2026 dates: 26 July · 30 August · 27 September · 25 October · 29 November · 27 December
Love a proper Sunday morning spin followed by a flat white and something warm from the counter? That’s the whole idea. The Monthly Fika Ride is Stamford Cycling’s most laid back ride in the calendar – a 40km loop out through the Rutland lanes, run in partnership with Fika Stamford and Fika Oakham and finished the only sensible way: sat down with a coffee in hand.
If you’ve never ridden with us before, this is the one we point people to first. No pressure, no getting dropped, no unspoken race to the next village sign. Just good roads, good chat and a reward waiting at the end.
What is the Stamford Fika Ride?
Fika (say it “fee-ka”) is the Swedish tradition of pausing your day for a coffee and a bite with people you like. It’s not grabbing a takeaway cup on the move – it’s sitting down and actually stopping. Which, funnily enough, is exactly what a good club ride is really about.
So each month we take that idea and bolt a bike ride onto the front of it. We meet outside Fika Stamford, roll out for a reasonably relaxed 40km through the countryside and land back at either Fika Stamford or Fika Oakham for the bit everyone actually turned up for. It’s social cycling in its purest form and honestly, the coffee stop is non-negotiable.
Ride Details at a Glance
When: Last Sunday of every month
Meeting Point: Outside Fika Stamford
Start Time: 7:30am (rolling out)
Distance: ~40km
Pace: Social and relaxed, always no-drop
End Point: Fika Stamford or Fika Oakham
Cost: Free – no membership fees
The Fika Route
Our Fika loop is built to show off the best of what’s on our doorstep without ever feeling like a lot of hard work. We head out of Stamford onto the quiet lanes through Rutland – the sort of roads where you can ride two abreast, chat and actually hear yourself think. The big reward mid-ride are the views that make you slow down whether you meant to or not.
It’s gently rolling rather than hilly – a few little digs to keep the legs honest, but nothing that’ll have you weeping in your bottom gear. Surfaces are mostly good, though a couple of stretches near the villages can carry a bit of grit and farm debris after wet weather, so keep your eyes up and give yourself room. Total climbing is modest and because it’s a no-drop ride, we re-group at the top of anything lumpy.
What Makes This Special
- The fika philosophy. The stop isn’t an afterthought bolted onto a ride – it is the ride. We build in proper time to sit, refuel and chat.
- Genuinely no-drop. Whatever your speed, someone rides with you and we wait. You will not get left behind. Ever.
- Rutland’s quiet lanes. Some of the best low-traffic riding in the East Midlands and it’s right here.
- A reward that earns its place. Freshly pulled coffee and pastries from Fika – with a 10% discount for ride participants
Is it right for me?
Almost certainly, yes. This is the ride we recommend to people who are new to group riding, coming back after a break, or just fancy a gentle 40km with good company.
That said, let’s be straight with you: it is still 40km, and while the pace is relaxed, a bit of everyday fitness helps. If you can comfortably ride an hour on your own, you’ll be absolutely fine on this. Newer riders regularly do it and finish grinning. If you’re unsure, message us on WhatsApp beforehand – we’re happy to talk you through it.
What to Bring
- A helmet (mandatory) and a roadworthy bike you’ve given a quick once-over.
- A spare inner tube, tyre levers and a pump or CO2 — punctures happen, and knowing you can sort one takes the worry out of it
- Water and a snack for the road (though the real fuel is waiting at Fika)
- Layers to suit the forecast – mornings out here can start cooler than you’d think
- Your appetite for coffee and a good natter
A quick tip from us: the lanes around Rutland are rolling rather than flat, so a compact chainset or a decent spread of gears at the back makes for a much more pleasant morning – you’ll want something easy in reserve for the little kickers. And if you’re running a bike computer, our routes make a nice excuse to load the GPX and follow along; just double-check it’s charged the night before. Nothing worse than a flat Garmin outside Fika.
How to Join?
How to join
It’s completely free and there’s no need to sign up in advance – but here’s the easiest way to stay in the loop:
- Join our Strava club — that’s where each month’s ride is posted as an event, so you can see the route and who’s coming.
- Say hello on WhatsApp — it’s the quickest way to ask a question, check weather calls, or just let us know you’re planning to come.
- Turn up outside Fika Stamford for 7:30am on the last Sunday of the month. New faces always welcome — come and find us.
Prefer Instagram? We’re @stamfordcycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be fast or experienced? Not at all. It’s a strict no-drop, social-pace ride – we regroup regularly and nobody gets left behind. If you can ride comfortably for an hour, you’ll be fine.
Do I need a Strava account? It helps, because that’s where we post each ride as an event and share the route – but it isn’t compulsory. Message us on WhatsApp and just come along.
What kind of bike do I need? A road bike is ideal, but a gravel bike or a decent hybrid will handle these lanes happily. The main thing is that it’s roadworthy and you’re comfortable on it.
What if I get a puncture or a mechanical? No drama. We stop, we help, and there’s usually someone with a spare and the know-how. Bring a tube and levers of your own if you can and you’ll never be stuck.
What happens if the weather’s bad? We ride in most conditions, but if a call needs making we’ll post it on WhatsApp and the Strava event on the morning — always worth a quick check before you set off.
Is there really a discount at Fika? Ride participants get 10% off at Fika.
What Our Riders Say
“Good group with nice route, not overly taxing speed. Will definitely be out again soon.“
“Very friendly. Lovely countryside and a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning.”
Partnership with Fika Stamford
We’re proud to partner with Fika, bringing together our shared values of community, quality and the simple pleasure of good company. Whether you finish in Stamford or Oakham, you’ll enjoy:
- Freshly brewed coffee and delicious pastries
- 10% discount for all Fika Ride participants
- Warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for post-ride socialising
About Stamford Cycling Club
We’re more than a cycling club – we’re a friendly bunch who genuinely look forward to Sunday mornings. As an official Cycling UK affiliated group, we keep everything relaxed and come-as-you-are. No fees, no cliques, no ego. Just people who like bikes, coffee and the corner of the country we’re lucky enough to ride in.
Our Regular Activities
- Sunday Morning Socials: Weekly rides starting from Red Lion Square
- Midweek Spins: Evening rides during warmer months
- No membership fees: Just good people enjoying good rides
- All abilities welcome: From beginners to experienced riders
Ready To Ride?
Check the dates at the very top of this page, Meet outside Fika Stamford at 7:30am. Come for the countryside, stay for the coffee.
Questions? Get in touch via our join Stamford Cycling Club page where you can connect with us on WhatsApp, Instagram or Strava.
