The Club's favourite cafe stops are listed here. To add your own favourite(s), click the EDIT button at the bottom of this page (you must be logged in). Please try to follow the basic format, keeping the description succinct. Don't forget location details, and other secrets that you know about good items on the menu, opening times, bike parking, etc. If you need help formatting, then send us a message and we'll sort you out.
Here's our current list, in no particular order:
1 - Shed 24H at Hellifield railway station
- Family-run, and inexpensive food and drinks
- Plenty of space to park and lock your bike
- Tables that cater to groups of 6 or 7
- Closed Sunday and Monday
- Always a chance to meet Benji, the Station Master!
These ICC routes go to Hellifield:
- ICC Route 0061 - Skipton Castle & Hellifield Peel
- ICC Route 0139 - Hellifield (via Hetton back by Gargrave)
- ICC Route 0188 - Hellifield (via Bell Busk back by Gargrave)
2 - Olive Tree Cafe at F Tate & Sons garden centre - Ripon
This garden centre cafe has loads of indoor and outdoor space. Ride straight to the back wall through the centre, then turn left and look for the sign that says, "Cyclists Only" (!). Features fast and friendly service with a full menu, including homemade cakes. Closed Mondays.
Located on Studley Road just outside of Ripon. Location on Google maps or use What3Words.
These ICC routes go right past or fairly close to the garden centre:
- ICC Route 0046 - Wetherby-Ripon-Summerbridge
- ICC Route 0046R - Summerbridge-Ripon-Wetherby
- ICC Route 0069 - Fountains Abbey
- ICC Route 0086 - Ripon & Pateley Bridge
3 - Beckermonds Snack Shack - between Buckden & Fleet Moss
OK, so it's not a cafe - it's entirely self-service, and drinks and snacks are all £1 - no cards, no IOUs, just cold cash. And on most days it's likely to be cold, so bring a cardigan with you and snuggle up at the table provided.
Getting there is simple, if not exactly easy. Head up Wharfedale and turn left at Buckden, heading toward Fleet Moss. When the road turns up to the right and rises sharply toward Oughtershaw and the Fleet Moss climb, go straight to take the road on the left (What3Words: shuttling.benched.shop). When that road runs out you'll find the snack shack and a place to sit and enjoy it.
4 - Bloomfield Square, Gay Lane, Otley
A cosy, stylish coffee shop that also has a letterpress business. With a retro feel, a small menu of great cakes, coffee and snacks, it's handily placed in the middle of Otley near Chevin Cycles. There's a safe place to park your bikes around the back with sturdy locks available. Remember to remove your cleated shoes before you go upstairs!
5 - Lakeside Cafe, near Colne BB8 7HH (in that other county)
Good value cafe with a beautiful setting - just as it says on the tin, by a lake. Plenty of outdoor tables, and room to park up the bikes. Takes CASH only. Open every day, 10.00 until 16.00
One word of warning - the exit through the car park is extremely steep, so get in low gear before setting off!
These ICC routes get you to Laneshawbridge and from there you take the A6068 towards Colne and after about 1 mile, look out for a left turn signposted to the cafe.
- ICC Route 0060 - Oakworth and Laneshawbridge
- ICC Route 0091 - Laneshawbridge
- ICC Training Route 0014 - Laneshawbridge
- ICC Training Route 0014B - Laneshawbridge extension (Black Lane Ends)
6 - The Grange, School Lane, Askham Richard, York
If you're heading east for a flatter day in the saddle, there's a gem of a café that's very popular with members of the Ilkley Cycling Club. Located in the Vale of York, the little village of Askham Richard is home to The Grange Garden Centre & Coffee Shop. This spot offers fantastic value for money and a great selection of cakes, with generous portion sizes. With both indoor and outdoor seating, bike parking, and friendly staff, it's a perfect place to stop off and refuel. Closed Mondays
These Club routes go close to Askham Richard:
- ICC Route 0070 - St Mary's Abbey, York
- ICC Route 0077 - York Castle via Spofforth Castle
7. The Fenton Cafe & Grill, East Leeds Airport, Church Fenton
Another flatter route that goes out through Aberford, Saxton and Church Fenton, a village with a random airport (who knew). Returns via Taddy, Wetherby, Sicklinghall, Otley.
Great spot for hot / cold food - pretty reasonable and generally quick service. There is a wood burner which is a must in winter. Blankets and outdoor seating available. Seems quiet in the week for those lucky enough to be able to do weekday rides. Good size tables for groups of 6-8.
It's a 60 miler from Ilkley : https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/308979000
8. Country Kitchen Cafe, Cracoe
Handily situated on the Skipton - Grassington road, and not far from the Thorpe Lane - Burnsall road. With full menu of hot and cold food, a safe place for bikes and indoor/outdoor seating, its a lovely cafe and great value! Friendly staff, they prefer cash but will take a card.
Open every day except Tuesday https://thecountrykitchencafe.co.uk/
9. Gaffé - Shipley (Right off the Canal)
Canal-side coffee - Your perfect pit stop
Tucked away on Wharf street right on the Leeds-Liverpool canal (National Cycle Route 696), serving and selling locally-roasted Casa Espresso coffee, a great selection of loose leaf teas and refreshing cold drinks, plus a range of sweet treats to keep you going- open everyday.
With beautiful views of the canal and Baildon Moor, indoor and outdoor seating and a safe place to leave your bike, there’s everything you’ll need to relax and refuel. They also stock locally-made goods that make great gifts.
10. Tim's Cafe, Thorp Arch Trading Estate
Good value food, friendly staff and very efficient service are hallmarks of Tim's cafe, tucked away on Avenue D off Street 5 in the Thorp Arch Trading Estate (which used to be the site of a Royal Ordnance Factory supplying munitions for the armed forces in WWII). It's open every day, but closes early - 14:30. On Sundays there's a car boot sale in front of the cafe, so it gets quite busy, but there are loads of tables and you normally will find somewhere to sit.
ICC Route 0145 goes near
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17784155
When you are heading from Wetherby towards Wighill, take the right turn in front of the British Library, go straight over the roundabout (you're now on Street 5) and Avenue D is the first turn on your right. Turn right again after about 50 metres and Tim's cafe is in the corner of the car park.