Woodthorpe 22-01-2023

Cycling UK Louth’s Winter Ride to Woody’s at Woodthorpe

Sunday 22nd January 2023 (Chinese New Year of the Rabbit).

No let up in the wintry weather and so it had been decided to alter today’s ride for a shorter amble to Woody’s Bar and Restaurant at Woodthorpe, utilising the salted and gritted road network.

The Meteorological Office predictions were in the end an accurate guide with temperatures at 10 am already a little above freezing and a predicted high of 3 degrees by 1 pm.

John Rickett met up with today’s ride leader Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre and we had been promised the company of Paul Linder at Woodthorpe. Most club members had however sent their apologies.

In spite of a frosty landscape, the skies were clear blue and the unbroken sunshine lifted our spirits as we pedalled along through Legbourne, South and North Reston. Passing Greenway’s Garden Ornaments Centre, we were reminded of the rather fine café that once existed here, now cleared away with housing under construction.

A little further and great views of the Great Eau and Withern Lowland drains. A sign indicated ‘Private Fishing’. Wonder what fish lurk in the waters.

At Castle Hill, Withern we turned off onto the B1373 which passes Strubby Glider Field. Active on Saturday when Tim had tested out the route but quiet today, save for birds of prey in search of lunch.

With the fine conditions and a light wind, we had made good progress and were a little ahead of schedule but were delighted to arrive at Woody’s exactly the same time as Paul who greeted us warmly. Time for a good natter over mugs of hot coffee and bacon and egg sandwiches. John Ambler would have approved.

On our departure, we noted that the frost had cleared and so could enjoy a pleasant route using the back roads once more. The sun was still beaming down when we bade farewell to Paul at Withern Corner Farm where Tim and John would continue through Great and Little Carlton.

Tim had never stopped at St Mary’s Church at Manby before where 29 servicemen are buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission churchyard cemetery. 20 of which are airmen of the Royal Air Force who perished in nearby fields and villages, several of whom are only 'Known Unto God’.

The homeward stretch and a fine ride along Stewton Lane exchanging greetings with passers-by before arriving back at the Leisure Centre just before 1 pm, temperatures indeed as predicted, a dizzy 3 Degrees Celsius.

John very kindly treated Tim to a final coffee and a soft and sticky but delicious slice of flapjack. A very enjoyable day out.