Cycling UK Gainsborough's Charity Ride 2023

Cycling UK Gainsborough ‘Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charity Ride’ – 11th June 2023:

Cycling UK Gainsborough’s Ride Leaders Trevor Halstead and Dan Nicholson greeted various members from across the region for the annual charity ride to raise funds for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Representing Cycling UK Louth were Tim Newbery, John Ambler and Paul Linder.

In past years we’ve had a mix of showers, chilly weather and sunshine. Today would be a true summer’s day with largely clear sunny skies and a maximum temperature of 27 Degrees Celsius.

Heading off along Heapham Road at 10.30 am, Dan ably led us through the outskirts of the town and we were soon in open country overlooking the Trent Valley as we passed through Upton.

Next came the string of ‘Stow’ villages; Willingham by Stow, Normanby by Stow and Sturton by Stow. The rather fine Saxon Minster in Stow itself (partly built under the patronage of Leofric, Lord of Mercia, and his wife, Lady Godiva!) looked resplendent in the sunshine. The name stōw is Old English meaning a holy place.

From Stow we’d head along the attractive Till valley through Thorpe in the Fallows to Brattleby with its connection to the former first world war Royal Flying Corps air station. The church of St Cuthbert has memorials to aircrew of both word wars from those serving at RFC Brattleby Cliff and RAF Scampton.

Continuing up the steep escarpment to the Lincoln Edge (the steepest climb of the ride) splendid views emerged of the Trent Valley. Time for a breather. Tim noted interesting formations of ‘Altocumulus Floccus’. Such clouds are often the precursor to thunderstorms but hopefully not today.

Sadly, we wouldn’t have time to visit RAF Ingham Visitors Centre (Ingham was home to the Polish Air Force Bomber squadrons) and we’d soon be descending the newly resurfaced road at Glentworth and then along narrow wooded lanes with unexpected twists and turns.

With a strengthening backwind we were soon to arrive at Sturgate Airfeld for welcome refreshment and a chance to use the ‘facilities’. Trevor and Dan had suggested the stop here (a first on these Charity rides for Trevor) and we’d all enjoy a pleasant chat whilst watching the arrival and departure of light aircraft.

By now, it was starting to feel very warm as temperatures had indeed risen to 27 degrees. A final leg took us through Heapham and past Hewitts Windmill which is a non-working but renovated Tower mill (the four sails still to be replaced).

Back at the finishing post by 2 pm with a little under 30 miles covered.

(More photographs to follow, being provided by Cycling UK Ganisborough).