On Yer Bike! Wandsworth cycle cafés

Do you often find yourself wishing for a mid cycle macchiato? Well rejoice, cycle cafés are now a thing. Sophie Farrah pedals through three appetizing reasons to get on your bike this month, in the Wandsworth area.

Cycle PS

Coffee and cycling is a well-established relationship; this caffeinated love affair dates back to the 60s when an Italian espresso machine manufacturer first sponsored a pro cycling team in order to promote its innovative machines.

Not only is coffee a natural stimulant that helps you pedal faster, but stopping off for a quick caffeine fix and an energy-packed bite to eat has become integral to the social side of cycling; dedicated Cycle Cafés have a become a great place to meet other riders, get advice plus bike services and repairs, all whilst enjoying great coffee and some really good food too.

The 2016 equivalent of a double espresso on an Italian roadside before ascending Stelvio is now in fact a flat white by the river in Putney, followed by several laps of Richmond Park.

More than two million people across the country now cycle at least once a week - an all-time high according to British Cycling. Admittedly I am not one of them, but these days (to my relief) it seems that I don’t have to pedal very far in order to indulge in the first-class coffee and delectable foodie treats now synonymous with cycling culture.

Due to it’s location on the route out to Richmond Park, the Surrey Hills and other popular cycling destinations, Southwest London has become a hotspot for some of the capitals finest Cycle Cafés, and the good news is that you don't have to don your lycra to enjoy their tasty offerings, although you might feel a bit left out.

Located on the Wandsworth - Waterloo Bike Path is The Dynamo on Putney Bridge Road - a particularly exciting addition to the Putney food scene, for cyclists and non-cyclists alike (phew). Traditional sourdough pizzas are served up fresh from their show-stopping wood-fired oven, which owners Matt and Tim had imported specially from Naples. Named after some of the world's most famous cycling climbs, pizzas include the Tourmelet with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, sobrasada sausage, fennel salami and ancho chilli, and the Ventoux with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, portobello mushroom, mascarpone, and truffle oil.

Brunch is an equally mouth-watering affair, and there’s also seriously good coffee care of East London outfit Allpress. If you do arrive on two wheels there’s a handy indoor wall rack where you can hang up your trusty steed, and later this year will see the basement transformed in to a snazzy cycle workshop.

Dynamo's wood fired pizza oven

If like me you enjoy a slice of cake with your coffee then why not pedal over to the Pedal Back Café inside Tooting's covered market, where you’ll find a selection of sweet treats made and delivered fresh from local bakers such as coconut and raspberry brownies and some seriously good banana bread – the calories of which can be burnt off on the ride home.

They also offer juices freshly pressed and hand delivered from Tooting Market, and a popular brunch menu which features their famous ‘avocado mash up’ served with sourdough bread, baked in Streatham no less. Run by Ria it is very much a family affair, and they are passionate about food, bikes, good service, sustainability and community spirit. There’s a dedicated bike repair area which offers reconditioned bicycles, repairs and servicing, and they also run introduction to bike maintenance classes (BYOB - bring your own bike) once a month.

So whether you’re on two wheels or none, perhaps I’ll see you there - I'll be the one definitely not wearing lycra.