Wolds Edge 4th October 2026

Cycling UK Louth Sunday Ride to Wolds Edge 4th October 2026

A fine Autumn day was promised with well above average temperatures of 20 Degrees Celsius (albeit after an early chill in the air). A hilly ride with close to 2000 ft of climbing, ETA back into Louth about 2.30 pm. 

Meeting up at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Ken Woolley, Ty Harness, John Rickett and Steve Croton, fresh from his travels across Norfolk. John Parish had arranged to meet up with us near Binbrook and Chris Owen at The Wolds Edge.

Departing on schedule we’d soon be passing through Brackenborough and Little Grimsby, en-route to the climb along North Elkington Lane, the first of a number of hills to enjoy. Warming up now (or at least we’d warmed up), a flattish ride along to Binbrook where we’d arranged to take a 5-10 minute break. Whilst Ty took the opportunity to purchase some energy providing bananas, John Parish joined the group to take numbers up to a respectable half dozen.

Our normal route to Market Rasen would have been via Kirmond le Mire and Tealby but roadworks had resulted in a diversion along the Orford Road, to join up with the National Cycle Network at Route 1’s Millenium Milepost ‘Thoresway South’. A short section of the prehistoric drover's road of the Caistor High Street took us to today’s highest point of about 530 ft AMSL, with great views across to the NATS radar at Claxby, and indeed all across to the Lincoln Edge and with a bit of imagination further again to the Trent Valley and into Nottinghamshire.

Time for a well-earned descent down into Walesby with a brief glimpse of All Saints Church, also known as The Ramblers Church. Inside there’s a beautiful stained-glass window depicting both ramblers and cyclist’s, donated in 1951 by the Grimsby & District Wayfarers Association. Worth a return visit.

Chris joined us at the bottom of the hill, having already been to The Wolds Edge but this time joining us on our last few miles back to the café. Arrived about 11.45 am to order a variety of refreshment to include toasted tea cakes, scones and carrot cake. We’d given advanced notice of our arrival so were served pretty quickly, considering at how busy the café was.

Departing at 12.30 pm Chris departed at the turning off to Tealby Thorpe (wishing all a good journey home), to leave the remainder to tackle two fords along Sandy Lane where the River Rase crosses the track. The first too long and deep to cycle but the second proved manageable. A pretty route passing by cottages built of the local golden limestone and according to Steve’s “The Lincolnshire Village Book”, the 17th Century water driven corn mill is still open to the public on special occasions.

Soon, we’d be encountering more hills, ‘Six Hills’ to be precise, where we’d join up with the Hainton Road. Near here, the group split into three with John Parish heading back to Horncastle and with Ty, having a few hours to spare, opting for a longer, steadier ride back to Louth, the weather being so fine. Indeed, temperatures had now risen to 20 Degrees in warm sunshine. We hope Ty had a pleasant extended ride home. That would leave Tim, Ken, John and Steve to return via Welsdale Bottom and Hallington.

Back at the Leisure Centre, John kindly provided a final cuppa, Tim arriving home at 2.30 pm having covered 44 miles. Closer to 55 for both John’s. Thanks to all for the company.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vPv4wVJ95Rq