CINNAMON CAFE

Loads of bike racks, discounts for cyclists and killer cinnamon buns. Windsor is your friend

Windsor is a honeypot highlight for leisure riders doing the Thames Path: the Great Park; the Castle; Eton college just over the pedcycle bridge. And in the town’s old station building, just opposite the Castle, Cinnamon Cafe is a local legend for the area’s thronging road cyclists. At weekends, around 300–400 stop off during the day – the two giant racks outside the entrance are fortunately backed up by another 16 round the back – and what they’ve come for is, of course, the cinnamon buns.

Forget the sort of stodgy lump you might get in a chain: these buns are feather-light, moist, airily spicy, delicious. Nick, the manager, chats to us just before setting out on a ride himself. The cafe’s been here 20 years, but the day-ride boom inspired them to angle the place towards cyclists. Coffee is Pact’s Gran Fondo, a Rwandan/Colombian blend that’s endorsed by ‘G’ himself – Geraint Thomas.

Thursdays are particularly busy – that’s bun run day for the area’s pros – but any morning the place is bustling with commuters, locals, and day-riders roaming the leafy Thames valley. There’s a 10 per cent discount ‘for Lycra’, but cotton or polyester fans need not worry: you only need a bike to qualify. cinnamoncafe.com

SIGNATURE DISH

Cinnamon bun £3

SHOWSTOPPER

Chilli con carne, rice and cheese £5.40

I’M A COFFEE SNOB, HOW’S THEIR FLAT WHITE?

Double-shot original recipe, £2.75

KEY STRAVA SEGMENT

Windsor Castle Gate Climb, 405 yards, average grade 3.5%, elevation gain 43ft, 117,993 attempts by 29,186 people KOM Lyndon Douglas 0.30, 29/08/2020 QOM Grace Reynolds 0.39, 08/07/2021

“We decided to try here as there was so many cyclists, which usually means good coffee and cakes. We were right.”

Kaz MC

“What a find! Wonderful cream tea (real cream) with excellent scones, delicious smoothies.”

Jrsllsls

“Cinnamon buns are superb and a generous-sized portion”

John P