Mablethorpe 9th April 2025
Cycling UK Louth's Wednesday Wander 9th April 2025.
After days of sunshine (albeit with a chilly easterly wind), this morning turned cloudy, the predicted top temperature on Mablethorpe Beach just 8 Degrees Celsius. Sea temperatures too would come in at 8 degrees but we weren’t thinking of going for a cold-water swim!
Today’s ride leader Tim Newbery met up with Ty Harness, Paul Linder and John Rickett at Louth’s Magna Vitae Leisure Centre for a ride to the Whistle Stop Bistro at the Magna Vitae Station Leisure and Learning Centre in Mablethorpe. ETA Back in to Louth about 1.30 pm. Steve Croton had messaged that he’d join us at Withern.
Departing at 10 am, we were pleased to receive some shelter from the hedgerows as we progressed through Stewton and Legbourne Furze. Onwards to Withern picking up Alan Hockham on the way to find Steve sitting on the bench as promised - he'd been waiting for half an hour. Some bricks in his saddle bag to slow him down next time we think.
The ride to Meers Bridge along Stain Lane was ‘character building’. A long stretch straight into the wind; a low gear and a twiddle required. Never the less we arrived at the Station Leisure and Learning Centre with plenty of time for Tim and Alan to enjoy the ‘small’ breakfast. More modest snacks were procured by other members.
The centre occupies the former railway station and there are many references to its origins including the name of the new café.
Meanwhile, behind the Leisure Centre there’s a planter marking the location of the former turntable. Mablethorpe was the principal station on the loop line, opening as the terminus of the Louth and East Coast Railway on 16th October 1877. The line finally closed in 1970 with the last train departing Mablethorpe on 3rd October.
Leaving Alan, Steve and Paul to return home and Ty to head to Withern for work, Tim and John continued along Quebec Road to Hand Puddle Hole Bridge. We’d eventually pick up a back wind at Howdales propelling us all the way back to Louth, arriving at the Leisure Centre at 1.30 pm, exactly on schedule. By now temperatures had risen to double figures (just) at 10 degrees.
Many thanks to all for the company.
Tim's 'Relive' video: https://www.relive.com/view/vYvrwLG1mxO
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