Cycling and caffeine go together like macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jam, spaghetti and meatballs. Say, would you like a biscotti with your Bern helmet?
Espresso Cycles, a little bike café in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood, offers just that: caffeinated beverages in a bright and spacious store with mechanic shop vibes. “Coffee and cycling go back a long way,” says the shop's owner, Victor Oliveira, adding that the concept for his business is very European.
Cities across the pond have long celebrated cycling, and coffee shops make it easy for those on wheels to stop in and fuel up. At bike shops in cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Bordeaux, it's common to find a barista behind the counter. Thanks to Victor, Canadian cyclists can get a taste of this experience too.
Stop in for a tune-up and a cup of espresso at this neighbourhood bike shop at Annette and Runnymede. Owner Victor Oliveira believes coffee culture and cycling are intertwined and has designed a space that caters to customers who are passionate about both. The easygoing shop carries a variety of bikes (mostly in the $500-$600 range) including BMX models from SE Bikes, high-end road bikes from Fuji and mountain bikes from Breezer.