DAY SIX: Woodall Spa to the Humber Bridge (13 June 2021)
Distance: 82 km (51 miles)
Ascent: 610 m
Legs: Feeling good but the hills start gently today with the Lincolnshire Wolds
Surprisingly, it is already day six and I will catch sight of the Humber Bridge which feels like something of a landmark in my journey. After a chilly night I opt to cook breakfast before heading out. Coffee followed by pasta laced with vegetables. I am trying to fuel up and lighten the load as I am aware the - admittedly gentle - hills start today in the form of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Sunday cyclists abound today and I spend some amount of time in a larger group before they finally overhaul me. A sighting of a beautiful black carriage drawn by a jet black mare makes my day and is not my last horse encounter of the day. As I get into the Wolds and arrive at South Willingham I have done 30 km and have 52 km to go so its time for an early lunch stop of bread, cheese and Wisbech cherries. As I finish lunch the local parish meeting has finished and its members troop past in ones and twos. The usual questions; start, finish, how many days?
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| Horsington |
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| South Willingham |
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| South Willingham |
Half way through the day's miles I hit the first real incline and it is enough for me to jump off the bike and walk for the first time, albeit briefly, though the rolling hills continue and I am just starting to feel the fatigue when I start the descent off the Wolds towards to river Humber.
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| An obstacle; but what to do? |
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| Sometimes you've just got to push through |
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| Poppies |
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| Sheep shearing |
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| Did I mention I'd brought the wrong bike? |
After following numerous bridleways I am puzzled when I come to a bridleway junction as a number of cones are laid out in the middle of the 3-way junction. I stop by the cones. Then I notice a couple with clipboards sitting on camp chairs nearby. They explain that an equestrian event is taking place and as the next horse is approaching could I please step aside, which I do. A horse approaches and performs a figure of eight around the cones. Mr and Mrs Clipboard take notes and indicate to the rider what she lost points on before horse and rider proceed. My route follows the course of the event and I am informed I can proceed but could I kindly take down my yellow flag as it might spook the young horses taking part. The horse and rider pairings set off every 4 minutes in this time trial so I set off a minute behind the next horse. It isn't long before I hear the neighing of the horse behind me that is making good progress. The next challenge is a slalom and seeing how the horse ahead managed I try the slalom poles for myself. Asking the nearby marshals if I can get awarded any points I am informed that "No, there isn't a bike category, ... but you get points for style". That is good enough for me and I continue with the quicker horse behind me driving me onward. The next obstacle is a tight maze which I have no hope of completing so I move quickly on to the parallel bars. No, not the gymnastic ones but poles laid on the ground to trot (or cycle) between and of course I complete this with ease whilst being encouraged by the latest couple of marshals with clipboards who I think have been forewarned of my presence via their radio. The frisky horse behind is gaining on me and pushing me closer to the slower horse in front so it is with some relief that after one more challenge the end comes into sight. As the horse in front veers right to finish I veer left and find an exit and back on to the reassuring solidity of tarmac. Later, if I ever recount this story people love to comment that "lucky there were no jumps!". Very funny.
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| Push the button to cross the tracks |
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| Sustrans and the National Cycle Trail (No. 1) |
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| The Humber Bridge comes into view at last |
As the Humber Bridge comes into view, I ignore my original plan to check it out and head off east five miles to my campsite. I had chosen the campsite for its alpacas though it meant a few more miles, however, I am tired and with my interest in alpacas diminished I wasn't sorry that I'd miss alpaca feeding at 9:30 am the following day. It is a Sunday and am lucky to stumble into a pub at 18:01 hours and get the last Sunday roast which officially stopped serving at 18:00 hours. Yes, at 18:01 the bar staff had to check with management that it was OK to serve me. However, ordering a second beer at 19:02 hours I am informed they stopped serving at 19:00 so sorry, no can do, computer says no. On the thirsty two mile walk back to the campsite I reflect I hadn't planned for so much off-bike exercise though it helped me stretch the legs out.
Day 7: Humber Bridge to Bishop Wilton
