Discovering low-key climbs and eye-opening history on the Rebellion Way. Gravel Alliance rider Liam Yates set out to set a Fastest Known Time around the 372 km route.
It’s my first time in Norfolk and my first-ever attempt at an FKT. The route I’ve picked is the Rebellion Way, a 372 km mixed terrain loop starting and finishing in Norwich. Contrary to popular perception, Norfolk isn’t totally flat, but it’s not far off.
The route doesn’t climb above 100m at any point and when it does it’s almost always very gentle – this meant a few things when it came to dialling in my setup for the ride. I went with 36cm handlebars as my average speed would be fairly high and aero dynamics would certainly play a role, 2x GRX gearing to also get the most out of the flat terrain and make sure I can always be pushing on the pedals, plus big 50mm tyres for comfort and control on the off-road sections. I chose to run them with a fairly high pressure and also opted for a reasonably smooth-ish tread option.
The official Rebellion Way route is only a few years old and is not signposted. However, in places, it overlaps with National Cycle Network route 1 and the Boudicca Way walking trail, which are two really valid ways to see the most fascinating and forgotten parts of Norfolk while staying away from traffic.
Now, after all of that, you might be wondering why it’s called the Rebellion Way?
Well, the route takes its name from two of Norfolk’s most fascinating rebellions - those of warrior queen Boudicca and Norfolk landowner Robert Kett.
Boudicca has been a famous cultural symbol ever since she led a revolt against Roman rule almost 2,000 years ago. Heading out of Norwich, the Rebellion Way passes by Venta Icenorum, the capital of Boudicca’s Iceni tribe, where you can see remains of the settlement to this day. The route also takes in sections of the Boudicca Way, where it is accessible by bike.
On the return leg, the route passes Kett’s Heights, a key location in Kett’s Rebellion, which was a revolt in Norfolk in response to land enclosures. Beginning in Wymondham in July 1549, rebels set about destroying fences that wealthy landowners had placed. The group targeted Robert Kett who, instead of fighting the rebels, joined their cause and offered to lead them. The rebellion grew to number 10,000, who marched onwards to Norwich, where they stormed and took over the city. For a small place, a lot has happened.
I set off bright and early at 6:20 am and the ride went something like this…
50km | Feeling fresh! By this point, I’d already tackled the first couple of off-road sections and was settling into a rhythm.
100km | Brunch: 3 onion & cheese pasties and a sandwich did the trick at about 10 am. I’d packed quite a lot of food with me as I wasn’t feeling super fit, having had roughly three weeks off the bike, so I wanted to try and limit my stopping time on this ride.
150km | Heavy rain! A very wet few hours started around midday, I was a bit worried that if it continued all day, I was going to be in for some suffering but luckily it only lasted about 3 hours.
200km | I can see the sea! Super enjoyable section towards Hunstanton as I start the top section of the route.
250km | Riding into a serious headwind, legs not happy! It got really tough for a few hours as the wind picked up, and not in the direction I’d have preferred. Stopped for a Twix, some water to refill my two bottles and an Oasis Citrus Punch – tasty!
300km | Clearly, I’m in this for the great views! The highest point of the route is up onto Beeston Regis Heath and it was the one point on the route I couldn’t ride up in the big ring.
350km | Not far to go! The toughest kilometres were now behind me and I just needed to tap it out. I spent the final 30km thinking about what I’m going to have for dinner.
Finish, 372 km | What a great day out! An amazing route and what a way to see Norfolk for the first time! I ended up beating the current time by an hour and a half to set a new record of 14 hours and 18 minutes.
For anyone interested, you can see proof of Liam’s recording breaking FKT here and here.