54.2 miles, 1,747ft climbing.
The well-rested crew left the Hunstanton digs at 08:00hrs to take breakfast at a couple of local venues and then regrouped at 09:00hrs for the off.
A lovely morning of clear skies and a slight chill in the air, which was refreshing after the warm night. The route took us along the coastline for the first couple of miles before heading inland to the off road trails.
As we headed inland it was peaceful and the countryside was glorious.
Our lunch stop was after twenty-five miles in Fakenham at a well-known pub chain beginning with a ‘W’ where Denis, our top notch support driver, was waiting. Various refuelling products were purchased – gammon, egg and chips in my case.
After lunch we headed south-south-east for Norwich over mildly undulating terrain until we reached the Marriott Way cycle path. Before continuing another vote for refuelling was unanimous at a little cafe which would’ve been in the past a railway crossing keeper’s cottage.
The old railway path was excellent and we were soon tapping along at a good pace eating up the final seventeen miles to Norwich. On route we suddenly, unexpectedly came across the small steam railway site of the Whitwell & Reepham Railway. A brief stop was made to admire the volunteers’ hard work.
After this short stop to take pictures of the loco we then had just another twelve miles to go, which went quickly on the gentle gradients of the railway route.
Soon we were into the busier suburbs of south west Norwich and the final scenic off road section took us through the grounds of the University of East Anglia.
The route had stated, ‘63 feet, you will having to carry your bike’ which puzzled me when looking at the profile, until we came across this bridge on campus:
At this point we were down to our final three miles. Our digs for the night was the Travelodge, Cringleford. It was comfortable once we’d found it, for it is the most hidden and poorly signposted Travelodge I’ve ever seen, and Denis eventually had to ask a parked up Police Officer where the mystery hotel location was!
After a wash and brush up it was Ubers into town for a well earned pint.