There’s something a bit surreal about rolling out of Red Lion Square on a sunny June morning and knowing that somewhere above you, a drone is silently capturing the whole thing.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday 7th June, when we were joined – from above and on the ground – by Richard from Rutland From The Sky. And honestly? It was one of those rides you’ll be telling people about for a while.
Not Just Point and Shoot
Before we get into the ride itself, let’s talk about what Richard actually had to do to make this happen – because it was no small feat.
Stamford sits in restricted airspace. RAF Wittering is practically on the doorstep, which means you can’t just unpack a drone and hit the throttle. Richard had already done the groundwork well before the morning of the ride – contacting Wittering air traffic control and liaising with the police to secure proper clearance. He had all the permissions sorted, all the boxes ticked. That level of professionalism is exactly what you want when you’re trusting someone to represent your group in the air.
There was one more thing he was mindful of, too. St Martin’s Church – right there in the heart of Stamford – is currently home to nesting peregrine falcons. These birds are a genuine local treasure and Richard was completely aware of the restrictions around disturbing them. He planned his flight paths accordingly to not cause any disturbance.
Rolling Out of Red Lion Square
The morning itself had that familiar buzz of a club ride. Bikes checked, kit on, the usual pre-ride chat and banter. And then we were off – rolling out of Red Lion Square and turning towards the bus station, heading in the direction of Tinwell.
If you’ve done this route, you know how good those first few miles feel. Wide roads, a bit of early morning quiet, legs starting to warm up. What we didn’t fully appreciate until later was just how good it looked from above. Richard had positioned himself to capture the whole group moving through one of Stamford’s most recognisable streets. Seeing that footage later – the tight bunch, the rhythm of it all, the town stretching out behind us – it gives you a completely different appreciation of what a club ride actually looks like.
The Viaduct at Harringworth
Richard then packed up and headed out to meet us again at Harringworth Viaduct. If you’ve never ridden past it, the Harringworth Viaduct is the longest masonry viaduct in the UK – 82 arches stretching across the Welland Valley – and it’s genuinely breathtaking at ground level. From above? Even more so.
Watching the drone footage of the group sweeping past those arches with the Welland Valley spreading out below – it’s the kind of image that perfectly captures why we ride in this part of the world. Rutland and Lincolnshire don’t always get the credit they deserve as cycling destinations, but footage like this makes the case better than any words could.
Out of Empingham
The final flyover came as we came out of Empingham – a village at the eastern end of Rutland Water, and a familiar landmark for anyone who’s done a lap of the reservoir. Richard caught us there for one last pass before we started thinking about coffee.
By this point legs were happily tired, spirits were high, and the conversation had turned (as it always does, eventually) to where we were stopping.
Coffee and a Preview at Fika
Post-ride, we headed to Fika in Stamford – a genuinely excellent spot, and a firm club favourite. If you haven’t been, it’s worth the ride alone.
Richard joined us there, and we got to preview some of the footage together. There’s something brilliant about watching drone clips of yourself and your clubmates on a screen while you’re still in your kit, still glowing from the ride. A few of us gathered outside in the sunshine – the universal post-ride recovery position – and the consensus was clear: the footage is brilliant.
Why This Matters
We put a lot of effort into our rides, our community and our little corner of Lincolnshire and Rutland. Having someone like Richard come out and capture it so beautifully – with genuine care and professionalism – is a real gift.
Keep an eye out for the full footage when it drops. We think you’re going to love it.
And if you’ve not yet joined us for a club ride, maybe seeing the Welland Valley from 100 feet in the air will help make up your mind.
See you out there.
