Spilsby 15th March 2026

Cycling UK Louth’s Sunday Ride to Spilsby 15th March 2026

Following on from a successful visit to Cunningham’s Café, Spilsby a month or so back, we looked forward to another visit on this ‘Mothering Sunday’. Hopefully there’d be a spare table.

Weather wise, it looked on paper to be a tough ride straight into a strong wind (gusts to 35 mph) all the way to Spilsby. ETA back to Louth about 3.30 pm which would be just in time to beat a squall line predicted for 4 pm with heavy rain and the chance of hail and thunder.

Meeting up at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Ty Harness, his neighbour Derek Croal (he’d ridden with us before so welcome again Derek), Harvey Wright and Paul Linder who’d ridden in from Alford. We were due to meet up with Steve Croton in Alford and Alan Hockham en-route. Apologies had been sent by John Rickett who was under the weather having caught a virus. Get Well soon John.

Outbound, our favourite route was followed through Stewton and Legbourne Furze but this time picking up the main road all the way to Withern, where we met up with Alan. Progress into the headwind was tough, especially on the exposed roads to Alford but we were on schedule and Steve was waiting for us outside the library. Time for a breather!

Although Alan had indicated an alternative route to Skendleby, Tim would follow Lincolnshire County Council’s Cycle Route C4 up to the Bluestone Heath Road. This neatly joined up with up with Cycle Routes C1 and C5, crossing over the River Lymm and onto Spilsby. This river, closely associated with Alfred Lord Tennyson, rises near Belchford in the Wolds and flows down through the marshes and eventually to the North Sea at Gibraltar Point, having merged with a number of Channels.

Arriving at Cunningham’s Coffee Lounge exactly on time at 12.30 pm, we were surprised but delighted to find plenty of room and for some, a slump into an endlessly giving sofa. Hot and cold drinks were welcomed along with various nibbles to include home-made sausage rolls. 

No history tour of the town today, although Ty pointed out the Parish Church of Saint James with its memorial to the explorer Sir John Franklin, who was born in Spilsby. Franklin served under Admiral Nelson at Trafalgar but is best remembered for his attempts to find the North West Passage, linking the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.

Paul would now head to Burgh le Marsh whilst Steve would continue with the group as far as Brinkhill. At this juncture we were at last blessed with a brisk tailwind, although Harrington Hill is a push on the pedals and a test of stamina whatever the conditions.

One final stop at the Sheep Dip Paddock and complimentary drinks where skies were darkening and a little showery rain was descending from the heavens. Would we get back home before the stormy weather?

With Ty and Derek swapping bikes we managed the few remaining hills to get back into Louth at 3.15 pm, the squall line duly arriving a little later at 4 pm. The heavy duty oil skins weren’t needed after all. 45 miles covered by the Louth Contingent. Well done Harvey.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vQvykRBzM46