Updates

8 Wheelers met at PC for Malcolm’s ride to the coast on a day that promised (and gave us) a mix of cloud and sun!

Matlaske, Erpingham, Drabblegate to Aylsham, Burgh and up to the Tuttington/Oxnead crossroads where a slow rear deflation meant a stop for a change of tube for Alan. Phil (Greg’s Dad to his friends!) had tips and tricks to help things along and we were soon back on the road to Swanton Abbott.

We completed the outward leg by way of Worstead, Lyngate, Briggate. Corner Common Road to Old Hall Road, along and across the two North Walsham Roads to reach Sandy Lane, then Bacton Village, around the back of The Gas Terminal and finally on to The Coast Road through Paston Street and into Mundesley. Just over 28 miles.

There to meet us at the Café were CJ and David C. We arrived slightly later than planned but the Café staff did not mind and served up great value lunches in their normal friendly and efficient way.

Robin and CJ decided to make their own ways back but David C joined us for the return leg via Trunch (where we said goodbye to Gill and Phil). We caught up again with CJ who cycled with us as far as Lower Street while the remainder of the group were lead by Malcolm to Antingham, Suffield, Alby with Thwaite, Alby, Aldborough and Thurgarton. At this point Malcolm retraced his steps to Aldborough, Erpingham and home while 5 returned to PC via Bessingham and Gresham.

Thanks to all for the company.

Alan, Andrew B, Gill, Kevin, Malcolm, Phil, Robin, Stephen. CJ and David C at the Café.

46 miles PC to PC (max 62 miles)

 

Words by Robert

8 Started at Pretty Corner with the sun shining for Robert’s ride to Aylsham.

Down to Gresham, then left to Northrepps and then on one of the Quiet Lanes down to Southrepps and across to Trunch. This is when the first incident of the day happened; a puncture, a hiss and we all stopped. 10 minutes later we were back on the road. We went through Kapton and at Paston Green we found we were only 7. Kevin went back to look for Graham (who had punctured) but he could not be found. So (with apologies to Graham) we continued, going south of North Walsham, crossing the A149 and on to a dirt track (as planned) and over the railway line. Then down to Westwick via the B1150 which included a white van overtaking the leader, who was clearly indicating right, on double white lines!

With lunch in sight we sailed across to Aylsham via Tuttington and received a warm welcome at The Conservatory, with Maureen and Chris waiting for us.

This is when the leader found that his back wheel was wobbling on its axle (which had been adjusted that morning for the same problem). Nothing could be done so he just decided to ride as it was.

After lunch the group was down to 5 and we continued due north up to Ingworth, past a field of cowslips and back to Pretty Corner.

8 out, (one lost), 9 for lunch

40 miles PC to PC

Update on Robert’s back wheel

“When I got home a found that the replacement ball bearings that had been used in my back wheel were different sizes and one had completely disintegrated.”

Editor’s note

Many thanks to Robert for leading the ride and his report. Hope that the rear hub has not been completely trashed!!

8 Wheelers met at PC for Kevin’s ride to a destination that’s a spiritual favourite for some but we would be there mostly (entirely?) for the homecooked food and especially the cakes at one of our favourite cafes!

A straight run, with a twist at Barningham taking in Matlaske and Wolterton, down to Itteringham. After the climb up to the Blickling Road a breather was called for due to the somewhat fast pace (albeit slightly assisted by the fresh easterly!). Still, it gave us an opportunity to regroup before continuing on through Oulton Street to the B1149 Holt Road. Always a busy road but we weren’t on it for too long as we took the left turn to take us past Heydon then Crabgate, Wood Dalling, Guestwick, Wood Norton, Fulmodeston, Little Snoring, Great Snoring and finally Little Walsingham. A tad over 31 miles and only a tad slower over the full distance out than the first few miles. A great route and good to see Trevor E again (after an auto-immune malfunction kept him off his bike for a while) who left us as we arrived at our lunchtime destination.

Lots of activity at the Norton Café (Easter being the start of the Pilgrimage Season) but the staff were very welcoming as always and lunch was served pretty quickly.

After a very pleasant rest in the sunshine we made our way to Great Walsingham, crossing over rather than ploughing through the River Stiffkey. Now facing a headwind we pedalled across to Binham and Langham losing 2 on the way as Peter and then Stephen peeled off homewards. Andrew C left us at Wiveton before the longish haul up to Bridge Road and High Kelling where Andrew B said goodbye. That left just 3 to tackle the next longish haul up to Geoff’s Corner where there was a final parting of the ways as 2 returned to PC via West Beckham while the lone North Norfolk rider continued into the headwind to Gresham and then Bessingham, Hanworth and home.

A good day out and a game of two halves with the easterly helping us on the longer way out but doing its best to make it harder on the shorter way back!

Many thanks to Kevin for leading today’s ride.

Alan, Andrew B, Andrew C, Kevin, Malcolm, Peter, Stephen, Trevor E

50 miles PC to PC (70 miles max)

Great to see Stephen again after his recent hip rebuild joining 4 other Wheelers for Malcolm’s ride to Reepham.

The outward leg was generally assisted by the cool north-easterly breeze (17mph so maybe that should be wind!). The route followed a straight path to Oulton Street where we turned right to Oulton and thereafter Heydon Hall Park and Heydon Village, Crabgate, Thurning, Hindolveston, Foulsham and Themelthorpe. We then took the Kerdiston Road with picturesque views to the B1154 and into Reepham. A short detour to avoid the roadworks and we arrived at the Café to meet CJ and a few minutes later Peter, who had cycled all the way from Murcia SE Spain (aka Bale) to join us.

CJ pedalled his own way home while the expanded group returned to Oulton Street via Booton and Cawston and then to the surprise of one or two members Malcolm’s route then went Abel Heath, Silvergate, Blickling, Ingworth, Erpingham, Aldborough; the logic being not to follow the same route back to PC and also to gain a bit of shelter from that north-easterly. It seemed to work and as we arrived at the crossroads just after Thurgarton, Malcolm left the others and pedalled into the headwind to Hanworth and homewards, while 5 returned to PC via Bessingham and Gresham.

Apparently some “new” roads were cycled on today which is always a good thing!

46 miles PC to PC (60 miles max)

Alan, Andrew B, John S, Malcolm, Stephen. CJ and Peter at the Café and Peter on the return leg