Wold Newton and Caistor 12th October 2025

Cycling UK Louth Sunday Ride to Wold Newton and Caistor.

Ride Report: John Rickett…

Mid October and possibly the best day of the year for cycling - sunny, no wind and the temperature just right - well that's my take on it.

Gathering at the Leisure Centre for an 0930 departure were Ty Harness, Paul Linder, Alan Hockham, Rob Cook and John Rickett. The early morning start saw the thermometer registering just 6 C although it shot up as the sun burnt off the mist leaving blue skies and wall to wall sunshine for most of the day.

Today's destination was Caistor via Wold Newton village hall, a place not to be missed on the second Sunday of every month when (almost American super-sized) cakes and coffee are served for £5 a head. Tim had previously stated that he would be there to greet us on arrival and indeed he was. Joining us at the Salter's Lane cross roads was Chris Owen who had cycled in from Irby. It was just an hour's ride to get there having first negotiated North Elkington hill, Rob though had intended to tackle Grainsby hill but found his way blocked by a road closure at Fulstow so had ridden up North Ormsby hill instead. On our arrival the establishment was heaving with, initially, no place to sit. Wold Newton village hall's fame must still be spreading, seeing the number of cycles and parked cars. We were fortunate in that an inside table was vacated and we could all sit at a table and enjoy the offerings.

The plan was to then ride to Caistor where we knew, if we didn't want to venture further than the town centre, that the Co-op would be open for a machine-made Costa coffee and, if we didn't stay too long we could return to Wold Newton before they closed. At this point Rob decided to join Paul back to Louth. Paul who had already covered the 15 mile distance from Alford to Louth decided that he had come far enough and would return home - some of us have a sneaking suspicion that he wanted to spend more time researching the potential purchase of an electric bike. Let's hope that Wendy doesn't read this as the beans may have been spilled!

 Ty, Alan, Chris and John set off for Caistor via Thorganby and Rothwell. At the Croxby junction, Chris left us to ride part of what is now NCN Route 1 back to Irby. We were now down to 3 but safely made it up Rothwell hill to Caistor where, with the rapidly rising temperature and heart rates a layer of clothing ought to be divested. 

A quick drink and then the return via Cuxwold and Swallow to Wold Newton before its doors were closed, or the cakes ran out, or both. In the event we were back and having coffee and cake by 1330. There were now plenty of seats available so might as well soak up possibly the last of the autumn sun and warmth sitting outside. From Wold Newton the same outbound route was chosen back to Louth. (ED: Tim’s Garden weather station recorded a way above average 18 Degrees Celsius).

The only blot on such a pleasant day was the sight of two large instances of fly tipping, between Swallow and Beelsby. What makes people think it’s someone else's job to take their unwanted mattresses, fridges, kitchen units and kid’s toys to the recycling centre. It’s such lovely countryside around there, is that why it was chosen as a dumping ground?