The Ride Cafe

Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover

There is a saying “It's just like riding a bike” which means it should be easy to remember how to do it, even after a long time.

Well, I took a leap of faith. It had been over 40 years since I had ridden a bike, but with some encouragement from Kara, the owner of The Ride Cafe on Main Street, I did it!

It was exhilarating, I felt the same feeling of riding a bike as a kid, freedom and flying! I won’t lie, I was a little terrified at first, but Kara rode next to me for support and guidance.

Kara, who has a background in environmental studies and transportation planning, started her small business in 2022. The bike repair and maintenance shop started at the Loop and moved to Main St about a year ago. The shop which provides bike repairs, rentals, and sales, including e-bikes, is part of the 368 Collective located next to Hannah’s Brewery.

It is a café after all, so along with everything bikes, helmets, locks, lights, child seats, and more, she sells cold brew coffee.

Kara is enthusiastic about biking and holds learn-to-ride classes for kids, winter biking, bike maintenance, and even a how-to fix-a-flat class and sponsors the Bike Fest.

The Ride Café offers bike assembly and fits bikes to your correct size.

One of the reasons we moved to Melrose was its walkability and now I am finding that it is also bike-friendly.

My daughter and I purchased pedal-assist e-bikes. They are so much fun.

Next time you see me pedaling down the street, please be kind, I am still a novice but getting better every day!

I encourage you to stop by The Ride Café and feel like a kid again!