Cycling Lincolnshire

[Banjo]

Just back from a trip to Lincolnshire, new I would have some spare time so took the folder in the boot,glad i did.

My folder is a cheap catalogue bike with single speed but goes well for what it is. I never stand up on the pedals and grind as Im not sure the drive train would cope so I walk a lot usually but it was great in Lincolnshire, no walking neccessary .

Had the little bike about 5 years or so now , despite its single speed and immense weight I enjoy riding it for some strange reason.

Rode through Brocklesby, Wooton, Croxton ,Barton on Humber ,Keelby ,Caistor Swallow and loads of other places ,

Would like to get the road bike up there for some longer rides if I get the chance, its gentle rolling countryside allows you some fast downhill bits but the uphills are very gradual.

 

[Gixxerman]

Down my neck of the woods then?
You should have given me a shout, I would have accompanied you and shown some of the best bits.
Lincolnshire is a good mix of very flat, rolling hills and the odd very steep hill.
It is not as flat and boring as everybody seems to think that it is.
Where I live in Market Rasen, I am only 6 miles or so away from the wolds which are fantastic biking country.
It is a very good base point for exploring the wolds.
There are some very nice forrests near my house as well in case I fancy some off-road.
Your second picture looks like somewhre near Caistor top.

 

[Bodhbh]

I'm from Keelby, strange seeing it come up on the forum Can't see the pictures as they're blocked at work, but will have a look later. If you've took a picture from Caistor top, I always stop there on rides, have a tin of guinness and admire the view.

There's some nice backroads to have a wonder around between Keelby and the Bridge, it's mostly flat up there. Otherside of the coin the wolds are great to explore also.

 

[Banjo]

I'm from Keelby, strange seeing it come up on the forum Can't see the pictures as they're blocked at work, but will have a look later. If you've took a picture from Caistor top, I always stop there on rides, have a tin of guinness and admire the view.

There's some nice backroads to have a wonder around between Keelby and the Bridge, it's mostly flat up there. Otherside of the coin the wolds are great to explore also.

Coincidently I was staying with inlaws in Keelby .Will be up there again in the summer will try to bring the roadbike and see if anyone on cyclechat is up for a ride.Previous time i was up people were walking on a frozen pond in Wooton.

 

[Browser]

Ah, you were up in that there Northern bit of Lincolnshire, where the natives talk funny
Now, down here on the South Lincs/North Cambs border we're much more civilised, we even have banjo duelling contests every week
And yes, it is a nice county to cycle in, even the flat bits.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Glad you enjoyed our county Banjo. You must have passed close to Attrick Towers on your route between Wootton and Barton. Your picture at Wootton pond is almost identical to the one ThreeBikesMcGinty posted on here a year or so ago.

Anyway, if you are returning, let me know and I'd be delighted to accompany you on a ride and may even throw in tea and buns Chez Attrick.

 

[Banjo]

Glad you enjoyed our county Banjo. You must have passed close to Attrick Towers on your route between Wootton and Barton. Your picture at Wootton pond is almost identical to the one ThreeBikesMcGinty posted on here a year or so ago.

Anyway, if you are returning, let me know and I'd be delighted to accompany you on a ride and may even throw in tea and buns Chez Attrick.

Thanks, that sounds like an offer to good to miss,dont know when it will be but will send a mesage to see if you or any of the other Lincolnshire cyclechatters are available.
usually come up about 2 or 3 times a year.

By coincidence my son and I were camping in the peak district last year,in a field behind a pub called the wild boar inn a guy turned up late and pitched by us then realized it was too late for the pub. We fixed him up with some sausage sandwiches and a beer ,turned out he was from Keelby.Small world sometimes.

 

[Bodhbh]

Coincidently I was staying with inlaws in Keelby .Will be up there again in the summer will try to bring the roadbike and see if anyone on cyclechat is up for a ride.Previous time i was up people were walking on a frozen pond in Wooton.

I've not lived up there for 20yrs, but go back every month or 2 to visit the folks. However, I should be up for a ride if I'm about. I only started cycling 3-4yrs ago, so discovering the area on bike is fairly new to me also.

 

[got-to-get-fit]

HI guys.....used to be a regular poster on this e're forum but not been on in a long while. However i saw this thread and thought i would ask some advice ....sorry but im going to take you all 'off topic' for a while.


Im moving from Teesside down to Lincolnshire in a couple of month as i have accepted a job in Stallingborough Grimsby.

Im trying to get a feel for the area and try and decide where to settle. I need to be within 45 mins of my workplace as i will be part of an emergency response team.
Im coming down with the family in mid march on a reccy of the areas and wondered if you guys could point me in the direction on good and bad places to live.

Lot of people have recommended places like Louth and Brigg.....we are looking for somewhere not completely isolated with a little bit of lfe. Market town type places.


Also getting back on topic, does anyone know of any cycling clubs in the area and is the area really as flat as everyone says??

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hi GTGF. So you've seen the lght,eh and you want to be part of the Yellowbellies in set! Now it won't be easy. You will need a valid visa and dual passports as we do not allow anyone with a North Bank stamp to cross the bridge. However, you seem like a good 'un, so I'll put in a friendly word for you. Assuming you meet with our requirements, you will assume Lincolnshire credentials after forty to fifty years of residency.

So, on to your query. I know Stallingborough and its environs well as I was based in Immingham for thirty years. 45 minutes radius gives a deal of scope for the surrounding villages, plus Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Now from what you have said about wanting a bit of life, well Lincolnshire isn't known for its high jinx and knees up. Grimsby is good for a punch up on a Friday and Saturday night, as are certain areas of Cleethorpes. Louth and Brigg are both a fair drive from Stallingborough and although could be done in 45 minutes in good weather, would be out of the question in snow and ice. Immingham, don't even think about and then the next town is Barton on Humber. There isn't much there apart from pubs and shops. Towns we don't do many of within your distance, villages we do lots of. Some very pleasant whilst others more like suburbs of Grimsby etc. (I'm not selling the area too well am I?). Many of the villages are quite large so are quite self contained with their own shops, pubs and post offices, but night life consists of a good book at bed time.

If you let me know in more detail what you are looking for, I will be able to offer more help. How old are your children, for instance and what are your interests? There'll be somewhere suitable.

 

[eldudino]

I grew up in Louth and it's a lovely place to live. There are quite a few pretty villages to the north west of the town that would be a bit closer, I'd echo Gerry Attrick's view that it does take a long time to get anywhere if the weather's bad, or if when you get stuck behind the inevitable tractor or old fogey doing 34mph!

 

[got-to-get-fit]

Thanks Gerry and eludino

My kids are 3 and 6 both boys. When we say we want a bit of life, what we really mean is that we want somewhere with a few pubs that have nice grub on a saturday afternoon, one or two shops to satisfy mrs GTGF's curiosity and a nice friendly atmosphere. We are past the going out on the lash stage...my 3 day hangovers have put paid to heavy nights out so a good book at bedtime is about all we manage really. Ha Ha.

I have walked through Louth on google street view and i have actually stopped off in Brigg on the way home from an interview at the site a couple of weeks ago so i have a feel for what thats like.

We are planning a trip down in the next couple of week and are going to stay for a long weekend and explore some of the areas.

Google maps tells me that Louth is 20 miles and 36 mins from the site so its do-able and would make a good cycle commute.


Are there any hills in the area ....i love a bit of hill climbing and having got my place on the fred whitton this coming May im going to need to keep up the gradient bashing.

 

[Gixxerman]

Some more I can add to the mix.
Caistor is within easy travelling distance. It is a small market town on the edge of the wolds. It has good freindly pubs and easy access to the A46 trunk road. The school also has a very good history of producing good students.

The other is my home town of Market Rasen. Another market town that is a bit bigger than Caistor, and has more shops / pubs. Bit more of a youth problem, but certainly not a crime hot-spot.
Again easy access to the A46. Has large comprehensive school in the town.
Forrest walks / rides within very easy reach.

Brigg - Quite large historic market town with very good shopping. Pubs are ok, but you would never describe it as quaint. Has started to get a bit of a reputation for yob culture. Very close to your work and good roads.

Then there are lots of very nice villages inbetween these towns, like:-
Tealby - very quaint and beautiful, but sleepy and high house prices. Very nice pubs / food.
Walesby - Small village with no pubs. Quite and sleepy. Nice walks / off-road rides nearby.
Melton Ross - Don't know much about this place, but the houses seemed quite nice when I have driven through it. Very close to your work.
The only trouble with the villages is travel in bad weather. It doesn't take much snow for them to be cut-off.

Hope thsi helps.
Next time you are down me and Gerry can go out for a blast with you and we can take in most of the above in one ride and see some nice countryside to boot.

 

[got-to-get-fit]

Nice one gixxerman ....ill add these villages to the list of places to visit when we come down for the weekend.

Thanks for the offer of a ride ...i will deff take you guys up on the offer when im down regularly.

Its good to get some local knowledge of the areas so thanks a million for that.

With regards to places being cut off in snow i guess thats the same for anywhere when you consider this winters snow fall. I lived in cumbria most of my life so i know that villages can be a problem. Im going to count this factor out of my considerations though cos if a place feels right then the threat of a bit of snow in the winter isnt going to put me off......besides a chubby wheeled mountain bike will sort that out ha ha.

 

[steve52]

i road in linconshire yeterday, i road from thurmaston to alford had lunch with mum then road back managed 13 mph avg over all im now limping and sore