Cleethorpes 2nd July 2023

Cleethorpes and Waltham

Sunday 2nd July 2023:

Quite a contrast to last Sunday’s weather with top temperatures at 18 Degrees Celsius (near 30 degrees last week in York). Breezy too with winds set to gust to 30 mph. However, it was great to have half a dozen club members out on today’s ride to Cleethorpes and Waltham. Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Chris Owen, John Rickett, Paul Linder, Rob Cook and Alan Hockham. Paul was sporting long brilliant white socks to contrast his summer tanned legs whilst John was pleased with his new, squeak-less cycling shoes.

Members chose the “Cleethorpes and The Wolds” option which would take us initially to Keddington and Alvingham. Skies at this time were bright and sunny periods made for an enjoyable spin along the lanes to Covenham. As anticipated, roads from here had been ‘top dressed’ and we needed to be careful with loose chippings, especially on the corners and at junctions.

We were pleased to encounter solo cyclists and groups all the way to Fulstow and Tetney Blow Wells where we would turn off along School Lane. A short ride along Station Road would take us directly to Manning’s Café at Tetney Golf Club where we were warmly greeted by James who gave us priority service. It wouldn’t be long before we were enjoying hot drinks and for some bacon and egg baps and sandwiches.

12 miles down and a relatively short second leg to Cleethorpes was next, where further refreshments would be available. Chris however needed to depart and make his way from here to Waltham.

The route into Cleethorpes would inevitably become increasingly busy with traffic but all proved quite manageable and Sustrans NCN 110 would soon take us to the promenade near Lakeside Central railway station anyway. We wondered how crowded ‘The Brewstop Café’ was going to be but as there was plenty of room to sit inside and outside, we decided to admire the seaside from here. Alan did point out to Tim that as the tide was out, the sea was actually difficult to pick out! Never the less there were fine views of Haile Sand Fort and Spurn Point in the distance. Clouds had thickened and now covered the sky and with the wind picking up further it was actually getting chilly, so further hot drinks were welcomed.

A trip into the town centre for an ice cream for Tim was no longer necessary so a right hand turn southbound along the promenade allowed us to view the Greenwich Meridian Line. A caption below a large granite globe on a plinth states “The World revolves around Cleethorpes”.

A little further along the coast we would need to dismount as sand had covered the path but we were rewarded with great views out to sea with a number of sailing dinghies visible from the Humber Mouth Yacht Club. We would also have a gentleman stop us to alert us to a number of wrecks on the foreshore, notably the remains of a Scio Schooner which was driven ashore and sank way back in March 1870. Known locally as the ‘Ghost Ship’ as no one was ever found on board. It had reputedly sailed from Lowestoft.

Inland now and a push into the wind along Sustrans Route 110 all the way to Waltham. Having completed 26 miles, time for one last stop with a chance to visit Waltham Windmill, The Museum of Rural Life and RAF Grimsby Museum. No time today but worthy of a return with a few hours to explore. As we had by coincidence met Mike and Jane Gray on arrival, it would be more refreshments from Chuzzlewits 1940’s Tea Rooms instead. This would turn out to be a ‘three stop’ strategy! Cakes and scones were delicious.

Tim was reminded that the club had been treated to a tour of the windmill back in July 2018. The first mill (a trestle post mill) was built in 1666 but was blown down in 1744 in a ferocious storm. Rebuilt in 1769, she (windmills are female!) was destroyed again by strong winds. The current six double sided sailed tower mill was commissioned in 1878 and built by Saundersons of Louth at a cost of £500. An extra £50 to add a balcony was deemed too expensive. The mill was active for many years being latterly converted to use steam power and then by electric motor. It was also used as a lookout post by the Home Guard in WWII. By the 1950's, although still working, it became very run down and closed in 1966 before being saved by the Waltham Windmill Preservation Society.

We’d now enjoy a ride up into the Wolds via Brigsley and East Ravendale. Surprisingly we were given shelter by trees and hedges most of the way along the valley and swifts and swallows darted above our heads as we continued to Salter’s Lane. Even the sun was breaking through the clouds again and warm sunshine made for a pleasurable ride.

Downhill through North Ormsby to Utterby, across the A16 and along Ings Lane where it wouldn’t be long before John would turn off for home. The last leg for Rob, Tim and Alan, arriving at the Leisure Centre at 3 pm having completed about 45 miles. Quite a few more for Paul by the time he’d be back home.

Many thanks to all.