About BG&E

Beers, Gears & Engineers

BG&E Cycling Club is a road cycling club based in Exeter, Devon. We ride regularly, support each other on the road and try not to take ourselves too seriously.

The club began with a group of Howmet employees who started riding together from Countess Wear. It has grown since then and is now open to cyclists from across Exeter and the surrounding area, but the spirit is still the same: ride together, look after each other and enjoy the miles.

Our main club ride is on Sunday morning. We also run a Thursday evening ride, including winter rides, which usually finishes with food and a drink at a local pub.

What makes BG&E different

We are a no-drop club. We leave together and finish together. Ride leaders keep an eye on the group, and we regroup at junctions and at the tops of climbs. If numbers are high, we split into smaller groups based on pace and ability.

We welcome new riders. You do not need to be a racer to ride with us. You do need a reasonable level of fitness, a roadworthy bike and a willingness to ride safely in a group.

We like the social side. Coffee stops, pub stops and club events are part of the rhythm of BG&E. The riding matters, but so does the company.

We ride proper Devon roads. Routes take us through the Exe Valley, Dartmoor, coastal lanes and quieter mid-Devon roads. Some rides are steady, some are harder, and the hills are rarely optional.

Regular rides

Sunday rides usually start from Countess Wear Beefeater at 8:30am, unless the route listing says otherwise. Routes are posted in advance with distance, elevation and a route link where available. Sunday social rides are also offered every other week, usually at 9:00am.

Thursday rides leave Countess Wear Beefeater at 5:30pm. They are shorter, more social and usually finish with food and a drink nearby. Details are shared through the club’s Facebook channels.

Late changes can happen because of weather, road conditions or group numbers, so riders should always check the club Facebook channels before setting off.

Cadence Café and Force Cancer Charity

BG&E has a long-standing relationship with Force Cancer Charity, Exeter’s local cancer support charity.

Each summer we run Cadence Café events in members’ gardens. Riders stop for coffee and homemade cake, with donations going to Force. These events have raised thousands of pounds over the years and are a big part of club life.

How the club is run

BG&E is run by a volunteer committee of club members. The committee looks after membership, kit, club finances, social events and the general running of the club.

You can see the current roles, AGM information and meeting minute details on the BG&E committee page.

Come and try a ride

The best way to understand the club is to come out with us. New riders are welcome to try a guest ride before joining.

If you are not sure which ride is right for you, or you want to ask a question before turning up, use the BG&E contact form on the Join page.