Cleethorpes 28th September 2025
Cycling UK Louth Sunday ride to Cleethorpes 28th September 2025
Ride Leader and Ride Report: John Rickett
Following the Cleethorpes ride dress rehearsal on Wednesday, the main event was held today. As is often the case with best laid plans, it didn't go exactly as hoped. The light rain which was initially supposed to pass though in the early hours persisted until midday, which meant a wet ride as far as Darracottes in Cleethorpes but a dry ride back. The track which we had high hopes of enjoying, had turned a bit slippery with a few puddles but we made it without incident.
Ty Harness, Alan Hockham and John Rickett met up at the Meridian Centre for an 0930 departure. Optimistically, we waited until just after the allotted hour to see if there would be any more takers - there weren't, so we set off in the direction of Covenham, then followed the scheduled route through Marshchapel, North Coates and Tetney Lock to join the track past the fitties.
Riding along the Cleethorpes promenade a market had been set up and a few hardly souls were seeing what they suddenly couldn't live without.
It was a cold wet trio who arrived at Darracottes, the manageress was welcoming and didn't seem to mind the amount of water dripping onto the floor, though it wasn't long before she produced a mop to keep the place respectable and safe.
Just coffees were ordered as we thought that, this time, North Thoresby Village Hall should be the place to take lunch. Leaving Darrocottes, there were glimpses of blue skies and even the odd ray of sunshine in the distance, things were now looking up. Cake, bacon rolls and soup were collectively ordered to raise the spirits, unfortunately the coffee was just as insipid as last time but at £5 for a bacon roll and a cafetière it isn't bad value.
The journey home was uneventful though cut short a bit with John taking a direct route from Yarborough to Fotherby and the others omitting Alvingham and returning via Brackenborough.
After a pretty good summer of dry warm rides, it was a bit of a shock to be suddenly met with autumnal conditions - looks like the winter waterproofs will need to see the light of day now!