We all know caffeine helps physical performance, but is cycling pedalling the power into the high street?
It’s no surprise that the uptake in cycling over the last few years, combined with a renewed consumer interest in health and wellbeing, has correlated with the increased footfall on local high streets.
Other sports have their traditional drinks- think rugby and beer, and most cycling and alcohol infused activities don’t really go hand in hand, so coffee shops and cafes have now become the coveted destination to stop at, post, or during rides, for performance enhancing caffeine, and a chance to reboot and relax.
In fact, research has found that coffee can increase cycling performance by up to 4%.
Coffee has many benefits to cyclists; it can increase stamina, improve blood flow and muscle contractions, exerting overall ability, so it’s no surprised that coffee shops have become a coveted Sunday ritual.
No longer just a hub, the humble coffee shop has become the aesthetic of the Lycra community, a provider of speciality coffee, and an opportunity for likeminded riders to connect.
Seeing market potential, Highway Cycles approached coffee company, Bean and Gone in 2021, and commenced an onsite expansion project, and in February 2022, the team opened their coffee shop out of a converted horse box trailer, right alongside the Hertford bike store.
Owner of Bean and Gone Coffee, Jordie Posner, said: “On a good weather day, we see a large assortment of road cyclists, mountain bikers and gravel bikers. A lot of these are small, casual groups, out and about for the joy of cycling, particularly on a Sunday morning- it is very much part of their routine.”
Co-owner, Ruby Willcox added: “We do believe that coffee and cycling have become intertwined, as it makes the perfect start, middle or end of their journey. We also serve a lot of cyclists that have dropped their bikes off for services and repairs.”
So, is a Sunday coffee an integral part of cycling culture?
Highway Cycles manager, Adam Simmons, thinks so.
“Our customers were always mentioning how, if we just had a coffee shop, we would be the perfect cyclist stop off point. Now, customers can drop into Highway Cycles to get expert advice, service their bike, and pick up new apparel and accessories, followed by a relaxing beverage at Bean and Gone, where we have even installed a self service work stand outside, for visitors to maximise their coffee stop.”
Ready to start your cycling journey?
Visit: www.highwaycycles.co.uk, or pop into one of our stores.