Most cyclists think of a rest stop as the nearest Jiffy store or gas station, but tucked into the country corners of North Florida are fun and interesting places that exude a laid back charm and offer to make a ride special. And for those who are willing to take more than the max 10 minutes, some stops can be an adventure.
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Mildred's Cottage Gourmet is the happening place in Micanopy and is fast becoming known as a rest stop and hangout for cyclists on the weekend. This place has become so popular with some of the riders that they will plead with the group when starting a ride: "I don't care where we go, as long as we stop at Mildred's!"
From Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy's main street, turn south onto Hunter Ave, a dirt road, for about a half block. Mildred's has the charm of an old country inn. Lean your bike against the fence and come on in. As you enter at ground level, a great room opens up and down with lots of brick and wood, stained glass, a fireplace and a spiral staircase leading to a private loft above. There is a little coffee bar tucked into one corner.
The food is excellent here. The menu offers unique, fresh, homemade salads, sandwiches, pasta, pastries, deserts and more. Living up to the gourmet in it's name, most of the menu items are decidedly too rich for most cyclist's rest stop tastes. (I've personally paid the price on the ride home on more than one occasion for over indulgence, an easy thing to do at Mildred's!) However, you can't go wrong with the muffins. What truly decadent creations these are, stuffed with fruit and topped off with a sugary, buttery crunch.
There is a fun and funky atmosphere here. An eclectic clientele runs the gamut from the uppity antique crowd to the local folk musicians jamming on the patio out back. Although the service has it's ups and downs, I've always found the staff to be accommodating to cyclists by providing extra ice water for those empty water bottles.
The rest of the town of Micanopy, (The town motto is: "Where Mayberry meets the Twilight Zone") is a great place for an extended rest stop. Don't miss O.Brisky Books, one of Florida's best book shops.
Call it a bun run or a muffin ride, a rest stop at Mildred's can easily fit into any bike ride and the goodies and good company will keep you coming back for more.