US Route 7 is one of the most scenic drives in New England. Also known as the Ethan Allen Highway in honor of its Revolutionary War heritage, it’s no wonder that Route 7 is one of the favorite runs of the RoadBike staff. It starts on the coast in Norwalk, Connecticut, and slices 308 miles north, through the picturesque Litchfield Hills, winding up into the historic Berkshires of western Massachusetts, and on into Vermont, nearly all the way to the Canadian border. It’s an expressway in some places, features bypasses around some towns in others, and it can get crowded on weekends (especially in what’s known as fall foliage season in the Northeast), but this gorgeous, windy, mostly two-lane run makes an excellent north/south motorcycling option. (First piece of advice: go on a weekday.)

So if you ever find yourself on US 7, just south of the Massachusetts state line — about three miles north of Lime Rock Park raceway at the intersection of Route 126 — sits a small town called Falls Village. Head east on 126 for about half a mile, and you’ll find yourself smack in the middle of this quaint New England town. And right there on the south side of Main Street lies a multicolored Victorian home that houses Toymakers Cafe, where on any given weekend morning in spring, summer, or fall you’ll find dozens of motorcycles of all makes and models parked in the drive. Throw in the pastoral scenery of the renowned covered bridge at West Cornwall and the waterfall at nearby Kent, and you’ve pretty much got a biker’s paradise tucked away in New England.

Greg and Ann Bidou opened the cafe in 2002. Actually, it started as a Brit bike shop, but Greg gave that up when the cafe took off and now simply flips parts for Triumph enthusiasts. Two big red barns at the rear of the property are stuffed to the gills: one with bikes, the other, parts. The cafe is only open Thursday through Sunday, and if you get lucky, Greg might have the barns open, too. And he (usually) doesn’t mind if you want to poke your head inside.

But since Greg shut down the bike shop, the attraction at Toymakers is the food. And the coffee, of course. But it’s the healthy, freshly prepared grub that Greg and Ann serve that keeps the place packed most weekend mornings. (Second piece of advice: Don’t show up starving during the breakfast/lunch rush. Chances are, you’ll be waiting awhile for your food to come out of the small kitchen.) Waffles, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and eggs make up the bulk of the fare; all are delicious and reasonably priced.

The off-kilter décor of the place — a cross between a British motorcycle shop and a toy factory — sets smiles of bemusement on the faces of all who enter. Order a cup of coffee and you’ll be handed a mug, a welcome invite to sit and take a load off. On nice days, there are picnic benches on the lawn where you can enjoy your meal and admire the bikes, which are heavy on classic metric bikes such as BSAs and Moto Guzzis, but also include the Harley crowd. Since this is prime riding country, Greg and Ann get all types here, and they don’t mind that one bit.

But this isn’t strictly a biker hangout; in fact, don’t be surprised to see a hiker or two from the nearby Adirondack Trail at a neighboring table. Even the kids have vintage wooden toys to play with. It may have started its life as a motorcycle repair shop, but these days Toymakers is just a friendly place to meet fellow riders and have a great meal at a reasonable price in a beautiful setting. And who could ask for more than that? RB

Getting’ There

Take US Route 7 north or south, turning east on Route 126. In two blocks, you’ll come to a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork, off Route 126 and onto Main Street. Toymakers Cafe is in a mustard-colored building 1,000 yards on your left. Pull in — there’s plenty of parking. Cafe hours are Thursdays and Fridays 7am-2pm; Saturdays and Sundays 7am-4pm.

Hard Data

Toymakers Cafe
85 Main Street
Falls Village, CT
860/824-8168