Tealby 25-08-2024
Cycling UK Louth’s Ride to Tealby, Sunday 25th August 2024:
A Bank Holiday weekend and avoiding the crowded beaches, today’s Ride Leader Alan Hockham had devised a route to the historic Lincolnshire Wolds village of Tealby, set amongst the picturesque countryside. The weather forecast had indicated a fine sunny morning, although clouding over in the afternoon. More notable was the increasing SW breeze, set to gust to 38 mph, according to the local airports.
Meeting up with Alan at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Rob Cook, Martin Wood, Steve Croton, John Rickett and Tim Newbery, the enthusiastic team setting off a little after 09.30 am. A chance to utilise the brand new link from Brackenborough Road to Bolingbroke Road through the Fairfield Industrial Estate.
We were soon to enter the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with great views from Acthorpe Farm. It had been a sharp climb to reach around 110 m AMSL. A metalled bridleway would lead onto North Elkington and we were very grateful for hedge lined lanes giving us shelter from the gusty winds all the way to Swinhope Brats (originally ‘Le Broth de Svyneop’). It was near here that we were to meet up with Chris Owen on his folding bicycle.
As planned, we’d take a short rest in Binbrook Market Square where we’d now meet up with Ty Harness, the group size having risen to a very respectable 8. Rob would investigate the possibility of purchasing a coffee but nowhere in the village currently offers hot beverages on a Sunday.
On departure, Chris suggested a detour to bypass Stainton le Vale and instead continue to Sustrans NCN 1 at Thoresway. There’s a fine Millennium Marker just beyond Roman Hole. Once again hedges gave valuable shelter until we made the descent to Walesby. At Risby Manor there’s usually the sight of a flock of rare breed Lincoln Longwools and Chris noted the chance of seeing red deer near here.
Arriving in Tealby a little before midday, time for Alan to lead us to the fording of the River Rase. ‘Picture Postcard’ in the sunshine. From here some took refreshment at the Village Shop where a small army of volunteers keep the shop open which helps raise money for the upkeep of local amenities. Others opted for a coffee at the Kings Head Public House, the oldest thatched hostelry in Lincolnshire which dates to 1367. Tealby itself is older and may originally have been a Roman military retirement area. The current village name is derived from the East Germanic tribal name “Taifali” and the Old Danish “by”. Therefore, Tealby probably means the village of the Taifali people.
Our return route would have us climbing the Sixhills (we tried to count them) where Chris departed and onto South Willingham to the junction of Station Road. The name (John has a keen eye) harks back to when South Willingham Station served the Louth and Lincoln Railway branch line. South Willingham acted as a terminus until South Willingham Tunnel was completed.
Passing the impressive Belmont Transmitting Mast a pleasant downhill swoop to Donnington on Bain was much appreciated. With a strengthening tailwind, in the end we wouldn’t stop ay Jenny Ward’s Village Shop but instead make tracks back to the Meridian Leisure centre for a final cuppa and piece of cake. Up to now, Alan’s Jelly Babies had kept him fortified.
Arrived back into Louth at 2 pm with the Louth contingent having covered 40 miles.
Rob's 'Relive' video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vZqNELZBXG6