Holton le Clay 03-08-2023

Thursday Trundle to Holton le Clay

3rd August 2023:

Steady downpours affecting Louth for most of Wednesday morning meant a postponement of the ride to Thursday. In the end, the rain did largely clear by 11 am (as Steve Croton had forecast) but by then the ride had already been re-scheduled. Apologies to Steve who was unable to join us today.

Meeting up on what was still an ‘Autumnal’ morning at the Leisure Centre were Paul Linder, John Rickett, Rob Cook and Tim Newbery. Chris Owen had indicated he’d meet up with us at Tetney.

3rd August is noteworthy as it’s ‘National Cycle to Work Day’, a grand celebration of cycle commuting, although most of our members no longer have that requirement. Others might note that it’s also ‘World Beer Day’.

Our journey on this double celebration day would take us along the Louth Navigation to Alvingham, then turning directly into a brisk head wind northbound to Yarburgh, the Covenhams and onwards through Fulstow to Tetney where we met up with Chris.

Rolling up to Tetney Golf Club for refreshments at Manning’s Café, owner James would alert us to the fact that there was a function on and that he was on this occasion unable to host us. Next time.

Luckily there were a number of other plans and Chris suggested we try out the ‘Four Candles’ café in Holton le Clay, a first for the club. Four Candles originally opened in 2015 and was the former Coulbeck’s Hardware store (‘Four Candles’ is a play on words attributed to The Two Ronnies sketch). Wonderful service and some of the staff have worked there since it first opened.

Holton le Clay, originally known as “Holtone” in the Domesday account, derives its name from Old English hōh and tūn meaning ‘Hill-spur settlement’ although in reality maintains an altitude of only 20 metres above sea level. We’d gain height however after crossing Waithe Beck in Brigsley with a climb up Ashby Hill. By now we had the benefit of a tail wind and a brisk ride would follow all the way through Petterhills and Wold Newton. We noted that we’d be returning here in just over a week to sample legendary tea and cake at the Village Hall.

Passing by our second former RAF station of the day at Kelstern, an altitude of 120 m afforded splendid views of the Lincolnshire Wolds and at North Elkington, before we lost all of our height, Rob would halt the group for a photo looking out towards the Humber Estuary. Clear views of windfarms, Grimsby dock tower and shipping along the River Humber.

The last leg now back to Louth via Little Grimsby just as skies were starting to darken, even a few drops of rain from the first slight shower of the day. Thanks again to John for supplying drinks back at the Leisure Centre, ahead of schedule at just after 1.30 pm. By now, the temperature had risen to a respectable 18 Degrees Celsius, a little below average.

38 miles for the Louth contingent. Many thanks to all for the company.