Sutton on Sea 15-12-2024
Cycling UK Louth Sunday ride to Sutton on Sea 15th December 2024:
In marked contrast to Saturday’s chill, a mild and breezy day had been forecast with top temperatures all the way up to 12 Degrees Celsius. A large turnout had been expected and meeting up with Tim Newbery in Louth were Sven Livesey, Rob Cook, Ty Harness, John Rickett and Paul Linder. Alan Hockham had emailed his intention of meeting up at Three Bridges with Steve Croton meeting up at Sutton on Sea. Martin Wood had sent his apologies.
Today we’d be heading to the Ice Rock Café in Sutton on Sea, a venue that Steve had recommended a number of months ago. A booking for 11.30 am so a tight schedule but we’d be blessed with a fresh westerly wind, to push us all the way to the coast.
A straightforward enough journey through Howdales and Saltfleetby (noting some motor vehicle drivers unwilling to share the highway) with an occasional stop before Three Bridges. Trills of birdlife, a joy to hear. We were however on the lookout for Alan but no sign so continued to the coast and a pleasant ride through Mablethorpe and Trusthorpe ensued. The latter almost merges seamlessly with Sutton on Sea but Sutton on Sea has a unique history of its own.
7000 years ago the area was a large pine forest but rising sea levels submerged the forest, just visible as a jumble of stumps and trunks at exceptionally low tide. A centre for smugglers in the 18th and 19th century with illicit shipments of wool, gin, tea, tobacco and silk, Sutton on Sea is now a popular seaside resort. Redevelopment works by East Lindsey District Council include the multi million pound ‘Seaview Colonnade’. A love/hate relationship with locals.
Arriving at the Ice Rock Café at 11.27 and 23 seconds, we were almost exactly on schedule and found Steve and Alan waiting for us. Alan had unfortunately suffered another puncture. Time however to head inside the café and we were given a warm welcome and discovered an extensive breakfast, brunch and snack menu on offer. Superb. Several members plumped for the delicious looking Yorkshire Rascal.
Bidding farewell to Alan, the remainder made their way to Mill Hill. At an altitude of 5 m, one could excuse us missing the landmark, but it’s of historic significance as the possible site of a late medieval post mill and lying next to the ruins of Hagnaby Abbey. Time too to watch a buzzard alighting in the trees to view the group with suspicion.
Steve and Paul would in turn depart as we approached the Great Eau and once we had ascended to the ‘Top Road’, Rob suggested a final refreshment stop at The Royal Oak, Little Cawthorpe. Many thanks for the coffee Rob, this ended an enjoyable day out. Arrived back into Louth at 2.15 pm having covered 34 miles.
Tim’s ‘Relive’ video fly through: https://www.relive.cc/view/vevWm9Bopy6
Gallery
