Club Runs

Starting times are Saturday rides 10.00 am and Wednesday rides at 10.30 unless otherwise noted.

January 2012

Wednesday 4th The Crown at Banningham Geoff Poulter

Wednesday 11th Cley Marshes Nature Reserve Cafe ALL

Wednesday 18th Alysham Garden Centre Trevor Neild

Wednesday 25th The Old Railway Station at Reepham Geoff Poulter

Saturday 7th The Park Cafe or Garden Centre at Bawdeswell Dave Griffiths

Saturday 14th Cart Gap Cafe John Hayward

Saturday 21th Nelsons Cafe at Wells Next the Sea Geoff Poulter

Saturday 28th The Royal Oak at Bintree – Club Dinner in the Evening Geoff Poulter

February 2012

Wednesday 1st Alby Craft at Alby Geoff Poulter

Wednesday 8th The Corner House Cafe at Mundesley Luke Morgan

Wednesday 15th All Things Nice at Cawston John Chambers

Wednesday 22nd The Chequers at Binham ALL

Saturday 4th The Lighthouse Pub at Walcott cancelled - snow

Saturday 11th Pensthorpe Wild Life Centre Geoff Poulter

Saturday 18th Wroxham Barns Ian Spencer

Saturday 25th Two cups of coffee (second brew) Francis Glazebrook

Wednesday Club Runs Report

At last the bitter cold weather abated and we were left with clear roads at last. Leaving PC we decided on a reasonable ride to Cawston going via Matlaske and round the back of Blickering ( past the chinese bridge) down Olton Street to the cafe stop. Att lunch we were pleased that the cafe had not changed despite the change in owners. Homeward bound we went the long way to Briston into a head wind but withthe sure knowledge that the hard work would be repaid once we turned for home. A good dry ride of some 45 miles. 6 out with 2 at the cafe.

The Corner Cafe ride was delayed until 11.00am from SPLASH to try and combate the bitter weather. Only 3 brave riders ventured out going to Cromer along the coast road. We then took the high road to North Walsham and then the B1145 to Mundesley and to the cafe. Here, we met 3 more hardy souls. Back was a fast ride along the coast to Sheringham and home. In all only 30 miles but better than nowt.

Our first ride of Febuary brought 6 out from PC on a bitter cold day with an artic wind blowing in our faces right from the start. Mindfull that there was still ice lurking in the gulles the club run set out at a modest pace which then speeded up as the threat of ice receded. Down to Ingworth and then across to Banningham reasonable time was made. We then went up to Suffield and round Thwake Common to the Alby Craft lunch stop. Here, 5 more members joined us including a welcome return of Hugh from SAbbott. After lunch fortunes changed and now with the wind on our back we made a fast ride home. Some 35 teeth chattering miles but a feeling of achievement.

Wednesday 25 ride to Reepham Railway Station started wih on a typical January morning - cold, wet and miserable. However 5 club members decided to ride the day and set out on the traditional route. We had a chance meeting with club member Luke who warned us of hedge cutting problems.Bearing this in mind we went down to Ingham, cross the bridge, up to Blickling and over the common. A fast ride down Cawston and then past Bootham Church to the lunch stop. Here, 3 more members joined us. Homeward was via Briston and Edgefield. In all a better day than we expected - some 40 miles in the bag.

Ride to Aylsham garden centre. Weather mild, but wet and cloudy. Just five members started at p.c. One had to go back due to phone call at ten miles.The four remaining riders arrived for lunch , after twenty two muddy miles, joining three more club members for lunch. No punctures, thirty four miles when back to p.c. Not bad for January . Thanks for leadg the run Trevor.

Cley Marshes ride on 10 January was in brilliant warm sunshine and drew 11 riders out from PC including a new club member.This takes to three new members joining in the first 10 days of the year. To take advantage of the weather the club ride went down to Plumstead and then to Briston before turning at Melton Constable and a fast pace via Sharrington to Langham and then onto Cley. Here, we met another 6 members including President Paice. After lunch we rode up Old Woman’s lane and onto High Kelling and home. Excellent day – great group out – wonderful weather and no P !!

A strong bitter cold wind did not deter 7 riders from joining the first club ride of the year. A hard head/side wind stayed with the club riders all the way down to Cawston where the turned to Marsham . Now all were smiling as they rode effortlessly to Burgh Next to Aylsham and then up the hill to Banningham. After excellent food there was the realisation that homeward bound would be in the teeth of the wind. There was also the possibility of rain. However, rain it did not and the wind had moderated. So, in all a really good run for the time of the year. Nothing to complain about. 40 miles in the bag.

Our last club ride of 2011 proved to be an excellent day for most. 9 riders left PC into a strong headwind. Going towards Itteringham we turned right and then down a long seldom used lane which most NNW had not travelled on before. Here, the cursed puncture fairy claimed its first victim. Onwards to Edgefield and then down to Briston - where another tyre fell foul to the curse. We then went through Melton Constable before going via Sharrington and Langham before arriving after some 20 + miles at the pub. Here, after excellent food and company, we made our way back home via Cley and up Old Womans lane to home. This was now in warm sunshine and with the wind on our back. And Happy New Year to you all.

Saturday Club Runs
The clubs return ride to Wroxham Barns was a well attended affair with 12 riders out following Ian Spencer on his inaugural club leadership ride. This is especially a good turnout bearing in mind that there was a hammer wind blowing in our faces from the start and the threat of heavy rain later in the day. Going via Banningham we went via Little Hautbois to Coltishall and then the Barns where nothing much had changed since we were there some 4 years ago. Here, we met 2 members on family duties. Ever watchfull of the weather we made for a fast ride home going Swanton Abbott to Tuttington and home. 50 miles for most but a 75 miler for Nick Poulter. Did the rain catch the riders ? yes is the answer - at least the Sheringham contingent. Many thanks Ian.

Our ride to Pensthorpe drew 5 club members ,including recent member Duncan.,out on a cold and frosty morning. Watchfull of ice and in sub zero conditions we rode to Briston to meet Hugh. "But for a shoe the ride was lost" as Hugh had unfortunately forgotten to pack his cycling shoes. We rode to Kettlestone and then down to the cafe where we met a one gloved Geoff P. Strange things happen in sub zero tempretures......
Homeward bound was a fast affair as weall knew that General Winter would be closing down on us fast. Good ride , well done all, some 50 plus miles

Our ride on the 28 February to the Royal Oak was not a pretty affair. With 10 riders out from PC the decision to go ahead was taken in that care would be the pass word of the ride. No ice in Sheringhsm but as we moved towards Briston the roads began to deteriate. All riders were carefull of the conditions. We met two clubs - ABC Norwich and Triathlon- on the way, both being a long way from home. At Briston ,black ice, lurking on the road to the beck , brought down three riders which showed how difficult the road conditions had become. After lunch and meeting the remarkable Geoff Paice, we rode home on now clear roads. Full marks to TN for rideing virtually back to the start despite nuring a bruised knee.

Saturdays 21 of January to Wells Next the Sea proved to be one of the hardest club rides for a long time. 5 club members, including Andrew Argyle on his maiden Saturday club run and a welcome return of Chris Brown, set off from Pretty Corner. From the start we were into a iron fist ride which did not ease on our outward journey. At the Walsingham split 3 elected to ride on to Holkum and 2 decided on the quick way to Nelsons. After lunch, as we were leaving , we were briefly met by Guy who had heroically ridden out onlty to be beset by punctures. Homeward bound was in complete contrast as the iron fist was replaced by a "helping hand" and pushed us along with little or no effort. Hard but good days cycling - some 45 miles

John Hayward’s ride to Cart Gap on Saturday 14 January started quietly enough with just 6 members leaving Pretty Corner. An interesting back lanes way to Banningham was the order of the day as we followed John on some by roads of by roads. At Banningham we were surprised and delighted to find another 9 riders waiting for us. Onwards the ever growing band arrived at Worstead where 2 more joined the party. All credit to the Cart Cap Cafe owners who quickly called up reinforcements and served us all in a short time. This is one of the few occasions I can recall the club taking over an entire cafe as locals fled at the sight of the number.

Homeward bound, back along the normal route to Bradfield where the club run split with the vast majority of riders turning left which is in stark contrast to a few years ago when most club members came from the coast. Good to see Nigel and Matt out on their first Saturday rides.

Many thanks John for setting the route and leading us.

With a number of riders resting for Sunday reliability ride the baton for leading the club run to Bawdeswell fell to DG. However, the puncture gremlins having reeked havoc with his cycle now turned their attention to his powered bike causing him to fall. The baton then passed to Francis who expertly took the club to the Park Cafe where the usual warm welcome awaited them.

Our last ride of the old year was to the favorite destination of Nelsons cafe at Wells. 7 riders left PC in high sprites despite the thoughts of a hard head wind on the outward jouney. However, lurking in the undergrowth was the puncture gremlin who then claimed its first victim of the day. Undeterred by this the 7 rode on via the coast road and then over the hills to Langam and the old air field to Warham and then Wells. Here we were delighted to meet Andrew Knowles making a guest appearence. Looking lean and super fit we look forward to seeing him in the New Year at the clubs tt whenever time allows. Just before setting out for home it wa discovered that the gremlin had felled another rider. Homeward we went and the 9 became 4 and then the lonesome gp made his way back to Sheringham. 50 miles - good ride - great company.