Last week, Grace and I ventured into downtown Lewisburg to try out the newest addition to the local coffee circuit, CycleUp Bike Shop & Cafe. Located right on Market Street, Cycle Up Cafe is somewhat of a hidden gem! Upon entering, you pass by the whole bike shop with different road bikes, wheels, helmets and more for sale. The back half of the space is an adorable cafe with green accents and a retro feel. With bicycle decorations throughout, this is an awesome example of a multi-use space, creating an inviting and intriguing spot. The employees were friendly, greeting and chatting with us throughout our time there! CycleUp is heavily involved with Bucknell students, partnering with the Small Business Development Center, the Consulting Club, the Bucknell Cycling Team and employing students as bike mechanics.
The menu at CycleUp was very straightforward, as it offered your classic caffeinated drink options, like hot and cold coffee selections as well as various teas and a matcha option. It seemed like kombucha was a potential drink that would be offered in the future! Grace ordered an iced caramel latte and Grace ordered a hot cappuccino—both are safe options. There weren’t different sizing options which made the process smooth and they offered milk alternatives. CycleUp also offers a wide selection of food items, from pastries to sandwiches. We tried the cinnamon bun, which we wholeheartedly recommend, as it wasn’t your typical cinnamon roll, but absolutely delicious (ask them to heat it up for you, too)! CycleUp is supplied by home-baker Dolores’ Luvmubuns for their sticky buns, cinnamon buns and gigantic chocolate chip cookies! A small business supporting another small business! While we didn’t get to try their sandwiches, I would hands-down go back again to try one of their breakfast sandwiches, which they make right in their shop. Overall, we give CycleUp a rating of 4.3 /5. We were big fans of CycleUp and plan to return again very soon!
Flavor – The two drinks we ordered were delicious, and just what we asked for. The coffee flavor was present, and not overpowered by the milk. In the iced latte, the caramel offered a nice flavor and did not make it overbearingly sweet at all. The cappuccino had a wonderful tasting foam and offered a nice savory taste of the coffee. They had Denim Coffee bags on display, which is a coffee chain in Central Pennsylvania that offers coffee beans from single origins (yay ethical practices!).
Fun – As mentioned before, the shop combines the space of a bicycle store with a cafe in the back. The unique combination of the two offers a nice aesthetic, with hanging bicycles as decor and pops of green that help bring the place together. The seating options are wonderful, whether you sip on coffee while reading a book, or chat with friends in a comfy seat, CycleUp offers the room for customers to enjoy their menu and make the most of their space.
Fame – When we entered, there was only one other customer in the cafe. While CycleUp does not have the fame right now, it has amazing potential to be an awesome study spot and a classic for Bucknell students. There are awesome food and drink options and a great location right off campus, accessible for all right in downtown Lewisburg.
Funds – The iced latte was priced at $5, and the cappuccino was $3.50, with their other drink options falling within this price range. For your everyday cup of coffee, not too bad!
