Found Another Coffee Shop

I've always thought the most perfect bike shops are those selling coffee, and the most perfect coffee shops are those selling bikes. Over the past year, I've now discovered four such establishments.

In Bristol during my sabbatical, I came across the Mud Dock Cycleworks & Cafe. This is probably the most substantial twinned shop I've found, with a Cafe which does far more than coffee and cake. In Portland, on my first 100 miler of the year, I lunched at Cycleccino, probably the smallest bike shop duo, with a very informal and somewhat amateurish but honest cafe. The third was Veloton Bicycle Shop, found in Tetbury. This is a small cafe fronted shop where the coffee seems to be secondary to the fashionable Italian bikes and clothing. I had to really want to try out the coffee to stop here, as the welcome was a little cool, as though the shop itself was just "too cool for school!".

The forth I found today, whilst out on an early morning ride with fellow AVPer, Kelly. This was the new Cycle Service cafe and bike shop, much closer to home, located in the grand old Sidmouth Post Office. Although there were plenty of bike stands outside, not carrying bike locks with us, we ventured inside wheeling our bikes just for a look. We received such a warm welcome and not being overly busy,  having received the offer to park up in side, we could hardly refuse staying for coffee and cake!

They have a lovely setup there and I can see it being a regular stopping point, certainly during the winter short rides on the way out of Seaton or after a longer ride on the way back. The interior has a good sized bike service area near the entrance and a back wall lined with Park Tools to die for. This is then surrounded with bikes and bits to buy. The cafe and tables are through the shop to the left, giving good vantage point to brows the wares from a distance. Adorning the wall at this end, there is a blackboard advertising rides and an array of cycling jerseys, naturally including a number from the local Sid Valley CC .. I wonder if they would consider adding an AVP jersey into the mix .. it would certainly make for a warm welcome to their nearest neighbouring club? .. I'll have to bring it up in conversation when next in, I'm sure I can find a spare jersey in my collection!