Binbrook and North Thoresby 27th July 2025

A ride had been requested to try out the two new Community Cafés at Binbrook and North Thoresby. A route was subsequently devised to visit both village halls. A ride of two halves, a hilly route up and over the Wolds to Binbrook and then the flat marshlands from North Thoresby. ETA back to Louth 2.30 pm.

 

Weather wise, a cooler day than of late with highs predicted of 19 Degrees Celsius in a brisk north westerly breeze. Mainly cloudy but largely dry. We hoped.

 

Meeting up with Tim Newbery at the Meridian Leisure Centre were Ty Harness, Rob Cook, John Rickett and Steve Croton and departing at 10 am we’d head off for the 15 mile first leg to Binbrook. 

 

Passing through Brackenborough we’d encounter several groups and several solo cyclist’s all heading south bound, perhaps trying out the large selection of enticing cafes in Louth. The route through North Ormsby is always picturesque although there's quite a climb out of the valley and up to Boswell Road, reputedly named after the prominent Roma family.

 

After a failed attempt last month, we were looking forward to tea and cake at Queen’s Hall in Binbrook only to find that the community café is no longer running. Sadly, their Summer BBQ on 19th July also had to be cancelled this due to low uptake. Maybe they’ll try again next year. 

 

Luckily it was only another seven miles to North Thoresby Village Hall where Tim on a recent bus ride to Grimsby had noted a poster advertising that the café would be open today. Success! We were greeted upon arrival to be told that the plan is to open up as a café fortnightly and that cycle racks were going to be installed. The café is being run in a very similar fashion to Wold Newton and there were certainly a large and very fine selection of cakes and scones. There was also a selection of savoury dishes to include sausage rolls and jacket potatoes.

 

With the group having patiently waited for Tim to traverse the hills it was pleasant now to have the benefit of a tail wind along the flat marshland lanes. We were very soon passing by North Thoresby Railway Station where a notice advised us of the running of steam trains by the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway and were fortunate that there was indeed a loco getting ready to depart.

 

With talk of a final refreshment stop at Conisholme to sample Appleby’s Ice Cream, Tim had to be persuaded not to stop in Fulstow where the Summer Fair was in full swing in the football club playing fields; ice cream vans and burger vans doing brisk business. Our timing at Appleby’s Ice Cream Parlour and Café was impeccable with no long queues and we were promptly served with refreshments. On departure, the queue was snaking out of the building and through the car park!  

 

The last 12 miles passing through South Somercotes was surprisingly straightforward considering the occasional headwind and the 50 ft climb of Conscience Hill which went almost unnoticed – in contrast to today’s final stage of the Tour de France where there’s a fourth-category climb of the Côte de la Butte Montmartre tackled three times shortly before arriving at the Champs-Élysées!

 

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre at 2 pm having covered 42 miles. Thanks to all for the company.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vRO7Z2DBYyv