Is McDonald's under-rated as a bike stop?

[ufkacbln]

I used to work with a health centre giving advice for student travellers

The "big" companies have an advantage in that they are "overseen" and have an audited standard
For instance Pepsi or Coke(defizzed) was a better option than something like Dioralyte that required local water in the case of diarrhoea

Equally McDonalds et al have a required standard


Not to suggest that local fayre is not part of the travelling experience, but sometimes Canberra beneficial

 

[ianrauk]

On a long ride and they are the only thing open or near by. They are a godsend. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Even to those that are traipsing in at all hours in wet cycle gear. The coffee is good and they do serve some decent food. (Can do without the burgers). The shop fronts are usually big glass fronted so very easy to keep an eye on your bikes.

 

[User482]

They're purely a last resort for me. The coffee is just about drinkable, and I can't think of any food they serve that I find in the slightest bit appetising. Though in fairness, the toilets are top notch.

 

[Accy cyclist]

When we went out on the club rides(WHEN 'cause i haven't been out for 2 months)i'd suggest a chip shop or McDonalds etc for our lunch break. The others would always dismiss my suggestion saying we had to visit a cafe as it's a cafe, not a burger stop. So off we went to some little "tea rooms" or "Granny's farmhouse" thingy, spending twice as much as we would've done if some weren't so snobby about where they ate!

 

[User482]

Not even the apple pie things?

Apple pie analogue? The only advantage of them being served at temperatures slightly hotter than the sun, is that it will burn your tastebuds away.

 

[nickyboy]

Understand it because otherwise bikes never have to mix with motor traffic in narrow lanes?

I think it is because McD recognise that if a collision happened between a vehicle and a bicycle in its drive through lane they may well have some liability

I don't go in them on bike rides, but only because I'm usually in the countryside. I tried their porridge recently, it was good, and the coffee is at least as good as any high street coffee chain. If I was on some urban ride then I think they would be a good option

 

[jefmcg]

Leaving aside the food for a moment

Which is what I tend to do with it.

(I've used a McDonalds as a 3am stop on an Audax. They looked at me sideways when I wheeled my bike in, but I think decided it wasn't worth making a fuss about. Food was .. as expected. Edible, and honestly the chips are good - I prefer thicker, but they are a good example of skinny "fries". Much better than a starbucks under similar circumstances when I paid more for a grilled cheese sandwich and an undrinkable coffee).

 

[Slick]

I would rather chew my own arm off than eat any of that gunk. On the whole, our food chain is pretty dysfunctional, and this place is right at the top of the pile when it comes to reasons why.

 

[midlife]

I would rather chew my own arm off than eat any of that gunk. On the whole, our food chain is pretty dysfunctional, and this place is right at the top of the pile when it comes to reasons why.

Maybe that accolade goes to a turkey twizzler

Shaun

 

[mjr]

So off we went to some little "tea rooms" or "Granny's farmhouse" thingy, spending twice as much as we would've done if some weren't so snobby about where they ate!

Probably getting twice as much twice as digestible twice as good food - it ain't snobbery when the chosen thing is better than Mucky D!

On the rare occasions where our group either can't agree (happened once in the last four years) or exceed the capacity of the lunch stop (twice), we've just agreed the restart time and place.

 

[vickster]

Maybe that accolade goes to a turkey twizzler

Shaun

Or a doner kebab, seemingly made of 'meat' of unknown parentage

 

[Slick]

Maybe that accolade goes to a turkey twizzler

Shaun

I must admit, there are a few options for that particular accolade, unfortunately.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Probably getting twice as much twice as digestible twice as good food

Somehow i don't think so. They buy loads of bacon, sausages, black pudding, cakes, pastries and other salt laden and sugary things.

 

[steveindenmark]

It has warmth
Toilets
Free WiFi
Electric points
Hot and cold water
Food
A never ending supply of fizzy drinks

In Denmark they are almost always spotlessly clean. Same with Burger King to which I prefer.

 

[Pale Rider]

Or a doner kebab, seemingly made of 'meat' of unknown parentage

During my now far off heavy drinking days in London there was nothing better than a kebab on the way home.

As a nod to health, I used to ask for well-done meat, so at least whatever it was I was eating was not dripping in fat.

To be fair, the grilled cubes of meat (shish?) on the skewers were genuinely tasty.