Week #3 – Coffee Coffee Friday, October 21

970 N Coast Highway 101,
Encinitas, CA 92024

Heather B and Jill T

This week we visited one of our old favorites for Friday Coffee Ride before it became an “official” institution – Coffee Coffee in Leucadia (formerly Cafe Ipe).  We have been avoiding this spot because it always seems like there isn’t enough room for a group to sit together, but as our luck would have it, there was plenty of room on Friday morning.  Toward the end of our stop, we were joined by a slew of cyclists at the end of the Challenged Athletes Foundation Million Dollar Challenge, where participants bike from northern California to southern California over the course of a week.  So we had the best of both worlds – plenty of seating for our group, and we got the chance to greet and congratulate the CAF participants on completing their challenge.

Total Mileage:  ~30 miles

Weather:  Mild Santa Ana Conditions – Temperature in the 80s, extremely low humidity

We had about 9 or 10 riders join us Friday morning, and Jill and I were snapping photos from both the front and back of the group.  We were delighted to be re-joined by Cliff, a regular to our coffee ride who recently returned from a 6-week stay in New Zealand.

Cliff is always entertaining.

Carmen, front left, was new to our group that morning. New riders (or new to our group) are especially welcome on Friday rides.

The Cardiff-by-the-Sea coast is a beautiful stretch.

About Coffee Coffee:

There is a decent-sized bike rack out front, and plenty of space to lean bikes outside of the rack.  It’s a pretty big place, so unless you have a huge group, you should be able to find a seat.  I always enjoy their coffee, and my iced mocha was probably the best mocha I have ever had using a dairy milk alternative (coconut).  They sell donuts from the famous VG Donut & Bakery in Cardiff, and someone thought it was a good idea to buy a few for us all to share.  They also have decent breakfast and lunch food if you are looking for something a little more substantial, with many fresh items offered.

Our assortment of bikes, plus a bonus beach cruiser.

Our ice mochas and the remains of the treats.  The darker treat at back is a gluten free almond-based baked good that is surprisingly delicious (it doesn’t look like much).

Coffee Coffee also usually has some pretty entertaining signage out front.

I am already looking forward to this Friday’s ride.  Coffee stop will be Baba Coffee in Carlsbad, following a trip to Oceanside Harbor.