T HE GREEN JERSE Y, CL I T HEROE
Eat, drink and be merry in this one-stop Lancashire hotspot for all things cycling…
“It’s a local gem. Community run, yummy cakes, hot chocolate, a relaxed atmosphere and, crucially, gin. I’m a big fan of the decor too.” Hannah Rowe
“Fantastic local bike shop, coffee shop, gig venue. Wish I lived closer!” Matthew Hornby
“Super little shop and cafe. Excellent freshly prepared cheese salad lunch topped off with a pint of tea.”
Jacky Knight
To either side of the town of Clitheroe, you’re spoilt for choice in your riding options. To the east, Pendle Hill, the Mont Ventoux of East Lancashire rising high and solitary from the Ribble Valley. To the west, the expansive Forest of Bowland, home to a whole host of delights, such as the iconic Trough. And once you’ve plundered the region’s many treasures, you can settle down for coffee and cake - and a little bit more, perhaps - in Clitheroe’s The Green Jersey. It’s an easy find from the summit of Pendle Hill, at 293m; just follow the north bound road to Clitheroe, cross the A59, and follow it to the main junction in town.
It’s far more than a coffee shop, but a workshop (a bike service costs between £40 and £100), retailer and bike club (membership comes through buying an item of club kit, starting at £44.99). It also offers holidays to the Alps, Pyrenees, Majorca and the Spring Classic pro races. Furnished with all manner of cycling memorabilia, including, naturally, a signed Tour de France green jersey from the man who’s won more of them (seven) than any
other rider, Peter Sagan, the cafe is run by Bowland Distillery, a small operation that makes its own gin and vodka - something worth sampling when you’re here off the bike, of course. It’s not a big space, so if you want to visit as part of your own club run they encourage you to book ahead. thegreenjersey.cc
SIGNATURE DISH
This is Lancashire, so it’d be remiss to pass on the pie, peas, gravy and chips for a fiver. SHOWSTOPPER
Whiskey cake. And keeping to the booze theme, give the gin a go, flavours include spicy plum and vanilla. I’M A COFFEE SNOB, HOW’S THEIR FLAT WHITE? You won’t be disappointed.
KEY STRAVA SEGMENT Waddington Fell 2.6 miles, av grade 6 per cent, elevation gain 880ft, ranked riders: 8000
KOM Ian Bibby 9.46, 23/07/2019 QOM Mary Wilkinson 13.08 24/10/2018