10th August 2025 - Rideout to Old Buckenham Aerodrome - Dave Robins

Despite our group’s name, we don't actually spend much time riding Fenland roads. This is mainly because they're boringly straight, appallingly surfaced, and with nothing to see except cabbage fields. The Brecks are different; tight, technical lanes bordered with forest and hedgerows, far fewer potholes, and a surface that isn't trying to crumble back into the ooze. Today, Mathew, we will be the Breckriders.

Now, there is a saying - "Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name", accredited to everyone from Hemingway to Banksy; This being so, then our destination today, the Station One Four Four café at Old Buckenham Aerodrome, must surely be held complicit in the final demise of the old American geezer for whom it was previously named.

Twelve [Angry Men? No, he wasn't in that] cheerful riders assembled on a glorious sunny morning, then headed off in two groups to explore Brecklands lesser-travelled roads. The route out started down the A134, then cut across country through Shouldham and Fincham, skirting RAF Marham, then through Swaffham to the more familiar roads through Watton to Old Buckenham.

The Station One Four Four café is a fine provider of tea and cake, and its rear window overlooks the airfield so you can watch the light aircraft come and go even in less agreeable weather; as it was, we sat outside for a closer view and a top-up of vitamin D.

The route home took us back cross-country along the southern edge of the Stanford Training Area and firing range. We hit The Jackpot with this lovely stretch of road cutting through the woodland, our speed only tempered by the possibility of errant wildlife (considering the unfortunate rider we encountered on the way out who took a pigeon to the face - No Time For Comedy, that must have been unpleasant). Another short section of A134 followed to Mundford, where some riders peeled off for home, leaving the rest of us to continue on our merry way through the back lanes to Narborough via Oxborough and RAF Marham again, shedding more riders as we went. Finally, only two rode together on the last invigorating run up through East Walton to Gayton, as if we and our bikes were made for each other.

Thanks to Ian and Euan for leading the two groups - it was a great ride, in fantastic weather, with excellent company. It's a wonderful life.