what makes a good cyclists café in lancashire?

[alecstilleyedye]

my sis in law is looking into opening a café in the village in lancashire to which she has just moved (higham, lancs). apparently it has plenty of walkers and cyclists, and i recommended making it particularly suitable for visiting cyclists, which appeared to go down well.

naturally i can recommend all sorts of things, but i thought i'd throw it open to those who frequent the area on two wheels.

so, what, as a cyclist, would attract you to a café?

 

[potsy]

Somewhere to lock the bike up, preferably within sight.
Cake.

 

[ianrauk]

tea and cake and a nice welcome

 

[YahudaMoon]

Hi

If you havent been already then you should go here

http://www.eurekacyclistscafe.co.uk/

Probably the best cyclist cafe in the UK

 

[Hill Wimp]

Tea, cake a good bacon sandwich, somewhere safe for the bike and a supply of tubes for when you have used your last one. Preferably with an LBS attached would be fab.

 

[TVC]

If it's Lancashire then pies

 

[stephec]

Why not visit a few of her potential rivals on a Sunday and see what they are doing right?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

If we are writing a wish list. A publicly accessible work stand and pump might help make the cafe the place to go for cyclists, the local community may also support it. One such as that discussed in the following thread.
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/public-cycle-work-stand.146343/

The offer to refill water bottles free of charge is appeciated. I know of places which charge for this so do not get my custom.

Outdoor seating and service (when its warm cyclists like being outside)

Drinks served in mugs with handles big enough to pick up with gloves

 

[ASC1951]

I wouldn't build a cafe business round cyclists. They are notoriously tight, and not just the ones from Lancashire - "that's five beans on toast, love!"
Walkers aren't in such a hurry and IME spend more.

When I'm out on the bike, I'm after somewhere clean-ish, reasonably brisk service, a decent mug of tea and <cough> beans on toast!

 

[TVC]

Gels and energy bars to take away.

A printout on the wall of the rankings for the nearest Strava segments.

If you are also after walkers then a dog watering station.

 

[coffeejo]

I frequently walk and cycle and when I stop at a cafe, all I care about is, in no particular order:
Tasty, not too fussy, and reasonably priced drinks and food (home-made)
An option of hot soup in winter
Somewhere sensible to lock the bike up
Can they cope with large numbers without panicking?
It's ok to come in if you're mud-splattered / hot and sweaty
Somewhere (under cover if wet) to sit outside with the dog

If she can do the above, she doesn't need to market it at any group other than a sign outside saying "cyclists and walkers welcome". Her reputation will be made or broken on the friendliness of the staff, the quality of the food and the speed of service.

 

[Arch]

wot Jo said!

Be nice to large groups, especially whoever seems to be leading them, and they'll bring more people in!