Winners of Cyclist Café of the Year Awards announced

Cycling UK announced the winners of the Cyclist Café of the Year Awards at the Big Bike Celebration on the 6th October in Harrogate.

After the votes were counted, a panel of judges from across the UK looked in detail at the cafés who made the shortlist and decided the winners.

Cyclist Café of the Year in England – Café Velo (Hampshire) 
The café is described as ‘second to none’, and there is indoor storage for bikes, cycling memorabilia on the wall and a workshop incorporated.

Owner Peter said: “We’ve only been open since Easter. I’m chuffed. I cannot tell you how proud we are.

“We run rides out from the café every Saturday and Sunday, and a gravel ride the first Sunday of the month. 

"We also have an on-site workshop with an in-house mechanic six days a week."

Cyclist Café of the Year in Northern Ireland – Bow Bells (County Down)
Many people who nominated Bow Bells said it served delicious large cakes with one nomination declaring that it baked ‘the best buns in County Down’.

The café puts on a club barbeque every year and supports local cycling clubs and groups.

Owner, local councillor Mark Brooks, said: "It’s an honour to receive an award for what we do, we are glad we have so many happy customers."

Cyclist Café of the Year in Scotland – Velocity (Inverness)
Velocity has been described as a unique place with no fixed seating arrangement or standardised menu.

It has an adjoining bike repair shop, which also runs courses to promote inclusivity for cycling.

General manager Dave Sage said: "We are just about to celebrate our sixth birthday, Velocity is a social enterprise and the café space provides a hub for everything to happen.

"There’s a lot of people putting in hard work to create a warm, welcoming environment for cyclists and other customers, it’s really so lovely that we have been recognised as a place people can come and relax."

Almost everything is homemade and food is locally sourced and prepared by the staff on site.

Cyclist Café of the Year in Wales – I want to ride my bike café, bar and workshop (Cardiff)
Opened in July 2017, owner Jonathan Wright was inspired to open a cafe and bar where people could come and watch the Tour de France and meet others.

It serves local craft beer and has big screens to watch races on, and has a workshop and classes (mixed or women only) to help cyclists be ready for any mechanicals on the road.

Wright said: "We are not a destination café in the countryside, but a city centre café that is popular with students from the University, local campaigning groups, those who work at the Welsh Assembly or visit the National Museum across the road.

"We aim to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and cycle in Cardiff city centre, we are also an information hub about cycling."

Lifetime Achievement – Eureka Café in Two Mills, Chester
Eureka Café, known to regulars as the Mills, has been serving cyclists since 1929.

Owner Anne Peek, who has been running the cafe for 17 years, said: "This award is not just for us, it is for our amazing customers too. It is the people who make a place. 

"So many of them have stories to tell about cycling in the area – Eureka is a real community.

"We are only a little café, but it’s a place where people love to come by bike to."