Wednesday Wander 24th September 2025

Today's trip was a trial run for Sunday's ride to Cleethorpes, which will involve a bit of off-road navigation.

 

Three of us braved the chilly 10.00 start - Alan Hockham, Steve Croton and John Rickett. The weather was firmly in the early autumn category and why wouldn't it be seeing as it is early autumn.

 

The route took us through the Brackenborough bends, Covenham, passed the reservoir and then turning off for the quieter road to Marshchapel. Onward to North Coates and Tetney Lock, where we turned right to take Newton Marsh Lane which would lead on to Humberston Fittties. The tarmac road becomes a gravel track after a mile of so, but is easily negotiated provided speed is reduced.

 

Despite Tim giving me perfectly clear instructions on taking the track through, or more accurately, round the gate, my navigation let us down and I took us along a track which didn't have a crossing over the ditch. The error was soon spotted (by both Steve and Alan) and an about turn made - the moral is to not put explicit faith in a leader just because he's looking confident!

 

Once the correct track was resumed it was a more or less easy ride to the fitties, although the track becomes a single lane footpath, only a few souls on it but there is a short patch which is a bit muddy, so care needs to be taken here. There is no, or little, rain in the forecast so everything should be okay along this track on Sunday. 

 

From the fitties its a short ride to our first stop at Darracott's coffee shop next to the pier. We will be riding along the cycleway on the prom, but keep a good look out for pedestrians who absentmindedly stray into the marked-out lane.

 

Having enjoyed a cup of coffee, we retraced our steps before heading along North Sea Lane and Humberston Road to the Wilton Road Trading Estate. Nestled among the trading establishments is a little oasis of a lunch stop previously spotted by Steve - Bentley's Coffee Shop, where we sat outside in the sun and enjoyed, quickly served, bacon rolls or sausage rolls. Unfortunately it's not open on a Sunday but would make a suitable stop for a Wednesday ride if we should find ourselves that way. Attached to the coffee shop is a  treasure trove of vintage bric-a-brac, well worth a visit.

 

From Bentley's it was a straightforward ride though Tetney, Fulstow, Covenham and Alvingham to Louth, we now had the benefit of the wind behind us which encouraged a brisk pace, returning to a nearly deserted Leisure Centre at 14.10.

 

The previously published route will be altered slightly to retrace today's ride, so please download the new Ride With GPS route. We will still be stopping at North Thoresby Village Hall on the way back for a second lunch.

 

(ED: new route will be published soon)