Thinking Drinkers Begin Pub-Focused Tandem Bike Ride from Cornwall to John O’Groats

Published On: 17 June 2025Last Updated: 17 June 2025By CornishStuff

Thinking Drinkers kick off 1,000-mile challenge from Cornwall this week

Comedy duo The Thinking Drinkers are heading to Cornwall this week as part of a gruelling 1,000-mile cycling adventure aimed at raising awareness about the crisis facing British pubs.

Comedy, cycling and Cornish pubs

Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham will begin the first leg of their ride from Land’s End on Friday 20th June, stopping at six pubs across Cornwall before continuing their journey all the way to John O’Groats. But they’re not just passing through – the pair are relying solely on pubs to eat, drink, sleep and rest. No shops. No cafes. Not even a Greggs.

“If we don’t use pubs, we’ll lose them – so that’s what we’re doing, relying entirely on lovely ‘locals’ during our nationwide ride,” said Tom.

A brutal ride for the British pub

The journey isn’t just for laughs. Ben admitted: “We’ve never ridden a tandem, it’s a frighteningly long way and rather than a gentle pootle around some pretty pubs, it’s going to be a brutal bike ride on behalf of the beleaguered British boozer – but it’s nothing compared to the daily struggles facing pubs up and down the country.

“The costs for pubs to simply do business are far too high – no other business sector in the economy is taxed so heavily and unjustly and this has pushed the price of a pint above the £5 barrier. With even really busy pubs currently struggling to survive and the average publican making just 12p profit on a pint, we’re calling for a reduction in business rates to give them a much-needed lifeline.”

Cornish stops on the map

Tom and Ben’s Cornwall pub stops will include:

Friday 20th June

Old Success Inn, Penzance, TR19 7DG
Crown Inn, Penzance, TR20 9LG
Blue Anchor Inn, Helston, TR13 8EL
Ship Inn, St Austell, PL26 6BX
Haveners, Fowey, PL23 1AT

Saturday 21st June

Crow’s Nest, Liskeard, PL14 5JQ

Jenine Williams, pub manager at Blue Anchor Inn in Helston, welcomed the visit and added:
“In this changing world, pubs are being hit harder than ever with a rise in running costs – causing pubs to push up prices, and it just makes running a pub difficult. Everyone is feeling the struggle. But pubs always strive to survive, and that’s truer than ever nowadays. Pubs have always been the hub of the community, and nothing is going to change that.”

More than just a drink

Alongside their comedy career, Tom and Ben are award-winning drinks writers and industry experts, known for their segments on ITV’s This Morning. Their campaign has the backing of pub companies, brewers and organisations like Stay In A Pub.

“Pubs like the ones we’re visiting in Cornwall are much more than just a place to drink,” said Tom. “They are unique, historical national institutions, the cornerstones of our communities, the heartbeat of our high streets and proven antidotes to loneliness. Please come and meet us at one of them on our journey. We want to encourage the public to get off their sofas and support their locals – because if we don’t, we’ll seriously miss them when they’re gone.”