26 CYCLING
Cycling country I
Matt Brown of Ride Norfolk on top tips for seeing the coast from a saddle
’ve been cycling the Norfolk coast for close to a decade and I’d go as far as to say it is one of the UK’s best kept secrets to explore by bike. When planning bike trips, so often the agenda revolves around what “big climbs” you can bag. North Norfolk is not renowned for being particularly hilly but what it lacks in “big climbs” it makes up for with an abundance of single track country lanes, unspoilt coastline and a tranquil- ity that is good for the soul. I have seen grown men who haven’t ridden a bike since their childhood go and purchase a bike the following days after a ride around the Norfolk area with friends. I can’t guarantee this type of transformative experience but I hope to offer some guidance that encourages you to go out and explore this beautiful area in a fun, sustainable and healthy way.
Where to ride
Our rides tend to start and end in Cley next the Sea. Below are some suggested areas to ride from Cley, you can adapt your start and end point accordingly. Ride 1: Cley to the Burnhams via the Holkham Estate. This ride offers the perfect blend of coastline views, quiet country lanes and local landmarks. It gives you a real sense of the history of the area and why it is classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Stiffkey Stores offer great coffee and pastries so factor a stop there into your itinerary. Ride 2: Cley to Aylsham, back via Melton Constable. Pure countryside this one. It never ceases to amaze me just how quiet this route can be. I’ve done
Planning a ride
STEP 1: A map is a key starting point. I recommend a free online platform like
ww.ridewithgps.com, the analogue equivalent is an OS map.
STEP 2: Determine how far you want to go, or how long you want to be out for. Factor in any cafe stops you want to make, points of interest you wish to see along the way. As a general guide an easy-going pace is approximately 15-20kmph/9-12mph.
STEP 3: Plot your route. Google street view is a useful tool. It can help to give you an idea of how busy a road will be, if it’s single track, with dirt or grass up the middle these are signs not many vehicles use it, perfect for cycling. Sustrans are a cycling and walking charity that build national cycle routes around the UK. there a few in North Norfolk, you can’t go wrong incorporating these into your route planning.
STEP 4: Load the route on a phone or GPS device, or bring the map with you.
Climbing towards Cley next the Sea
this ride where I can count the vehicles I’ve passed on one hand over the course of a 3 hour period. A great route for medieval church spotting, a nod to Nor- folk’s past. Ride 3: Cley to Mundesley via Fel- brigg Hall. This ride takes you out east and shows a different side to the coast- line. Slightly more built up than the coast heading towards the Burnhams, it is nevertheless spectacular. The view from the top of the cliff next to the WWII gun emplacements in Mundesley, on a clear day, is limitless. Pass through Fel- brigg Hall heading there or back for a cafe stop. The hall is a 17th century Eng- lish country house and the woodland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
What to bring • A sense of adventure • Appropriate clothing for the weather conditions • If you have a mechanical issue, you’re unlikely to be near a bike shop. At a min- imum I suggest carrying the following
STEP 5: Go and ride!
which can cover a multitude of roadside repairs: 1 x spare inner tube; Mini tyre pump; Tyre levers; Multi-tool set; Food and drink to keep you going; Mobile phone and bank cards.
Safety and consideration A very simple precaution to take: wear a helmet.
Lights on your bike, even in daylight you’re better with them on than off. If you’re on a single-track lane and
have a car or agricultural vehicle behind or in front of you find a safe place to pull over and let them pass. Leave no trace. Take any litter home with you or place it in a bin.
Matt Brown is the founder of Ride Norfolk, a bike touring business that offers guided rides and multi-day bike touring trips, which aims to establish this part of the country as a lead- ing destination for cycling and bike touring.
For more information visit
ridenorfolk.com or check Instagram @ridenorfolk or Facebook.
Norfolk Coast Cycleway map guide follows quiet roads and lanes between King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth via Cromer. Cost is £5 inc. p&p. Norfolkcoastaonb.
org.uk/shop
NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2021
Places to hire a bike
E-BIKE HIRERS Great Snoring: Torque e-bikes T: 07377 185474 W:
torque-ebikes.co.uk
Heacham: A. E. Wallis. T: 01485 571683 W:
aewallis.co.uk
Holkham Hall: Cycle Hire T: 01328 713071 W:
holkham.co.uk
Kelling Heath: Huff and Puff Cycles T: 07500 865095 W:
huffandpuffcycles.co.uk
Wighton: On Yer Bike Norfolk Cycle Hire T: 07584 308120 W:
norfolkcyclehire.co.uk
REGULAR CYCLE SHOPS AND HIRE Burnham Deepdale: Deepdale Cycle Hire
T: 01485 210614 W:
deepdalebackpackers.co.uk/bike-hire
Hoveton: Broadland Cycle Hire at Bewilderwood, T: 07747 483154
Snettisham: Wheel Travel T: 07940 497093 W:
wheel-travel.co.uk
Waxham/Sea Palling: Sea Palling Cycle Hire. T: 07747 483154 W:
seapallingcyclehire.com
Wells: Wells Bike Hire. T: 07920 016405 W:
wellsbikehire.co.uk
CYCLE SALES AND SERVICING Kings Lynn: Surf 55 T: 01553 679090 W:
surf55.co.uk
Fakenham: Norfolk Electric Bikes T: 01328 853020 W:
norfolkelectricbikes.co.uk
Heacham: Open Sky Cycles T: 01485 493255 W:
openskycycles.co.uk
Holt: Overland Cycles T: 01263 713293 or 07733 445511
Sheringham: Black Bikes. T: 01263 822255 W:
black-bikes.co.uk
Cromer: Electrifying Cycles. T:01263 513631 W:
electrifyingcycles.co.uk. Caister: Mullens. T: 01493 377311
Gt Yarmouth: Pedal Revolution T: 01493 656800 W:
pedalrevolution.co.uk
pinkfoot GALLERY visit us online at
pinkfootgallery.co.uk
Cley
Kayak Hire at Burnham Overy Staithe
Explore the Creek and the surrounding salt marshes. Visit the stunning beach at Scolt Head island. Single kayak – £20.00 per day. Double kayak – £30.00 per day. Buoyancy aids and spray tops available – £5 per day.
email:
tim@burnhamoveryboathouse.co.uk See our new website at:
www.burnhamoveryboathouse.co.uk
Representing exciting artists from across the UK
PAINTINGS PRINTS SCULPTURE - OPEN EVERY DAY above, Avocet Trio, screenprint, Robert Gillmor
also home
redharepublishing.co.uk @redharepublishing @pinkfootgallery norfolk guardian advert
2021.indd 1 25/04/2021 15:53
www.shutterstock.com/goodluz
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