CAKE STOP GORILL A COFFEE

With its fine fodder and friendly vibe, this is a one of the best coffee stops in the Midlands

“Friendly atmosphere. Nice, good-value food” Tara M “Last night’s Italian special was truly memorable... cosy and comfortable ambience” Pat R “After a lovely morning cycling, the coffee was fantastic, served with a smile... I recommend their delivery service too” P Zroba

Birmingham’s urban sprawl doesn’t appear at first glance to be all that promising for cyclists, but there are some useful ways to navigate through the city – a network of sealed canal towpaths; NCN5; and the recently created A38 segregated cycleway down to Selly Oak.

Plus there’s a gem of a cycle cafe, too: the Gorilla Coffee Cafe in King’s Heath, south of the centre just off that NCN5. Thursday nights are the cafe’s own club nights, with up to a hundred riders gathering to set off on a range of rides, some at a steady 12mph, some riding 90 minutes at 23mph. Sunday Socials are more relaxed events.

The food (including plenty of veg and vegan options) is locally sourced where possible, with cakes made in-house or by Brownie Boss of Leamington. Two craft beers are also on tap, of which Big Wave (from Hawaii’s Kona Brewery) has become a sort of default currency in which challenges are rewarded or KOMs paid for.

Owner James is proud of the vibe, and the cafe doesn’t only welcome club riders – utility cyclists drop in to have coffee and a snack during impromptu repairs by the two workshop staff, and there’s a loyal customer base of locals (James knows most by name) who just come to enjoy the classy food (ciao Damiano, the Italian chef). They are opening a new pizzeria soon, too. gorillacoffee.co.uk

SIGNATURE DISH

Bacon and baby spinach brioche with homemade mustard; £5

SHOWSTOPPER

Sweet potato shakshouka with sautéed leeks etc; £7.50

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

Great, from Coffee Masters of Worcester; £2.60

KEY STRAVA SEGMENT

Pebblemill Sprint, 0.5 miles, average grade -0.2%, elevation loss 16ft, 52,193 attempts by 5435 people KOM Dennis Raistrick 0.58, 28/08/2014 QOM Vicky Smith 1.09, 25/11/2014