Churches Cycle Ride September 2011

By Michael Johnson

A year has passed since I embarked on my first Churches Cycle ride, much has happened during this time and with the yearly cycle completed it is time to go on another journey. Last year's adventure took me to many places in Norfolk that I never knew existed, a journey of discovery if you like. This year's ride would be much the same.

I left our meeting house promptly at nine o'clock, being waved off this year by Ruth. The weather was forecast to be kind, sunny with blustery winds, and so it turned out. Happily the weatherman had got it right for once. Like last year, I quickly did the six Aylsham Churches within fifteen minutes before picking up my Son-in Law, Nash, who would keep me company on the trip. We peddled our way along quiet lanes to Erpingham, Calthorpe, Thwaite and Alby Churches just as I did last year. At each church we were greeted by caring people who offered us refreshments before stamping my card to show I had visited. Nash, who is not a regular cyclist and new to this part of Norfolk , kept telling me how magnificent he found the countryside. After Alby we altered course from last year, instead of riding down to Aldborough we decided to head for Hanworth Church . What hidden delights we found on the way, delightful flint cottages with well trimmed gardens, gentle crystal clear running streams, vibrant woodland and an assortment of wild creatures. The beauty of Hanworth common, like Aldborough village green the year before, took my breath away with its lush green grass and its splendid trees. How nice to see cows grazing in an unfenced environment, just cattle grids to control their wanderings. I briefly left Nash at the common whilst I found the village church and signed in.

From unspoilt Hanworth we continued northward to Metton, where we took refreshments and hit the biscuit tin to top up energy levels. Once re-energized, we pressed onto Sustead and Gresham churches. At Gresham we met a very chatty lady who, without being asked, updated us on the rugby scores. She turns out to be an avid rugby follower and made plain she had not been too pleased with England 's efforts that morning. Bessingham was our next target where we met two young girls doing the churches ride on horseback, their mother accompanying them on a bike. I commented that they would not suffer from getting punctures, to which they just politely giggled. Here we topped up with scrumptious homemade cookies.

A quick look at my ordinance survey map showed me a small chapel at Thurgarton, so off we headed. There a young family greeted us. They like me had moved up from London area some three years previously. We chatted about the uniqueness of Norfolk with its old England feel compared with over populated London . No competition we agreed. Like me, they loved the place confirming they would not return to the big metropolises for all the tea in china.

We were greeted warmly by the two churches in Aldborough, whose village green looked more charming than I remembered from last year. After Aldborough we headed back towards Aylsham by way of Wickmere and Itteringham churches. After Itteringham I left Nash at his home before collecting my last stamp of the day at Aylsham Community Church , then home for lunch.

During my journey I visited twenty two churches, covered approximately 30.5 miles and raised £138.00 in pledged sponsorship.

As I reflect upon my morning ride, I am saddened by the dilapidated condition of some of our churches, but I cannot be anything other than intoxicated by the beauty of the area around us and how much we miss when we sit in our cars on main roads. The narrow leafy lanes that deter the motorist are full of hidden gems waiting to be found, if only we go and look. I thought, as I rode through our beautiful landscape, why do we allow our woodlands, which have stood for centuries with pride and splendour to be cut down, torn from the earth's bosom? Why do we allow silvery streams and rivers to waste and vanish away? How brutally we disfigure God's own picture and monuments, but extol the artist who daubs a flat canvas with many colours, praising his work as a masterpiece. Personally, I prefer the real thing!

Mike at John O'Groats - a previous cycle ride

Find out more about the Norfolk Churches Trust and the sponsored cycle ride

at http://www.norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/sponsoredbicycle.asp