Ashby Hill 4th June 2023
Cycling UK Louth Sunday Ride to Ashby Hill
4th June 2023:
The first Sunday ride of Meteorological ‘Summer’ and Tim listened with interest to the weather forecast on the early morning radio broadcast. Inland, to the west of the Wolds, cloud would quickly clear to leave a warm sunny day with highs of 18 Degrees Celsius. However, near the coast cloud would persist all day with a maximum temperature of a chilly 12 degrees. Which would it be for us?
Meeting up at the Meridian Leisure Centre with Tim Newbery, fresh from his travels in the Netherlands, were Paul Linder and John Rickett. John Ambler had also arrived for the ride but in the end was feeling under the weather and was advised to take it easy with a day off at home. Hopefully, he’d be able join us for the ‘Wednesday Wander’.
Chris had indicated that he’d meet up with us for a coffee at Ludford with the remaining group then taking lunch at the Landmark Café. ETA back home about 3.30 pm.
Heading off through Brackenborough the skies were indeed overcast and there was a brisk NE’ly headwind but good progress was made until we turned westbound to tackle North Elkington Lane. A sharp ascent forced a lowering of the gears and we were rewarded with fine views of the Wolds from Boswell Road. Passing the former aerodrome of RAF Kelstern a few glimpses of sunshine cheered our spirits and by the time we arrived at Ludford, exactly on schedule at 11 am, skies briefly turned blue.
Chris, as promised met up with us and we all enjoyed a pleasant chat over hot drinks and a mix of bacon buns and sandwiches. John Ambler would have approved. We were served by the charming Alice.
Departing at about 11.45, the staff at the Landmark Café were updated with an arrival time of about 1 pm.
Passing the Bouchetette Farm at Willingham Corner (a former café stop for the club), we’d cycle the couple of miles of the ‘High Street’ before peeling off to Stainton le Vale (stān Old English A stone, and tūn Old English A farmstead). An attractive Wolds hamlet, it still boasts a working telephone box.
Continuing on a section of Sustrans NCN Route 1, we would follow a very undulating road along to Croxby and Beelsby, eventually turning southbound through Hatcliffe and the Waithe Beck chalk stream which meanders its way through the village. Water Crowfoot, a member of the buttercup family can be seen mid-stream at this time of year. By now, skies had once again become overcast and temperatures started to fall back to the forecast 12 degrees.
At West Ravendale we were surprised but delighted to meet up with Mike Leverton who was on this occasion taking a walk. A pleasant section of our route with the May Blossom in full flower, a mix of white and pink, whilst ceanothus bushes gave a vivid contrast with its stunning blue flowers.
We arrived at the Landmark Café at 1 pm and spent an hour enjoying lunch at a corner table affording fine views of the valley but in the comfort of the café’s interior. The outside veranda would wait another time. Paul once again enjoyed an Avocado, Broccoli, Spinach, Mango, Coconut, Ginger & Lime smoothie.
The final leg of the journey was aided by a backwind and arriving at the Leisure Centre at 3 pm we were just in time for a final coffee (thanks to John).
47 miles for the Louth contingent with about 1500 FT of climbing. Over 70 miles for Paul. Many thanks to all for a fine day out.