Cider Press recently organised a press visit for Cycling Plus Magazine with journalist Matt Ray and photographer Joe Branston. They spent two days cycling and taking on some of the local cider farms, whilst staying at Lemore Estate near Eardisley. Cider Press PR director Rob Stewart, was their guide.
Day One – April 12, Arrival
April 12 was the date that saw non-essential retail, self-catered accommodation and outdoor hospitality re-open following a long winter of Covid-19 restrictions.
It was also the day that Cider Press commenced its first press trip of the summer season and fortunately, the fantastic Lemore Estate has a number of self-contained, self-catered accommodation (Shepherd huts) in its grounds – ideal for our journalist and photographer for a couple of nights.
Journalist Matt Ray journeyed by train direct from London Paddington to Ledbury, but before our arrival at Lemore, we stopped off at cider specialists, Little Pomona, close to Bromyard. Susanna and Blair showed us around the orchard and then we got a taste of their lovely craft cider and their new ‘Ciderkin’, a very low alcohol and refreshing drink from the second apple pressing.
We could have stayed for hours but we headed across the country of Herefordshire to the base at Lemore, in time for supper. The food was provided by the hotel to be cooked on the barbeque at the shepherd huts in-line with Covid regulations. But what a great idea! Of course the burgers and sausages were washed down by a few ciders and beers from the Lemore bar which operated a takeout service.
Day Two – April 13, Road Cycling
Matt was commissioned by Cycling Plus Magazine to cover a story about cycling in Herefordshire, with an angle in cider country. Fortunately, we had organised a guide for Matt (Andy Turner) to lead him around a route that was over 120km, covering the entire country from west to east, and back again.
Professional road cyclist Andy Turner from the Swift team, is based in Ross on Wye and knows the roads well. The ride started from Lemore at 9am and the route headed towards Bromyard, before climbing the Malvern Hills, then descending into Ledbury and stopping for a late lunch at The Crown Inn, Woolhope.
Here the cyclists sampled a taste of their own brand cider (Kings) and a slice or two of pizza from their new outdoor kitchen.
The final stretch back to Lemore was broken up by another cider stop, this time at The Orgasmic Cider Company.
Another night at Lemore was a quiet affair after 8 hours + in the saddle.
Day Three – April 14, Mountain Biking
The Malvern Hills aren’t especially known for mountain biking trails but there’s a marked cross country route that follows a circular trail all the way around from north to south and back again. Hiring Matt a top of the range Santa Cruz Tallboy from Dirtworks in West Malvern provided what was probably a little ‘too much bike’ for this kind of ride, but there was no complaining from Matt’s side.
The route has recently been upgraded and the clear signposting includes three routes, short, medium and long with the longest providing around 19km of trail and over 500 metres of climbing. It’s a great fitness track with a few easy technical sections, but some solid climbs.
The views from the Malvern Hills are spectacular whatever side you might be on and it’s possible to see the Cotswolds one side and the Welsh mountains the other. A pint at The Farmers Arms in Wellington Heath rounded up a good trip before Matt took the 2.5 hour journey back to London.
Information
Lemore Estate, Eardisley: www.lemore-estate.co.uk
Bike guide Andy Turner: swiftcarbon.com
Malvern Mountain Bike Trails: www.malvernhills.org.uk/visiting/cycling/mountain-bike-trails
Cider stops
Little Pomona: littlepomona.com
Orgasmic Cider Company: orgasmiccidercompany.co.uk
The Crown Inn / Kings Cider: www.thecrowninn.pub
Farmers Arms: www.farmersarmswellingtonheath.co.uk
Mountain Bike Hire
Dirtworks, Malvern: dirtworks.co.uk
Magazine
Cycling Plus (the UK’s biggest cycling magazine): www.cyclingplus.com
About The Author
Robert Stewart
Rob Stewart co-founded PR and Marketing companies Mountain Press and Ski Press (sister brands to Cider Press) in 2011, helping destinations and brands get their stories published across multiple UK media channels. Rob worked as a ski instructor before turning his hand to publishing and journalism – he lives in Herefordshire and is passionate about helping to connect local hospitality and travel brands to journalists and editors across the UK and beyond.