Regulars and staff at the Bread and Bitter pub on Mapperley Top have cleared the decks to make way for a static cycle ride to raise money for the ex-service men’s and women’s charity, Help for Heroes.

(l-r) back row on the cycling treadmill, Aron Ciesla, Paul Smith and Tim Goliah with support from other members of the Velo Club B&B.

In 12 hours of frantic pedalling, beginning at 11am, members of the pub’s own B&B Velo Club, spent an October day travelling the equivalent of 660 miles … without leaving the comfort of the bar. £600 was raised for the charity.

According to club secretary, Richard Wilson, the static bikes are the ideal method of transport for drinkers with nowhere to go. “And thanks to the support of our pub regulars, we raised a pound or two as we shed a pound or two.”

Over 20 members of the pub’s own cycle touring club, dressed in their body hugging kit were joined by casual pub visitors with an urge to join in. These included a ten year old lad called Oscar who completed 10 miles in 20 minutes.

Road bicycles were tethered to a frame to mimic the effect of a real cycling trial.

Richard says the total raised was well in excess of expectations. “It’s a super amount and one we had great pleasure in raising. Our thanks go to the armed forces and to our pub friends for their generosity.”