Reliable Thompson (and other riders)

John Thompson of Velo Club Baracchi rode the East Anglian CC 75-mile reliability ride on Sunday by a new route from Horsford church hall to Aylsham, Cromer, Cley, Holt, Swanton Morley, Reepham, Cawston and back to Horsford.

He said, “In today’s winds I was pleased I opted for the slowest group; 6 hours.  I finished with just six minutes in hand but considering most of it was alone, though not all, I was happy with that in today’s winds.”

He enjoyed tail wind for the first approx. 16 miles, but hit the head winds when riding directly north through Cromer and then along the A149 coast road to Cley abd said, “The toughest stretch directly against the supposedly 40 mph wind was for about 16 miles from Holt to just before Dereham, which included the long climb to Norfolk’s highest point.”

Fortunately after a tiring ride, even with the help of a tailwind on the return, Thompson could report on “a good spread of food at the HQ.”

VC Baracchi’s Sunday club run riders met up at Wrentham with a group of five from Sole Bay Cycle Sport for a shared ride.

The group headed to Minsmere via Halesworth, Peasenhall, Saxmundham and Dunwich, some 60 miles in total.

The group included George Kerridge, Nicki Hawkes, Chris Womack and several others.

They also met up with and rode with Mike Rainton and Mike Wood from Blyford Queens Head as far as Halesworth before those two set off again on their own.

It was very windy on the way out but there was a good tail wind on the way home via Dunwich, Walberswick, Southwold and Wrentham.

Other riders included John Swanbury, who rode with the others to Wrentham but then went to All Saints through Brampton, Redisham, Spexhall and Rumburgh to take advantage of the strong tailwind home.

The frosty mornings on Tuesday and Friday last week did not deter the Wrinklies from their rides.

On the Tuesday four riders, Wood, Swanbury and Alex and Lucas He, set off on the main roads to Beccles, Blythburgh, Middleton, Yoxford and Peasenhall, returning through Halesworth and Stoven and they were delayed by two puncture stops on this 50-odd miles ride.

A second puncture for Alex, with Lucas there to sort it out

On Friday a group headed out through Beccles and over the hills to Bungay. Some rode to Redenhall before a quick run back along the A143 to Stockton and Gillingham.

Three others went to Flixton and Homersfield before heading through Alburgh to Hempnall and Woodton, returning through Ditchingham and Kirby Cane.

Banana stop at Alburgh

As always, the Wrinklies rides paused for refreshments at Posh Pigs in Ellough. The rides start at 9am from Carlton Colville church on Tuesdays and Fridays.