What would you want in a Biker Café?
Discussion
I have a couple of cafés near me that we ride to, but curious on your opinions. If you are looking to ride to a café, what would you prefer? (Assume they all serve good coffee, tea, and snacks/sandwiches)
1. A more 'rural' location where the end point is just a destination, but it's all about the twisty ride there. So maybe a smaller venue with less choice, but great roads. Think Cat & Fiddle type location
2. Or a bigger location, better food, indoor parking, maybe bikes and motorcycle gear on display / for sale, but in a more central (town/city) location, so crap riding roads. Think Ace Café / Bike Shed.
What appeals to you and why?
1. A more 'rural' location where the end point is just a destination, but it's all about the twisty ride there. So maybe a smaller venue with less choice, but great roads. Think Cat & Fiddle type location
2. Or a bigger location, better food, indoor parking, maybe bikes and motorcycle gear on display / for sale, but in a more central (town/city) location, so crap riding roads. Think Ace Café / Bike Shed.
What appeals to you and why?
I'd rather biker shops were like your 2nd option with parking & food on offer to give an excuse to wander in, have a natter and check their wares.
On a rideout I don't really care if it's a "biker cafe", I just want somewhere with easy parking, space for lids and decent food. I'd like somewhere inside as I'm in Scotland so it's usually raining, but I'd like the option to sit outside side when it's dry. Marquees with heating works for me too, and I'm a sucker for home baking and local produce. But it needs to be located near decent roads and scenery otherwise I won't be there.
On a rideout I don't really care if it's a "biker cafe", I just want somewhere with easy parking, space for lids and decent food. I'd like somewhere inside as I'm in Scotland so it's usually raining, but I'd like the option to sit outside side when it's dry. Marquees with heating works for me too, and I'm a sucker for home baking and local produce. But it needs to be located near decent roads and scenery otherwise I won't be there.
Bob_Defly said:
I have a couple of cafés near me that we ride to, but curious on your opinions. If you are looking to ride to a café, what would you prefer? (Assume they all serve good coffee, tea, and snacks/sandwiches)
1. A more 'rural' location where the end point is just a destination, but it's all about the twisty ride there. So maybe a smaller venue with less choice, but great roads. Think Cat & Fiddle type location
2. Or a bigger location, better food, indoor parking, maybe bikes and motorcycle gear on display / for sale, but in a more central (town/city) location, so crap riding roads. Think Ace Café / Bike Shed.
What appeals to you and why?
Rural locations die a death in winter generally as only die hards ride out in winter.1. A more 'rural' location where the end point is just a destination, but it's all about the twisty ride there. So maybe a smaller venue with less choice, but great roads. Think Cat & Fiddle type location
2. Or a bigger location, better food, indoor parking, maybe bikes and motorcycle gear on display / for sale, but in a more central (town/city) location, so crap riding roads. Think Ace Café / Bike Shed.
What appeals to you and why?
Some of the places in Derbyshire are ok and get rammed due to being near to/on the way to Matlock bath etc.
From what I've seen you need extremely quick service with perhaps an outside van for drinks only plus your usual cafe/shop selling food & wares.
The yonderman cafe is a good example, in summer you cant even get served in 45mins for a brew it's that rammed, I avoid it because of that reason. In winter/off peak there might be 4 people inside eating on an afternoon if you call in.
The motorist hub further north have got it sorted for being extremely busy with cars n people but again you can't get served in under half an hour, absolutely pointless, just chuck more resources in at peak times and make a killing, not that hard surely? It's a good location and easy to get to, that's a good start.
Inspire said:
1. Loads of different bikes to look at
2. No dick*eads. I live near Ryka’s and whilst I love going there the number of morons riding way too fast will end up ruining it for everyone!
3. Good weather!
4. Toilets that are not absolutely grim - yes, I’m showing my age!
Thanks
Rob
I used to go to Rykas most nights in the late 70s, early 80s. He had a burger caravan at the top of Bexhill too. Many races up and down the zigzag road back then, plus the A24 wasn't a 50mph average back then.2. No dick*eads. I live near Ryka’s and whilst I love going there the number of morons riding way too fast will end up ruining it for everyone!
3. Good weather!
4. Toilets that are not absolutely grim - yes, I’m showing my age!
Thanks
Rob
Deceptive Bends up where the A24 met the roundabout with the petrol station was 2 lanes heading South and a lot more fun.
Funny that a lot of the Japanese bikes on Jap tyres and crap brakes were terrible handling yet there were very few limits, yet now even my Speed Twin has great suspension, brilliant Brembos and is pretty quick yet there are limits everywhere
I’ve wanted to open one for years!
In my dream Cafe it would be a C shaped building with the central end a Cafe serving Coffee and Quick easy food, booth seating and TVs displaying Live Moto Gp, WSB, BSB etc
One “wing” would be a workshop (and Tyre fitting service open at the weekend) so you could enjoy a coffee while having some new rubber fitted.
And the other wing selling bike related Gear. All the bikes would be parked up in the middle.
Location wouldn’t matter too much as people will travel to a decent well run operation!
Then I wake up…..
In my dream Cafe it would be a C shaped building with the central end a Cafe serving Coffee and Quick easy food, booth seating and TVs displaying Live Moto Gp, WSB, BSB etc
One “wing” would be a workshop (and Tyre fitting service open at the weekend) so you could enjoy a coffee while having some new rubber fitted.
And the other wing selling bike related Gear. All the bikes would be parked up in the middle.
Location wouldn’t matter too much as people will travel to a decent well run operation!
Then I wake up…..
I can name only a couple that aren't absolute s
teholes: Gilk's and The Bikeshed.
Iron Bull, Loomies, Rykas, Choppers, Squires, Hayling, Ace and Whiteways all have a combination of st food, rev bombing or backpatch wearing wkers.
Don't even get me started on H Cafe. Turned up a few years ago after covid on a Saturday afternoon to find two dozen men covered in blood after having their heads kicked it by some MC. The food is truly appalling. Like Guinness record bad.
It's about the route and quality food. Gilk's has this down to a tee IMO. Not cheap but worth every penny.
Plus as a celiac, GF options are fantastic
teholes: Gilk's and The Bikeshed.Iron Bull, Loomies, Rykas, Choppers, Squires, Hayling, Ace and Whiteways all have a combination of s
t food, rev bombing or backpatch wearing wkers. Don't even get me started on H Cafe. Turned up a few years ago after covid on a Saturday afternoon to find two dozen men covered in blood after having their heads kicked it by some MC. The food is truly appalling. Like Guinness record bad.
It's about the route and quality food. Gilk's has this down to a tee IMO. Not cheap but worth every penny.
Plus as a celiac, GF options are fantastic
Edited by Biker9090 on Monday 15th April 19:38
I don't really see the point
I have been to Gilks and I can't see anything special about it, albeit it was clean
The Long Itch Diner was cheaper and dirtier
Caffine & Machine - pay to visit an expensive cafe with long queues - sod that
TBH I'd rather stop at McDonald's clean toilets, fast service, sensible prices
I have been to Gilks and I can't see anything special about it, albeit it was clean
The Long Itch Diner was cheaper and dirtier
Caffine & Machine - pay to visit an expensive cafe with long queues - sod that
TBH I'd rather stop at McDonald's clean toilets, fast service, sensible prices
I have been frequenting caffeine and machine for the last 4 years in both car and motorbike, love that place.
For the last year since opening, I have also been using the piston club. https://thepistonclub.co.uk/ This is very popular with bikers with a great atmosphere and food. Was there Saturday.
Then two weeks ago I discovered squires, even though I was a few decades late to the venue /party. Love this place to, and was there again yesterday.
Regarding my local area (Derbyshire dales). I used to stop of at the cat & fiddle for many years until the new owners stopped selling hot drinks and required all Reg plate numbers to be entered into the parking computer. All this seemed to alienate the biker. So a lot of us don't bother with it now. What a wasted opportunity imo. It's now a distillery and only sell cold drinks. Loads of bikers and walkers have used the C&F for decades and at the end of a ride or walk, a hot drink would be paramount imo. The cat & fiddle would be a perfect biker cafe because of it fantastic location, but hey ho.
Also local to me until it shut down only after a year was ignition, this was a nice car and bike cafe in the moors of Derbyshire. But it's closed now, what a shame.
For the last year since opening, I have also been using the piston club. https://thepistonclub.co.uk/ This is very popular with bikers with a great atmosphere and food. Was there Saturday.
Then two weeks ago I discovered squires, even though I was a few decades late to the venue /party. Love this place to, and was there again yesterday.
Regarding my local area (Derbyshire dales). I used to stop of at the cat & fiddle for many years until the new owners stopped selling hot drinks and required all Reg plate numbers to be entered into the parking computer. All this seemed to alienate the biker. So a lot of us don't bother with it now. What a wasted opportunity imo. It's now a distillery and only sell cold drinks. Loads of bikers and walkers have used the C&F for decades and at the end of a ride or walk, a hot drink would be paramount imo. The cat & fiddle would be a perfect biker cafe because of it fantastic location, but hey ho.
Also local to me until it shut down only after a year was ignition, this was a nice car and bike cafe in the moors of Derbyshire. But it's closed now, what a shame.
Edited by FezSpider on Monday 15th April 20:46
For me it would be option 1. I’m not up for wasting precious riding time going into a city location unless I’m shopping for something specific.
I’m all about just riding the bike though, for me cafes are for something to eat on the journey rather than a destination and I’d actively avoid ones that are busy.
I’m all about just riding the bike though, for me cafes are for something to eat on the journey rather than a destination and I’d actively avoid ones that are busy.
Hartside was fun, see the pushbike lot killing themselves to get to the top, just as it shut for the day.
A lot of bikers are an embarrassment to be associated with at caffs.
My favourite caff attracts a wide range of people, has a view, a range of OK food at a fair price, reasonably quick service.
Pleasant staff make a difference.
A lot of bikers are an embarrassment to be associated with at caffs.
My favourite caff attracts a wide range of people, has a view, a range of OK food at a fair price, reasonably quick service.
Pleasant staff make a difference.
Im afraid a nice farm shop with few other bikers. I go to the Yonderman occasionally with a friend. It is ok but it’s just a greasy spoon.
I live near to Matlock. And there are just too many throbbers on a Sunday. I just don’t want to be associated with it. On the A6 on Saturday just gone I was in my car. Two sports bikes overtook me on double whites. Then the cars in front on a corner on doubles.
But, I’m in London for work next week and will be nipping into the Bike Shed for lunch.
I live near to Matlock. And there are just too many throbbers on a Sunday. I just don’t want to be associated with it. On the A6 on Saturday just gone I was in my car. Two sports bikes overtook me on double whites. Then the cars in front on a corner on doubles.
But, I’m in London for work next week and will be nipping into the Bike Shed for lunch.
Edited by PT1984 on Monday 15th April 21:56
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