Updates

With 2 Wheelers sidelined with illness the run to Rackheath had to be postponed. Alan agreed to lead today’s run in what has to be said were less than perfect conditions. So many thanks Alan.

Alan’s Report

Meeting at PC, 7 stalwart riders (5 septuagenarians + 2 younger members) braved the wind and rain for the rearranged ride to Cawston.

We headed down to Gresham, Metton, Hanworth then across the A140 to Thorpe Market and South Repps Common at which point Robert aborted leaving 6 to press on to Bradfield.

By-passing North Walsham we headed down through North Walsham woods towards Skeyton and the Old Goat Inn where Trevor suggested a warm fire might be on offer but we proceeded through Buxton over the A140 again, through Eastgate on to our now desperately needed hot lunch.

However on arrival at All Things Nice it was all things bad. Unfortunately due to staff shortages the cafe was not open!!!!!!! However we were offered hot drinks and pasties – an offer that was gratefully taken up.

Having warmed ourselves up we split up for journeys home. Robin had left us on arrival, Trevor headed east to home, Andrew headed northeast leaving 3 to head towards PC by way of Oulton Street and Itteringham where Brian left eastwards with Geoff and Alan alone for the last leg heading into a cold and very wet northerly wind.

40 miles PC to PC.

Thanks Geoff, Andrew, Robin, Robert, Brian and Trevor for your company.

I’ll try for some sun next time.

First half commentary by John D

Barely 18 hours into Spring 2018 and nine riders assembled at PC in bright sunshine and positively tropical (well in comparison to recent weeks!) weather.

As the ride was destined for the Railway Café at Reepham it seemed appropriate to visit a few of the defunct lines in this part of the county. First however we headed into the wind through West Beckham almost to High Kelling before turning south to our first rail crossing – the old Melton Constable to Corpusty line at Briston. It was then past the church of St Peter at Guestwick by way of Bray’s Lane (remember the pork pies that were once produced near here?) and under the Aylsham to Fakenham and then Norwich to Fakenham lines (now Marriott’s Way). We crossed back under the latter of these near Whitwell Station having descended Nowhere Lane first.

There were several muddy bits and the roads seemed to be showing the ravages of the recent winter weather as we spotted and mostly missed some big potholes. The general feeling was now that we had Reepham pretty much encircled, we should head along Mill Lane and through Booton to the café.

The men dined – excellent service at this busy eaterie – and then, re-fuelled, took the road through Booton where the peloton was left to its own devices to return home.

PC to Lunch; 24 miles, several very large tractors, and 13.4 mph.

Second half commentary by Malcolm

Andrew said goodbye at the café as he was pedalling back directly to the North Coast.

They thought it was all over as the leader announced that he wouldn’t be taking us back to PC. This duty defaulted to Malcolm who was hoping we wouldn’t go into extra time.

As Malcolm lead the group through Booton he was sure that he could hear John D’s voice in conversation with a fellow Wheeler; however his dulcet tones faded away as he carried straight on in Buxton direction as we turned off to Cawston. We also said goodbye to Trevor at this point.

So the 6 pointed their front wheels northwards and passed through Cawston, Itteringham and up to Little Barningham where Brian and Malcolm peeled off towards Erpingham. Graham now became the leader of the group of 4 as they climbed and descended and climbed and descended the short distance back to PC.

Thank you to John D for a sterling performance in the first half and to all who came out on a day which did feel as if it really was the first Spring Club run of the year!

“A game of two halves Jeff!”

“You can’t say fairer than that Chris!”

Alan, Andrew, Brian. Graham, John D, John S, Malcolm, Robert, Trevor.

40 miles PC to PC

 

 

A gusting south easterly was likely to make the going slightly tougher as 6 set out from PC on Malcolm’s ride to Walcott. It was planned to go to Cart Gap but Smallsticks is closed Tues-Thurs like a few other cafés at the moment.

We negotiated a flood just after the Mill Road crossroads and hoped that this wasn’t a sign of things to come and continued on to Matlaske followed by Erpingham, Colby and Banningham. At Tuttington we turned into Beck Lane and even here it was relatively dry!

As we cycled up to Church Road we felt the strength of the wind in our legs but on regrouping adjacent to All Saints Church the leader reassured everyone that it would be easier pedalling to the lunch stop as we wouldn’t be going any further south.

Swanton Abbott, Worstead, Briggate and Honing came and went and as we travelled along Honing Long Lane towards Crostwight it was apparent that it wouldn’t be long before the daffodils opened up. See Club Runs Photo gallery (5th photo down) on the website for how colourful this stretch looks in Spring!

We passed through Ridlington (only slightly flooded) and then, with a good tailwind, sped towards the Café. It was just as well we had reserved a table as this popular venue was packed. CJ’s arrival made 7 but we were all able to squeeze around the table. The good quality and good value refreshments came very quickly and the staff were very friendly and attentive despite the fact that they were extremely busy.

John S headed for home just after departure and the 6 struggled slightly with a strong side wind up the steady drag to Pollard Street and then along to the right turn to Edingthorpe Street.

Paston Green, Knapton, Trunch and then Brewery Lane took us to Bradfield Road where we said goodbye to Trevor. A short distance later at Lower Street we said goodbye to Robin and then just the 4 continued on past Gunton Station to Thorpe Market then across the A140 to Hanworth. Malcolm bade the group farewell at this point and the 3 headed off north to PC and beyond.

Andrew, CJ, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Robin and Trevor

Just under 50 miles PC to PC although it perhaps felt a bit further!

 

Six hardy souls met at PC for John S’s ride to Woodgate Nursery.  Rain was forecast and we were getting wet right from the off.  Still, the weather was better than it had been of late and riders were chomping at the bit for a run out.  It might have been wiser to take closer note of the (now filthy) snow piled by the side of the road at the start point!

Off we set to West Beckham, but Malcolm was being bothered by a “mechanical”.  This was rooted out and found to be a loose rear brake calliper – fixed by Alan’s allen key. It was remarked that a bit more dirt might help to keep things tight!

We were now wet but pushed on to Edgefield and took the always filthy road at the end of Ramsgate Street towards Wood Dalling.  Snow was still piled high by the side of the lanes and indeed snow was, in places, a hazard we had to avoid.  However, the North Norfolk “glacial run-off” was washing our bikes as we went – result!  Malcolm got detached from the group (probably being extra cautious in the tricky conditions) and took an alternative route to Aylsham via Corpusty, Oulton and Oulton Street.

As the main group approached Cawston, we thought it prudent to ditch the planned route (which involved more small lanes) and take the B1145 to lunch.  And boy, were we glad to get inside.  Pints of water were wrung from our gloves – we really do need to find a truly water-proof option.  Trevor was now really regretting not having worn a water-proof jacket!

We were made very welcome by the Purdy’s Tearoom staff and other customers alike – they might have felt for us!  We dined well and warmed ourselves but, still sporting wet gear, we opted for a direct route home.  Alan led us out of Aylsham to come home via Ingworth, Erpingham and points north.  Malcolm and Trevor left us just after Aylsham and Kevin and Barry headed for their homes just before Gresham.  This left Alan and John S to climb a really mucky Gibbet Lane.

So, not great conditions, but actually, and surprisingly, quite a nice day out!

6 out.  Just a tad under 33 miles PC to PC.

Editor’s Note

Today’s report was written mostly by John S with a few added words by nnrider. The description of the run as being “quite a nice day out” was the reflection of the run leader. Other members of the group had their own words to describe the conditions we experienced!

Anyway many thanks to John a true advocate of the “Just go” spirit.

With actual and threatening showers and cold temperatures it seemed unlikely that we would see the sun today – maybe tomorrow but that’s not club run day!

So the sturdy 6 set off from PC on Robert’s ride to Banningham united in determination but hoping that an open fire would great us at the pub.

After passing through Gresham a technological hiccup halted us briefly but we soon continued on through Metton towards Felbrigg. The B road linking the A148 with the A140 always seems busy but we didn’t mind being held up for a couple of minutes as 3 “artics” thundered past. A brief encounter with the B road before a left turn at Crossdale Street and on to Northrepps, Southrepps and Trunch.

As we headed towards Swafield the previous day’s rain had turned Bradfield Road into a bit of a mud bath but Little London Road topped today’s charts as it provided plenty more and potholes too! Still, it gave others the opportunity to give Malcolm a ribbing about his bike’s well known aversion to mud.

Bluebell Road and Marshgate completed the North Walsham diversion as we exited via Spa Common and White Horse Common to reach the A149 at Bengate and then a familiar route to the lunch stop via Worstead, Swanton Abbott and Tuttington.

We enjoyed friendly and prompt service at The Crown and didn’t linger for too long before leaving in 2 groups one of which would split again leaving just 3 to return to PC by the most direct route, that is Erpingham, Aldborough, Bessingham and Gresham.

Thanks to Robert for leading today’s run.

Alan, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Robert and Robin

37 miles PC to PC

No punctures – we must all have invested in good winter tyres!

Malcolm would not be the only one on bike cleaning duties on arriving home.