Alford 15th July 2026

Cycling UK Louth's Wednesday Wander to Alford 15th July 2026...

Meeting up at Louth's Leisure Centre were Paul Linder, John Rickett, Rob Cook and Tim Newbery anticipating a fine ride to Alford with the promise of increasingly blue skies and a pleasant maximum temperature of 20 Degrees Celsius in a fresh, North East breeze.

Relatively quiet on the lanes this morning with little traffic to trouble us through North Reston and some classic views of the harvesting passing through Authorpe Fields; more clouds of dust from the hard working farm machinery.

Picking up Lincolnshire County Council's Cycle Rote C4 at Greenfield Lane, famous for Saint Mary's Cistercian nunnery founded by 1153 and located just beyond Devil's Square, we were soon arriving into Alford having been blown along in the tail wind.

John had suggested refreshments at 'The Vintage Shop and Tea Room' and we were given a warm welcome. The lady behind the counter seemed glad that there were just the four of us as recently a group of twelve cyclists had descended. Sitting outside on the benches by the bus shelter we were served with tea and cakes from fine china. The rich fruit cake went down well whilst Tim enjoyed the lemon drizzle.

Bidding farewell to Paul, our return route took us through Well with the sharp but short climb along High Lane to Miles Cross Hill. The route via Sleepy Hollow, Rigsby and Haugh is always pleasant and looking east across the middle marsh we could make out the sheet of grey cloud still enveloping the coast. 

Crossing the Great Eau chalk stream at Belleau Bridge, we noted that a 'For Sale' sign has been re-erected although it's not clear if this is for the whole estate or just Belleau Bridge House.

Arrived back into Louth a little after 1 pm having completed 30 miles with John very kindly supplying one final round of coffee at the Meridian Centre. A few wisps of cloud were just starting to edge back from the coast, temperatures having risen to the predicted 20 Degrees.

Many thanks to all for a fine 'Wednesday Wander'.

Tim's 'Relive' video:

https://www.relive.com/view/veqzWKPD5Bv