Doddington

Cycling UK Louth Ride Sunday 27th February 2022 - Doddington Hall

Following some very stormy weather with winds of up to 60 mph over the last few Sundays, today’s predicted gusts of 30 mph would perhaps seem rather tame but proved to be quite strong enough! Luckily the skies were crystal blue with not a cloud in sight.

Meeting up at the Giant Cycle Shop at Doddington were Chris Owen, Alan Hockham, Reg Bagshaw, Mike Gray and today’s ride Leader Tim Newbery. Apologies had been sent by John Rickett, John Ambler and Paul Linder. A chill to the air as we departed Doddington Hall, the mercury registering 5 degrees Celsius but the frosting on the grass was steadily melting. Our route would initially take us along the ‘Georgie Twigg Track’ soon joining up with Sustrans NCN64, becoming the NCN647 as we crossed over into Nottinghamshire. Great to see other cyclists, walkers and horse riders out enjoying the winter sunshine. The shared use cycle route runs along the railway trackbed of the former 'Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway' (later to become the Great Central Line from Lincoln to Mansfield), although today we would follow only as far as the River Trent at Clifton. Tim had warned of some very muddy conditions here but in the end, the wind and sun had worked its magic to give reasonable riding conditions.

A left turn would now take us along Church Lane through the attractive Trent village of South Clifton, dating to at least Doomsday. By now we were all aware of the stiff headwind and this would continue all the way through North and South Scarle to Swinderby.

Roads were on the whole quiet and rural but inevitably peppered with potholes, the dappled sunlight filtering through the copses lining the road making it difficult to pick out the offending articles. Never the less we safely navigated our way to Swinderby where we decided on a stop at the very welcoming Plough Public House. Drinks all round and well deserved.

Opening as an airfield in 1940 RAF Swinderby came under the auspices of Bomber Command. In the 1950’s and 60’s it was the home of No.8 Flying Training School and later No.7 School of Recruit Training. Chris would recount tales of his weeks spent at Swinderby. Hopefully enjoyable times. RAF Swinderby finally closed its doors on 17 December 1993.

Having rested, it would be back into the headwind through Eagle Barsndale, criss-crossing the Lincoln the Newark railway line on multiple occasions. Passing the gravel pits en route to the towering Thorpe on the Hill (altitude 62 ft) we would on this occasion by-pass Whisby Nature Park and continue to Doddington Hall.

Arrived at the Giant Cycle Sore Café at about 2 pm having covered 22 miles. A fine spin along some less familiar lanes after a week or two off due to the weather. Many thanks to all for their company and to Mike for the history of the former railway. Great too to have met up with Neil Parnham at Doddington Hall.

Next week, Alford.