, maintaining a strong pace round the back of Ridlington, up to Witton and Bacton churches, Knapton, Trunch, Gimingham, Trimingham, Clapham Dams, Hungry Hill, Northrepps, Toll Hill, Metton, Hanworth, Bessingham and Gresham.

Distances: 51 miles to 76 miles.

Ride report by Chris S
Five riders started out from Pretty Corner on a warm sunny but breezy Wednesday morning.
Shortly after the start Jim joined the ride but left the ride just before Elsing to return early via Bawdeswell.
The outward route took the group through Plumstead, Saxthorpe, Cawston, Brandiston and Lyng. The group passed Neil Mc going the other way just outside Cawston.
A stop for refreshments was made at the Lemon & Rosemary Yard Café at Elsing after 24 miles. The weather was warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.

The return journey was somewhat slower due to a moderate north easterly breeze and passed through Swanton Morley, Billingford, Bintree, Foulsham, Briston and Baconsthorpe. A slight detour was made at Bintree along the main Norwich to Fakenham Road due to encountering very loose gravel as a result of resurfacing on the intended route.
Andrew B & Ian A left the ride at the New Road/Rectory Road junction to head back to High Kelling whilst Chris S, Mark Mc and Graham A continued to Pretty Corner.

The total ride was 51.1 miles at an average of 12.8 mph.
Riders: Andrew B, Graham A, Ian A, Mark Mc, Jim H with the ride being led by Chris S (well for most of the way!!!)

PS. On behalf of NNW’s we all wish Graham A well on Saturday and a speedy recovery.

Saturday 27th – Club Run to the Lighthouse, Walcott
Wednesday 31st – Ride down to Reepham Station Cafe

Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/

On a bright sunny morning, tempered by a cool north easterly breeze, four Wheelers set off to collect Jim from High Kelling and proceed to Wiveton. Having crossed the Glaven valley and reached Langham, Graham turned off for Morston and a shorter day out.
The remaining four, crossed the Stiffkey valley at Wighton and were nicely wind assisted up the long drag to the Wells road and the south side of Holkham Park, before the welcome descent to Burnham Thorpe, crossing the river Burn en-route.

We decided to take a detour through the heart of Burnham Market to see what was going on, quickly losing count of the 4×4’s parked everywhere. Still dazzled by the Chelsea tractors the ride leader took the Ringstead Road to Docking instead of the Docking Road, surprisingly it was only half a mile further and we saw a lot of new houses on the way into Docking.
Then we had the long descent to Fring, our most westerly point of the ride and the end of the wind assistance, which was obvious as soon as we turned for the last couple of miles to Bircham Mill.
Bircham Windmill was surprisingly quiet considering how good the weather was, so we were quickly served and sat outside in enough sun to stay warm in the wind.
After a good lunch it was time to face the wind as we headed back east through Syderstone to South Creake and then a tour of the Barshams and the Stiffkey valley again, climbing up to Great Snoring and on to Thursford Castle.
Here Jim opted to take the direct route home, leaving three to continue to Bale, Sharrington and Stody. It was decided to get to Edgefield via Hunworth and avoid the headwind drag from Briston to Edgefield. It also saved half a mile so the route distance was restored. At Edgefield, Neil turned for home leaving the remaining duo to tackle the headwind all the way back to PC.

PC to PC was 69 miles at an average speed of 14.1 mph with 2680ft/817m of climbing
Riders: Chris S, Neil Mc, Graham A, Jim H and Mark M leading.

Upcoming Ride:
Wednesday 24 May – Elsing Cafe
Club Run: 27th May – Lighthouse, Walcott
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/