About Motorcycle Grounds

Motorcycle Grounds is about two things that go together better than you’d expect: two-wheeled adventure and a good cup of coffee, enjoyed stone-cold sober.

I’m David Vaughan, the rider and photographer behind this site. I’m more than seven years sober, and not long after putting down the drink, I picked up motorcycling and a serious coffee habit instead. What started as solo rides to clear my head turned into something more: chasing good roads, seeking out the coffee stops worth the detour, and proving you don’t need a drink in hand to have a good time.

What you’ll find here

Ride reports and route guides, coffee shop spotlights, gear reviews, and reflections on building a life around sobriety instead of around a bar. Every photo on this site is one I took myself, on the road, on the day.

Every coffee shop feature here starts the same way: I sit down with the person behind the counter wherever possible, not just to talk about the coffee, but about them. What got them into this in the first place, what keeps them going on the hard days, the story behind the name on the door. It takes longer than firing off a few questions over email, but it’s the only way I know to get past the polished version of a place and closer to the real one.

Who’s behind it

I’m based in Hertfordshire and I run Motorcycle Grounds on my own: the riding, the interviews, the photographs and the writing. My background is in media, covering photography, interviewing and podcasts, which is why the site leans on long conversations and original pictures instead of quick lists.

How the site is run and funded

My opinions are my own. Nobody pays for a review or a feature, and anyone I interview sees no copy before it is published. If I am given a free product or a coffee, I say so in the piece. The site may carry advertising, and I may use affiliate links in future; if I do, they will be labelled. You can read more in the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Conditions, both linked in the footer.

To get in touch, use the contact page or email info@motorcyclegrounds.com.

Why coffee stops matter to riders

After 100 or 150 miles in the saddle, nobody wants to stop for a rubbish coffee. A good stop can make a ride, so every feature includes the practical details riders need, such as the address, the opening hours and where to park the bike.

Explore the site

Start with the coffee shop features, plan a day out with the rides, or read about life without alcohol in sobriety. There are gear pieces too, and some of the interviews run in full on the Motorcycle Grounds Podcast.

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just here for the bike photos and coffee recommendations, you’re welcome here.

Got a favourite coffee stop on a great road? Get in touch. I’m always planning the next ride.