Alford 6th February 2022

Cycling UK Louth ride to Alford – Sunday 6th March 2022.

Having been postponed a few weeks ago due to stormy weather, it was finally time for a ride to the market town of Alford. Today’s ride leader Tim Newbery was delighted to have had the company of Paul Linder (welcome back Paul), John Rickett, Alan Hockham and Chris Owen who had arranged to meet up with us in Alford. Apologies had been sent by John Ambler (celebrating his 80th Birthday in Yorkshire!), Neil Parnham, Mike Gray and Reg Bagshaw. Get well soon Reg.

With showers now having largely died out and with rather more sunshine than anticipated it was a fairly straightforward journey through Stewton and along the twists and turns of Furze Lane to Legbourne. As is becoming increasingly common, there were numerous sightings of Buzzard and the pleasant sound of birdsong. Great to hear the Skylarks once more, signs of Spring at last.

A stop at the Carltons to see if we could meet up with Reg (we were later to hear that he had to turn back home), and then onto Gayton and Withern. The wind at this point was across our shoulders and fairly brisk, much as predicted. The temperature however had now risen to 7 degrees Celsius, the wind chill of 3 degrees being one full degree above what was originally forecast. Tropical!

Not far now to Alford and although we had anticipated having our ‘packups’ on the benches in the market square, we were pleased to accept Paul‘s offer of shelter and hot drinks at home. Many thanks Paul.

The market town of Alford has an intriguing history dating back to at least the 600’s when it was known as “Eauford”. The river Eau was much bigger at this time and with few bridges to cross the waters, the ford was ideally situated on the gravel ridge where an ancient road ran between the Wolds to the coastal marshes. The Alford ‘Eau’ would eventually become the ‘Wold Grift Drain’ when it turned into a catchwater drain.

With the sun still shining brightly, even giving a little warmth, time to start the return journey. On this occasion we would head out of town southbound along Cycle Route C4 which would take us through Well along Well High Lane. This trackway follows the boundary of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and gave us some fine views as we passed through Rigsby and Haugh. John noted the small Church of Saint Leonard’s nestled amongst the hills. Much as the powerful and wealthy Rigsby family gave the name to the previous village, in the Middle Ages the Hagh family once owned the manor of Haugh. The church is essentially a mausoleum to the family.

At Meagram Top (our highest point of today’s ride at around 58 m) we would descend along the undulating and twisting road past Catch Acre and Dark Lane Plantations. A gloriously scenic route which would also take us past the walled gardens of the former 18th Century Burwell Hall. The Hall was sadly demolished in 1958 and only the stables and rather weather-beaten garden walls remain.

Our route would now take us along the Top Road to Little Cawthorpe where Chrs bade us farewell. For the remainder a return to the Meridian Leisure Centre where Alan treated us all to hot drinks. Thanks Alan. More miles required for John and Paul but for the Louth Contingent we had completed nearly 33 miles. A super ride in great company.

Next Week: Brunch at Tetney.