Holton le Clay 04-12-2024

Meeting up with Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Ty Harness (who’d come along to wish us a pleasant ride), John Rickett, Steve Croton, Martin Wood and Rob Cook who had decided to brave the sub 10 Degrees Celsius conditions. Indeed, we departed with the thermometer registering just 4 degrees. Talk of heated gloves with Steve due to receive his in the post later today!

 

With the sun beating down under clear blue skies the quintet headed out to Brackenborough and the Covenhams. With talk of unsettled weather for the rest of the week, it wasn’t too surprising to come across a number of cyclists (solo and groups) also out for a ride. Pleasantries were exchanged.

 

A nagging headwind didn’t seem to slow Rob down much and he took the lead trying to keep warm, a feat almost achieved by the time he arrived in Tetney. Members regrouped outside Four Candles a little after 11 am and it was nice to head indoors into the warmth of the tea room. Fine fayre too with members enjoying a mix of bacon and egg buns, scrambled eggs, beans on toast and a small breakfast.

 

Over hot drinks discussions followed on bike rides next year with plans to include Beverley in May and Southwell in June. Lots to look forward to.

 

A split in the group for a return back to Louth with Tim, John and Steve opting for the pre-designated route via Tetney Lock leaving Rob to head inland to the Lincolnshire Wolds with a route via Wold Newton. We’d hope to all meet up at the Meridian Centre for a final cuppa.

 

For those on the route through the middle marsh the sunlight was diffused by the canopy of high cloud making it a little easier to see on these days when the sun remains low in the sky. Pleasant enough too and we had a chat with a lady cyclist brightly dressed for the festivities.

 

Onwards to the West End and the Louth Navigation where we’d have fine views of Little Egret and a Hawk and a Buzzard perched up on tree branches surveying the chill winter landscape.

 

A short break was made at Covenham Saint Batholomew where John, Martin and Steve aimed at deciphering the text on a series of small white marker flags pinned into the roadside verge. Perhaps something to do with utilities. We would also see several cyclists that we’d exchanged greetings with earlier in the morning.

 

For Rob an equally pleasant ride ascending the Lincolnshire Wolds. Rob mentioned that he didn’t see another cyclist the whole time.

By 1.30 pm we had all made it back to the Leisure Centre in Louth for a final chat. Thanks again to John for the coffee. 33 miles covered. Top temperature 6 Degrees Celsius.

 

Next Sunday, a ride is scheduled to Wold Newton although the current forecast is for squally showers with northerly winds gusting to about 45 mph. Possible cancellation if it remains stormy.

 

Tim’s ‘Relive’ fly-through video: