Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival Ride 2024

As the only cycling activity during the festival, we were delighted to have on board Amanda Curtis, Cycling UK Lincoln members Andy Townhill, Ian Enright and Rob Dickens. Today’s Ride Leader: Tim Newbery, the sole representative for Cycling UK Louth.

Departing Louth’s cattle market at 10 am we looked forward to the 44 km route which would take us to South Ormsby for refreshments followed by a route up and over the Wolds via the Bluestone Heath Road.

 

Initially it was a little chilly with overcast skies but we’d been promised largely sunny conditions later in the morning with temperatures up to 18 Degrees Celsius in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

 

The chalk ridge of the Wolds was originally formed 90 million years ago, lifted up and tilted under the influence of plate tectonics some 25 million years ago with rivers such as the Humber and Witham carving out their river valleys. More recently, 250,000 years ago, a glacial ice sheet moved over the Wolds altering the landscape once more. We would benefit from all of this with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty looking resplendent in the sunshine.

 

Our route would take us initially to Little Cawthorpe, following the ‘Top Road’ through Muckton and past the small but attractive village of Belleau. Glad to see the chalk stream at Belleau Bridge flowing freely, if perhaps not crystal clear. The Lincolnshire chalk streams are a characteristic feature that have helped shape the Lincolnshire Wolds landscape and it’s said that there are more chalk streams in Lincolnshire than in most other counties across the UK.

 

We would at this point meet an increasingly large number of groups of cyclists who were taking part in the Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive with the Long and Medium routes covering much of the Wolds.

 

Onwards to South Thoresby and through Calceby which is Old Scandinavian for ‘Kalfr’s village. St Andrews Church dating to the 11th Century was largely demolished in 1756 following population decline as a result of famine, plague and land enclosures. Only a bare skeleton of the church remains today.

 

We’d now begin our slow and steady ascent of the Bluestone Heath Road. A prehistoric trackway running along the chalk ridge from Candlesby to Caistor, it may have been named after the blue/grey glacial erratic boulders left behind after the melting of the glaciers. These stones were once used as focal points for the community, for example functioning as meeting points, or simply acting as boundary markers.

Admiring spectacular views from both sides of the road we’d soon peel off at the Massingberd Arms for a short distance to South Ormsby Estate’s Sheep Dip Paddock and the Walkers’ and Cyclists’ Cabin, where complimentary drinks were available. Lovely to sit awhile and chat in the sunshine learning of Amanda’s skill as a tractor driver and Ian’s concerns of altitude sickness on today’s ride.

 

Upwards now, and upwards again past Dog Hill, Tetford Hill and Belchford Hill where a stop was made at the viewpoint interpretation board. It would inform us of the geology of the Wolds and the resultant stunning views of the Roache Stone outcrops along the Bluestone Heath Road.

 

Perfect Lincolnshire Wolds views today from the lofty heights of Rowgate Hill and Rosin Hill, strip lynchets just visible to our west towards Scamblesby. Having reached our highest point of the day at about 150 m we’d carry on to Pewlade hill where eventually an eastward turn would allow us to enjoy the descent to Hallington.

 

A final stop at Flint Hill afforded us the renowned and stunning view of St James’ Church in Louth. On a clear day, shipping can be seen just off the Lincolnshire coast towards Donna Nook. A brisk easterly breeze was refreshingly cool, temperatures having risen to the promised 18 Degrees.

 

Arrived back in Louth about 1.30 pm having covered 44 km.

Amanda, you’d be welcome to join any of the Cycling UK Lincolnshire rides and thanks too for the support of club members Andy, Ian and Rob.

 

Tim’s ‘Fly-Through’ route from ‘Relive’