Did you know that Denver now has a space dedicated to people who love bikes, beans (of the coffee kind), and beer? I'm aware that it is officially, right now, what is known in polite circles as the dead of winter. According to NOAA -- the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the part of the government who studies weather and makes charts of the ocean among other cool-sounding stuffs -- the average temperature in the queen city this month has hovered just above freezing. But I also know some of you are crazy. I see you, riding along furiously when your little pedaling legs would rather be on the bus. Some of you even took your brakes and gears off, upping the ante. You're nuts. But I like you. And I know how you feel about beer, and coffee, and that bicycle of yours. And I think you should know about the Denver Bicycle Cafe.
The Denver Bicycle Cafe is a full-service bicycle shop, with a roving mechanic on staff. Riding to work and need to fix a flat? Pop by in the a.m. for the gorgeous French press coffee and get back on the road. Feel even more cheered up from that temporary road block knowing the coffee is locally roasted. You need a tune up? You also need a beer, clearly. What a wonderful complementary system! Speaking of beer, the tap rotates regularly so you'll never be bored and you can always taste the latest pour from any number of local brewers. At last look, beers from Great Divide, Bull n' Bush, Denver Beer Company, and many other regional craft faves have taken turns on the tap handles thus far. There is also a full selection of delightful canned beers from the likes of Oskar Blues, Avery, and Ska Brewing, for you more discerning types.
Jessica Caouette, co-owner of the Denver Bicycle Cafe, writes in an email, "We focus on Colorado and Denver products because we love this state!!" Her logic is impossible to disagree with. Don't try. It's not worth the energy you could be spending putting air in the inner-tubes and going for a ride up to Uptown. Rad owners + haute business concept = win. These people, they're a lot like you little cuckoo fast pedaler. They opened a bicycle-themed coffee shop and beer counter the week of Thanksgiving. Which takes place in November, for those of you playing along at home without a calendar. But, while the average January 2012 temperature may be just over 36 degrees, Denver boasts 300-some days of sunshine and many of those days are snow-free and perfect for cruising.
Those of you who check out the Denver Bicycle Cafe now are in on a little local secret -- the cafe is spending the winter doing a months-long soft opening, "In order to get our feet under us and make sure everything is perfect for our grand opening in spring," says Caouette. The Denver Bicycle Cafe has space for 12 bikes outside and plenty of room to lean your bicycles inside. Come spend some winter time showering your bicycle and your gullet with the attention both so very much deserve.
The Denver Bicycle Cafe is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Denver at 1308 E 17th Ave. Find them on Facebook and Twitter or at target="_hplink">http://denverbicyclecafe.com.