The Caf.
For some riders it’s the meeting point, for others it’s a focus of the middle or end of their ride. A destination or a place to regroup, refuel and recharge. In the depth of winter they can be a warm refuge from the elements of the #ColdDarkNorth.
Some Cafs suit individuals or smaller groups. Others are best enjoyed in a gang. Some cater specifically for cyclists, welcoming us with open arms and bike locks. Some even have a track pump (we salute you!). Others might merely tolerate us, but they’re worth it for the bounty they serve.
Do you like your beans on toast with a beer like some of the more prolific and vocal members of the famous Morecambe Clock Tower ride or are you more of a flat white and slab of cake enthusiast?
The bottom line is, as with so much in cycling and in life, that it’s different strokes for different folks. Many won’t pay more than a few bob for a tea and a slice (“it’s not That London”), some would remortgage their carbon steed for the perfect macchiato. There are plenty of riders that won’t ever venture far from their group’s chosen Caf. Old habits die hard. But the reality is that, in the Cold Dark North, we are blessed with some proper cracking cafs.
So we wanted to share a little local knowledge to help you find some of these great Cafs, often in great places, that you might not know. We’ve created an interactive map to make this accessible on the move too, in case you’re freestyling and you need a slice of cake to help you work out the way home.
So here are the Cafs of the #ColdDarkNorth, or what we’re calling our “LocafKnowledge” - these are the places we've been, we've heard about, we recommend or we have had recommended to us. Cafs are subjective things. They might not be your cup of tea. And they might have changed hands since we were last there last. We can't spend ALL our time in Cafs, after all.
Please let us know if you have a good or bad experience in these or if you think we’re missing a trick. We'll try to keep this updated if we can.
Our Starting List is as follows:
Post Box Pantry in Dufton
Melmerby Village Bakery
Goat Gap Cafe near Clapham
Wolf & Us in Silverdale
The Churchmouse in Barbon
Chesters by the River in Skelwith Bridge
The Three Hares in Sedbergh
Four Season Bakery in Ingleton
Penny Garth Cafe in Hawes
Apple Store in Scorton
The Barn in Scorton
Puddleducks in Dunsop Bridge
Riverbank Tearooms in Slaidburn
Cobbled Corner in Chipping
The Bridge Cafe Wray
Orton Scar Cafe
Granny Dowbekins Tearooms in Pooley Bridge
Little Chamonix in Keswick
Siskins Caf at Whinlatter
Moochin About in Arnside
Method in Kendal
Homeground in Windermere
Inglesport Cafe in Ingleton
The Swan at Newby Bridge
Broughton Village Bakery
Fairydust Emporium in Silloth on Solway
The Gin Case in Wigton
The Chalet at Portinscale
Priests Mill Cafe in Caldbeck
Syke Farm Tea Room in Buttermere
The Gather by Ennerdale
The Pot Place near Plumpton
Sizergh Barn, Sizergh
Mallard Café, Cartmel
Kitridding Farm Shop, Old Town
Clearwater Fisheries in Borwick
Light Ash in Myrescough
Roots Cafe in Preston
Little Town Dairy in Longridge
Town End Farm Shop at Airton
Country Kitchen near Waddingon
Bashall Barn
Ye Olde Naked Man Café in Settle
More? Bakery in Staveley
Wilf’s Caf in Staveley
The Pink Geranium in Kirkby Stephen
Post Office Tea Room in Hornby
Wallings Ice Cream Parlour
