Coffee Ride to Hayfields - North Salem, NY
The Ride
I’ve passed Hayfields hundreds of times on the bikes and seen the Classic car gatherings and a handful of bikes, so it had to be one of the places to try for Tank of Coffee.
REVER is a mobile app designed to help you track, plan, or navigate your ride. With the app, you can easily plan your route, view maps and directions, and track your distance using GPS technology. The app is an excellent tool for anyone who loves to ride and wants to keep track of their progress and distance.
It’s very close, just up the road from our start in Cross River, so our Beeline was just 6.1 miles. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline. Departing Cross River, I took Route 121, heading north. This is always a favorite road that winds north, passing through the village of North Salem where you’ll find Union Hall, a charming 19th-century commercial building. Tenants now include a dance/yoga studio, the Market at Union Hall, and Abode, a home furnishing store.
Just beyond Union Hall 121 & 116 split, I follow left to stay on 121. It leads directly to our destination after just 7.7 miles, as recorded by REVER. See the route below.
The Coffee Shop
Hayfields is at the crossroads of Route 121 and Bloomer Road, just south of Peach Lake in the town of North Salem in northern Westchester County close to the Connecticut border.
Hayfields is a bit eclectic, as it is not just a cafe, but also a florist and a bakery, plus a venue for a monthly Cars & Coffee event on the first Sunday of every month. As I pulled in on my BMW S1000R, there were two other BMW bikes in the parking lot, a R1200RT and a S1000XR. With the surrounding roads being great for driving, riding, and cycling, it’s no surprise that it appeals to motorheads of all flavors. Of course, North Salem and the surrounding towns are popular with equestrians, too, so don’t be surprised to see patrons in horseback riding gear.
There is a garden with ivy climbing the side walls and providing a bit of a ceiling as you approach the entrance. Hayfields is a florist, too, so vibrant plants do keep with the theme.
Inside a counter with chalkboards showing the menu on the wall behind and a warm greeting by the staff. Coffee options include drip coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, americano, red eye & flat white. Iced versions are also on offer, along with chai, hot chocolate, iced tea & lemonade. Don’t forget about hot apple cider to keep with the farm inspiration of hay fields.
Hayfields has a full breakfast & lunch menu with various sandwiches. They also have taco options and some grab-n-go choices. Baked goods round out the offerings and are produced in-house.
There is a large table outside directly in the sun and several smaller tables on an ivy-covered patio for seating.
The Refreshments
My Americano was served in an unbranded to-go cup. I brought it outside and sat at one of the tables with the two BMW riders I’d seen coming in. We chatted over coffee, one was local and had lent a second bike to a friend visiting. I always prefer coffee in a ceramic mug, but my americano was flavorful.
I will have to try out the food options on another trip. I’ve often passed it on Sundays with the Cars & Coffee event, so I was often reminded to discover its charms. It’s so close to my home base that I should have tried it long ago. I hope you’ll make a trip & enjoy the experience at Hayfields.
