 |
| Nettleton Top |
We awoke to a beautiful summer’s day in Lincolnshire so there was no excuse to not tackle the dreaded Nettleton Top. We cycled out through Osgodby and east towards the small village of Claxby. The defib box attached to the chapel should have warned me that we were about to approach the upward climb towards Nettleton Top but the incline was so sudden it hit me like a brick wall. There's a good reason why cyclists call this the Claxby Crawl.
I had selected the smallest ring on my bike but I felt like I was riding a toddler’s trike - the one where your feet are pedalling like mad but you’re going nowhere! Very quickly I had to dismount before I fell off and then suffered the indignity of having to push my bike up the hill. Paul was patiently waiting for me at the top.
 |
| don't be fooled by the photo, this is actually a very steep hill |
Eventually I reached the top of the hill and we were rewarded by fantastic views across the countryside as we cycled across the ridge. The thrill of riding downhill at breakneck speed was almost worth the pain of the climb.
The ride back through Nettleton, Moortown and South Kelsey was very pleasant, there were many other cyclists out today in the sunshine. By the time we got home we had ridden 42 kilometres. Paul checked the leaderboard on his computer - 173 riders in our age group have climbed the Claxby Crawl. We came 170th!
 |
| Nettleton church |
Far too hot for peddling here today. 33 C for the next few days, even swimming is an effort!
ReplyDeleteIdeal cycling temperature here today, and lunch on the terrace.
DeleteOne of my sisters in law from my first marriage lived in Claxby and another lived in Nettleton.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty villages Pat. You probably know how steep those hills are.
DeleteWell done. It's the flying downhill that scares the ...... out of me and the rest of the group used to think it hilarious that they had to wait for me somewhere beyond the bottom of the hills! Well done for making it on any terms.
ReplyDeleteI love the thrill of going downhill, that's the best part for me.
DeleteHi. Can you tell me if Claxby Rectory is still derelict? I wrote about it a few years ago when I saw it. Such a sad sight, a beautiful old house left to rack and ruin. I was hoping it had new owners and had been done up. It's next to the church.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't cycle up by the church in Claxby. Next time we go that way I shall go and explore and check out the rectory.
DeleteThat would be good if you could, to satisfy my curiosity. I have been meaning to go myself but not got round to it. I have been sent some photo's from a long time ago from one of the staff members who lived there. I found out from talking to a neighbour in the village that the house belonged to a rich man who bought it for his wife. After a short time of living there his wife died and he could no longer stay there. He abandoned it and moved to Yorkshire. Pictures from 2013, I went again in 2015, still the same. http://meanqueen-lifeaftermoney.blogspot.com/2013/08/rambling-around-caistor.html
DeleteQuite a remarkable achievement in my opinion. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris.
DeleteWell done Sue! A great achievement for a mature lady.
ReplyDeleteHave you climbed this hill Mr Pudding? There were some cows posing at the top just waiting for someone clever with a camera to come and take their photo.
DeleteYes. I have been up there and I know the cows you re talking about. One of them is called Daisy. Delightful udders.
DeleteWell done Sue - you made it to the top - even if you did push your bike!
ReplyDeleteI hope you were suitably rewarded with decent chocolate when you got home?
Only the usual half a kitkat!
Delete