I had just returned home from a four-hour ride in the green hills of the Waitakere ranges and found there was no food left in the house. While my brain became foggy and my movements jerky, I stared at the empty cupboards hoping something might appear. Then, sitting down at the kitchen table, I looked at the clock in despair… it would be a full two hours until my flat-mates got home from work and we would be off to do our Monday night supermarket shop. And thank goodness for the flat bank account for I had no money.
My energy-depleted muscles were desperate. It was then I spotted the jar containing that stuff that smelled nice but did not taste good. I figured ‘what the hell,’ I have no other options, so I stuffed a couple of teaspoons of instant coffee into a cup of hot water along with a couple of teaspoons of sugar. And thus it began… fourteen-years later instant coffee is not allowed in my house, only the finest espresso.
Cycling and coffee are best friends. Perhaps it is because of the social nature of both, or the performance-enhancing benefits of the latter? Whatever the case, there is an art to coffee riding. To make it a good one some conditions are essential, otherwise it is like drinking a fine wine out of a marmite jar: the ride is just not the same. Below are some crucial things to consider when coffee riding, to ensure you have a great experience:
- Best-served coffee rides are with friends and take in either scenic routes with sea views, beautiful landscapes or highly interesting urban craziness where you play pedestrian-dodge like a nervous mosquito.
- Pre-plan the café and acquire word of mouth recommendations. A café with a sunny outdoor area to sit, with your bike near, is always a bonus. Nothing ruins a coffee ride more than having to walk home afterwards.
- Check other patron’s coffees for dark creamy crèmes. This can be disguised as though you are hunting for the right vacant table.
If you see latte cups the size of a baby’s bath and bright white milky froth sticking up like curious dog-ears, run (or ride)! Commit this to memory: quantity does not make up for quality.
- Before committing to sitting down check the brand of beans they are using. Scroll back through your memory banks. Have you had that brand before? Was it good?
- Don’t be afraid to back up the truck. If you are not satisfied with the patron-crème-check, or the beans they are using, turn the other way and walk out of there, fast. Do not worry what the café staff may think with their queried looks at your sharp exit. Your taste buds and your coffee riding experience, are at stake.
- Drink and enjoy your coffee at a pace not too slow nor too fast. Reflect on the ride you just did or the latest pro-cyclist whose freaky genetics allowed them to do inconceivable things at the most recent UCI race.
Finally, roll home in the after glow of fine caffeine and be sure to go forth and explore more cafés. Don’t always go to the same place. Your taste buds will appreciate the adventure of somewhere new, just like taking a new ride route. Most importantly, report back and share the coffee goodness for all of us to enjoy.