The Coffee Shop Hunter
A gentle 5km loop past the best coffee and pastry stops Richmond has to offer, perfect for a slow morning on two wheels.
A gentle 5km loop past the best coffee and pastry stops Richmond has to offer, perfect for a slow morning on two wheels.
This is the easiest of our routes, a gentle loop through Richmond built entirely around good coffee and better pastries. It weaves through the town centre, along the riverside path, and past Richmond Green, so you get a proper feel for the place between stops.
The Coffee Shop Hunter stays flat the whole way, weaving between Richmond's paved high street, the smooth towpath along the Thames and the open grass fringes of Richmond Green. There's no climbing to speak of, just gentle turns and short stretches where you'll want to slow down and look around. The town centre gets busy on weekend mornings with shoppers and other cyclists, so expect a bit of weaving between pedestrians, but once you drop onto the riverside path it opens up and the pace relaxes. Surfaces are good throughout: tarmac and firm towpath, nothing that needs anything more than our Cruiser / Hybrid. You'll pass Georgian townhouses, glimpses of the river between the buildings and the open green itself, more a scenic wander than a workout. Either of our bikes suits this ride easily; the Cruiser / Hybrid's upright, relaxed position is perfect for pottering between stops.
Coffee shops get busy from about 10am on weekends, so if you want a quieter ride and first pick of a table, aim for an early start, we can usually deliver bikes from 9am. Weekday mornings are lovely and quiet too. Avoid rocking up right at lunchtime in summer when the riverside path fills up with walkers and the queues for pastries get long.
Bring a light layer, mornings by the river can be cooler than the rest of Richmond even in summer, plus a bit of cash or a card for whichever stop takes your fancy. Your bike comes with a lock so you can hop off and browse without worrying about it, and a cooler box if you'd rather take your coffee to go and drink it somewhere with a view.
Yes, it's our easiest route: flat, well-paved and built for a relaxed pace. If you can ride a bike comfortably on a flat road, you'll manage this one without any trouble.
Definitely, it's one of our most family-friendly routes. The pace is gentle and there are plenty of natural stopping points. Child seats and kids' helmets are available on request when you book.
The full itinerary includes six of Richmond's favourite coffee and pastry spots, sent to you stop by stop with Google Maps links once you've booked.
Book your bike and we'll send you the complete itinerary for The Coffee Shop Hunter: every stop, in order, with Google Maps links to get you there. This page is just the teaser, the real route comes with your booking.