Cycle Café's....Oops!: February 2012

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Ride Malibu Canyon.....So. Cal. Cafe's

Last Weekend CYCLE CAFE received two great So.Cal. Cafe reviews from one of our amazing followers....Being a longtime former resident of LA., and having spent alot of time in Malibu, having cycled the P.C.H. many times, I was really excited to hear about Kyung's adventure, as well about the two Cafe stops she made. She wrote a great review for Cycle Cafe with loads of photos.
So, with no further adue....

"With the LA Marathon fast approaching, I have another 20+ miles scheduled for tomorrow. But today, I'll be on my bike. Every time I get on my bike, life becomes an adventure. And today, that adventure will take me to couple independent cafes that are cyclist-friendly, and I'll be able to finally write a review for Donna for her Cycle Cafe page(s). Can't wait for the sun to come up!! Life is GOOD!"

"View from my ride on a gorgeous day! " ~K.L. 02/18/12

.....Boney Mountain Coffee Co.
http://www.BoneyMountainCoffee.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boney-Mountain-Coffee-Co/114357471933690?sk=wall

February 18, 2012
It was a glorious day today - sunny, with temperature in the upper 60s. Perfect for riding, and a perfect day to back up my promise to Donna, that I would visit and review cycle cafes. So I decided to ride out to Newbury Park (in Ventura County, California) to visit Boney Mountain Coffee shop that I had seen pictures of, from my cyclist friends on Facebook.
The ride was about 10.5 miles through the back road of Hidden Valley, a gorgeous area nestled between mountains. I know many celebs live in this famous spot. The ride was easy enough, with just a minor climb, at least, it's minor to me now, having trained in the Malibu Canyons for about 1.5 years. Traffic was minimal, which is always appreciated.
The coffee shop, which is what we southern Californians call cafe, is in a subdivision neighborhood, called Dos Vientos. The neighborhood was developed around 10 years ago and still has a 'new neighborhood' feel. The coffee shop is located in the heart of Dos Vientos shopping area. It's clean, and again, new. There weren't many people in the entire, outdoor shopping area. The coffee shop had one group sitting outside, and a handful of patrons inside.
I loved the set up. As you can see from the photos, the shop is very cyclist-friendly. There are pictures of cyclists as well as real bicycles mounted up as decorations. Also, many brand name energy bars are sold here. I didn't see much of pastries. There was one display box that had 6 compartments for pastries/breads. But all I saw were some muffins, maybe a bagel or two, and the rest of the compartments were empty. Maybe the employees did not have a chance to stock the foods. However, a menu board on the wall indicated that the shop offers a limited number of hot breakfast sandwiches.
The coffee menu is standard, and so is the price. I ordered a blended (cold) mocha coffee. It was $4.25 for 12 oz and yummy! Outside in the sitting area, there is a small, but charming, zen koi pond with baby koi. There is also a fire pit, probably for colder days and evenings. I LOVED the place. I checked with one of the gals, and the shop is indeed, independent. She also indicated that the shop is a huge supporter of cyclists, and one could easily see that from the photos of cyclists and posters, and even from the t.v. showing different bicycles.
I think rather than rambling on, I should let the pictures speak for themselves. =)

--
Kyung

"Love this little coffee shop! Enjoying my blended mocha and this gorgeous perfect day!! — at Boney Mountain Coffee Co."

~Kyung Lee 02/18/12

Cycling movies play on the flat screen located in the seating area

I love this Story of Jack... Boney Mountains 1st customer when they opened their doors last year

360 Via Las Brisas #160, Newbury Park, CA 91320 · Get directions

Phone

+1 375.2326

Website

http://www.boneymountaincoffee.com/

Hours

Mon - Thu:	06:30	-	18:00
Fri - Sat:	06:30	-	20:00
Sun:	08:00	-	18:00

Bean Crazy Cafe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bean-Crazy/200838623294454

"Cafe number 2 is coffee and wine shop =)

No wine for me, though, so I can get home in ine piece =) — at Bean Crazy

~K.L. 02/18/12

February 18, 2012
After finishing my blended mocha at Boney Mountain Coffee, I got back on my bike and headed towards Bean Crazy. This coffee joint is in Thousand Oaks, California, which is a city adjacent to Newbury Park. The ride was only 8 miles. The route took me out to the roads with heavier traffic, so I didn't enjoy the ride. I knew this would be the case, but I was keen on visiting the place because I used to visit Bean Crazy when it was under a different owner.
About 4 miles into my route, the bike lane disappeared. Along the route, there is a huge mall - the Oaks Mall, and the roads became very busy with traffic. I knew the drivers were not happy to see a cyclist on such busy roads. Whatev's. I had an agenda, and so I pursued. When I finally arrived at my destination, I was very relieved that I had made it safely.
The coffee shop was unchanged except for the name. It used to be called Bent on Coffee. Bent was the original owner. Inside, all the fixtures and the products seemed unchanged. What's unique about this coffee shop, is that it offers coffee AND wine. How about that! Bent collects unusual wines and sells to his patrons. What I gathered was, Bent still comes in the shop and continues to offer wines while the new owner handles the coffee portion of the business. You can see from the photos, the several shelves full of wine bottles.
The Bean Crazy offers interesting varieties of coffee, especially from South Americas (but don't quote me on this. I am not sure on accuracy). The shop also has coffee roasting machine on display, as you can see from one of the photos. This shop is also very charming inside. It's small but cozy. Pastries are good here; they are baked, portioned, and individually wrapped. Outside is not as charming because the cafe is located in a strip mall, facing a very busy street.
My ride home from Bean Crazy was not as crazy as my ride to the cafe, thank goodness. So... I dunno. Great coffee, great cafe, great pastries, and great selection of unusual wines. But the ride to the cafe may not be so friendly for cyclists, so one should pick the right day and time when traffic is not so heavy.
I loved this day and my expedition. Hope I can do it again soon.

--
Kyung

~Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

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Description

Our coffee is roasted daily on premises so you are guaranteed a fresh cup every time! We also offer boutique wines that you will not be able to find at stores like Bevmo or other grocery stores.

Address

141 W. Hillcrest Dr. Ste 121, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 · Get directions

Phone

+1 805.371.7171

Website

Add website

Status

Closed now, reopens tomorrow 06:00.

Hours

Mon - Fri:	06:00	-	18:00
Sat:	07:00	-	17:00
Sun:	07:00	-	16:00

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Zappi's Bike Cafe

Cycle Cafe is very proud to announce that Zappi's Bike Cafe is the 1st Member of our Endorsed Cafe Program;

and we are so proud that they are!

During my visit to Oxford last fall I discovered Zappi's Cafe quite by accident. I had gotten very lost and turned around and there it was!

When you enter Bike Zone take the stairs straight ahead to the Cafe!

(it's like "climbing the stairway to heaven" seriously lol)

The Cafe is upstairs above the Bike Shop...there is a wonderful open setting ....

with loads of window seating

Wherever you choose to sit in Zappi's there is loads of Bike Candy to eye up as you sip your cuppa!

All baked goodies are made on premise. There is a wide selection, and they are well known for their Banana Bread. Yum Yum!

Zappi's has a a great selection of loose leaf teas. This is something that I found personally appealing as I find that loose leaf teas hold a much bolder rich flavor than bag tea.

Dan & Dan are the nicests Guys in town and Master Artisan Barrister's.

(and the cappuccino's are the best in town #Barnone!)

Zappi's is well worth a visit any day!

Drop by and say "hello" to Dan or Dan. There is Scrabble night ...and Saturday rides with the Zappi Boy's is definetly a great way to spend a weekend run, especially with it ending at Zappi's Cafe afterwards with a a hot cuppa & a delic brownie....

Tell them Cycle Cafe sent you!

(They LOVE That!)

Check them out on fb.... http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150479888811410.420173.667426409&type=3#!/pages/Zappis-Cafe/209000052473648

Twitter.... @ZappisCafe

https://twitter.com/#!/ZappisCafe

and their website.... http://www.zappisbikecafe.com/

If you are intrested in joining the Sportives they leave from the shop on both Staurday & Sunday at 9 am..

http://www.oxfordsportive.com/2011/09/zappis-bike-cafe/

Zappi's is located in the heart of Oxford

on St.Michaels Street above Zappi's Bike Shop....

Zappis Bike Cafe
28-32 St. Michaels Street
Oxford
OX1 2EB

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am-5.30pm
Sun: 10.30am-4pm
Email:zappis@bike-zone.co.uk

http://www.zappisbikecafe.com/findus.php

Cycle Cafe will be arranging one of our Cafe Tours in the Summer that Meets up & Ends at Zappi's. Stay tuned for more exciting news to follow! ~C.C.D.

~Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Victorian Sponge

On scheduling our Simon & Amanda visit Simon made a request for CAKE! Of course lol. As well I was happy to oblige. There was also some special preferences along with that request. No Chocolate cake & No Icing/Frosting ( I was a wee confused on this one as Canadians consider Butter Frosting in that same category but Simon assured me butter cream was always welcome lol )......So, I thought and thought of a cake I could make for Simon...(of course my ever popular Guiness Chocolate Cake was clearly out in this case hmmm) and after some thought, and some researched. I came up with the classic 'Victorian Sponge".

*Wikipedia refers to a 'sponge' in the same terms that North Americans refer to a 'Pound Cake' in that it does not contain a levelling agent such as baking powder.The sponge cake is thought to be one of the first of the non-yeasted cakes, and the earliest recorded sponge cake recipe in English is attested to the 1615 book of English poet and author Gervase Markham entitled; The English Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a Complete Woman.^[1] Though it does not appear in Hannah Glasse's The Art of Cookery in the late 18th century, it is found in Lydia Maria Child's The American Frugal Housewife,^[2] indicating that sponge cakes had been established at Grenada in the Caribbean, by the early 19th century.

Now I had never made a Victorian Sponge before and so I wanted to practise to make sure that I got it just right. I ended up making four Cakes in total. Much to my friends and Dave's delight...and yes, they all got eaten...After all that practise I felt I was ready. Now the interesting thing about the Victorian Sponge despite its history, is it is incredibly simple.

*Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861), one of Queen Victoria's (1891-1901) ladies-in-waiting, is credited as the creator of teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs into her dressing room.

Only four ingredients are used generally in a Victorian Sponge and each of them must weigh the same as the total weight of your eggs. Cool! So, I had a lot of fun using my brand new scale and making loads of cake!

The 4th Victorian Sponge we had cake for days with our tea....yum yum!

Victorian Sponge

Most people know how much I LOVE Jamie Oliver. I found his recipe for Victorian Sponge the best and easiest to follow. I did look at many recipes for this classic cake, but discovered Jamie's recipe to be very straight forward. However, I did not follow his recipe for the filling. I used a very good quality Strawberry jam and made a wonderfully rich butter cream for the centre. Those were the only variations. Enjoy!
http://www.jamieshomecookingskills.com/recipe.php?title=classic-victoria-sponge-with-all-the-trimmings
serves 10

Ingredients:

for the sponge

• 225g unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing
• 225g self-raising flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting
• 225g caster sugar
• 4 large eggs, preferably free-range or organic
• 1 lemon

for the filling
(here is where I altered from the recipe but I do recommend trying this as it is delightful I tried it once I did find the jam went a wee bit runny once heated would recommend adding the strawberries without heating the jam)

• 250g fresh strawberries
• 1 vanilla pod
• 150g good-quality strawberry jam
• 150ml double cream
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar
• icing sugar, for dusting

• Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4
• Grease the bottom and sides of two 20cm sandwich cake tins with butter
• Line the base of each tin with greaseproof paper, then dust the sides lightly with flour

trace&cut your parchment paper prior to baking

Line only the bottom of your Spring form pan

Grease the sides of your pan generously!

Remember all your ingredients must weigh the same as your eggs so start with them first!
(take your eggs out about 2 hours prior to baking so that they are room temp)

Your butter should weight the same as your eggs!

You can make your sponge like this (by hand), or in a food processor

(I have done it both ways with equal success)

• Beat the butter and sugar together with a wooden spoon, until very light and fluffy

• Add the eggs one at a time, beating each one in well before you add the next

Sift in the flour

• Finally grate over the lemon zest then fold it into the mixture (halve the lemon and save it for later)

Divide the cake mix into the prepared tins and spread it out using a spatula

• Bake in the hot oven for around 20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and risen

• You can check to see if the cake is cooked by sticking a cocktail stick or skewer right into the middle of the sponge

Remove it after 5 seconds and if it comes out clean the cake’s cooked; if slightly sticky it needs a bit longer, so put it back into the oven

• Allow the cakes to cool slightly in the tins, then carefully turn them out on to a rack to cool completely

Hull and slice your strawberries

• Carefully score the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out all of the seeds
• Gently warm the jam in a pan over a low heat

Remove from the heat and stir in your sliced strawberries

• Add the cream to a bowl with the sugar and vanilla seeds, and squeeze in the juice from your zested lemon
• Whip until you have nice soft peaks

Pick the least attractive sponge to go on the bottom and put it in the middle of your serving platter or cake plate

• If it’s a little rounded on top, simply trim and flatten it off by using a sharp knife and rotating the plate and sponge as you cut

Smear over the jam and strawberries, then spread the sweetened cream over the top

• Place the second cake, with the pretty side facing up, on top and dust it with icing sugar

#SIMONSTRONG's Cake...he told me after I added the fresh Farmer's Market Strawberries to the Jam filling
that he doesn't like fruit in his cake, but that he would eat it anyway Bless!

You can Tweet Simon @CyclingSimonMBE https://twitter.com/#!/CyclingSimonMBE
http://simonrichardsonmbe.yolasite.com/

*http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Cakes/VictoriaSponge.htm

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_cake

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/victoriasponge_13555

http://www.jamieshomecookingskills.com/recipe.php?title=classic-victoria-sponge-with-all-the-trimmings

~Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

Monday, 13 February 2012

#SIMONSTRONG cont'....

It was an honour to have finally met Simon, and his lovely wife Amanda. Spending an afternoon chatting with them both was a pure pleasure. I look forward to visiting with them both again very soon.

     Cycle Cafe would like to make Simon Richardson MBE a household name. His inspiration, never ending perseverance, unfathomable positive & healthy attitude towards life& future despite what misfortune life has handed him is one to be admired. Simon is most definitely an inspiration, without question. Simon has been my inspiration to start my Safe Road Initiative that I aim to apply globally. Promoting and focusing on a healthier view for all those who travel on the road either by way of car, bike, or on foot. However you choose to travel it is Cycle Cafe's endeavour to make your trip a safe one. We feel strongly that everyone plays a role in making safe travel a reality Worldwide. Cycle Cafe will update you as our program develops and infrastructures are set in place. In the interim we invite you to follow us on Facebook either on our fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/cyclecafe?cropsuccess#!/pages/Cycle-Cafe/205064406205385
or Cycle Cafe's Forum group:    http://www.facebook.com/cyclecafe?cropsuccess#!/groups/cyclecafe/
and on Twitter @Cycle_Cafe : https://twitter.com/#!/Cycle_Cafe
Please follow Simon Richardson MBE on TWITTER @CyclingSimonMBE. https://twitter.com/#!/CyclingSimonMBE
If you would like to send Simon a special message of encouragement you can hashtag your tweets  #SIMONSTRONG

The Simon Strong final cut. 650 supporters///way to go everyone!http://philsroadbikingblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/simon-richardson-update-22811.html

A great look at the #SIMONSTRONG bike ups close, and the story behind it:

http://road.cc/content/news/44669-first-look-simonstrong-bike-inspired-simon-richardson-inspire-simon-richardson

Cycle Cafe & SImon would like to encourage all cyclists to carry ID while riding either alone or in a group. It is your best assurance in case of any emergency...here is one link that may help :

http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

~Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"