Chapel St Leonards Garden Centre 26th April 2026

Cycling UK Louth's Sunday Ride to Chapel St Leonard Garden Centre. 26th April 2026.

Today we'd enjoy one of Paul Linder's favourite rides with a route he'd devised to the Garden Centre at Chapel St Leonards. The weather was to be in our favour with cloud soon melting away to give us plenty of sunshine lifting temperatures to a warm 18 Degrees Celsius.

Meeting up at Louth's Leisure Centre were Ty Harness, John Parish, Harvey Wright and Tim Newbery. We were expecting to meet up with Ride Leader Paul Linder and Alan Hockham at Woody's at Woodthorpe.

A headwind on departure (winds have remained doggedly from the east for a week or two now) but we made good time through Muckton and Claythorpe. Upon arrival at Woodthorpe and re-uniting with Alan and Paul (who had arrived in time to take a super photo of the White Peacocks along Rye Lane), a vote to continue to the garden centre without a break was unanimous. Hopefully arriving in time to beat the rush hour crowd for the carvery.

The increasingly familiar Greenfield Lane took us to the A1104 with a direct connection to Alford before heading through Munby, Hogsthorpe and a busy main road to the Garden Centre. 11.15 am, perfect timing to beat the rush and Paul guided us to the secure garden for bike parking. Insider knowledge! 

We were well looked after and promptly served a mix of drinks and hot and cold food. 

Although the resort of Chapel St Leonards with its inviting golden sandy beaches and the chance of a paddle was just a short distance away, we opted instead for a return inland and maybe a cuppa at the Willoughby Arms. 

Upon arrival at the pub, Paul instead suggested final refreshments to be taken at 'Naughty but Nice' in Alford, the new venue some members had enjoyed visiting last Wednesday. Busy again but a table was secured where we enjoyed a chat over cups of coffee.

From here Paul and Alan would return home to leave John, Harvey, Ty and Tim to head back to Louth via the attractive rural lanes through Aby and Belleau, the crystal clear waters of the Great Eau still flowing freely in spite of an exceptionally dry April. This mirrors 2025 where a severe summer drought followed although the weather is set to turn more unsettled in May. 

Arrived back in Louth at 2.30 pm having covered 75 km. Many thanks to all for the company.

Tim's 'Relive' Video: https://www.relive.com/view/vQvxkjxVRBq