If you love cycling and coffee you are far from alone. According to the British Coffee Association, a staggering 2 billion cups are consumed globally every day. In the UK, we reportedly gulp down around 98 million cups!
Who knows how many cyclists enjoy a daily caffeine hit, but I’m one of them. Yes, there’s lots of research out there that investigates the correlation between caffeine and cycling performance. That’s not within the scope of this blog, though if you’re interested check out a piece by CyclingWeekly
Instead, as a mountain bike guide who takes visitors to Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh out on leisurely cycles in the scenic and historic Pentland Hills, my interest is always how to combine the best views with the best brews. Oh, and cake!
In fact, while my cycling ‘leader pack’ contains all the essentials like a first aid kit and handy tools for quick on the trail fixes, very often my trusty flask of coffee (and some fresh baking) will also come along for the ride too. After all, I find that at different points on a ride, many clients love to hop off the bike and enjoy their coffee and cake. There’s also the option to enjoy a quick coffee, chat and munch on delicious scones, brownies and all manner of fresh treats at the fabulous Clubbiedeans Coffee stop beside Clubbiedean Reservoir.
Those two simple pleasures – assuming you like coffee and cake – are all part of the local tourism experience. After all, after spinning the pedals for a while in the fresh air, there’s nothing better than to reward yourself with a quick coffee while you take in stunning views of Edinburgh Castle in the near distance and beyond to the bridges spanning the Firth of Forth.
Of course, as a cyclist in Scotland it’s not just the Pentland Hills where you can combine fun riding with some great coffee – or at least delicious cakes and treats. As you’d imagine there are many such destinations. Here are just a few that I love to visit when out on the bike:
Mollys Delicatessen (Juniper Green, Edinburgh). Open Tuesday to Saturday and sitting in the shadow of the Pentland Hills. This local café stop five miles south-west of Edinburgh city centre and close to the Water of Leith serves up great tasting coffee and a mountain of freshly baked cakes. It’s also a handy stop for a quick bacon roll.
If you are heading to the Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders, check out No1 Peebles Road in Innerleithen. This is a cosy café that proudly brews fantastic coffee and also serves delicious tasting cakes. If you are really hungry, I recommend the awesome breakfast burrito. There are even handy bike locks outside and you are only a few minutes ride from the renowned trails of Innerleithen and Caberston (‘The Golfie’).
Laggan Wolftrax Café at the foot of the Laggan trail centre is a friendly café that also serves up great coffee. If cakes are not your thing – treat yourself to a bacon roll! If you are on the road or gravel bike and heading north, within 30 minutes you can also be enjoying a seat, scone and relaxing caffeine fix at Laggan Coffee Bothy in the village of Laggan itself.
If you find yourself on the 96-mile West Highland Way (be prepared for some serious hike-a-biking and fab scenery in equal measure) the brilliantly named Turnip the Beet – 8 miles north of Milngavie and immediately off the long-distance trail is worth a stop. There can’t be many places on a cycle ride in rural Scotland that serve up delicious coffee with an eye watering selection of ‘world cuisine’ including samosas, curries and cakes. Tuck in!
Further north (assuming you are cycling from Milngavie to Fort William) on the West Highland Way, don’t overlook the brilliant wee (small) honesty box hut outside the gates of Ben Lomond Cottage. A brilliant idea, it’s just north of Rowardennan on the shores of bonnie Loch Lomond. The honesty box ‘café’ is packed with every imaginable sort of treat you could wish for – though I didn’t spy a coffee machine! It’s perfect for those who need to stock up on energy levels – or just can’t resist a treat or sandwich before negotiating the tough hike-a-bike section further along the trail past Inversnaid.
Mhor Bread in Callander serves some of the best freshly made sandwiches and cakes for miles around. If you are planning a ride in the Trossachs, dive in here for freshly baked breads and a selection of cakes that would make Bake Off proud.
There are plenty more fantastic coffee and cake stops – come biking in Scotland and discover them for yourself!
Happy pedalling
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