Winthorpe 28-07-2024
Cycling UK Louth Sunday 28th July 2024
Steve’s Ride to Winthorpe
Almost exactly a year since our last ride to this part of the Lincolnshire coast (a ride to Gibraltar Point) and today we’d been promised a fine summer’s day with sunny skies and temperatures reaching a pleasant 21 Degrees Celsius on the coast and up to 24 degrees in Alford.
Apologies had been sent in by John Rickett (pedalling to Holyhead), Chris Owen, Sven Livesey, Martin Wood and Alan Hockham who’d be cycling around Beccles. That would leave Rob Cook and Tim Newbery to meet up in Alford with Steve Croton who was Ride Leader and route deviser to Winthorpe.
Conditions were so amenable to cycling that Rob and Tim were in Alford by 10.15 am with plenty of time before the 10.30 am start. Steve would then lead the group through Farlesthorpe where we’d pause briefly to view the charismatic hare perched on the thatched roof of the cottage next to the old Willoughby branch railway line station crossing.
At Willoughby, for a change, Steve took us past Welton Low Wood which has been included in the Nature Conservancy Council's 'Inventory of Ancient Woodland'. Soon back onto familiar ground along Cycle Route C3 climbing up Costard Hill (all of 10 m) before bowling along a very fine short stretch of totally resurfaced road near Orby Marsh. Stark contrast to the potholed and patched up network of lanes we’re now so used to having to put up with.
Shortly before arriving in Winthorpe, we’d pass the ‘Old Wireless Station’ control building which gives a clue to a fascinating bit of Winthorpe’s history. We’ve passed the Marconi Wireless Beam Transmitting Station at Tetney many a time but here near Skegness was where the Receiving Station masts were located. In 1926 the skyline was transformed as eight 287 ft masts were erected covering a length of nearly 2 miles. The control building is now a bungalow. The masts were dismantled in 1940 as they posed a hazard to aircraft.
On reaching the A52 ‘Roman Bank’, traffic was heavy so Steve led us to Winthorpe along the shared use cycle path. Alan had passed onto Tim a history and archaeological significance of the ‘Roman Bank’ and the salt making of this area which had been an important industry from the Iron Age, through Roman times and the middle-ages. Salterns are recorded on both sides of this Sea Bank, indeed we’d passed one at Skegness Aerodrome.
We finally arrived at the seaside a little before midday and settled ourselves into The View Café Bar. A rather fine establishment with plenty of seating both indoors and outside on the patio overlooking the expansive, sun kissed beach. Tea, coffee and snacks went down a treat and Rob also enjoyed his sandwiches on the promenade.
The promenade looked manageable to cycle on and so a decision was made to head towards Ingoldmells Point. We passed by the Coastwatch Station and Butlin’s Resort without issue but soon the sand encroached and in places completely covered the promenade and with holiday makers increasing in number, cycling became almost impossible. Never the less it was actually quite fun to see so many enjoying a day at the seaside. Family friendly and everyone on best behaviour.
At Vickers Point Rob decided to depart the promenade with Anchor Lane taking us back to the A52. Fortuitously a new cycle path leads to Chapel and on passing a ‘convoy’ of mobility scooters we’d soon be enjoying a route through Anderby Creek (no swimming today) and Huttoft Beach. Steve asked if riders wanted an option of continuing to Sutton-on-Sea but all were happy to follow Steve’s route to Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream Parlour. Rob kindly stopped here, thinking Tim was bound to want a scoop or two but in the end Tim opted to wait until reaching Claythorpe Watermill, assuming we’d arrive before closing time.
Having almost been entangled with a pep of free range hens at Saleby (why did the chicken cross the road?), it was a pleasure to continue along a peaceful Greenfield Lane, passing the Railway Tavern at Aby which Steve informs us is due to close in September.
Arrived at the Mill at 3 pm so time for more coffee and additionally for Tim, a scoop of Dennett’s strawberry ice cream. Very fine too sitting in the balmy warmth of the late July sunshine.
Leaving today’s ride leader to return home, Rob and Tim would continue to Louth opting for a route via Authorpe and the Carltons to ensure we’d clock up 100 km. At least this provided us with an opportunity to forage blackberries which were ripening alongside ‘The Beck’ bridge and overshot water mill and wheel at Little Carlton. A perfect way to complete today’s summer ride.
Many thanks to Steve.
104 km (65 miles) on arrival into Louth at 5 pm.
Tim's 'Relive' video: