Mablethorpe 02-10-2024
Cycling UK Louth Wednesday Wander 2nd October 2024
Summer seemed a distant memory as the morning dawned grey and cloudy with rain and drizzle being blown in on a strong and gusty Nor-Easter. With temperatures at 12 Degrees Celsius and a wind chill of just 9, today’s ride leader Tim Newbery reckoned he’d be by himself on a meander to Mablethorpe. It was a pleasant surprise therefore to meet up with Ty Harness and Martin Wood at Louth’s Magna Vitae Leisure Centre.
Departing at 10 am, a slight drizzle persisting, we were pleased hedgerows were still thick with vegetation, providing shelter progressing through Stewton and Legbourne Furze. Onwards to Withern and not a dog walker nor fellow cyclist to be seen. With winds blowing 30 mph, even the birds were flying close to ground cover.
A brief rest to enquire about an alternate destination and a ride to Woody’s at Woodthorpe but a decision was made to take refreshment at the Whistle Stop Bistro.
The ride to Meers Bridge along Stain Lane and passing historic Stain Hill, was ‘character building’ as Ty politely described it. A long stretch straight into the wind; a low gear and a twiddle required. Never the less we arrived at the Station Leisure and Learning Centre on schedule at 11.30 am. We were pleased to see Alan Hockham arriving at the same time. The Leisure Centre provided dedicated covered cycle parking to the rear by the car park whilst inside ample room with a fine swimming pool, Internet Learning Hub and of course the Whistle Stop Bistro. Tim enjoyed the small breakfast (yes, it really was the smallest breakfast on offer) with all enjoying a hot coffee.
The centre occupies the former railway station and there are many references to its origins. Mablethorpe was the principal station on the loop line, opening as the terminus of the Louth and East Coast Railway on 16th October 1877. The station survived the devastating floods of 1953 being on slightly higher ground but following the Beeching plan, the line finally closed in 1970 with the last train leaving Mablethorpe on 3rd October.
Leaving Alan to return home and Ty to head to Withern for work, Tim and Martin continued along Quebec Road, sheltered from the wind which was blowing large volumes of sand onto the promenade.
Onwards through Hand Puddle Hole Bridge. We noted the decline of the former pumping house at Gayton Engine. Open Days with the Petter engine powering a Gwynnes Pump were up and running until 2019 when the club last visited.
We’d eventually pick up a back wind at Howdales propelling us all the way back to Louth, arriving at the Leisure Centre at 1.31 pm, a minute behind schedule. By now skies had finally turned bright blue and brilliant sunshine had pushed temperatures up to 15 degrees.
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