Cycling Cafes

YeahOK

Was reading recently about the rise of the cycling cafe in the UK. What do folks think about these? A load of rubbish or not a bad idea?

SMacX

YeahOK wrote: »

Was reading recently about the rise of the cycling cafe in the UK. What do folks think about these? A load of rubbish or not a bad idea?

It happens to be my retirement plan

Glendalough Green in Larragh is a place I love and it is practically a cycling cafe now that it has a track pump behind the counter for those caught out on a spin

Now if we could only get them to do cycling friendly food and not delicious cake and cream etc.

YeahOK

Yeah, mixed reviews online, but thought it was interesting. I know that a cafe is not "exclusively" for cyclists, I'm sure any of the owners of these ventures could care less who buy's their wares as long as they are selling and keeping their heads above water, but as a target audience, I thought it was interesting.

I know I'd be interested in a cycling focused space in the community and I don't mean a bike lane. I think it's interesting that some of them show the races on de telly etc. Kind of a good idea I thought.

DaithiMC

SMacX wrote: »

It happens to be my retirement plan

Glendalough Green in Larragh is a place I love and it is practically a cycling cafe now that it has a track pump behind the counter for those caught out on a spin

Now if we could only get them to do cycling friendly food and not delicious cake and cream etc.

A return to friendly service might also be a way of retaining those who in recent months have started to go round the corner or elsewhere. I like the stop for where it is and also the quality of the food and drink but the curt service from a couple of staff members puts me off.

Hunterbiker

Its all them lycra louts coming out at the weekend making us too busy

I think cafe that us used by all sorts is a better option. They could theme it towards cyclists but you'd still want to get as much passing trade as possible.

There is a vacant spot near Kinsale that ould be nice its an old shop and garage. You'd need more pasing trade to make it work though

YeahOK

YeahOK wrote: »

Yeah, mixed reviews online, but thought it was interesting.

I should clarify, my comments above were not about any cafe in Ireland. I was referring to the reviews of UK based cafes I was reading.....

ednwireland

they are called garages round here ! thats where we normally end up, they normally dont complain about us dripping everywhere either

Jawgap

Was in this place at the weekend in London

http://www.pelotonco.cc/

Interestingly, it's located right opposite an Evans and within sight of a CycleSurgery.

So, my suggestion is that somewhere like Laragh is the 'wrong' place for a cycle themed cafe and that somewhere like the IFSC (loadsamoney commuters) would be better.....appropriately decorated in a retro / Rapha style, offering food and decent coffee, niche label clothing (at a ridiculous mark-up), a few bikes (preferably makes few have ever heard of), repair and servicing, secure parking (for 'members') along with changing and locker facilities.

Laragh gets hammered on a weekend but what about the rest of the week? I doubt it's very busy on a wet Thursday in November? Whereas my IFSC model gives a more even spread of business and - most importantly - would leave weekends free for cycling!

YeahOK

Jawgap wrote: »

Was in this place at the weekend in London

http://www.pelotonco.cc/

I had to wonder in reading about this place and others what the idea was in having these based in city centre locations. I wondered why have these in city centre locations when folks might want to stop mid spin, i.e. out in the shticks as opposed to at the start / end of a spin. Your comments make sense though, I suppose the country roadside stop is a bit quiet mid-week. I'm surprised no one has tried the concept here yet tbh.

SMacX

Jawgap wrote: »

Was in this place at the weekend in London

{redacted}

Interestingly, it's located right opposite an Evans and within sight of a CycleSurgery.

So, my suggestion is that somewhere like Laragh is the 'wrong' place for a cycle themed cafe and that somewhere like the IFSC (loadsamoney commuters) would be better.....appropriately decorated in a retro / Rapha style, offering food and decent coffee, niche label clothing (at a ridiculous mark-up), a few bikes (preferably makes few have ever heard of), repair and servicing, secure parking (for 'members') along with changing and locker facilities.

Laragh gets hammered on a weekend but what about the rest of the week? I doubt it's very busy on a wet Thursday in November? Whereas my IFSC model gives a more even spread of business and - most importantly - would leave weekends free for cycling!

Now that you say it, my plan seems more like a dream

In all seriousness, there is no way that a business such as a Cafe could persist based on cycling business alone.

That is why I am upgrading my dream of a cycling cafe to be a combined book shop and art gallery. I'm think some place like Dingle. Preferably I'll have won the lotto and won't have to worry too much about selling as such.

Does anyone remember the Tea Rooms in Blessington from many moons ago? Wasn't a bad model for this type of business, except it didn't have a pure cycling motif. Howth could do with a great cafe type place for cyclists.

YeahOK

SMacX wrote: »

Now that you say it, my plan seems more like a dream

May as well dream here as in bed.....

SMacX

DaithiMC wrote: »

A return to friendly service might also be a way of retaining those who in recent months have started to go round the corner or elsewhere. I like the stop for where it is and also the quality of the food and drink but the curt service from a couple of staff members puts me off.

One word, "Flirt". Outrageously

The staff appreciate a bit of banter and my own personal experience has always been positive. I also reckon that the generational transition is happening in front of our eyes and there is bound to be disruption to service

Have had a number of chats with the head lady lately along the lines of getting some cycling survival supplies in place like tubes, patch kits, tyre levers, CO2 canisters. She wanted to know what would be considered survival kit as I was trying to setup a friends bike to be a single speed when the gear cable broke.

And no, don't have any shares or personal interest in the business other than I would love to have it for my retirement .... dream