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Four Wheelers met at Pretty Corner for the inaugural ride to The Old Dairy at Stanfield.  The sun was shining and the skies blue, though the 7 degree temperature reminded us that summer was long behind us. A fairly strong westerly was noticeable on the SW leg out but a great help on the return leg. Family commitments unfortunately meant that John S could only join us for the first hour or so, down to Bintree, before heading back to PC. Good to catch up with you again John and see you in a few weeks. The puncture fairy struck at Brisley Green, with Andrew B getting a flint through his nearly new rear Michelin Pro4 Endurance, though he was pleased to discover it was now easier to get off the rim than it had been putting it on new. To keep the route as short as possible to fit into the limited daylight we went PC to Saxthorpe, Wood Dalling, Guestwick, Foulsham, Bintree Mill, Broom Green, Brisley Green, Stanfield. The Old Dairy was warm and welcoming, with limited seating inside and more outside. The lunch menu was limited but of good quality as was the coffee, there was also a selection of cakes. The Old Dairy also produces a range of pickles, condiments and mustards, all produced on the premises, which it also sells in the café shop. On the return leg it was Brisley, Gateley, Gt Ryburgh, Stibbard, Wood Norton, Hindolveston, Craymere Beck, Briston, Edgefield, Baconsthorpe, PC.

PC to PC 49 miles

John S, Graham A, Andrew B and Mark leading.

Five departed from the Pretty Corner meeting point in thick drizzle. Apart from a couple of bright flashes, mainly while in the cafe, and a heavier band of rain early afternoon, that’s the way it stayed all day. The short outward leg to the Courtyard Cafe went by way of Plumstead Green, the ridge road past Range Farm, Edgefield, Briston, Hindolveston, Stibbard and the Lower Clipstone detour, before the lung-opening kicks up the notorious Ryburgh bergs and the short main road run in to an early refreshment break. As in days of old, the initial couple of miles of the return trip joined the heavy traffic on the A1067 to the turn off for Thorpland Hall and Great Snoring. The longer leg back then visited Thursford, Gunthorpe, Briningham, Burgh Parva, Hindolveston (having ridden the 13 miles to PC in the morning, Neil Mc headed off home to Kerdiston from here), Burnthouse, Thurning mill, Growle Abbey and the back ways round Briston to pick up a more conventional last few miles, via the iron sombreros, to West Beckham for a two-way split – (for those who were there, the main reason that the mileage was less than advertised is that the leader forgot to detour round by Blackwater Lane and Rookery Farm).

Riders: Andrew; Graham A; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 56 miles to 71 miles.

Two Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a warm wet drizzly morning but with little wind and it was unseasonably warm. John S who had planned to lead the ride was unable to attend for family reasons but sent the route. The route to Coltishall took us through Bessingham. Suffield, Felmingham, Skeyton and Wroxam Barns. The rain quickly stopped and we managed a good pace arriving just before 12:00 to a peaceful café. The peace was however short-lived as a large group of rambler arrived shortly after! This was unfortunate as ex-leader Malcolm then arrived and had to wait a long while to be served. However, this gave us time time for a second coffee and catchup. 

The drizzly rain had returned by the time we left the café with the route back to PC taking us via. Badesfield,. Skeyton, Ingworth, Calthorpe, Matlaske and Barningham. The rain quickly relented and the last part of the route was on dry roads. Overall a good if a bit of a wet ride with a good average speed made (I blame Mark for this!). Many thanks to John for the route.

PC to PC 41.5 miles, 1092 feet/333 m of climbing and average speed of 15 mph

Mark and Andrew B leading

Eight Wheelers assembled at Pretty Corner for the weekend run out to the Corner Cafe on the east coast. Today’s very convoluted route was the the Spaghetti Eastern, starring Flint Westwood (alias Brian, whose bottom bracket sounded like a Gatling gun). North east Norfolk is of course threaded with lots of little lanes, so why not use them, especially when the roads are generally dry? After numerous twists and turns, the bunch eventually made it to Trunch, much to the surprise of the Erdington Express, Neil S. From there it was a lovely sunlit descent towards the coast and a final climb up over the ridge through the former isolation hospital. Just south of Stump Cross a new club record was set with no less than six riders behind the hedge.

To Neil’s surprise the return ride found another way into Trunch, before crossing the outward route and heading home by way of Southrepps, Antingham, Rugg’s Hall, Suffield rectory, the shortcut through Hanworth Timber, Thwaite Common and Bessingham to the split at Gresham, where Jim suffered his second front wheel puncture on consecutive club runs.

Group: Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Jim; Harvey; Graham A; Brian; Andrew.

Distances: 51 miles to 71 miles.

Conditions: A pleasantly benign cycling day for November, with more sun than forecast, a rising south westerly and light rain from 3.55.

Two Wheelers and Malcolm E (a house guest of Andrew B) met at Pretty Corner on a cold windy but sunny morning but with a forecast of heavy rain which had clearly put some off. The route to Little Walsingham took us through Plumstead, Edgfield, Stody, Brinton, Field Dalling, Binham and Wighton. The rain held off for the first hour but there were then a series of heavy showers punctuated by sunny periods. On arrival at the Victorious we were joined by Andrew and Malcom’s better halves, and enjoyed and excellent, if rather substantial lunch. The rain had fully set in by then and we decided we would have to brave it! In view of the weather we took the fastest route back to PC through Great Walsingham, Binham, Langham, Wiveton and High Kelling. Andrew B and Malcom E left Mark at High Kelling to return home. Overall a good, if rather wet ride.

PC to PC 40 miles, 1585 feet/431 m of climbing and average speed of 12.1 mph

Mark, Malcolm E and Andrew B leading

Four left Pretty Corner in light rain, but apart from a couple of heavier bursts, there was far less precipitation than anticipated. Riding roughly parallel to the coast, the westbound route went by way of Bodham, Salthouse Heath, Glandford ford, up the Downs, Langham, Cockthorpe, Binham, Wighton, Crabbe Castle and a glorious tailwind assisted descent down through Holkham Park to the coast road. The final stretch out of the Park was highlighted by a remarkable light show as the sun behind us lit up the thick black clouds over the sea and highlighted the autumnal avenue of trees along Lady Ann’s Drive. This was also a welcome sign that most of the forecast rain was now out over the sea. Both Holkham and Wells were very busy with half term holidaymakers.

It was good to see an old Wheelers’ favourite, Nelson’s Cafe, restored to full working order after the combined tribulations of a major fire and Covid. Neil felt bloated just looking at Mark’s steak and kidney pie with chips, broccoli, carrots and gravy.

The weather gods proved to be doubly generous for the return trip, providing total sunshine as well as shifting the strong southerly to a helpful south westerly. Back to Sheringham was via Warham, Field Dalling, Saxlingham, Sharrington, Brinton and generally conventional ways back up to PC.

Group: Graham J; Harvey; Mark; Neil Mc.

Distances: 53 miles to 72 miles.

Five Wheelers met at Pretty Corner on a warm, dry but windy day for Mark’s ride to the Art Café at Glandford. It has been a few years since the last visit and the cafe has certainly improved. Plenty of staff ensured a quick service and though the range of food was limited, the quality was good. Coffee, cake and a comfy sofa in front of a log burner, resulted in one Wheeler being very reluctant to leave!

Our 25 mile outward leg took us on a tour of the backlanes via Gresham, Bessingham, Wickmere, Plumstead, Edgefield, Stody, Gunthorpe, Bale, Field Dalling, Saxlingham to Glandford.

The shorter return leg was via the regular Wiveton, Salthouse Heath route to High Kelling, where Andrew B on his shiny new titanium Van Nicholas decided not to head home but to enjoy the extra miles back to PC, then the headwind back to High Kelling.  Our route back included Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and West Beckham to finish at PC for a total of 40 miles. 

PC to PC 40 miles, 1938 feet/591m of climbing and average speed of 14.0 mph

Andrew B, Graham A, Graham J, John S and Mark leading

Seven departed from Pretty Corner for a brisk run down to the Dunes Cafe at Waxham Great Barn. After a short delay for a ‘phone call, the bunch went by way of Gresham, Erpingham, the familiar lanes to Swanton Hill, Worstead and Honing, over East Ruston and Brumstead Commons, the back way to the recently renovated Ingham Swan, Calthorpe Fen and the final push down the coast to Waxham, where the Wheelers were joined by Malcolm, who had ridden up from his hideaway in the southern Broads. The conversation over the refuelling break turned to the best way to heat the home. Malcolm stuck with the group as far as Hickling before continuing south via Ludham and the Reedham ferry. The Wheelers turned off for Sutton to connect into the little lanes leading up to Lessingham, Happisburgh Common, Hill 60, the secret way into Ridlington and past Hoole House, before finishing off on a ‘traditional’ NNW route through Trunch and Thorpe Market for Hanworth, Gresham and the split.

Group: Brian; Graham A; Graham J; Harvey; Jim; Mark; Neil S + Malcolm.

Distances: 64 miles to 85 miles (Jim H as a part of the stamina building phase in his marathon training regime).

One puncture – (front Conti, just south of Sea Palling).

Strangely, only three Wheelers braved the overnight deluge, forecast strong SW winds and heavy thunderstorms to meet up at Pretty Corner, for Jane’s planned ride to Mundesley. Jane, wisely had passed the route onto Andrew B and decided to stay somewhere warmer and dryer.  Mark, however foreseeing the likely reduction in numbers had pre-planned an alternative 37mile route via Mundesley so Jane can lead her route another time, Yay! You can thank Mark later Jane!

After an earlier dry and sunny spell to fool the optimistic, 10:30 at Pretty Corner saw torrential rain and a howling South Westerly, surely it can only get better said the three wise men. Eventually it did get better and we saw blue skies and sunshine but that was after negotiating many flooded roads of varying and unknown depths (it were only half way up the ducks, claimed the yokel) also removing two large branches blocking some obscure road, only to have a motorist sail down the road moments later, oblivious of our good deed.

So our southerly route took us through West Beckham, Barningham Winter, Alby Hill, Erpingham, Colby, Bradfield, Trunch and eventually, after Graham’s shoes could take no more water, we arrived at Mundesley and decided to try the former Jonet restaurant, now The View. The food was tasty, but maybe smaller portions and a little pricier than usual. Surprisingly, by now the sun was beating through the window and drying out the Wheelers and their gear prior to the next and shorter home leg of the journey.

As we headed NW out of Mundesley, around Gimingham we came across another flood, which Mark as usual blindly rode into at speed, only to discover the water above his knees and it becoming increasingly difficult to maintain any momentum, eventually after much panic induced pedalling the water became shallower and dry tarmac came into view. Once his fellow Wheelers had composed themselves, they wisely took to the adjoining field to bypass the flood.

After that, the ride was uneventful, with Graham heading off to Cromer north of Northrepps, the remaining duo avoiding the flooded car under Crossdale Street railway bridge and battled against the ferocious headwind to Metton, followed by the downpour around Gresham, where Mark bravely turned north to Sheringham leaving Andrew to enjoy the crosswind to Kelling

PC to PC 37miles, 1575 feet of climbing and six waterlogged feet

Andrew B, Graham A, led by Mark

Alan from south Warwickshire club, Wellesbourne Wheelers (93 members), joined five North Norfolk Wheelers for the run down to the Mardlers’ Rest cafe. It was a relatively short outward route, travelling by way of Bodham Hill, Up Wood, Plumstead, Saxthorpe, Salle, Reepham, Blackwater, Sparham, Bylaugh, Robertson Barracks and Hoe. The conversation at the break turned to the relative merits of Kalas and Gear Club clothing. For the second week running Brian snaffled the last jacket potato. It was a gloriously sunny, warm and tailwind-assisted afternoon for the return leg via East Bilney, Brisley, Great Heath, North Elmham, Billingford, Foxley, Themelthorpe, Guestwick, Odessa, Wood Dalling, Heydon Park (where Neil S thought he was in paradise), Oulton, Itteringham and the very familiar last eight miles back to Sheringham.

Bunch: – Neil S; Neil Mc; Mark; Harvey; Brian; Alan R.

Distances: – 59 miles to 75 miles.