MAGLIA ROSSO, BURY ST EDMUNDS

From its culinary delights to its friendly ambience, this bustling eatery is a must-stop for all riders…

“Friendly, fun place, great staff” Bob

“Unique destination cafe and bike shop, and some of the nicest roads around” Tom Ashworth

“Lovely ride out and great sausage rolls!” Karen Eaton

“The coffee is great and the spicy sausage rolls were to die for” Surrey Bike Boy

Suffolk’s gentle countryside provides few summitbagging opportunities, but offers plenty of picturesque day rides. The handsome town of Bury St Edmunds – at the junction of National Cycle Routes 13 (London to Fakenham) and 51 (Oxford to Colchester) – is a great focus for rides, and on its outskirts is one of East Anglia’s friendliest cycle cafes.

Six years ago this was a derelict pub. Now it’s a lively and welcoming multipurpose cyclist haven with holiday pods, a bike workshop, HQ for local sportives, events and regular rides and a showroom where you can covet gravel, road and ebikes. If you impulse-purchase anything too big for your back pocket, such as a Trek Domane, they’ll post it to you.

It’s also a super cafe that’s ideal for that fuel-up, open 7/7 from 9am. There are plenty of covered (and heated) outside tables and a cosy indoor space complete with sofas, bike-book library for browsing, and bike decor.

Matt, who owns the cafe with his father, got back into cycling eight years ago; they’re both keen cyclo-crossers. The cafe uses mainly local suppliers with ever more homemade cakes and puddings, a developing menu and seasonal themes. It’s busy with cyclists at the peak weekend morning times, but whenever you pop in there’ll be a local rider happy to share route tips over a light lunch or cake – maybe even an espresso martini. magliarosso.co.uk

SIGNATURE DISH

Gourmet sausage rolls (chilli, sage, apricot); £2.50

SHOWSTOPPER

Cooked breakfast with two of everything, unlimited toast and smiles; £7

I’M A COFFEE SNOB, HOW’S THEIR LATTE?

Top-notch, from Coffee World in Newmarket; £2.20

KEY STRAVA SEGMENT

Col du Little Whelnetham, 0.93 miles, average grade 3%, elevation gain 131 ft

KOM Dale S 2.20, 15/06/2013 QOM Georgia Williams 2.46, 10/06/2019