Mablethorpe 23rd July 2025

The rain that was forecast earlier in the week had in the end moved south into Norfolk to leave a rather cloudy but dry and warm day for our ride to the seaside. Alan Hockham had suggested a route to Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea, himself meeting up en route at Howdales. Meeting up at the Leisure Centre were John Rickett, Paul Linder, Rob Cook, Ty Harness and Tim Newbery.

 

Outbound the route would take us along Red Leas and Eleven Greens where Alan greeted us at the junction with Marsh Lane. The northerly breeze would now help a little as we continued to Three Bridges and Gayton Engine. 

 

With some of the schools having broken up for the summer holidays we wondered how busy the coast would be but traffic was relatively quiet along Quebec Road. A pause at Queens Park was required for a regrouping before the short climb of the pullover at South Promenade to take refreshment at Coral Café. Fine views of the sandy beaches and the almost blue waters of the North Sea.

Where the well-appointed Queens Park flats and apartments now stand, there once stood a convalescent home designed by the renowned Louth architect James Fowler. Built in 1870 and funded in part by The Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, it was conceived by Miss Emily Anderson under the guidance of Florence Nightingale who once visited.  

 

With spells of warm sunshine now beaming down and under Alan’s leadership, we’d bypass Sutton on Sea and head inland via Rossa Road to Stone Bridge. A decision was made for an extra stop for a drink at Woody’s at Woodthorpe after which, Paul and Alan would head for home

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Ty, John, Rob and Tim would head back through the Carltons, Rob opting for the main road route at Legbourne as ‘Road Closed’ signs had advised us of a road closure along Stewton Lane. As it happened the workforce seemingly had the day off.

 

About 40 miles for the Louth contingent.

Tim’s Relive video: https://www.relive.com/view/vMq5w97ADQO