Cleethorpes 04-05-2025
Cycling UK Louth Sunday Ride to Cleethorpes 4th May 2025.
A change to the originally published ride, today, we’d head to the seaside to the land of the "Meggies"; Cleethorpes. Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Ty Harness, Steve Croton, Martin Wood and John Rickett.
Our outward leg was certainly a push on the pedals into a strong headwind. The forecast was for a NE’ly averaging 20 mph gusting 30 mph. Chilly too with a high of just 9-11 Degrees Celsius, well below the seasonal average.
Passing through the Covenhams and Fulstow hardly another cyclist but instead a few horse riders. With Ty taking the lead and affording others some shelter we’d soon reach Humberston ("Humber Stone", a large boulder deposited on the site of the village during the last Ice Age) and it wouldn’t be long before arriving on the sea front in Cleethorpes. Interesting to view the nearly completed RNLI Lifeboat Station which looks fit to serve for many years to come, the original dating back to 1868.
We were fortunate in having an almost unlimited choice of venues but plumped for Darracotte's Coffee Shop & Ice cream Parlour next to the Pier. Excellent fayre too with most ordering beans on toast. Tim was sorely tempted in a ‘Knickerbocker Glory’ but resisted! The sea looked rough with white horses confirming that a Beaufort Force of at least 5 was blowing onshore. We wondered if Chris Owen had been tempted in a swim.
Cleethorpes is often called "Meggies" and with some of Ty’s family from Cleethorpes, they can claim the name "Meggie". There are many theories as to why Cleethorpes is known as "Meggies". One theory is that day trippers would spend their “megs” - Victorian slang for halfpennies - in the resort. Maybe it was because the tram fare from Grimsby to Cleethorpes being known as a “Meggie” or perhaps the nickname originates with local soldiers, who called themselves the “Meggies” after their commanding officer, Captain H W Meggitt.
Less controversial, a homeward route with wind assistance, quite a pleasure. The scattered showers had by now ceased, skies brightened and it was therefore feeling much warmer.
Arrived back at the Leisure Centre at a little before 2 pm, well ahead of schedule. 40 miles completed by the Louth contingent. Many thanks to all.
Tim's 'Relive' video: https://www.relive.com/view/v1vjPPGM9J6
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