Mablethorpe 31st July 2022

Cycling UK Louth's Bucket and Spade ride to Mablethorpe. Sunday 31st July 2022.

Joining today's Ride Leader Tim Newbery at Louth's Leisure Centre were Reg Bagshaw, Rob Cook (fresh from his adventures in the Dordogne), Paul Linder, Alan Hockham, John Rickett and Trevor Halstead who had ridden in from Gainsborough to join us on our ride. Although Trevor's total distance would exceed 100 miles, he's not accustomed to such a short 35 mile tour and riding in our group.

Apologies had been received from John Ambler and Chris Owen.

After weeks of drought, the night had been wet although the rain was forecast to die out in the afternoon with some bright spells developing. An estimated time of arrival back at the the Leisure Centre of 2.30 pm.

Outbound, a back wind made easy work of a route through Stewton and the Carltons. At this point the skies unexpectedly brightened and by the time we had arrived at Woodthorpe for our first refreshment stop, bursts of sunshine made it feel warm and humid.

Tea, coffee and for some some tasty snacks were much enjoyed. We were treated to two extra free cups of coffee. Tim polished off one but felt a third cup would necessitate too many hedge stops on the way to Mablethorpe. Tim was however grateful for the donation of multiple Lotus Biscoff which would sustain him for miles to come.

Reg would depart for home (he would end up completing 28 miles) whilst the remainder of the group continued through Beesby with a detour to view St. Peter's Church, Markby . We've visited on many occasions but it's always fascinating to see one of the few thatched churches in England, and the only thatched church in Lincolnshire.

Retracing to Stone Bridge, we survived a short section of deep gravel chippings which could easily have dismounted an unsuspecting cyclist.

With the skies still bright and with Sutton-on-Sea Carnival in full swing, we arrived at Coral Cafe just to the south of Mablethorpe town centre exactly on schedule. Seats were available and lunch was enjoyed over amiable chat. Trevor was delighted to have been offered a tasty baked potato.

Good to see so many holidaymakers enjoying the day and a generous member of the public offered to take our group 'picture by the seaside'.

Mablethorpe (originally Malbertorp = outlying farmstead of a man called Malbert) has existed as a town for many centuries, gaining its market town charter in 1253. This part of Lincolnshire’s coastline has seen dramatic change during its lifetime and sitting as we were on the promenade, with a little bit of imagination were able to hear the bells of the church of Mablethorpe St. Peter, now a drowned ruin buried in the sand and mud a few hundred metres offshore. According to the ‘Louth Park Abbey Chronicle’, the village and church of Mablethorpe St Peter was "rent asunder by the waves of the sea" in 1287, with the ‘Hagnaby Abbey Chronicle’ recording that there was, on the 4 February 1288, “a flood of the sea that totally destroyed the church of St. Peter of Mablethorpe" along with loss of life and beast. Mablethorpe St Peter was rebuilt but completely washed away again in a series of great storms in the 1530’s. It’ll be interesting to see how the shoreline fares over the coming centuries.

Skies now were turning inky black, the north westerly winds increasingly gusty with outbreaks of showery rain setting in. Rain and drizzle would persist through Meers Bridge, Hand Puddle Hole Bridge, Three Bridges and indeed all the way back to Louth. So much for the forecast of 'brightening up'.

Arrived at the Meridian Leisure centre at 2.15 pm, a little ahead of schedule having covered 39 miles. Many thanks to all.