Charity bike ride raises £80,000 for pub industry charities

The annual three-day ride, Pedalling 2 Pubs, saw 60 cyclists pedalling across Somerset and North Devon, stopping in at The Lethbridge Arms in Bishops Lydeard on their final day, Saturday, May 18, for a delicious Thai lunch.

Two charities will receive donations from the £80,000; Only A Pavement Away and Licensed Trade Charity. Riders included many pub owners, licensees, and industry employees from CAMRA, the BII, and Thatchers.

Steve Alton, CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping organised the event. The Lethbridge Arms' landlady Sarah Snowden said she was "delighted" that the pub had been selected as a stop by the industry professionals.

Steve Alton and Sarah Snowden at Lethbridge Arms, Bishops Lydeard. (Image: Sarah Snowden)

The Lethbridge Arms' Sarah, said: "We were incredibly proud to have been chosen, as members of the British Institute of Innkeeping, to host the riders. There are obviously hundreds of pubs in Somerset they could have chosen.

"The feedback was incredible, I think we got ten TripAdvisor reviews from the cyclists. They were wowed by the pub, our Thai food, and how well-kept the garden is — they sat outside to eat. I do road cycling so I'll be joining next year."

"They still had to cycle a further 23 miles to get to their endpoint after lunch, and they'd all had seconds of our Thai food. Someone came to the bar and ordered 18 espressos and two cappuccinos to help them on their way."

Pedalling 2 Pubs Just Giving page reads: "Pedalling 2 Pubs 2024 brings together industry leaders from across the hospitality industry.

"As they travel through the breathtaking landscapes, the cyclists also embrace the opportunity to raise vital funds for the Licensed Trade Charity and Only a Pavement Away.

"Both charities work tirelessly to provide support, assistance, and opportunities to vulnerable individuals within the hospitality industry, including those facing poverty, homelessness, and other challenges."