We love a cafe stop on our regular Saturday and Wednesday rides. In fact, we often discuss which cafe we are stopping at more than we discuss the route we are riding and on a Wednesday at least, the route is wholly determined by where we are stopping for coffee. We’ve even been known on a sub-100k (60 mile), ride to have a couple of stops, and felt no embarrassment whatsoever in that strategy. And let’s face it there is nothing better than sat in the sun with a few mates chewing the fat over a large Americano, with the promise of a Teacake with jam and butter to come: Cycling heaven.

So where are of favourite stops? Now that’s a pretty challenging question, not least because whilst we would not describe ourselves as fussy, we are also not very tolerant; so slow service, surely service and people who simply do not smile, will get short shift from us, in the form of withdrawing our custom from said establishment for a period of time. There are some in the group, who for the moment will remain nameless, (but whom are well acquainted with the dark arts of the front row), who would banish some establishments from our cafe stop schedule for longer than most, often needing a change of ownership to facilitate a return visit. The rest of us are a little more forgiving, so the odd slightly burnt Teacake (or hard butter from the fridge - we are a little obsessed with the need for the butter to spread easily on our Teacake), or lack of prompt service, will not see said establishment struck from our cafe list immediately: Yorkshire’s Finest always willing to give a cafe a second chance, or in the case of Dough at Welburn several chances to redeem themselves. But I digress. What we seek from a cafe is pretty simple really; somewhere to lean the bike in view of the outdoor seating, some outdoor seating to accommodate at least 6 of us (we are a sociable lot and this a a summer entry), a good cup of coffee in a proper cup (we are pleased COVID disposable cups are a thing of the past), a decent Teacake, (or more recently a crumpet), with a jam option and a selection of cakes, all reasonably priced. We like our service prompt and friendly, in equal measure and whilst we don’t like our cafes empty we also prefer them to not be too busy. So we don’t ask for a lot and to be honest most of the places, with the odd exception, measure up pretty well and we are pleased to return to them time after time. And if you can add in a river or lake view or a pretty Yorkshire village then we are happy men. So our top three cafe stops in no particular order (and bear in mind if this were written in another three weeks it would be all change), are as follows. Firstly, Hearts of Ampleforth, has won our “hearts” for the moment. They serve a great Teacake, the coffee is good and the service prompt. Second up is The Farm Shop cafe, Mile End at Pocklington. They are super quick, outside seating is plentiful, although does lack shade, teacakes are good and the coffee reasonable. (PS - they do a great piece of fruitcake with cheese). And finally, The “Airport cafe”, The Fenton, at Church Fenton ex RAF base, which only features on our Wednesday rides, but none the worst for that. It has a very nice terrace, a good Teacake and whilst the coffee is from a drip filter it’s good and a free refill into the bargain. Always an interesting place to sit. And as one of our group is a performance car fanatic, (fanatic might be overstating it a little), the fact they have a high end car showroom and use the airport to film episodes of Top Gear is a definite bonus.

So that’s pretty much it. Coffee stops are important to the folk from Yorkshire’s Finest, we rarely if ever, do a group ride without one and it thus forms an crucial element of our ride. We review every cafe we visit, so if you need a recommendation and are cycling within 50 miles of York in most directions then check out our cafe review section on the website, to find a must visit cafe. To steal a catchphrase (slightly amended) from York Cycleworks - “Teacakes always”. - (it’s “Tailwinds Always” in case you are interested).