Donnington on Bain 07-02-2024

Cycling UK Louth Wednesday Wander to Donnington on Bain 7th February 2024

For a change, a visit to the Lincolnshire Wolds with a shortish but hilly ride to Donnington on Bain. Refreshments would be taken at the Post and Pantry.

The day started brightly but with a distinct chill in the air as temperatures registered just 3 Degrees Celsius. Luckily just a gentle breeze and meeting up with Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre were club stalwarts Paul Linder and John Rickett. 

Passing by the early 19th Century toll bar cottage we’d take Halfpenny Lane (the Louth to Horncastle toll road dates to 1770) with the slow rise to Hallington. Snowdrops were in abundance along the verges and we’d eventually be rewarded with carpets of this small but spectacular bell shaped flowering perennial in Welsdale Bottom Woods. Truly enchanting. The downside would be a short but stiff climb up to the River Bain escarpment at an altitude of about 150 m. Paul was managing well in spite of gears that prevented the use of the lower range.

John waited patiently for Tim and Paul who’d been enjoying the floral display and we were soon settling down inside the Post and Pantry to sample a range of filled rolls. Additionally, John provided the team with slices of Lincolnshire Plum Loaf to help tackle the climb back up to the Bluestone Heath Road at Scamblesby. Superb views all round from the roach stone summit of Rowgate Hill and of the adjacent ‘Lofts’, one of several well-preserved medieval terraces which are characteristic of this area. 

Having ascended to 150 m once more, we looked forward to a gentle meander along Oslear’s Lane to Maidenwell before turning northbound to Haugham and through the attractive pastures and plantations to Little Cawthorpe. 

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre about 1 pm having covered 25 miles with nearly 1500 ft of ascent. Thanks to John for providing a final cup of coffee.