Poplar Farm Vintage Tearoom

Cycling UK Louth Poplar Farm Vintage Tearoom Ride

Sunday 16th August 2020

2020’s very unusual Summer continues and today it was back to cloudy skies and the prospect of showers or longer periods of rain. Would that dampen the spirits or put members off joining Jason Bartup on his ride to Poplar Farm at Sutton on Sea? Surprisingly not, as meeting up with our ride leader were Rob Whitworth, Rob Cook, John Ambler, John Rickett, Tim Newbery and Reg Bagshaw. Reg’s green bike would have sparkled if only the sun had been shining and Reg too was sparkling with pride with the prospect of getting a few more miles on the gravel bike.

Jason would lead the pack out of the Leisure Centre and along Newmarket to Little Cawthorpe for the gradual climb through Muckton and up to Meagram Top. Increasingly misty and the slight drizzle turned to showery rain. Waterproofs on! And then off again as the rain cleared.

Turning east into a noticeable headwind, the route took us through Greenfield, across the A157 to Saleby and along the dyke lined Mill Lane to Hagnaby and Mill Hill. At an altitude of 5 m, one could excuse us missing the landmark, but it’s of historic significance lying as it does next to the ruins of Hagnaby Abbey founded in 1175.

With the club having re-grouped we were soon to arrive at the Vintage Tearooms at Poplar Farm (Sutton on Sea). A first for the club and it was thanks to Jason for suggesting this new venue. Rather fine too with very friendly service. John Ambler highly rated the bacon and egg bun and so all was well. Thanks once more to Jason for buying everyone coffee and tea. Whilst chatting away, a familiar face was spotted as a cyclist entered the café. We were surprised but very pleased to meet up with Barry Jepson. He had just missed the departure back in Louth and had been pedaling hard and enquiring of locals to track us down at the café.

John Rickett needed to return home for an appointment and as Reg and Jason were not returning to the Leisure Centre, there would be a forward party of three to tackle the lanes through Thorpe to Meers Bridge. The remaining five members followed behind and enjoyed a back wind along Meers Bank. To our right Stain Hill, this time a dizzy 9 m in altitude. The hill is the site of the Church of St. John the Baptist, which belonged to the long-deserted village of Stain, built on an island of glacial till clay, now only visible from aerial photographs and lidar.

Rob Cook had by now had gone ahead of the remaining group to be able to have a brief picnic lunch at Great Carlton. Eventually we were able to take ‘team photos’ by the village sign. The village notable perhaps because George Smith, father of explorer Captain John Smith, was a landowner and freeman here.

The last leg now but by the time we arrived at Legbourne Furze, skies over Louth were becoming inky black and St. James’ spire was disappearing into mist and heavy rain. What was this about Rob Whitworth saying “you only get wet once”?

Yes, the heaven’s opened and it was a bunch of very soggy cyclists that arrived back at a little before 2 pm.

Many thanks to all for the company, to Jason for the route and the drinks and to Barry for venturing out with the group once more.