BROADS RIDE OUT

Sunday 26th April 2009

Destination for the day was Wood End, Bramerton, Norfolk. A good number turned up for the ride all in good time and with fuel tanks full. The sun was out so we got off in good time with the wet weather gear safely tucked away trusting it would not be needed.

Traveling along the A605 I was aware that two of our bikes had gone by so I thought for a start the pace was too steady and they were after a play. Resisting temptation to follow they pulled into the first lay by and immediately turned the bike off. Dave had had a slight glitch in that it was' twist to go' and it kept going and would not shut off. Seat off a quick look round push and pull here and there and everything was fine. After this short stop we set off again and there was never a problem for the rest of the day.

Next stop was a short stop in Thetford Forest for a smoke and chat before making for our coffee stop. Not for us a roadside lay by or greasy spoon but a garden centre in fact nothing less than Bressingham Garden Centre. A sort out of the chairs and tables and we had our very own prime spot outside but under cover surrounded by trees and shrubs. A very relaxed coffee stop and toilet break and we were ready to continue. At this point Ray had to leave us to make his way back for family lunch. This also highlighted the idea of the ride outs in that there is nothing to say if time/commitments dictate you can do as much or as little of the ride as you like.

So one less we set off and a few turns later we turned onto a rather narrow single track road. Not that bad for grass to be growing down the centre but a fair share of gravel and debris down the middle which made you tread carefully. Somebody said later we could have done with trail bikes but it was only a rather short section and rewarded by Woods End public house situated right next to the river. Two or three boats moored alongside and one or two making steady progress along the river made it an ideal spot for lunch. Table sorted outside right next to the river and food and drink consumed. It had obviously been very busy as bar staff gave a very limited list of the food that was remaining but more than sufficient for our needs.

We did see a man impressing a lady passenger in a rather small dinghy with a little outboard but I think he lost out when something like a forty foot cruiser passed him by.

Once fed and watered and those requiring toilet waiting until every body else was ready to leave we set off. A short hop onto the A47 before turning off to head across country towards home. A quiet road with plenty to see including a car off the road obviously having got it all wrong.

Once back in Thetford Forest we stopped at an area used for the training of the Desert Rats. There is a second world war tank on a plinth at the site and we decided that there was no way we would like to have been in that in the hot weather let alone with others trying to destroy you.

Whilst stopped we felt a couple of spots of rain so decided we ought to make a move. By the time we moved off there was no more rain although after a few miles we did come across a wet road. It was then time to look for the dry line and follow it, fortunately this did not last long and the roads dried out again and we continued home having had a very good day.

This trip was some 180 miles from start to finish.