Norfolk and Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists
Registered Charity Number 1051282. Affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists Ltd.
Rideouts are organised on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. A list of rideouts can be found here. During the summer months, May to September, midweek evening rideouts are also organised.
The first rideout of each month is usually fairly local and so that you can be home for lunchtime. The second rideout of each month is usually to a more distant destination and can last until late afternoon. However, members can leave the rideout at any point if they want to. Just let the organiser know.
The rideout coordinator has an WhatsApp distribution list of motorcycle members and sends out an update about the rideout during the previous week.
Reports on the 2026 rideouts will appear here as they happen.
Eight riders, enough for two groups, set off from Sainsbury's for a ride to Whitwell Station near Reepham. This is a popular rider’s destination, and Elke provided a scenic route to get there. Some said it was a bit too scenic, "off road" was a description used by one of the riders.
Not another hairpin turn ? More stunning mountain views, really ? Smooth roads ? Boring! If you've found yourself yearning for the cabbage fields, distance-blurred horizons and crumbling roads of the fens, then todays trip was the tonic you needed, featuring another slog up the A17 to get somewhere, anywhere, else.
Despite a drizzly morning following heavy overnight rain, 6 riders turned out for a trip to the Blue Sky Cafe on the clifftop at Cromer. The rain cleared by the time we set off but the roads were very wet for the first half hour or so of riding.
Seven riders set out in two groups to visit the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) just on the outskirts of Lincoln. Journeys to this neck of the woods invariably involve the A17, and this was no exception.
10 riders met at our usual rendezvous for a ride across the heights of West Norfolk to the Parlour Cafe next to Binham Priory. Our carefully planned route was disrupted by a road closure, which seems to be becoming the norm these days, but we worked our way around it.
13 riders turned out for our ride to the visitor centre on Grafham Water near West Perry. Another member joined us on the route near Wisbech. As we stood chatting in Sainsbury's car park, our regular meeting place, it started to rain quite hard so we all took shelter in a nearby shopping trolley shelter.
In contrast to our last ride when only three of us turned up, 12 riders met at Sainsbury's for a more local ride. Alby Tea Rooms are North of Aylsham on the Cromer road and the site also has craft and gift shops.
After the extreme heat of the previous few days, it was refreshingly pleasant when three of us met for a ride to Foxton Locks near Market Harborough in Leicestershire. Maybe the hot weather had put people off, but I was surprised that only three of us turned out.
Our ride today was not to the advertised destination but instead to the Nest Café at Burnham Deepdale on the coast of West Norfolk. This café was shut for a while but has reopened with new owners and is on a site with a few interesting shops as well.
Nine expectant bikers met on a glorious Sunday morning for a ride to sunny Suffolk. One group of four and one of five. I was leading the group of five. Elke had kindly posted the route on the WhatsApp group and I had diligently loaded it onto my SatNav, fingers crossed that the SatNav would behave itself.
Our planned ride on the 10th May was to the Skylark Garden Centre near March. However, the roads in the Fens can be really bad, sometimes verging on dangerous for motorcyclists, so we planned to take a scenic route to Bircham Windmill.
Ten riders turned up for our ride to Aylsham, only to be expected on such a nice day. It was especially nice to see our Secretary, Elke, joining us after a long spell of ill health. We split into two groups of five for a scenic ride across Norfolk on some wonderful B roads.
It is a glorious spring morning; sunny, dry, and with just a hint of chill in the air to justify that extra layer. Assembled at the bazaar are twelve eager riders, some recently emerged from hibernation (whether as beautiful butterflies or sleepy-headed bears, I leave to you to decide).
Our ride on the 22nd was to Byard's Leap Cafe, where the old Roman road Ermine Street meets the A17 in Lincolnshire. It's a popular destination for motorcycle and pedal cycle riders but had been closed for some time, and this was our first visit since it's been under new ownership.
Nine riders braved the misty and cool weather for a ride to the Pickle and Pie Bistro in Yaxham, near Dereham. We were pleased to welcome a new full member, Stephen O'Rourke, who has recently moved to this area.
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At last, the weather was dry with a bit of sunshine for our rideout on the 22nd Feb. Seven riders turned out for a scenic ride to the Shepherd's Baa coffee hut at Lynford Arboretum near Mundford. The weather may have been better, but the roads were very wet from the previous day's rain, with puddles verging on ponds in some places.
On the 8th of February 26, our ride was to a favourite coffee stop, Walker's Snack Bar just off the Barton Mills roundabout where the A1065 meets the A11. Unlike the previous week, it was a mild and dry morning, encouraging eight riders to get their bikes out and risk the still damp roads.
There is no report for the proposed run on the 11th Jan to the Shepherd’s Baa as the weather was deemed too inclement. However, six riders did meet on the 25th Jan for a short sojourn to Bawdeswell.
Six riders turned out on a chilly but dry day for a ride to the seaside at Hunstanton. Don't be fooled by the name. The Ski Café at Hunstanton is nowhere near any snowy slopes; it's so named because of the boat launching ramps next to the café used by water skiers.
Ten wholly real, corporeal, and solid riders assembled at the consumer emporium for the shortest ride on our calendar, on the oh-so-nearly shortest day of the year. A good turnout for a week before the Winter solstice, assisted no doubt by the not-particularly-wintery weather.
One lonely rider set off from a rainy, grey Sainsbury's car park at the new meeting point. Heading out to Downham Market, some initial sat nav problems (I'd left it at home) were quickly overcome, and the rain eased, and the sky turned blue for a pleasant ride to Keysoe.
Nine of us turned out on a sunny Sunday morning for a ride across Norfolk to the Route11 cafe on the A11 between Attleborough and Wymondham (the Norfolk one this time). It was nice to see Secretary Elke back on her bike after a lengthy illness, she has been missed for the last few months.
Our ride on Sunday was to Wymondham Mill near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. We've been there before, and I've explained before that it's not pronounced the same as the Norfolk Wymondham. It's a popular spot for riders of both powered two wheelers and the leg driven ones, and there is always a good selection of both there.
Eight riders coalesced at the superstore, eager for whatever St. Chris had in store for them. Aren't superstores brilliant? You can buy a pie or hair dye or a spade or flowers. I bought petrol. Aren't hydrocarbons brilliant? Petrol is made of them and so is my bike and so are roads.
Parham Airfield Museum is located on the site of a former World War 2 USAF station at Parham in Suffolk, not far from Framlingham. It pays tribute to the men of the 390th Bomber Group lost during the war and also has the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation, the story of Britain's secret army during the war.
Five group members gathered on an autumnal Sunday morning, fully fuelled for the 60-mile trip to the Kingfisher café, which is located at Walcott overlooking the North Sea. The route was easy to navigate: B1145 to Mundesley, then turn right.
Seven confused and disappointed riders aggregate at the grocery superstore, their mood matching the unseasonably cool and grey weather. The cause of the dismay is that Stonham Barns is, rather selfishly, hosting a car show on the day of our scheduled visit.
Despite our group’s name, we don't actually spend much time riding Fenland roads. This is mainly because they're boringly straight, appallingly surfaced, and with nothing to see except cabbage fields.
Well, the ringmaster was away (get well soon, Ian), so the monkeys were in charge of the circus. Nine enthusiastic riders gathered at the Sainsbury’s meeting point for the ride to the Humber Bridge Garden Centre - a good turnout for a longer ride with a forecast of 'changeable' weather later in the day.
Once a year, we riders try to get a long midweek trip to somewhere of interest to motorcyclists. This year, we went to Matlock Bath, a popular spot in Derbyshire, not far from Derby, Nottingham, and Sheffield, which always has lots of riding visitors.
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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.
The title of this report is misleading. After a week of scorching weather, the 22nd was cooler but still dry, ideal for a ride. However, only one rider, Elke, turned up to join me. It was the British Superbike Racing Round at Snetterton, so maybe everybody else had gone there.
Summer is officially here so nine riders were greeted by cold, cloudy and blustery conditions for a short sojourn to Bircham Windmill. Taking the direct route would have us at our destination in less than 30 minutes so we added on a few miles to ensure that we arrived after the mill had opened.
A cloudy but warm Sunday morning and 6 riders turned out for a ride to Southwold. We all rode together until Swaffham, picked up one more rider, then made two small groups with both groups riding the same planned route.
A lovely morning and forecast for a hot day. 8 riders turned out for a ride to Binham including one full IAM member fairly new to this area checking us out. Elke had produced a fabulous route across the heights of West Norfolk for us, all on quiet roads and passing two stately homes.
A nice morning and 11 riders turned out for a ride to the International Bomber Command Centre high on the southern edge of Lincoln. As usual we rode in two smaller groups to keep things simpler and safer, both groups taking routes across Lincolnshire.
The unseasonably warm weather for early April enticed 14 riders to turn out for a run to the Bure Valley Railway in Aylsham. Splitting into 3 groups led by myself, Ian C and Steve C we took a convoluted route of around 50 miles, or 70 miles if you were with Steve’s group The benefit of no rain for nearly a month was apparent as the roads were thoroughly dry including any farming or roadside detritus that often blights a ride.
Our ride today was meant to be to Byard's Leap Cafe on the A17 near RAF Cranwell. However, we discovered that the cafe has closed so our destination was changed to a garden centre in the nearby village of Ruskington.
As you would expect on a March day that felt more like a Spring day, there was a good turnout for this ride. 12 bikes, one with a pillion, came along for a ride to Whitwell Station heritage railway, popular with bikers for its restaurant, ample parking, and outside seating.
Seven riders in two groups set off on a mild, dry, but overcast day heading for the Blue Sky Cafe on the clifftop at Cromer. I led my group over the “heights” of West Norfolk through Bircham and Burnham Market to Wells, and then along the coast road through Sheringham to Cromer, Dave R led the other group on a more roundabout route apparently including some very rural roads.
It was a great turn out for early February even though the cloudy sky was umbriferous preventing the roads from drying out. 11 bikes eventually set off for Bawdeswell, although undoubtedly there would have been 12 if that raconteur Dave R wasn’t sunning himself at the Dragon rally.
Our ride on the 26th January was to Walker’s Snacks by the Five Ways Roundabout at Barton Mills. 8 riders turned out including Soji, former Chairman of the Group and now our local IAM car and bike examiner.
It was a clear, bright and dry day for the first ride of the year to The Shepherds Baa at Lynford Arboretum, with the only fly in the ointment being the air temperature of -5C. A solitary (foolhardy?) rider arrived at the Sainsburys rendezvous point and was disappointed to find himself unable to refuel his bike - the filler cap lock being frozen solid; Note to self (for our lonely rider is, of course, me) - when washing the bike, make sure the locks are free of water afterwards.
A chilly day for the last rideout of 2024, but 8 riders turned out for a trip to the seaside. Sainsbury’s car park where we meet was unusually busy for a Sunday morning, last minute Christmas shopping I suppose.
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Full disclosure the Krazy Horse on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds is one of my favourite biker cafes, so I would have gone solo if the rather blustery conditions had deterred everyone else. As it was five others joined me at our meeting point which was rather exposed to the high winds to the degree that I felt compelled to hold onto my bike.
It was the first 10am start since we moved to the large Sainsbury’s car park in King’s Lynn and I did wonder with the store being open if parking would be a problem. No worries, 11 bikes take up very little space even though the locals were clearly eager to start their xmas shopping.
Fifteen bikes turned out for a frolic through the fens. Our original destination was to be to the Iron Horse Ranch House in Market Deeping. Unfortunately this venue has recently closed down. Alarmingly there does appear to be a malaise currently affecting the motorcycle industry which has also led to a number of large dealerships going into administration, with more I fear to follow.
Nine hardy individuals gathered at our meeting point with another two to be collected on route. Splitting into 3 groups we set off to the sunnier climes of North Norfolk. The outward route involved a lot of the B1145 which runs all the way from the hospital roundabout to the coast at Mundesley.
It’s the Autumn equinox and the sun is shining in King’s Lynn. 10 of us are gathered for the ride out to Keysoe international equestrian centre located near Bedford on the B660. Splitting into two groups of five we set off on a pre-planned route via Friday Bridge, Whittlesey and Kimbolton.
Seven riders dodged the showery fringes of a Yellow Warning of Rain to assemble in Sainsbury's carpark. The majority were wearing clothing with some degree of waterproofing, with only a single optimistic soul opting for denim.
Gosh it’s quiet, Sainsbury’s carpark before the supermarket opens. No boy racers or myopic car drivers fixated on getting their McDonald’s fix. Our revised starting location has a lot going for it.
11 bikes and 1 pillion met at Sainsbury’s car park in King’s Lynn (our new meeting place) on a beautiful morning for a ride to Wymondham Windmill near Melton Mowbray. We’ve been there before, it’s a lovely spot with interesting riding roads on the way there.
It was around 0800 when the messages started to be posted on the WhatsApp group, Southwold today, you do know that the Latitude festival is on? Oh and there’s also the Old Buckenham air show, both of which were on our route.
Our British Sunday weather played ball not just for both the Wimbledon and European Football Finals, a super dry and warm start where an amazing 15 bikes and riders turned out for our scheduled ride to Whitwell Station.
Glorious weather greeted the three riders that turned out for a day in the Lincolnshire Wolds. We headed up a spookily quiet A17 as far as Boston where we peeled off to take the B roads through Kirton, Coningsby and on to Horncastle.
On Wednesday 19th June, almost midsummer’s day, 4 of us motorcyclists had a midweek ride to Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast. The weather had taken a turn for the better, so mild and dry. Perfect biking weather.
Normally 14 degrees with dry roads would be considered to be excellent biking weather, but this is summer and expectations were somewhat higher, however it was not to be and for the nine bikes that turned up it was those clad in Gore-Tex that were the most comfortable – the leathers can stay in the wardrobe for now.
As you would expect on such a glorious morning, 10 bikes and riders turned out for a ride to Old Buckenham airfield. Roly Batchelor joined us as usual having just ridden from Wymondham, which is not far from Old Buckenham.
I was sitting having breakfast watching the rain on the windows and looking at the soaking wet patio thinking “do I really want to go riding in this?” Sure enough the Fenriders WhatsApp group started pinging with messages from people saying they weren’t going out today.
Ideal motorcycling weather greeted nine riders for the short trip to Langham Dome on the east coast a few miles from Stiffkey. The journey took us to Gayton where we deviated left down the B1153 to Grimston.
Nine bikes pitched up on an overcast but dry Sunday morning for a ride out to the Route 11 Café close to Attleborough. I thought it was a bit Wim Hof but Dave R thought it was positively balmy. We split into 2 groups with an additional rider being collected at Swaffham making a grand total of ten participants.
The English weather can be cruel. The day before had been ideal for biking, it was mild, the roads were dry and that elusive white orb was clearly visible. Move on 24 hours and it’s raining (again), cloudy with an air temp of 7 degrees.
It was a chilly morning but that didn’t deter eight riders from turning out for a ride to the Parlour Cafe at Binham Priory. We rode in two groups of four, one group following A & B roads across the West Norfolk Heights and then along the coast road from Wells.
The previous day’s monsoon had passed as 10 riders met up on a dismal, grey morning for a short sojourn to Walker’s Snacks adjacent to the five ways roundabout at Barton Miils. The route to our destination was straight forward - Lynn, Wereham.
It was a good turn out today despite the filthy roads. Ten bikes arrived promptly at our usual meeting place at the McDonald's car park adjacent to the pullover roundabout. With one more to pick up at Swaffham, we split into two groups making a five and a six.
The first ride out of the year saw nine bikes turn up on a cold, murky morning. Ian C had arranged to meet our new associate Mark at Swaffham so we split into 2 groups of 4. With Paul S leading one group.
