Wednesday Wander to Woodthorpe 17th December 2025

Cycling UK Louth Wednesday Wander to Woodthorpe 17th December 2025.

With some of the group still working on a Wednesday it was left to Tim Newbery (making a rare appearance since his operation and trying to obey the surgeon’s instructions), stalwart John Rickett and Martin Wood who we hadn’t seen in ages (welcome back Martin) to meet up at Louth’s Leisure Centre. Paul Linder had indicated he’d ride directly to Woody’s. 

Weather forecasts had indicated a pretty chilly start with rain eventually arriving in the afternoon. Tim and John were grateful of heated gloves whilst Martin had a wardrobe malfunction, arriving wearing two left-handed gloves. Strangely, he had two matching right-handed gloves at home. Hopefully the two pairs can reunite at some stage.

Departing at 10 am the happy trio soon moseyed on down to Stewton Lane, not wanting to get cold in what was an increasingly brisk southwest wind. Our route would take us along the twisting and very rural Furze Lane to Legbourne and the Carltons, hoping that the often-repaired section of road near Gayton Top was withstanding any further damage from subsidence. What we weren't expecting was for a very (very) low level swoop of an RAF Atlas C1 (A400M) which has replaced the Hercules.

Luckily, we arrived at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant at Woodthorpe on schedule at around 11 am with Paul already in residence having arrived on his trusty trike. Placing our orders for hot drinks and either egg baps or bacon baps and sandwiches we had plenty of time for a catch up and an exchange of pre-Christmas goodwill and cheer.

On departure Paul took the lane to Withern for an onward journey to Alford for dog sitting duties, whilst Tim, John and Martin continued to Claythorpe. Full ditches and dykes gave evidence of significant recent rainfall and the waters of the Great Eau passing through the mill were flowing high and fast. Flooded fields on our journey today were attracting a number of migrating geese whilst we also spotted a number of buzzard, one flying overhead, one perched lazily on a branch within a few feet of us.

Anticipating rain on our arrival back into Louth at 1 pm, skies instead briefly brightened and there were thoughts of one final cuppa at the Meridian Leisure Centre. However, ‘wet paint’ signs confirmed that annual maintenance was underway with the closure of the café.  Hopefully back open again on Saturday 20th. Thanks to all for venturing out today and a reminder that Sunday’s ride is to Cleethorpes.