LMNH: "Look mum, no hands!" - Cycle café/bar/workshop on Old Street

Just in case they don't have access to their LMNH email and on the off chance that they find their ways here, this is the email I sent earlier:

Dear Matt, Lewin and Sam

I am hoping that you have access to your LMNH email.

I was absolutely devastated to hear the news of the end of LMNH. I know how the three of you have fought since before the pandemic to keep going, only, at every turn, to have more issues placed in your path.

You created and nurtured something very special on Old Street. Not just a “café, bar and workshop” but an icon; an institution; a community; a focal point for cycling; a place for memories and so much more. In recent times, LMNH has become even more important for me, not just as the best place to get top grade servicing of my bikes but as a regular escape from the solitude of working from home; a place where I could go for good food, great green tea and always a friendly face and a chat.

I have been coming to LMNH since it first opened and when it was a hang out for LFGSS in the forum’s prime. Since then we have had family celebrations there, been informed, bought art, been entertained, fed and watered. I’ve had business meetings there, bought caps, jerseys and underpants (wearing a pair today in sad commemoration TMI) and been greeted by friendly faces from Mick McCarthy and Henry to David as well, of course, as the three of you..

I hope that whatever you do next is such as success but without the challenges of the past few years. Please let me know what you move on to. Sam, in particular, I will always need my bikes serviced!

Best wishes for the future and thanks for the past

I am at a loss. I need a new lunch venue.

https://terroni.co.uk

Very sad news. Haven't been since moving out of London and was meaning to pay a visit last time I was there but missed the chance. A unique place with a great vibe.

I haven't been back to London since leaving around 4 years ago, LMNH was top of my list of places to revisit. Very much hoping they manage to put something else together, it was a great spot.

a huge success story. 13 years is a long time and they made a big impact.

This is trutru. All of the best bits of culture come to an end. Night clubs. Cafes. Venues of any kind.

We had them and loved them, that’s what matters.

Thanks LMNH gize.

The joys of a flat white made by @sumo or @mmccarthy and a slice of Guinness cake while @cliveo drank green tea.

And screaming “do a skid” at every hipster on the spice route.

It felt like a proper community hub.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/look-mum-no-hands-owners-overwhelmed-by-response-to-closure

And screaming “do a skid” at every hipster on the spice route

Happy days

Those Friday evenings sitting in sharks teeth armpits

And screaming “do a skid” at every hipster on the spice route.

The old spice route from east to west.. I remember that. Early days of LMNH I used to cycle down Sunday morning with my girls (pre-teens), with little traffic and the reward of cake, frothy milk and donating fresh bay leaves for their kitchen from our garden, always gratefully received.

It came as such a shock to me that LMNH has shutdown. I really wish that they had let it be know that they were stuggling, I'd of swung by for a coffee,cap, inner tube.

This has now been amended and shortened.

Sad times.

It came as such a shock to me that LMNH has shutdown. I really wish that they had let it be know that they were stuggling, I'd of swung by for a coffee,cap, inner tube.

This.

Truly a great loss to the community. I've probably spent £1000+ on beer/coffee/lunches over the years, but I haven't been there in months so it says it all really.

I'm hopeful that the concept still has legs. Lets be honest, the cafe was a bit tatty around the edges and I know people that didn't like going there simply because of the state of the loo, so perhaps this is a gift in disguise - they take the popular brand and cult following to start a fresh, nice new cafe in a better location that will make money?

LMNH was my go-to solution for "oh crap, I'm out of coffee beans at home and it's 8pm on my way home". It will be much missed.

It's really sad to hear this. I met my fiancé at a speed dating event there so I have very good memories of the place.

It also reminded me that at one time, they had a place on Mare St and also Whitechapel.

people that didn't like going there simply because of the state of the loo

Hah, true

I've always wondered why Maps suggests that there are multiple Lmnh locations and then only lists the one when you tap it.

Also, the summer Southbank setup was wonderful

https://everpress.com/look-mum-no-hands

I'm a little sad you don't miss me heckling your taste in...well, everything.

Lmnh was a melting pot of the ven diagram of ldn cycling culture in its heyday

The Lufgussers
The Cycling Campaigners
The Racers and Clubbers
The Alley Cat Couriers
The Cycle Trainers
The Tweed Runners
Wanna be Nodders
Out of town sightseers and tourers (with packed panniers)
The Polo Players
The Sumo Spotters

Them were the days

Great to see you back here posting. Hope all is well with you, but concerned something bad has happened causing you to return here on your broomstick!

Pains me to hear that go daddy advert on the radio everyday

I left London shortly after they opened rly. But I remember yummy salads and pies and it was a nice stop location. Shame it's gone.

I notice London velo in deptford seems to have also permanently closed. Another great bike cafe which had great crossover appeal. Tough times to be a small business.