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There’s a multitude of reasons for our cultural fascination with coffee and the culture that surrounds it. We fall in love with the romance of ritual, rewarding your flavour cravings and enjoying the social aspects of visiting your favourite coffee shop. All these add up to show why there is such a cultural connection between the world of speciality coffee and cycling.  

Besides being an incredibly delicious beverage, the caffeine within coffee has many benefits for riders of all skill levels. It can help increase stamina and allows you to go harder for longer and helps bodies turn fat into fuel.

In addition to the physical benefits, the post-ride coffee shop stop is fundamental for most cyclists who use it as a social hub. The North of the UK has some of the best stop offs and these are our recommendations:

Bold Street, Liverpool @boldstreetcoffee

Sam, the owner, is a keen cyclist and often hosts rides starting from his coffee shop.Bold Street is one of the original coffee spots in the north and also has cycling memorabilia adoring its wall.

Homeground, Windermere @homegroundcafe

Located in the heart if the Lake district next to lake Windermere, Homeground is a popular destination for everybody, but especially cyclists. A popular stop for the coffee enthusiast.

Redbank Roastery @redbankcoffee 

The roastery is now open to the public, in the middle of the high mountains, making it a popular spot for all adventure seekers who need to fuel up before they tackle the mountainous terrain. An idyllic spot!

Atkinsons, Lancaster @coffeehopper

Central Lancashire is a popular spot for cyclists and lots choose to enjoy their coffee at Atkinsons café, located next to their roastery. Plus, they have lots of spaces for your wheels!

Commute Cycle Café, Ilkley @thecommutecyclecafe

The ultimate cycling café; inhouse cycle workshop with lots of cycling goods such as Paria Clothing and Beacon Bikes. The café relies on attracting the cycling community daily and this is seen by the décor inside. 

Bloomfield Square, Otley @bloomfield_square

In the popular cycling town of Otley in Yorkshire, Bloomfield square is a hot spot for a mid ride café stop, traditional Yorkshire tea room décor with great coffee and cake too. A space to lock your bike up and baristas who are cyclists; a very welcoming experience for the two wheeled public.

Rapha, Manchester @rapha_uk

Rapha keeps its great reputation in the north with its popular coffee shop that is also home to a great retail selection of clothing and old classic memorabilia that truly shows the history and heritage of the sport.

Holmeside, Sunderland @holmesidecoffee

Owner Joe who is a cyclist himself is very welcoming to all bikers, Lots of space to sit outside and keep your bike in a safe place. Offers great food and coffee to fuel up before your coastal ride around the North East.

Fossgate Social, York @fossgatesocial

Great stop for a relaxed bike ride around York, perfect place to enjoy a coffee, and a craft beer!  Very welcoming to cyclists and even offers a traditional beer garden to enjoy your mid ride brew in.

Visit www.uk.lamarzocco.com for updates on The Northern Roadshow

Words by Dan Harvey
Image Credits by Max Libertine