Favourite destinations: The Bike Shed

Any committed biker will tell you that motorcycling is much more about the journey than the destination. Whilst this no doubt holds true for most of us, most of the time, there is always the exception that proves the rule.

Travelling by bike to this month’s favourite destination isn’t particularly fun or enjoyable riding, it has to be said. The congested streets of the City of London and Shoreditch are nowhere near as much fun or as invigorating as the open roads of Kent, Surrey and Sussex LAMkins prefer to inhabit – however, the destination, the atmosphere and the food makes a bit of filtering through urban traffic more than worthwhile.

The Bike Shed (or to give it it’s official name, the Bike Shed Motorcycle Club) is one of those “must do” biking destinations that every biker needs to tick off of their bucket list alongside (in no particular order), the Nürburgring, the Stelvio Pass, the B500, the Transfagarasan, the North Coast 500, and of course not forgetting Ryka’s and Loomies.

The Bike Shed is certainly much more than a place to eat (very good though the food is, there are many more reasons to venture this far east to the EC1 postcode). This is certainly no greasy spoon – we are in the heart of Hipster London after all. The food at the Bike Shed is the antithesis of your local greasy spoon – they even make their own baked beans. Afterall, when was the last time you went to a greasy spoon that serves Crème brulee, sweet potato fries or goat’s cheese?

Nestled underneath a series of railway arches between the junctions of Old Street and Shoreditch High Street, the Bike Shed has an atmosphere that feels part classic motorcycle museum, part 19th Century Pall Mall Gentlemen’s club and part uber-cool Hipster hang out (but don’t let either of the last two put you off – only the hardest of biking hearts could fail to feel at home here). The Bike Shed welcomes guests of all sorts – and you don’t need to be in possession of a hipster beard or a bobber to get through the door – all are welcome, including children (for whom there are a pile of board games available, as well as baby changing facilities).

Within the walls of the Bike Shed you can not only eat, drink and be merry but also enjoy the range of custom café racers, scramblers and bobbers on display, shop for bike memorabilia and even get a haircut in the onsite barber’s shop. There is safe and secure parking for up to 80 bikes onsite, though the cocktail menu and range of beers on offer makes it tempting to leave the bike at home.

The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club

384 Old Street
Shoreditch
London
EC1V 9LT

Opening hours:
Monday 10 am to 11 pm
Tuesday 10 am to midnight
Wednesday 10 am to midnight
Thursday 10 am to midnight
Friday 10 am to midnight
Saturday 9 am to midnight
Sunday 9 am to 11 pm