Cyclist friendly coffee shops

Eamonnator

Mercian Pro wrote: »

First time back in the Forge Field Cafe in Termonfeckin in quite a while. Great food and service and the waitress even offered to delay the coffees until the mini-breakfasts were ready. A lot of other venues seem unable to do this even when specifically asked!

I was in there last week, had a turkey burger, it was delicious.
I agree about the service.

terrydel

Eamonnator wrote: »

I think they do it, so you'll buy another one.

I'm sure they do.

Rechuchote

A bizarre division is growing up between the American-style hipster coffee bars (no soup) and the old-fashioned Irish cafes (soup as standard, and usually a very good standard).

I'm all for coffee and cake at the right time, but it's soup and a sandwich for fuel.

C3PO

Rechuchote wrote: »

I'm all for coffee and cake at the right time, but it's soup and a sandwich for fuel.

Wouldn't be eating soup on a bike spin ... I can already feel it repeating on the next climb!! Coffee and a flap-jack for me!

Mercian Pro

I know some people don't like the service but I had a coffee and really good fresly baked fruit scone in Glendalough Green this morning. The owner, who has taken some stick here, even referred to me as "young man" when handing it to me. What's not to like about that?

Even though I have secumbed to mini-breakfasts in other establishments, you can't beat a good mid-morning scone with jam and cream. Soup and sandwiches are the reward when you make it back home.

Are the coffee shops in Roundwood still recommended? They were five years ago it seems. I’m just planning Saturday’s spin and trying to work out where to stop.

wanderer 22

The Hippy cafe in Laragh are getting even more cyclist unfriendly..no more water tap outside. Someday I'll stop complaining about them and actually go somewhere else...

cameramonkey

Eamonnator wrote: »

I think they do it, so you'll buy another one.

Do you think the owner would instruct his staff to do this?
I would think not. It is more to to with bad organization than anything else.

The Noble Nudge

colm18 wrote: »

The Hippy cafe in Laragh are getting even more cyclist unfriendly..no more water tap outside. Someday I'll stop complaining about them and actually go somewhere else...

From last year they had a sign on the tap to warn people to turn it off after filling water bottles (they pay rates was mentioned) and lads obviously kept leaving the tap running so they followed through on removing it by the looks of things...(I havent been that far across the hills this year!)
Side note it always had a bit of a twang to it...

Ive had to stop around the Glencullen area and use the several old school taps but they have been on a boil water notice in the area a long time now with the one outside Jonny Foxes the only tap with a notice on it...

loyatemu

a tap that automatically turns off is not exactly hi-tech. Most pub bathrooms have them.

Hurrache

colm18 wrote: »

The Hippy cafe in Laragh are getting even more cyclist unfriendly..no more water tap outside. Someday I'll stop complaining about them and actually go somewhere else...

That's the one at the green? Their cranky reputation is starting to proceed them these days.

Mickiemcfist

loyatemu wrote: »

a tap that automatically turns off is not exactly hi-tech. Most pub bathrooms have them.

Presumably most cyclists are sober adults & could use a bit of common sense though. Don't know if I'm just a cranky old man, but that's the type of thing that would really irk me if I ran the place.

wanderer 22

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Presumably most cyclists are sober adults & could use a bit of common sense though. Don't know if I'm just a cranky old man, but that's the type of thing that would really irk me if I ran the place.

From their general attitude I would't be surprised if one cyclist left it on once..

The Noble Nudge

colm18 wrote: »

From their general attitude I would't be surprised if one cyclist left it on once..

Ah jaysus Colm she must of pissed on your cornflakes...must avoid cornflakes in that shop :pac::pac:

monkeyslayer

colm18 wrote: »

From their general attitude I would't be surprised if one cyclist left it on once..

She tried her rant on me one day when I presented my bottle to her to fill. Was informed there was bottled water in the fridge and I said the coffee shop down the road would probably fill my bottle for free... Was about to add that they'd probably do it with a smile on their face too when she changed tact... Apparently its not her piping it's the county councils so she cant fix it, or won't, they probably think otherwise. Or so she says.

ED E

If she didnt throw your change back at you on the counter vs handing it back I might have more time for her.

PaulieC

Mercian Pro wrote: »

First time back in the Forge Field Cafe in Termonfeckin in quite a while. Great food and service and the waitress even offered to delay the coffees until the mini-breakfasts were ready. A lot of other venues seem unable to do this even when specifically asked!

Eamonnator wrote: »

I was in there last week, had a turkey burger, it was delicious.
I agree about the service.

Was it a pink haired girl that served you ?

I'm surprised the place next to the Glendalough Green hasn't made a play for the cycling customers. Plenty of space to put in a back rack and lots of outdoor seating.

The Noble Nudge

Aegir wrote: »

I'm surprised the place next to the Glendalough Green hasn't made a play for the cycling customers. Plenty of space to put in a back rack and lots of outdoor seating.

It had a very interesting way how to spell COUNTRY (without the O) until it was corrected sometime later

terrydel

loyatemu wrote: »

a tap that automatically turns off is not exactly hi-tech. Most pub bathrooms have them.

Shouldn't need one, how hard is it for people to turn it off after using it? A chimp could do it.

Mercian Pro

PaulieC wrote: »

Was it a pink haired girl that served you ?

From memory she had black hair. She agreed to take a photo of our group but unfortunately I didn't reciprocate.

Eamonnator

PaulieC wrote: »

Was it a pink haired girl that served you ?

No, not pink.

Big Mig

Try The Dome just outside Roundwood on the Laragh side.
A much nicer experience than Laragh.
It's excellent with very friendly service, good coffee, homemade cakes and very bike friendly. There's even blankets and hot water bottles for you if it's a bit cold!
It only opens weekends from April to end of September and is well worth a visit or two.

Weepsie

I went looking for the dome the other week, when I found it was only open weekends. Ended up eating in Sugar mountain which was grand but nowhere really to leave a bike unless you're solo as I was

terrydel

monkeyslayer wrote: »

She tried her rant on me one day when I presented my bottle to her to fill. Was informed there was bottled water in the fridge and I said the coffee shop down the road would probably fill my bottle for free... Was about to add that they'd probably do it with a smile on their face too when she changed tact... Apparently its not her piping it's the county councils so she cant fix it, or won't, they probably think otherwise. Or so she says.

I stop there regularly as its 25km from my house so a perfect mid spin stop.
I find them all friendly and polite and a number of times theyve charged me less than the marked price for cake or a flapjack or whatever, if I didnt have enough change.
If you are handing them water to fill for you, they are doing you a favour, so saying 'the shop down the road would do it for free' is simply rude and comes across as entitled. Its highly likely that tap does not belong to them, and in any case, if people cant do a simple task like turning it off when finished, they dont deserve it.

terrydel

Weepsie wrote: »

I went looking for the dome the other week, when I found it was only open weekends. Ended up eating in Sugar mountain which was grand but nowhere really to leave a bike unless you're solo as I was

Where is it exactly?

Weepsie

terrydel wrote: »

Where is it exactly?

Lifted from Bray Wheelers forum

Directions: Go through Roundwood Village, en route to Laragh/Geldalough. About 500m past the GAA grounds, on the right hand side, take a right turn. Its about 150m off the main road. Its well signed 'The Dome' and there is a bike on the signs.

LennoxR

I highly recommend the Hazel House in Tibradden, Recently reopened after fire damage. Great peaceful location, near the Scout camp at Larch Hill and good food and coffee too. Often go there after spins in the Dublin/Wicklow hills.

ED E

LennoxR wrote: »

I highly recommend the Hazel House in Tibradden, Recently reopened after fire damage. Great peaceful location, near the Scout camp at Larch Hill and good food and coffee too. Often go there after spins in the Dublin/Wicklow hills.

Was there for brekkie last summer, delish.

Wishbone Ash

LennoxR wrote: »

I highly recommend the Hazel House in Tibradden....

Ok if solo but the owner isn't keen on groups of cyclists (especially mucky MTB'ers). I use it occasionally myself.

cameramonkey

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Ok if solo but the owner isn't keen on groups of cyclists (especially mucky MTB'ers). I use it occasionally myself.

The owner a woman I think does not seem keen on anyone. Been there 3 times first time was served by a very nice man, second two times by what appears to be a very unhappy woman, would not go back.

Rechuchote

One thing I'd regard as a sign of a bikey-friendly caff is bike stands outside. To my surprise, Five Points in Harold's Cross, which has a nice wide pavement outside, hasn't got these, nor has Fallon & Byrne in Castlewood Avenue in Rathmines, which also has huge pavement space outside.

caff

Rechuchote wrote: »

One thing I'd regard as a sign of a bikey-friendly caff is bike stands outside. To my surprise, Five Points in Harold's Cross, which has a nice wide pavement outside, hasn't got these, nor has Fallon & Byrne in Castlewood Avenue in Rathmines, which also has huge pavement space outside.

If the pavement isn't owned by them they'd have to apply to the council for permission like with outside tables and seats. They may just not have gone through the hassle of it

mfceiling

Rechuchote wrote: »

One thing I'd regard as a sign of a bikey-friendly caff is bike stands outside. To my surprise, Five Points in Harold's Cross, which has a nice wide pavement outside, hasn't got these, nor has Fallon & Byrne in Castlewood Avenue in Rathmines, which also has huge pavement space outside.

I'm sitting outside 5 points right now and my bike is chained to one of the council stands!! There are 4 of them literally outside the front door.

Rechuchote

caff wrote: »

If the pavement isn't owned by them they'd have to apply to the council for permission like with outside tables and seats. They may just not have gone through the hassle of it

Exackally.

cameramonkey

The Council put a few more bike stands further down Harold's Cross Road outside what used to be Aaran Insurance.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3275847,-6.2771383,3a,60y,280.94h,85.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scd7PVHacVTqtQKLUAcrrqQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Rechuchote

cameramonkey wrote: »

The Council put a few more bike stands further down Harold's Cross Road outside what used to be Aaran Insurance.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3275847,-6.2771383,3a,60y,280.94h,85.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scd7PVHacVTqtQKLUAcrrqQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

That's a long way down the road.

I wonder has anyone done a study of how near bike racks need to be before people will use them for your cafe.

cameramonkey

mfceiling wrote: »

I'm sitting outside 5 points right now and my bike is chained to one of the council stands!! There are 4 of them literally outside the front door.

Are they new? Is it a policy now to roll out more and more bike stands? How do they choose where to locate them?

Had coffee and a nut bar at the Dome earlier. I honestly could not recommend this place enough.

Bike racks, decent coffee and we were asked if we wanted to use her tap to fill our bottles. I’ve just found my regular coffee stop.

terrydel

Rechuchote wrote: »

That's a long way down the road.

I wonder has anyone done a study of how near bike racks need to be before people will use them for your cafe.

If they have, they need to get out more.

mfceiling

cameramonkey wrote: »

Are they new? Is it a policy now to roll out more and more bike stands? How do they chose where to locate them?

I don't know the answer to either question to be honest. There are loads of these type of stands around the city.

velo.2010

Big Mig wrote: »

Try The Dome just outside Roundwood on the Laragh side.
A much nicer experience than Laragh.
It's excellent with very friendly service, good coffee, homemade cakes and very bike friendly. There's even blankets and hot water bottles for you if it's a bit cold!
It only opens weekends from April to end of September and is well worth a visit or two.

Saw the reviews online. Might give it a look the next time I'm down that way. Must be better than standing outside the local Centra quickly slurping down a can of coke!

Wishbone Ash

caff wrote: »

If the pavement isn't owned by them they'd have to apply to the council for permission like with outside tables and seats....

It's more than 'permission' - they have to pay a hefty annual charge to put tables/chairs on a public footpath.

positron

The cafe at Oldbridge Estate / Battle of Boyne visitor center outside Drogheda is rather nice.

https://goo.gl/maps/CrwSvGE67s4kotK56

Cafe is in the walled garden of the Oldbridge house, giving it a bit of warmth and shelter from the weather, option to sit indoors or outdoors, looking out to beautifully kept lavender garden, great coffee, cakes and ice cream - perhaps a tad bit expensive but worth it given the amenities. Even has a resident house cat to keep you company. I have seen 20+ bikes heading up there on Saturday mornings, not sure which club it is, but it's on their regular weekend beat already.

Wishbone Ash

positron wrote: »

The cafe at Oldbridge Estate / Battle of Boyne visitor center outside Drogheda is rather nice.

https://goo.gl/maps/CrwSvGE67s4kotK56

Cafe is in the walled garden of the Oldbridge house, giving it a bit of warmth and shelter from the weather, option to sit indoors or outdoors, looking out to beautifully kept lavender garden, great coffee, cakes and ice cream - perhaps a tad bit expensive but worth it given the amenities. Even has a resident house cat to keep you company. I have seen 20+ bikes heading up there on Saturday mornings, not sure which club it is, but it's on their regular weekend beat already.

It's a branch of Brambles but we like to call it 'Grumbles' as the staff attitude leaves a lot to be desired much of the time. They also take a notion every so often of insisting the bikes are not brought into the courtyard (where they can be seen).

positron

Oh really, I didn't know, that's a shame.

I am only there on odd weekend afternoons with my kids and they are yet to ask us to not to bring the bike into the courtyard.. but I will keep this in mind.

Nice facilities, shame they are "grumbles"

Luxman

positron wrote: »

Oh really, I didn't know, that's a shame.

I am only there on odd weekend afternoons with my kids and they are yet to ask us to not to bring the bike into the courtyard.. but I will keep this in mind.

Nice facilities, shame they are "grumbles"

I asked for cream with my scone once and received a death stare

magicbastarder

yet you are still with us. i suspect you've exaggerated it by calling it a 'death stare'.

Luxman

magicbastarder wrote: »

yet you are still with us. i suspect you've exaggerated it by calling it a 'death stare'.

Edit that to a “oh god, bloody cyclists” stare then. #grumbles

silverharp

more a tuck shop that sells coffee but the mountain biking place at Ballinastoe forest between Roundwood and Enniskerry is nice for a mini stop if you want a few minutes off the road.