Wold Newton 9th February 2025
Cycling UK Louth Sunday Ride to Wold Newton 9th February 2025
Following a couple of abortive attempts to enjoy the monthly refreshments at Wold Newton, finally the weather was good enough to enjoy a visit.
Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre (very busy with a swimming gala in full session) were Tim Newbery, Martin Wood, Steve Croton, John Rickett, Ty Harness and Paul Linder who’d ridden in from Alford.
Weatherwise, a dry and bright start to the day with temperatures already at 5 Degrees Celsius and the promise of a couple of degrees to add by lunchtime.
Good progress was made through Brackenborough and all the way to Covenham where Paul would leave us, choosing a meandering, flat ride back to Alford. It was good to have had a chat with Paul and we hoped he’d have a fine journey home.
Onwards to Fulstow and unlike the previous couple of weeks, we’d see several groups of riders and solo cyclists out and about. Some greeted us whilst accelerating away ahead, possibly also en route to Wold Newton.
The brisk nor’easter helped our steady climb through the Grainsby estate, avoiding newly scoured potholes by Saint Nicholas’ church, and for some a respite at the top of Hawerby Hill. Usually, a fine view across to the coast but today the mist was thickening and low cloud descending.
John, Martin and Steve had powered ahead to arrive at the Village Hall at Wold Newton, securing a table for the group. Just as well as it was a packed venue with many a cyclist and rambler enjoying the fine fayre. Great to see such enthusiasm.
Our return journey would take us past the memorial at former RAF Kelstern and more unusually for us, through Calcethorpe which is noteworthy for its lumps and bumps of a deserted medieval village. There are more than 130 known deserted medieval villages listed in the Lincolnshire, the majority in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Deserted typically during the 14th Century, partly because of climate change and the Black Death although the overriding reason was probably economic as landowners sought to maximise profit through sheep farming.
Having avoided the worst of the wind, we’d turn off the Bluestone Heath Road a little early at the junction with North Road, the descent negating a tough headwind.
Arrived back into Louth at 1.15 pm having covered 32 miles. With the Meridian Leisure Centre still crowded, no final refreshments today.
Many thanks to all for the company. Hagworthingham next Sunday.
Tim’s ‘Relive’ video:
Gallery
