Velo Coffee
If there’s two things I love, it’s coffee (Velo specifically) and bicycles. Thankfully those two things are combined once a month for the magical experience that is Velo’s coffee ride. In the spring of 2024, I reached out to Andrew at Velo about writing a blog post to help promote their monthly coffee ride. This blog highlights my content writing and SEO abilities. Originally this piece was posted on a different iteration of my website and shared through Velo’s Instagram. Today it is archived here for my portfolio.
Reflections on Coffee Outside
Words: Brooks Mendenhall
Photos: Gaston Farmer
Salad Days
My 32 oz. stainless steel French press and 4.7-liter GSI cooking pot rattled around in my Wald basket. I mashed over the roughly hewn planks of Walnut Street Bridge. The tips of my fingers grew numb from poking out of my fingerless gloves. I stood out of the saddle and chased Gaston south across 4th and up Walnut.
Cutting through alleys and parking lots, we stole through town to meet up with friends for a cup of coffee. Not any cup of coffee. We were outside! Our ride ended atop Orchard Knob, a beautiful vantage point to catch the sun as it poured over the valley.
This was my first taste of Coffee Outside.
"Good morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it.
I started up my stove and caught some flak from Gaston for my family-sized pot and French press combo. Meanwhile, he relaxed Hobbit-like on a foam pad and pulled out all the latest in UL gear from MSR. I froze my ass on the stone steps and fumbled to dump grounds from a bag of generic brand Breakfast Blend.
The conversation drifted. Friends snapped photos and emptied mugs. We rolled back into town and hollered goodbyes as we parted ways at various intersections. Each of us was off to the menial tasks of that dreaded real life. Yet, feeling a little lighter, and thoroughly caffeinated, this little slice of life did feel real. More real.
"You are one ride away from a good mood." - Sarah Bentley
Romanticizing cold bicycle rides to make coffee with camping gear is pretentious. I know. But it’s also one of the most beautiful things a person can do. Many have extolled the virtues of the bicycle. Its elegance and simplicity. The childlike joy of riding. The mental health benefits. The revolutionary power and possibilities. How could it not be better with a hot cup of coffee, a seat in the good earth, and the presence of warm friends–new and old?
Dialing It In
Over the years, I’ve managed to streamline my Coffee Outside setup. I’m certain there even had to be one ride, unbeknownst to me, where I dialed it all in. Where I reached Coffee Outside perfection. No rattling basket. Hand-ground Boneshaker. 175-degree water. Not a drop spilled from the Aeropress.
No Use Crying Over Spilled Beans
But, there've been more rides that were the exact opposite. Forgotten filters. Stove but no fuel. Hot coffee spilled all over me (and Ry? Sorry Ry). Still, none of that matters. The gear never matters. The coffee hardly matters. What does matter is that every single time it’s worth it.
Come Ride!
These days Andrew, Peri, and the Velo crew provide several gallons of steamy, fresh drip for every ride. You don’t have to bring a damned thing. Show up on a bike and have a great time.
Velo’s coffee ride is the first Saturday of each month
Meet up at 9:00; wheels down at 9:15
Under 10 miles round trip
Casual, no-drop pace
See you out there!