Gibraltar Point 30-07-2023

Cycling UK Louth's Summer visit to Gibraltar Point, Sunday 30th July 2023:

Ride Report by Paul Linder.

This week’s destination of Gibraltar Point was to be the longest group ride Cycling UK Louth had arranged so far this year and meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre for the 9.30 start were Chris Owen (who had already cycled from Alford), John Rickett, Tim Newbery, Rob Cook and Paul Linder.

Recollecting how in 2008 a Syrian lorry driver aiming for Gibraltar but due to a sat. nav. mistake had also ended up at Gibraltar Point, today’s route planner Paul had double checked his GPS directions.

Sarah had let us know that she would be waiting at Little Cawthorpe and Alan Hockham joined the ride near to Alford. We were particularly pleased that Alan could be with us this week as only a week ago his regular bicycle had been stolen.

Helped by a strong blustery south west wind we were soon drinking coffee and for some enjoying fruit scones at the Alford Windmill Sail Shed Café but today was not to be our usual leisurely break and by 11.20 we were heading out of Alford and on our way to Willoughby. Here we said goodbye to Chris and continued onto Welton, Orby and Winthorpe. Then to negotiate the heavy traffic and pedestrians along Skegness Grand Parade, around the Clock Tower and onto Gibraltar Point via Drummond Road.

At the Gibraltar Point visitor centre whilst having lunch we were rejoined by Rob who had made a detour to Addlethorpe.

Returning by the roads of our outward journey, now it was payback time for the mornings back wind but maybe not so bad as feared because of the many changes of direction and shelter from hedges. We found The Willoughby Arms still open at 3.15 and stopped for a drink. Alan would leave from here to return to his home in Sutton on Sea

Sarah would branch off near Alford to go home via Woodthorpe a 70mile round trip, leaving John, Rob, Tim and Paul to head back to Louth. John when home had recorded 76 miles.