Snipedales Picnic 06-08-2023

Cycling UK Louth Annual Summer Picnic Sunday 6th August 2023:

With Storm ‘Antoni’ safely out into the North Sea, it was still expected to be a cool, breezy and showery day. Wet weather gear would be as essential today as our packed lunches.

Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Rob Cook, John Rickett, Paul Linder and today’s Ride Leader, Tim Newbery. Alan Hockham had indicated that he’d meet up with us at Winceby and Snipe Dales whilst Chris Owen had sent apologies.

Our route was initially a familiar one taking us past Hubbards Hills and along the Donnington Road, climbing all the way to the Bluestone Heath Road. A short respite before tackling Welsdale Bottom. Thoughts of a cuppa at Jenny’s Village Shop spurred us on and we spent a pleasant half an hour supping hot drinks. Thanks to Rob for the Kitkat’s. Skies soon became inky black and the forecast 60 percent probability of a shower sky rocketed to 100 percent. A sharp heavy downpour flooded the roads, although luckily for us we found ample shelter. Not so lucky were a group of cyclists and a Dutch holidaymaker undertaking a 22 km walk.

Sunshine returned by 11 am and we resumed our journey, passing by Belmont Transmitting Station and then a less familiar but attractive route through Panton, Hatton and Great Sturton. Tree lined avenues and grassy lanes looked remarkably green and verdant following the weeks of rainfall and judging by acres of cereal crops in the fields, this year’s harvest seemed to be several weeks behind schedule.

Crossing the River Bain once more, this time at Hemingby, we’d slowly climb up and over the Lincolnshire Wolds to Fulletby and Castcliffe Hill, topping out at 140 m AMSL. Showers were still in evidence but we missed the worst with just the occasional spot of rain keeping us guessing as to whether to don waterproofs or not. We’d now meet up with Alan on his latest EBike conversion and it wasn’t long before we arrived at Winceby and Snipe Dales Country Park and Nature Reserve.

Fortuitously, skies turned increasingly blue and we enjoyed some pleasant sunshine. The benches too were nicely sheltered from the wind. A variety of fayre was consumed to include sausage rolls, sandwiches and succulent strawberries.

In the past we have explored the reserve and Tim once partook in a guided walk of Winceby Battlefield. On Wednesday 11th October 1643 this wouldn’t have been a pleasant place to be as the surrounding fields were the site of a now infamous and bloody Civil War battle. Lasting little more than an hour, the battle was decisive in securing Parliamentary control over Lincolnshire.

With a predicted half hour’s travel to Stockwith Mill we departed in time to arrive at about 2 pm to take a break and listen to ‘The Right Notes’, the Alford and Skegness Ukulele Band. We’d been invited by fellow club rider and band member Steve Croton. And very fine the music was too. Congratulations to all and kudos to Steve. Funds were being raised for Holy Trinity Church, Hagworthingham. On departure we chatted to the owner’s daughter and she asked if we’d ever taken part in the Vätternrundan, one of Sweden's most famous bike races at a distance of 300 km. She had once completed this road race in about 16 hours. Blimey.

With that rather daunting thought, we’d continue our way back to the climbs of Harrington and Brinkhill where we’d bid farewell to Paul. Alan would later head for home near South Thoresby whilst the remainder headed for Meagram Top and the high road back to Little Cawthorpe.

Still blessed with dry conditions Tim and Rob made a final refreshment stop at ‘The Splash’ eventually arriving back home about 4.30 pm having completed close to 50 miles. Temperatures now 17 Degrees Celsius with increasingly sunny skies.

Thanks to all.