Pedalling Through History: My Final Journey on Norfolk's Rebellion Way
ID: By Jonathan Thomson
When we descended into Norwich on that rain-soaked Friday evening in June, completing what we had christened 'Norfolk 25', I found myself reflecting on an unexpected truth: sometimes the most meaningful journeys are the ones you never planned to take.
Just nine months earlier, as we finished our gruelling Pyrenees 24 expedition on a cold September evening, my fellow pilgrims and I had made what we thought was a final decision. After five epic cycling challenges across Scotland, the Orkneys, Shetland, Wales, and the French Pyrenees—collectively covering 4,900 kilometres and raising over £153,000 for PTSD Resolution—we declared our adventuring days complete. The Pyrenees, with its 435 miles and 35,832 feet of climbing in my 80th year, seemed a fitting finale to our efforts supporting veterans' mental health.
But time, as it tends to do, moved on. Late-emerging requests from supporters and an irrepressible wanderlust conspired against our retirement plans. When we discovered Norfolk's Rebellion Way—a 232-mile circular route steeped in the county's turbulent history—the call proved impossible to resist. After all, how could we turn away from a path that bore the name of rebellion, particularly one that honoured two of Britain's most extraordinary uprisings?
Following Ancient Footsteps
The Rebellion Way takes its name from two pivotal moments in Norfolk's history that echo across the centuries...
Four Days of Discovery
Our expedition began on Tuesday, 3rd June, as we "dribbled out of Norwich"...
Day two proved that Norfolk's reputation for flatness is thoroughly undeserved...
The third day took us north towards the coast...
Our route through Holkham Hall, with its two-mile driveway...
The Final Push
Our fourth and final day dawned wet and windy...
More Than Miles
But as with all our expeditions, the true measure of success wasn't in kilometres covered or feet climbed...
A Fitting Farewell
As we completed our circuit back to Norwich, I was struck by the appropriateness of ending our fundraising adventures on the Rebellion Way...
Thank you for following our meanderings over the years, and thank you for helping us make a difference when it truly mattered.
Jonathan Thomson is an ex-Royal Marine and finalist for the 2024 Soldiering On Awards 'Inspiration Award'. Over six cycling expeditions, he and his team have raised over £159,000 for PTSD Resolution, the charity providing free mental health therapy to veterans, reservists, and their families.
Here is the complete story...
NORFOLK 25 - Daily Updates
DAY 1: Tuesday 3rd June 2025
This morning we dribbled out of Norwich, shook off the early traffic and entered a world of little lanes and rough tracks. A robust wind was mostly on the nose but when at our backs our tyres sang as we made good speed.
Rain showers prowled and occasionally made contact before seeking more worthy prey. By the roadside bright poppies stood defiant against a background of tall and straggly daisies.
Our route took us across a very large meadow carpeted with buttercups and into the dark and green forests of Thetford.
A very good day of startling contrasts.
For the record we cycled 99km, climbed 2,066ft and were in the saddle for just under seven hours, so a worthy day. Tomorrow we head north via King's Lynn.
Thank you for following us, Jonathan, with Jim, Jez, Matt and Bill.
DAY 2: Wednesday 4th June 2025
This morning we slipped away from our overnight lodgings and back into the green of the Thetford forest, down a tiny and near overgrown footpath. Early morning bird life was in full cry and in the distance a deer could be heard barking. US F-15 aircraft patrolled the skies but we were invisible to them under the forest canopy.
As we dodged round a sign telling us a tiny road was closed a cockerel voiced his disapproval. In a small village lay the ruins of an ancient castle. There was much to see.
Paying our respects to brave men of the 7th Armoured Division
It would have been fairly simple but for the deep gravel on the forest roads; farm tracks covered in slippery sand and other pathways with more humps than a camel farm, all of which made part of our journey slow and surprisingly arduous.
Tomorrow we head north to Wells-next-the-sea and beyond, a distance of some 101km. We'll need a good supper this evening.
Thank you again for following us, Jonathan, with Matt, Jez and Jim. (Sadly Bill, who we thought had fully recovered from a recent bout of Covid, has had to withdraw)
DAY 3: Thursday 5th June 2025
We headed north this morning in gentle, spitty summer rain and were soon by a huge beach from which the sea had apparently retreated it was so far away. But soon we were back on the arrow-straight lanes which had probably not changed much since the Legions left in 410AD.
To our right a field of wheat shimmered, caressed by a gentle breeze. Behind it a field of poppies leaked vibrant colour through the gappy hedge to give a rare spectacle. Turner would have loved it! Then a hare lolloped across our path. Did its ancestors grace a Roman pot all those years ago, we wondered?
The two mile entrance to Holkham Hall as our cyclists prepare to cycle down it. (Day 3, 5th June 2025)
At Holkham Hall, with its two mile driveway, we enjoyed a stunning ride around the lovely estate, half the size of the county (well, almost !!).
We suffered our first punctures. Tomorrow, we head for Norwich, our travels in this very different land complete.
Thank you for following our meanderings and for supporting us so well this week. Jonathan, on behalf of Jez, Jim and Matt.#
DAY 4: Friday 6th June 2025
We were slow to get off this morning but then our bodies warmed up, we found some fuel and we cycled well - first north to the sea then south back to Norwich. This took us into yet another big jungly forest with steep and narrow paths more suited to fell runners than cyclists. But we persevered despite torrential rain which soaked us.
John, a passer-by in a small village gave us this £10 which was credited to our Just Giving account that evening.
This was the last day of our little endeavour. We have cycled through near empty countryside that stretches forever until it meets the big skies. We took to paths inches wide with intimidating nettles on either side; stony, gravelly and sandy tracks which provided a real test of our tyres, bike handling and fitness; and we sped along endless little lanes with high hedges and lovely flowers. It has been a brilliant but surprisingly tough experience and one difficult to describe adequately.
In total over the four days we covered 377kms and climbed 9,041ft. Norfolk has lots of hills!
We stop by Blickling Hall an amazing Jacobean manor built in 1616.
Lastly, thank you for following and supporting us. You have allowed us to raise an astonishing amount that will be put to great effect by PTSD Resolution.
Thank you and goodbye, Jonathan on behalf of Jim, Jez, Matt & Bill.
PS. This really has been our last expedition. Huge thanks to all who have followed us over the years. You really have helped make a difference.
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