Flyway Sandilands 14th October 2026

Cycling UK Louth’s Wednesday Wander to Sandilands, 14th October 2026…

Following the cancellation of last Wednesday's 'Wander' due to chilly strong winds and persistent rain, today, a rerun of a ride to the new ‘Flyway’ Café at National Trust’s nature reserve in Sandilands.

For mid-October, almost perfect conditions to start the day with clear blue skies and the promise of 18 Degrees Celsius. South-westerly winds were however forecast to strengthen in the afternoon with gusts of 30 mph. ETA back into Louth about 2.30 pm.

Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Rob Cook, John Rickett and Tim Newbery. We wondered if we’d meet Paul Linder near Withern or at the Flyway Café.

Departing along Stewton Lane (with the roadworks now complete) our route would take us through Legbourne and the Carltons before a check to see if Paul was waiting at Withern Village Hall. Not today so onwards past Strubby aerodrome watching the launch of a glider.

Roads remained fairly quiet with Washdyke Bridge taking us over the Wold Grift Drain and then a continuation to the Ings and Marsh of Sutton, where once stood medieval Anglo-Saxon settlements on what used to be intertidal saltmarsh and mudflats.

Not far now to the ‘Dough and Barley’ Flyway Café at NT Sandilands where we’d find Paul Linder already in residence in the outside patio. He’d almost finished a large plate of beans on toast. As the time was now 11.30 am breakfast had finished, although Tim thoroughly enjoyed a generous ‘square’ tea cake whilst John opted for a scone. The weather was as promised with unbroken sunshine having pushed temperatures to a warm 18 Degrees, although local weather stations confirmed that the winds were strengthening and already gusting to 30 mph.

This relatively new nature reserve with its visitor hub and café is proving popular; funding of the total project coming from a number of sources. Very fine it is too although it is hoped that there’ll eventually be improved cycle parking facilities at the visitor hub (currently by the reserve’s entrance and by the main toilet block and accessible changing rooms). A request has already been submitted.

Departing by 12.15 pm a route now to Thurlby and Bilsby with a request to take final refreshment at the ‘Vintage Shop and Tea Room’ in Alford. However, the venue was closed due to holidays and a decision was made to try ‘Naughty but Nice’, where sustenance was enjoyed by both Rob and Tim with all enjoying a welcome cup of coffee.  

Paul made his way home from here to leave John, Rob and Tim to continue to Ailby and Muckton. In turn, John would make his way home from Muckton Bottom with Tim and Rob arriving back into Louth about 2.30 pm and on schedule. Skies now turning dull and grey.

40 miles covered for the Louth contingent. Many thanks to all for the company.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vXOndkkVD5q