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It was cold, it was blustery, it’s still winter so what do you expect!?!

If the 8 Wheelers who set off from PC thought that this was going to be a familiar route to Alby we have to remember that Alan always comes up with a cunning plan.

So it was today as we took a westerly route around Baconsthorpe and Edgefield before heading south to Saxthorpe, Corpusty, Salle and onto the B1145 towards Reepham. A left turn into Orchard Lane provided a hazardous descent through mud (albeit dry), ruts and potholes to the junction with New Road where we expected to meet up with Robert and Robin who had got a bit held up on the main road. Alan went in search but came back empty handed so Malcolm made a quick call to learn that R & R were on their way to Cawston having gone into the centre of Reepham and found no sign of us. Apologies for this from Malcolm who should have made sure that R & R knew where we were going!

Cawston wasn’t part of Alan’s plan unfortunately as we continued on through Booton, almost into Buxton and Oxnead. A welcome tailwind took us to Tuttington, Banningham, Colby and finally the lunch stop after some 32 miles. As some had cycled 8 – 15 miles to PC a good thirst and hunger had developed.

Suitably refuelled the bunch split into 3 with Robin heading off to Aylsham via Erpingham and Malcolm and Trevor back towards Banningham and home.

Barry, Kevin and Robert went their own ways at the junction of Plum Lane and Mill Road (Red Barn Cottage, about 1.3 miles from the start).

Just John S back to PC.

Alan punctured on the way home. 

Alan, Barry, John S, Kevin, Malcolm, Robert, Robin, Trevor

40.15 miles PC to PC

As 3 waited at PC wondering if others had thought that the run might have been cancelled Trevor joined us having persevered through a heavy shower after leaving home. Not many runs are cancelled (6 in 2017 and 2 this year) and normally only on safety grounds. It has been suggested that should a Wednesday run be cancelled it could be rescheduled to Thursday. The response to this is maybe but not necessarily but Malcolm will do his best if the occasion arises again!

So off we set, with Malcolm leading, on a cold and decidedly breezy day towards Banningham via Gresham, Bessingham, Aldborough, Suffield and Corby. The roads were not too bad considering the earlier rain – the drying effect of the wind helping here.

After a brief chat it was decided to take a more direct route to the lunch stop and we made swift progress (with the tailwind) along the B1145 to North Walsham; then along the Mundesley Road before rejoining the B1145 (aka the “Bypass”) and on to Swafield. Forgoing the pleasures of Trunch we stayed on the B road eventually reaching Knapton and then big ring, heads down to Mundesley!

Reserved for 6, but just the 4 sat down to a good value refuel before a (yet another brief) chat to agree the return leg. We decided that as a birthday treat we would escort Trevor home – so it was Paston, Bacton and, turning right out of Sandy Lane into an incredibly strong headwind, along the North Walsham Road before a left turn and plunging south through Bacton Woods to Briggate.

Over the A149 to Worstead and then over the B1150 to Swanton Abbott.

As the saying goes “Every cloud………….” Alan punctured, albeit slowly, and slow enough to allow us to reach Trevor’s place, where not only was there a track pump but also a refreshing cup of tea courtesy of Trevor’s better half. Dragging ourselves away from Mr and Mrs N’s hospitality the 3 climbed to Skeyton Corner. Then Felmingham, onwards past Corvette Kingdom to the junction at St Margaret of Antioch Church, Suffield where Malcolm bade farewell to the remaining 2 and headed off back to North Walsham.

The 2 cut through to Suffield, around Gunton Park and then followed a familiar route via Hanworth and Gresham back to PC.

Both parties enjoyed a short, sharp hail shower on their way back.

Alan, Kevin, Malcolm and Trevor

53 miles PC to PC

Many Happy Returns to Trevor!

Words by Kevin

Two Wheelers met at PC for Kevin’s ride to the Dun Cow on what was a windy but sunny day.

The route went through Matlaske, along the old airfield road to Itteringham. On turning right out of Itteringham we met Geoff heading in the opposite direction, a short exchange of pleasantries, discussions of our route and the weather and we parted company, Geoff heading off towards Banningham.

Turning left past Mannington Hall and onto Edgefield the wind was directly in our faces making decent progress hard work. I think Alan secretly wished he’d followed Geoff !!

From Edgefield down the hill to Hunworth, going through two fords both with considerable amounts of water in them, onto Thornage and Sharrington, over the main A148 to Field Dalling, through Langham, turning right to Cley and the coast road to Salthouse.

Two very nice sandwiches later and we were off again up Bard Hill. This must be the most brutal second half start to a ride in Norfolk, made even more difficult for Alan with mud under his rear mudguard rubbing the tyre. It was like riding with the brakes on. We removed his rear wheel and cleared the mud away with a stick much to his relief.

It was the usual way back to PC past Holt Rugby Club.

38 miles in total

Runners and Riders Alan and Kevin.

 

Editor’s Note

Thank you to Kevin for leading the ride and to both riders for ensuring that the Club Run schedule stayed on track.

 

Official Report by Alan (a man of few words – he lets his legs do the talking!)

7 met at PC.

Weather damp and foggy.

Route : West  Gresham, Bodham, Hempstead, Holt, Hunworth, Briston, Nethergate, Themelthorpe and then Reepham.

Usual good food. Return delayed by John S puncture.

Back via Salle, Heydon, Corpusty, Matlaske to PC having said goodbye to Andrew and Robin who returned home by other routes.

2 punctures for Alan 1 out and 1 back.

PC to PC 35 miles. 3 punctures.

Alan, Andrew, Kevin, John S, Robin, Geoff and Tim (recently moved to Itteringham)

 

Further words from John S

Seven!  That was the number of riders that met at PC for the first Wednesday run of the year.  And what great conditions!  Blazing sun and light winds with a hint of wistful aromas adding to the atmosphere.  Well, no, not really, but it might as well have been the case because our magnificent seven were not in the least deterred by the grey skies or dank conditions.  They were ready for the off!

With Trevor laid-up by a winter lurgy, Alan stepped-in to lead us to Reepham.  A bit of a transit to the east via Bodham and Holt set us up for a nearly southerly route to Reepham via Briston and Guestwick.  Nice lanes and the experience was not really marred by Alan puncturing a rear tyre (which was quickly fixed).

A quietish café greeted us and we were joined by Robert and John D just as we were preparing to leave.

Whilst leaving, Andrew pointed out that John S had a puncture – rear again.  Still, a great place to fix it with tables to work on. What planning!

The northerly route back saw us touch Heydon and Saxthorpe for a straightforward return.  We bade farewell to new rider Tim about 3 miles from home – and then Alan punctured his rear tyre again.  Not such a quick fix this time, with no fewer than four inflation devices being tried to get it pumped-up.

Many riders complimented Alan on his chosen route and this was well-deserved.

Many thanks, Alan, for a great first Wednesday ride for 2018 which saw one new rider and three returning from longish absences.  Marvellous!

Quite foggy on the return.