Brass Monkey 2024

This year, the weather was set fine and dry with sunny spells but a north easterly breeze would mean a headwind out to the coast. Temperatures too would be on the chilly side with a maximum of four Degrees Celsius, several degrees below the seasonal average. Tim’s heated socks would come in handy and Steve would try out his new RockBros handlebar mitten hand warmer covers.

 

Meeting up with Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre were our newest Cycling UK member Sven Livesey along with Paul Linder, Alan Hockham and Steve Croton. We’d hope to meet up with Barry Jordan and Jim Brennan at the Flying Club as they would be there to take photographs of the incoming and outgoing craft.

 

Northbound through Brackenborough and the Covenhams into the breeze and club members were happy for Tim to take the lead.

 

Great to see a number of cyclists out and about, both solo and club groups. The roads were surprisingly dry and whilst following the Louth Navigation between Wragholme Ings and Marshchapel Ings, it was clear that the waters were receding following recent flooding.

 

Following on through the ‘West End’ it wouldn’t be long before our lead up to the former RAF station along Kenneth Campbell Road, named after the Scottish airman who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for an attack whilst he was based at RAF North Coates that damaged the German battlecruiser Gneisenau.

 

North Coates military airfield itself has a wealth of history as originally it was an active air station during the First World War before it was the home of a Coastal Command Strike Wing in WWII and latterly Bloodhound missiles when Tim’s father was stationed here in the early 1960’s.

 

On arrival we’d not only be greeted by Barry and Jim (not forgetting Adele) but also by Jason Bartup and Louth Cycle Club who’d arrived earlier. Great to meet up with all and have a chat over mugs of steaming hot tea and bacon and sausage buns.

 

Not much aerial activity as for the first time in the Flying Club’s running of the Brass Monkey Fly-In, the grass runway was closed due to flooding. There were however a number of helicopters due to arrive and take off during the day.

Another point of interest was the 1924 Bentley ER2353 that was reputedly the personal transport for Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar.

 

Departing a little before midday, we’d glide along the lanes through Grainthorpe and Conisholme. Tim was dismayed to find that the ice cream parlour was closed – he’ll have to wait till next Sunday for a double scoop at Mablethorpe.

From here we’d head inland via South Somercotes, a very pleasant ride now in increasingly sunny skies and a brisk tailwind.

 

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre a little before 1.30 pm in time for a final cup of coffee. 55 km for the Louth contingent, considerably more for Paul.

 

A great start to the first Sunday ride listings of 2024. Thanks to all for their company.