Angus Effemey's relaxed pub-stop cycling group filled its first ride to Brighton and had to close bookings. A Thames towpath ride follows on 26 September.

A Molesey man’s plan to get casual cyclists back in the saddle has proved more popular than he expected. Angus Effemey’s new social cycling group, Pedals & Pints, drew between 50 and 60 riders to its first outing and had to close bookings to keep the group manageable.

The idea is simple: low-cost social rides built around good routes, pub and cafe stops, and meeting new people. It is not a race, a sportive or a serious club ride.

“It’s relaxed, social, low judgement and open to all sorts of bikes and abilities, as long as the bike is safe to ride,” Mr Effemey said.

The first ride ran from the Guildford and Shalford area down to the Sussex coast at Shoreham and Brighton, following the Downs Link, the old railway path that runs from St Martha’s Hill near Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea.

“From rusty to riding”

Since the first ride, Mr Effemey says he has been getting messages and emails most days from people asking when the next one is. What has stood out is who is asking:

  • people who would not normally join a cycling event or a club ride
  • riders who have not been out properly in years
  • people worried about their fitness
  • and plenty asking whether an old mountain bike, a hybrid, an e-bike or a bike with a basket is okay

All of those bikes are welcome, he says. That is the point of the group, which rides under the motto “from rusty to riding”.

Pedals and Pints riders at the bar during a pub stop on the first ride
The pub stop is part of the format. Riders at the bar during the first Pedals & Pints outing. Photo: supplied by Pedals & Pints

Next ride: the Thames towpath, 26 September

More Surrey and Thames routes are being planned. The next confirmed outing is a Thames towpath ride towards Richmond on Saturday 26 September.

Places on the first ride went quickly, so anyone interested in joining should follow the group’s pages for booking details: Pedals & Pints on Facebook, or @anguspedals on Instagram.

Sources

  • Angus Effemey, founder of Pedals & Pints, in correspondence with Elmbridge News, 27 August 2026, for the ride details, rider numbers and quotes. Photographs supplied by the organiser.
  • West Sussex County Council: the Downs Link, for the route of the path.