IT WAS all hands to the pump as a new local ale came under starter’s orders at a cycling event which attracted 150 riders into their saddles.

The family-run Wye Vallery Brewery at Stoke Lacy, near Bromyard, decided to stage the official launch of its special edition ale Dorothy Goodbody’s Pedal Pusher as part of a British Cycling Sportive challenge.

Called Land of Hops & Glory event, the cyclists followed a 56.8 mile full pint route (one pint is 568ml) through the beautiful rolling Herefordshire countryside before enjoying a pint of the new ale and a delicious pig roast served up by Gladwins Butchers of Bromyard on Sunday April 12.

The scenic route took the cyclists round the quiet Herefordshire lanes passing many of the local hop farms, some of which supply the Wye Valley Brewery for its beers, and through the Malvern Hills - the inspiration behind many of the works by composer Edward Elgar including the rousing ‘Land of Hope & Glory’.

Dorothy Goodbody’s Pedal Pusher is Wye Valley Brewery’s special edition beer created to celebrate two local cycling events - the Land of Hops & Glory Sportive and the Ride Herefordshire which is part of the Herefordshire Festival of Sport on September 19 and 20. It boasts biscuit toffee notes and a spicy hop finish and tastes a treat after a long day in the saddle.

Keith Evans, West Midlands events officer for British Cycling, said: “What a fantastic day! The sun stayed out - largely due to the wind blowing the clouds away - the event was fully booked and the riders who got a place were treated to great riding in some of the beautiful lanes and countryside that this county has to offer.

“Thanks go to everyone who helped support the event and its delivery - especially Wye Valley Brewery which has supported the event all the way and provided a great environment for everyone to relax and unwind in after a day’s cycling.

“Feedback on the event has been very positive and we are already looking forward and making plans for the ride which returns in April 2016.”

• Wye Valley Brewery is a friendly, family-run brewery that cares about real ales, real pubs and real people. It brews in the traditional way and uses only the best quality ingredients such as locally grown whole hop flowers and Maris Otter barley in their diverse range of moreish beers.

• The brewery is based in the village of Stoke Lacy situated in rolling Herefordshire countryside and is recognised as the county’s leading cask ale brewery. It was founded by ex-Guinness brewer Peter Amor in 1985 and in 2002 it moved from the old stable block of The Barrels, an historic 18th century Hereford coaching inn, to a much larger site in Stoke Lacy. In 2002 Peter’s son Vernon, took over as Managing Director.

• The brewery has grown every year since it was established and investment in the brewery continues with the completion of an innovative new energy-efficient brew house in 2015.

• Sportives are non-competitive, mass participation challenge events, typically timed on a sign-posted route, with a distance of normally between 40 to 100 miles.

• The events are designed to be a physical, personal challenge using a combination of distance and severity of the course to test the participants.