Hagworthingham 6-10-2024

Arriving at the Leisure Centre for the Old Bolingbroke picnic ride, I was in for a totally different day of cycling than expected.

 

Approaching the assembled few, two new faces and the absence of ride leader Tim Newbery were immediately apparent.

 

Cycling UK members, Jessie and Graham Crowder, had arrived from Scotland to spend a week in Louth. Jessie sporting a smart looking e-bike. Always happy to welcome members from afar, the Louth group hosting would show them a superb route. That is, how it should have gone!

 

A pale looking Tim Newbery exited the Leisure Centre a few moments after my arrival, followed by Steve Croton, not looking much better. Both stricken by 'tummy problems'. The list of non-combatants was then announced by Tim. John Rickett: on leave. Martin Wood: post vaccination and feeling rough. Alan Hockham: not cycling today. Chris Owen: not cycling today. Sven Livesley: not cycling today. Steve Croton: Cycled in from Bilsby but unlikely to finish the course.

 

Ty and myself, Steve for a while, plus Graham and Jessie could therefore follow the prescribed route to Old Bolinbroke or any other route desired. Thus, I found myself in charge and leading as Tim shrank into the bowels of the Leisure Centre to wish he was dead!

 

Unknown fitness levels, one potential casualty in Steve, I decided upon Hagworthingham as the objective for lunch. Setting off into a strongish headwind, we headed for Little Cawthorpe, Swaby and the coffee shed close to the Massingberd Arms at South Ormsby in grey conditions.

 

At the shed, all appeared not too bad. Afterwards, it was agreed to carry on to Hagworthingham while Steve opted for home, looking below par.

 

Our arrival at JJ's Café was fortunate because there were tables free. Graham and Jessie enjoyed a rather pale looking soup whilst Ty drank coffee and I settled for a bacon and egg bap.

 

Taking up the route again at 11.55, we were blessed with sunshine, clearing skies and a backwind. The countryside around Hagworthingham is beautiful and soon we were heading to Somersby, famed for its former poet Alfred Lord Tennyson and its pretty church. Our approach caused memories to flood back to Ty's schooldays. He being in the role of narrator, spouting the words of the poet to the class. Ulysses and the oft quoted sentiments by old men of their youthful exploits.

 

But, before Ty got too carried away, the group was engaged in briefly stopping at the little church, the dappled sunlight shining down upon the gravestones. Burial stones to the left of us, burial stones to the right of us and burial stones in front of us, we rode off heading to Tetford to face the terrible hill which rises before Fulletby Top.

 

Leaving the group to wait for 5 minutes at the bottom of the hill, I cycled ahead to climb to a suitable position in order to record the agonies which would follow as the rest followed.

 

First up was little Jessie on her e-bike, closely followed by Graham and Ty bringing up the rear. At the top, were magnificent views and the last rays of sunshine for the day.

 

But, more good fortune was to come. At Belchford, we turned for Hemingby and the road for Donington. A backwind aided us greatly along the two and a half miles to the junction and undulating roads through Goulceby and Asterby to Jennie's shop at Donington for tea, Graham and Jessie choosing to consume white chocolate bars. Ty drank a mug of coffee whilst I chose tea and a few small Eccles cakes. Well, four to be precise.

 

The last hill climb, not quickly for me after four Eccles cakes, was at last completed and Jessie, at least, was beginning to feel a little tired. A final photograph and before long we arrived back in Louth.

 

Bidding goodbye to Graham and Jessie, Ty and myself carried on to the Leisure Centre for the brass band to announce our arrival. However, it seems nobody arranged one so we headed inside for coffee and cake. Well, I did..!

 

Rob’s Relive Video:

https://www.relive.cc/view/vAOZ2kJ89oO