The old-school combo of bicycling and coffee drinking gains modern momentum. –Nicole Bayne
“The Tour de France always starts with an espresso,” says Nicole Davison. The owner of the bike and coffee shop Veloville USA (velo means bike in French) references pictures from several historical archives of riders throughout Tour de France’s history photographed in coffee shops before the big race; caffeine happens to be a stimulant not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
“Coffee and biking go together,” says Davison. “This is a secret cyclists have known for generations, and it is finally becoming mainstream.”
Though the opening of bike and coffee stores is just beginning in Northern Virginia, the concept is far from new. Studies determining caffeine’s enhancement of athletic performances have been conducted for years: Ingesting caffeine before and after races has been proven to help athletes, and most bikers consider this common knowledge.
Today, these dual bike and coffee stores can be found out West in states like California, Colorado and Oregon, but they are also moving east to Minnesota, Massachusetts, North Carolina and now Northern Virginia.
“The first coffee and bike shops started because owners of bicycle stores noticed their customers always hanging out at the local coffee house,” says Davison. “They began offering coffee as an incentive for people to stay longer.”
This also became a pragmatic solution to constitute a well-rounded business with coffee bringing in customers in cold-weather months.
“You’re going to see it permeate this area,” says Davison, who opened her shop in Purcellville last April. “Whether you’re a cyclist or a racer or you just want to get out and enjoy nice weather, you’ll be drawn to this lifestyle.”
Veloville’s coffee shop is currently expanding to offer more lounge seating and a bigger menu, including European-style baguette sandwiches and beer for “the post-race drink,” says Davison. “It just seems like the next logical step.”
There’s a classic espresso bar offering macchiatos, chai teas, cappuccinos and seasonal lattes. Veloville buys its coffee from Portland-based Hopscotch Coffee Roasters, which has a roastery in Winchester. For Veloville’s macchiato ($2.50), it’s three ounces of Hopscotch House Blend (usually beans from Mexico and Brazil) with a bit of organic milk, giving the shot plenty of body and a hint of citrus without being too bold and concocting “a lovely little drink,” says Davison.
Veloville carries a rotating list of roasts, including: Bonnie Blue Dark (smoky, strong); Brazil Serra Negra (honey, peanut notes); and Ethiopia Adado (citrusy).
Currently, food includes muffins, scones and granola-based Awesome Bars.
“I wanted to have some options, something prepackaged you can grab-and-go that’s real food and also vegan,” says Davison. “All are small, handmade products, 99 percent of which you can’t find in any grocery store.” / 609 E. Main St., Purcellville
Davison wasn’t the only local to tap into this trend. Dave and Beth Meyer’s Green Lizard Cycling in Herndon opened in March 2013.
“David noticed a need for two things in the area,” says Beth Meyer. “A small coffee shop that wasn’t Starbucks and a bicycle store located right on the W&OD Trail.”
Using the trail as a guide, Green Lizard hosts brewery rides, aka tasting tours, on the W&OD Trail, incorporating craft beer from Lost Rhino Brewing Company, Old Ox Brewery and Beltway Brewing Company. Biker-friendly services include the Guru Fit System, a mechanical bull-like contraption designed to help riders find the perfect bike.
Green Lizard offers fair-trade and certified-organic Kaladi Brothers coffee from Anchorage, a tribute to the 15 years they lived in Alaska while getting into cycling.
Coffees available include the medium-bodied Red Goat and the dark Sumatra roast. A go-to drink for riders is the doppio ($2) with two shots of Trieste, straight. “Cyclists tend to shy away from milk-based drinks,” says Meyer.
Food options include cookies and pastries from The Boutique Bakeshop, a neighbor in Herndon. “The blueberry muffins are amazing,” says Meyer. / Green Lizard Cycling, 718 Lynn St., Herndon
Why such a seemingly natural combination already commonplace in other states has loitered in taking off here is in part due to Virginia health laws.
“This is not a new trend, just new to Northern Virginia,” says Leesburg Bicycle Outfitters’ David Stryffeler. “Loudoun County health laws have been strict for so long, and they are just starting to relax.”
These laws are meant to ensure no cross-contamination occurs and to keep bike repair chemicals away from food and drinks. Stryffeler says because the laws have become easier to work with, Leesburg Bicycle Outfitters will be joining Veloville and Green Lizard in providing both coffee and bikes under the same roof.
“We still want our customers to be safe while they enjoy our products,” says Stryffeler. “Our goal is not one of profit. Coffee and biking coming together is a norm for the cyclist community, and we want to incorporate this cultural piece of the cycling world.”
Bicycle Outfitters also has stores in Brambleton and Winchester, but only the Leesburg location is adding a coffee program.
This Saturday marks the official grand reopening of Leesburg Bicycle Outfitters at the new, larger space in Virginia Village Shopping Center. The new spot is just three doors down from the old location, but extra footage was necessary to support the coffee shop. From the ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon until permits are finalized, guests can sample free smoothies and coffee that will be available in the cafe. The food menu is still under development but will probably offer light fare and sandwiches. / 34 Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg
(February 2015) *This post had been updated from its original printing.
