Get the low-down on all of this week’s best biking destinations
Idyllic inn was saved by bikers and is now as popular as ever again
LOWER LODE INN
● Currently reduced hours: 5pm Wed and Thurs, all day Fri and Sat and Sunday lunch
● Overlooks the River Severn
● www.lowerlodeinn.co.uk
From motorcycle rallies to motorcycle weddings, the Lower Lode Inn is the perfect spot for a meet or eat in Gloucestershire. Although there are reduced opening hours until July, bike nights are set to resume on July 24.
Sam Snape, 47, has been the owner of Lower Lode for 20 years, after spending nine years as an employee. She said: “We’ve been motorcycle friendly since the mid-1980s and are a popular rally venue in the South West. We also do affordable camping for motorcyclists and club camps.”
There is a limited but lush menu of paninis, scampi and more currently due to ongoing pandemic, but the Lower Lode should have their full menu back up and running when restrictions ease. Covid-19 isn’t the only time the pub has made it through hardship… “In 2007 we had a horrendous flood and the water was higher than the bar.
The rain started on the Thursday and by Saturday morning, the whole town and areas like where I am were totally marooned and cut off – I had to be rescued from the pub! When I got back it was devastation.
“My motorcyclist friends came in and helped jet wash the function room, and they got it turned around so we could open up for the Wednesday evening bike night within three weeks. I went to pieces but my motorcyclist friends picked me back up.”
Aside from being the perfect stopping point for John O’Groats to Land’s End rides, there’s plenty of room to camp and fantastic routes nearby.