Spilsby 8th April 2026

Ride Report: John Rickett…

Tim had earlier made a commitment to visit family on the south coast - hope the air-conditioning was working on the trains Tim. For others and with the weather forecast promise of a fine, dry day the longish (for a Wednesday) ride to Splisby was quite inviting.

Meeting up at the leisure centre for a 10.00 start were Paul Linder, Harvey Wright and John Rickett. With Paul leading the way, the outbound route was the familiar one of Stewton Lane, Legbourne and the Carltons. Then Woodthorpe, and onto Alford market place where Steve Croton and John Parrish said they would be waiting. With impeccable timing, Paul lead the small band to the rendevous spot at precisely 11.00. With the temperatrure rising and once disrobed of a layer or two, the group set off for Spilsby via Willoughby, Skendleby, Ashby by Partney aiming to arrive around 12.00. As if to prove it wasn't a fluke, Paul lead the group to Cunningham's cafe dead on 12.00.....and he says he has no military training!

Cunninghams have outgrown their current location and are moving to the White Hart next Wednesday, perhaps another trip to Spilsby is called for in the near future. Large mugs of coffee and snacks were quickly served and enjoyed, before setting off on a different route for the return journey. Paul bade his farewell to return directly to Alford while the remaining four continued through Hundleby, Raithby, Sausthorpe and onto Harrington. At the Harrington junction John Parrish left the group to return to Horncastle, leaving the remaining three to tackle Harrington Hill.

With the temperature quickly approaching 20C, a few beads of moisture were apparent on foreheads at the top. Steve forked right at the top of Harrington hill for his return to Alford, leaving Harvey and John to take the left fork for Brinkhill, South Ormsby, Swaby, Meagram Top and the regular return through Muckton and Little Cawthorpe. An interesting sighting in the pond at Swaby were two tiny ducklings, not much bigger than the eggs they emerged from.

Arrival time back at the leisure centre was 14.15, about 45 miles and the best weather of the year so far.