Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Peter writes: Once more, we decided to have a car assisted ride in Thetford Chase (postponed from the previous Tuesday). We arrived at the Forestry Offices at Santon Downham about 9.45am. The last time we went there the parking was free weekdays but charged for at weekends. They have now scrapped the charges at weekends.
We started out from Santon Downham at 10.05am, going North to pick up the Harling Drove (East, about 1/2 mile). We made good time, on a very pleasant sunny morning, to A11/Peddars Way Rest Place where we had bought coffee and used the toilets. This part of the ride had taken us 70 minutes in which time we had encountered about 10 motor vehicles, three of which were Forestry Commission Trucks. In three miles of hard surfaced road (Harling Drove) we encountered one car (that's how quiet it is).
On Peddars Way
Moving on, we rode the Peddars Way to the Brettenham to Bridgham road, turned left to Bridgham and took the right hand lane to the sandy lane which leads to the minor road to East Harling. Turning left at this point, we proceeded to Middle Harling, East Harling and Larling. We arrived at The Angel just after 1.0pm, ready for a pint and lunch. Not a cheap lunch but excellent quality and quantity, we usually struggle to finish it.
After lunch, I enquired of the Landlord about a lane beside the pub which passes under the A11 to Larling Church. I was told that it is OK except in the Winter when it floods under the A11. We then took this lane (off road) and turned left when we got to the Church Road, leading us to the B1111. We then returned to Santon Downham via Great Hockham, Wretham and the Harling Drove. In all we had cycled over 32 miles many of which were off road with very little traffic on the road sections and very, very quiet when off road. Coupled with a beautiful sunny day we had a great day out.