The Tour Down Under is about to start and with it comes the usual and welcome influx of visitors into Van D’am Racing p/b Butterfields’ home state. After spending many years on the road, the quest to find good coffee and cafes in an unfamiliar town can sometimes be daunting and unrewarding. So that you don’t suffer the heartbreak of wasting one of your caffeine hits on a substandard beverage, we asked the boys to share some of their favourite Adelaide coffee joints.
Team Manager Lachie Ambrose’s pick
Abbots And Kinney, 76 Pirie St, Adelaide CBD
This isn’t a place to visit when you are trying to get back down to race weight, but fortunately with the amount of riding possible whilst in town for the TDU no one needs to worry about skin folds. Although the coffee is well above average, it’s certainly the pastries’ that make this a worthwhile place to start or end your ride.
Shaun O’Callaghan
The Flinders Street Project, 276 Flinders St, Adelaide CBD
There may have been some bias with this pick, as Shaun will be found working here throughout the week. Top coffee and even better food, this is definitely a good pick for a pre ride breakfast. Ample outdoor seating, but space is generally limited due to its popularity.
Rhys Gillett
Coffylosophy, 198A Hutt St, Adelaide CBD
With the amount of time Rhys has spent here over the last six months he is at risk of becoming part of the furniture. The team can also be found here enjoying some iced lattes or cold drip after a hot Saturday morning hit out or getting our caffeine fix before the start of the regular Victoria Park criteriums.
Ethan Egglestone
The Organic Market and Café, 5 Druid Ave, Stirling (finish town of TDU Stage 2)
Ethan, being a hills boy, leads us down many roads which most don’t know exist, so it’s safe to say he knows the hills’ coffee hotspots. The Organic Market and Café is known for its great produce and food, so it’s also a great place to refuel before rolling back down into the city.
Callum Pearce
Summit Coffee Pedlars, top of Norton Summit
The Coffee Pedlar has a connection to the team, with Dave Moen taking a week out of his usual team physiotherapy duties with Form Physiotherapy to man the machine. Dave lives bikes and coffee, and has taught half the team how to make coffee at one stage or another. Using locally roasted De Groot Coffee Co beans, local milk and with a perfect location, drop by while you’re waiting for the mate who you left behind on the lower slopes of Norton Summit.
David Fumpson
Nutrition Republic, 1/100 King William Rd, Goodwood
Another regular stop on the team’s rides, Nutrition Republic offers some of the best coffee and smoothies in Adelaide, as well as a pretty special collection of cakes and treats (and at least they’re all a little healthier than the competition).
And for something different…
Red Art Rojomoma, 16 Sturt Rd, Nurioopta
The Team is sponsored by Red Art Rojomoma, no coffee here but some of the Barossa Valley’s best red wines. So if you are heading down to the Barossa for Stage 1, why not organise a tasting. We’re sure any non-cycling family members who have been dragged over for the week will appreciate it.
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