Wold Newton and Caistor 13th October 2024

With a temperature of 6 degrees C at the planned departure time of 0930 (we are still on the summer schedule though it doesn't feel like it) expectations weren't that high of a healthy turn-out. Nevertheless, the hardy gang who did turn up were Tim Newbery, Alan Hockham, Martin Wood and John Rickett. Chris Owen had indicated he would ride straight to Wold Newton. Tim declared that as he was still off the pace he had pressed his trusty electric bike into emergency action and would ride firstly to North Elkington and, if all was well, he'd continue to Wold Newton, but didn't feel up to going to the planned destination of Caistor.

 

The small cavalcade made their way to the Fairfield Industrial Estate by way of the new link road that has been created from Brackenborough Road, from there it was a flat ride passed the Brackenborough hotel to Fotherby and then having crossed the bypass, it was up the hill to North Elkington. Despite the unseasonably low temperature the weather was dry, bright and a gentle wind. Alan showed us the capabilities of an electric bike by disappearing out of sight while ascending the hill. Tim was obviously pleased with his lower powered bike and his own performance at hill climbing as he now believed the opportunity to try one of the famously generous sized cakes from the Wold Newton ladies was within grasp.

 

The group duly met Chris Owen about a mile before the village hall so all arrived together and managed to just find a vacant table amid the many other patrons. As has become customary, there were cakes of every description to be had so all could select their favourite along with freshly brewed coffee. A slice (half a brick!) of cake plus all the coffee one could drink costs £5 which is excellent value by 2024 standards. A sizeable group wearing Woodhall Wheelers jerseys were spotted in the village hall, the fame must be spreading.

 

Tim had a good excuse to return home, perhaps it was the over indulgence in cake but Alan and Chris both said they didn't fancy the hilly route via Thoresway and Rothwell to Caistor and would return, at least part of the way, with Tim. This left just Martin and John to fly Cycling UK (Louth) mythical flag to Caistor. Tim, who is rarely wrong, thought the old library would still be open - guess what, it was closed for the winter. A local inhabitant advised that the nearby Co-Op was open for hot and cold drinks, so all was not lost.

 

Although now warming up it was still too cold to stand around for long so the pair made their way fairly swiftly home (the tail wind helped) via Rothwell, Swallow, Beelsby, Hatcliffe, East Ravendale and then back tracking the outward journey through Wold Newton and North Elkington. John peeled off at Fotherby for home, leaving Martin as the sole participant for the whole of the route, well done that man.