13th July 2025 - Ride Out to Alby Tea Rooms - Ian Cain

A good turnout for a shortish ride to the Alby Craft and Garden Centre tea rooms near Aylsham. It was nice to see three of our bike associates joining us. I think it's good for associates to ride with the group to see the advanced riding system put into practice by other riders. I hope Mike, Andrew, and Dek enjoyed it.

There were enough bikes to split into two groups, and thanks to Steve Silcox for leading one of the groups. We rode mostly on B roads via Nth Elmham, Guist, Melton Constable, and Blickling. All lovely roads and quiet on a Sunday morning.

The tea room has plenty of outside seating, so we all enjoyed refreshments out in the sunshine. I can vouch for the cakes, although I'm not sure what makes one cake ”artisan” and another just normal. Apart from the price, of course. There were even a couple of peacocks putting in an appearance.

As usual, some people found their own way home, and I led a small group back via Reepham and Bawdeswell. On either side of this road (B1145), in a number of places, there are works going on to do with offshore wind farms, cable laying, I assume. Where the works straddled the road, there are short 30 MPH speed limits. At the end of some of these sections, on the post holding the national speed limit signs, was a small rectangular sign saying just "end", underneath the round national speed limit sign. I assume this means the end of the works, but it's a bit of a confusing sign.

Thanks for all who attended, good to see you all as ever.

Ian Cain