PROLOGUE, HARROGATE, YORKSHIRE

A North Yorkshire institution turns shield from precipitation at the Road World Champs

Harrogate got its name in lights in September as host of all the races through the week-long UCI Road World Championships. The torrential weather will have taken a hit to the expected millions lining the road side and those visiting the city throughout the week, but such conditions will likely have meant more visitors to its cafes as punters sought shelter. That was the case for our photographer Joe Branston, who spent several days at the Worlds capturing the atmosphere on the ground (you can see Joe’s work in this issue’s supplement). Time and again during the event, Joe found himself back in Prologue, drying out, topping up his caffeine levels and watching bike racing.

Live racing here wasn’t just a Worlds novelty. Every race of note throughout the season is shown here while patrons work their way through the excellent range of cakes and pastries (and liquor - they have a licence). Joe has been looking to keep his calorie intake to a sensible level recently, but Prologue’s vegan carrot cake proved to be his constant undoing. Aside from the cafe, Prologue run a cycling team with local but lofty ambitions. There’s also full workshop facilities, a shop stocking a good range of classy gear, bikes and kit for you to browse while your lunch is settling, before you head back out to explore the nearby dales. Here’s hoping the weather for you is much better than it was for the elite men! prologuecycling.co.uk

SIGNATURE DISH

Coffee and cake is the tip of the food iceberg, with an extensive lunch menu. Their breakfast is well-priced at £7.50. SHOWSTOPPER

That vegan carrot cake.

I’M A COFFEE SNOB, HOW’S THEIR FLAT WHITE? Joe is no coffee expert, but he had no complaints with the espresso.

KEY STRAVA SEGMENT

Fleet Moss, 1.76 miles, av grade 8.4 per cent, elevation gain 784ft, ranked riders: 9201

KOM Andy Cunningham 8.25, 16/08/2016

QOM Mary Wilkinson 10.21, 07/09/2016