Adam’s ride report: Norfolk 360

Norfolk 360 - 13/04/2024 - Adam Cross

No stranger to ultra events himself, race organiser and local rider Tom Levy, created the Norfolk360 as an accessible ultra with a central village hall acting as a base camp where riders could stash kit and supplies, and bed down in a safe and warm environment. The four distinct loops covered all that Norfolk has to offer from the coastal lanes around Wells to the sandy trails of Thetford and the well known Peddars Way. With 50 riders signed up, as solos or pairs, the event started on Saturday 13th April, with a 36hour allowance to complete the full route.

Ready for off

Duncan Crossley and Adam Cross on the start line

North Loop

Setting off at minute intervals from 0730 on Saturday, we left the HQ with the longest loop ahead of us first. Threading its way through Norwich before joining the Bure Valley Way, the route went through Aylsham before heading to Holt, Wells and onto Holkham. Wells marked the halfway point for this loop, and I had planned on grabbing a coffee and refilling drinks bottle before the turn for home, but the picturesque coastal town was packed and the queue at the cafe was out the door, so I abandoned that idea and rolled on. Next stop Holkham, but not before dodging the walkers and dogs enjoying the sunshine along the gravel walk from Wells. I left Holkham feeling frustrated and hot, the volume of people compared to the tranquil start earlier in the day had gotten to me and it wasn't until I left Fakenham where I’d stopped for refreshments that I refocussed. I reached the HQ at around 4pm, feeling positive and relatively fresh - with the longest loop checked off and the heat of the day subsiding I refuelled and set off for the 2nd stint.

South Loop

The one with the sand! The South Loop was the most familiar to me, with my regular training loop using very similar terrain through the Elveden Estate, Kings Forest and Thetford Forest, so I was looking forward to it. Diss was the first major town after around 30 miles and as I rode through, I spotted Geoff Frost enjoying some chips in the sunshine and thought "that looks like a very wise move". Right around the next turn was another chippy so I hauled on the brakes and wolfed down half a portion of chips and a can of Coke before heading for Thetford. The sun had set and with bright front lights switched on we entered what for some was the undoing of their event, Dot Watcher summed up just how differently some riders found this offroad section: "some are claiming 2hrs of hiker-bike in ankle deep sand. While others have glided across the top like slipping into a freshly made bed with silk sheets." For me, this was a real highlight, and I loved every minute of it, letting the bike dance and veer from side to side across the sand. Leaving Thetford behind, it was quiet country lanes all the way back to Claxton. Ben Crossman caught me around New Buckenham and we rolled along together for 15minutes or so, trading stories and discussing whether we'd sleep at the HQ at the end of this loop, I let Ben go ahead as he was riding very strongly but it wasn't long until I'd see him again. After some 18 hours on the go and 205 miles in the legs, I reached the HQ at around 2am Sunday morning, as I pulled into the carpark, Ben crept out of the hall with his arms full and a big grin on his face – “the leaders” he said, “they’re all asleep in the hall! I’m making a move, don’t wake them whatever you do” he beamed, and with that Ben jumped back on his bike and was off. Well, that changes things I thought, I was tired and had thought that a couple of hours rest wouldn’t be amiss, but the opportunity to leapfrog the lead pack was too good to miss. Eat, refill bottles, fresh warm layers on and I was back out the door.

West Loop

I was on a high leaving the hall and I cracked along at a good rhythm, but it was only an hour or so later when tiredness flooded over me, and I caught my eyes closing as I neared Wymondham. Not passing a church, nor a suitable bus stop, I opted for some long grass in a field and using my bladder pack as a pillow I laid down and quickly fell asleep. After just half an hour, I woke freezing cold and shivering, but refreshed. Getting back on the bike, I knew Watton was ahead followed by the Peddars Way and Swaffham McDonalds, with teeth chattering I turned the screw to warm back up and pushed on for sunrise and breakfast at the Golden Arches. The rest of the loop went smoothly with the final couple of hours being on the smooth and flat Marriots Way into Norwich and then back to Claxton for the penultimate stamp on my Brevet card.

Sunburnt and a bit delirious

Final stop at the HQ with Emma Cleere

East Loop

Wanting to keep the momentum going, I was keen to get straight back out onto the final loop, so I dashed into the hall to refill drinks bottles and offload the food I was carrying as my stomach had gone off eating since breakfast earlier. With a cheer from Emma Cleere & Anita Rose who were both volunteering at the hall, and a big hug from fellow rider Duncan Crossley, I was back out with less than 100km to go. The final loop was no simple feat, with lots of rough sections through fields and short sharp climbs which stung very tired legs, but I reached the coast at Lowestoft knowing I had just a couple of hours riding back to the HQ one last time. Autopilot engaged before a final flurry along some nice trails before the finish I arrived back at Claxton Village Hall to receive the final stamp on my Brevet card in 30hrs and 38minutes, sealing 3rd finisher only 5minutes behind Ben Crossman and 40minutes behind Stuart Percival who finished in just under 30 hours. Henry Hall who’d been leading early on before opting to sleep was the only other rider to complete all 4 loops and finished not far behind. Fiona Shorten took the top spot among the women, finishing 3 loops within 30 hours, but opted not to set out on the final loop. Club mate Geoff rode very consistently and also completed 3 loops within 30 hours but wisely decided to call it a day there, securing a top 10 spot.

Reflections

For me, this was an event where everything came together: nutrition, pacing, strategy – I avoided hitting any major lows and kept positive throughout which has been my undoing in previous events where niggling thoughts and doubts have gotten the better of me. I enjoyed the loop aspect of the route as I could chunk the ride down and the social side at the village hall was a nice boost. But for others it seemed the hall was a double-edged sword, it acted as a target to aim for causing some to rush and push on when they otherwise might have stopped to rest, and then once they reached the hall the warmth and comfort was just too much to leave behind and push on. Would they have covered more distance if they had no choice but to continue? Or would they have scratched all the same? We’ll never know!

Plans are already afoot for the 2nd running of the Norfolk360 so keep your eye out.

Stats:

360miles // 11,000ft elevation

30hrs 38mins total // 26hrs 41mins rolling time

10,500 calories burnt

0 mechanicals