Woodhall Spa 17-12-2023

Having been a little short on numbers over the last few weeks, we’d today have the largest turnout for the last few months. Joining Ride Leader Tim Newbery at Horncastle were Paul Linder, John Weeks, John Rickett (really good to see him back with the group), Alan Hockham and guests John Parish and his neighbour Graham Silverton. Great to have their company.

 

Today’s weather was set to be fine, dry and mild, albeit very blustery with gusts of up to 35 mph. A headwind to Woodhall Spa but a nice push all the way home.

 

Departing from the Pool and Fitness suite a little after 10 am, we’d very soon be needing a bit of an effort to climb ‘Col de Langton’. At least we were rewarded by bursts of sunshine with the cloud attempting to break up. A pleasant ride through Old Woodhall with amiable chat and a catch up on everyone’s latest news.

 

Poolham Lane would give us some welcome shelter with hedgerows and Waterloo Woods deflecting the brisk winds. Similarly, Stixwould Wood aided our progress all the way to the The Viking Way.

 

The roads were wet and puddled following recent heavy rains and the fields on our journey to the River Witham were waterlogged. Tim had however ridden much of the route on the Saturday (in glorious sunshine) and had confirmed that the Water Rail Way was clear of any flooding.

 

At the former Stixwould Station, we decided not to wait for the next train (the last timetabled service was back on Saturday 3rd October 1970) but instead pedal our way along the old railway track (now a multi-user path) alongside the River Witham to Martin Dales. Although the waterway is not extensively used, we did come across a couple of barges heading towards Lincoln.

 

A short section of main road would lead us to the Woodlands Café where we were lucky to obtain seating for all seven of us. Hot drinks and a varied choice of cake, buns and bacon sandwiches would fortify us for our return route.

 

With a sizeable group we were able to split into two, Tim Newbery leading a contingent back via the Spa Trail with Paul Linder leading a contingent via Wood Enderby. The village’s name is derived from Old Scandinavian person’s name 'Eindrithi', with 'by', Old Scandinavian for a village. The prefix ‘Wood’ helps distinguish it from nearby Mavis Enderby and Bag Enderby.

 

Thanks to all for an enjoyable ride (RAF Coningsby did indeed report wind gusts of 36 mph) and especially to John and Graham for joining us today.