We love a cycling cafe - who doesn’t? A well placed pit stop for coffee and cake is just what the cycling doctor orders. So we were super-excited to hear about this new addition to the rolling Chiltern Hills: The Musette Cafe.
This cycle cafe is rather different to many that we’ve seen which have been created by guys who’ve made money in the City, which they then invest in their hobby. The Musette Cafe has come about through the collaboration of a local cycling club, a cycle photographer and upmarket cycle clothing brand ashmei.
ashmei’s head office has been based at the site in Aldbury since 2012, but that’s not the only reason why the founders picked this particular spot. "This is a real destination - a place to ride to and stop for a great coffee,” said ashmei boss Stuart Brooke.
“In my opinion, there was nothing around the Chilterns that really hit the mark before Musette opened its doors. The Chilterns is full of fellow cyclists - just check the Strava map for confirmation. What’s more, Toms Hill, which starts ¼ mile from our HQ, is an iconic destination for most. It therefore seemed to make sense to try and make Aldbury the centre of a new cycling hub for those riding the Chilterns," he told Ride Velo.
The cycle-themed cafe has just opened its doors to cyclists and offers visitors fine coffee and cake as well as savouries. It’s a large space which can accommodate up to 100 thirsty cyclists at a time.
Team Musette: Simon Voysey (left) and Simon Gill (right) with their ‘better halves’
"We're thrilled to open Musette cafe in the heart of the Chilterns, following many months of research and planning,” said Simon Voysey, co-owner of Musette and founder of local cycling club Berkhamsted CC.
“As avid cyclists, we recognised that the Chilterns lacked a genuine destination café. Aldbury is a great location for the outdoor community - with a myriad of road and off-road routes for cyclists on our doorstep - as well as incredible trails for runners and hikers," he added.
Simon Gill’s stunning photographs will be available to buy
Musette fellow co-founder Simon Gill is a professional cycling photographer who has featured on many of the industry’s magazine front covers - including this year’s Official Guide to the Tour de France.
Simon Gill's work can be seen on the walls of Musette Cafe and is also available to buy. "Our idea was to create a platform not just for my work, but for local artists and photographers - and not just confined to cycling. We've been delighted with the response so far and are currently in the midst of curating our first Art Fair at the end of November", he said.
‘We feel extremely fortunate to work so closely with ashmei - sharing their HQ to create a genuine hub for cyclists, runners and walkers. At the weekend, we are not only retailing ashmei products but are ultimately, also looking forward to co-hosting events, as well as club and corporate rides,” concluded Voysey.
For more information, visit www.musette.cafe or even better go there on your bike!
