May Day 2024 Mablethorpe
Cycling UK Louth’s May Day ride to Mablethorpe
Wednesday 1st May 2024
May Day, an ancient astronomical festival, probably pagan in origin marking the half way point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Traditionally a day where dances, singing and merrymaking took place (such celebrations banned by Puritan parliaments), and the gathering of spring flowers and small cakes to make up May Day Posies. We like the tradition of eating cake!
Meeting up at Louth Leisure Centre were Steve Croton, Paul Linder, John Rickett and Tim Newbery. Conflicting weather forecasts had been issued and inspecting the Met Office app as we departed, it indicated rain until lunchtime. However, skies were bright, winds were light and as we headed off to Red Leas and Howdales, the sun was increasingly evident. Unexpectedly very pleasant. Our destination today, Mablethorpe and ‘The Blitz Tea Room’ advocated by Steve. A first time for us all.
Following on from Saltfleet, we’d continue to Hand Puddle Hole Bridge and Mablethorpe North End rather than using Crook Bank green lane at Theddlethope which memorably upended members last time we used it in August.
A decision to leave a view of the seaside over the historic ‘pullover’ until our return, it was now just a short distance to The Blitz Tea Room. Certainly, cyclists’ friendly with an impressive value for money menu. The café is uniquely decorated too, although John’s table companion wasn’t very talkative.
As we were getting ready to depart, we were delighted to meet up (rather briefly) with Alan Hockham who hadn’t been able to join us today but hopes to ride to the Cycling UK Lincolnshire AGM on Sunday.
A view of Mablethorpe’s Central Beach confirmed it to be almost deserted, perhaps not surprising as an easterly breeze was freshening and caused temperatures to dip to a chilly 12 Degrees Celsius.
Our journey back would take us along Stain Lane to Withern. It’s always interesting to pass by Stain Hill which lies within the middle of the Lincolnshire ‘Outmarsh’. The ‘hill’ is now only 9 metres high but once stood dry and proud of the boggy marshland and the site of a village in the middle-ages. It even had its own church dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
Paul and Steve departed for home at the junction with Peter’s Lane whilst Tim and John returned to the Leisure Centre for the May Day slice of cake! A swift and pleasant journey with the wind on our backs, the warm sunshine and increasingly blue skies lifting temperatures to 18 degrees.
33 miles covered for the Louth contingent. Thanks to all for their company.
Tim’s ‘fly-through’ route: