Coffee and Cycling are undoubtedly two kindred spirits.  So this coming year we are adding a Coffee Ride section to cyclingnz.com  This new article section will tempt your taste buds and perhaps even your writing skills?  If you have a favorite caf� that you and your friends visit on your rides and you would like to share it with other cyclists then go forth!  Email your story and photos to [email protected]   In the meantime grab a flat white, an espresso or a long black and enjoy our first. 

 

What a better way to start the day than to stumble out of bed, throw the un-matching, completely under or over dressed clothes on that you tried to half organize the night before.  It's a guarantee to end up outside smiling at the early morning sun and already cursing your winter leg warmers.  Or finding out your pink bats work really well and you actually need an extra 3 layers before you hit 25kph.  It's a no win situation. 

 

Nonetheless, the lure of a morning coffee from a good caf� and breakfast making work start that wee bit later that day is the draw card.  So after the customary lap of the waterfront we hit Season for the first meal of the day with our lycra clad sweaty bodies.  Season caf� is in the heart of Auckland's original caf� district that is Ponsonby (or commonly called Ponsobby) road.  It is slightly obscure, overshadowed by Santos Caf� and Grand Central station, but this little caf� is a delightful little piece of kiwiana.

 

Season has one of Auckland's most common blends � Allpress beans which are admit ably one of my favorites so I am instantly happy about this.  While my favorite barista is not on my double shot flat white is still perfecto. 

 

They pass the coffee test so then it's onto the menu.  We are tempted by mince on toast, grilled cheese on toast, omelette with salmon fillet, steak and egg pie (called a toad!), hot cakes with banana and citrus sauce, bacon and eggs, scrambled egg carbonara, and many others.  They may not have my staple (French toast) but they certainly make up for it in other options.  I go for grilled cheese on toast and a side of bacon.  I mean really, there is nothing like a good old helping of swine and cheese and 7am.  The others try the Baghdad eggs (eggs with lentils, cumin and lemon butter) and Tapeoka with Rubbard and are equally as happy.

 

The only downer is that we all had to leave to get to work and have to contest the morning traffic through K'Rd and Grafton.  At least it provides a small amount of entertainment along the way, with one club still thumping out the beats � still going from the night before.

 

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7am-4pm, Weekends 8am-4pm.  Open late night Fridays for dinner and drinks.

 

Breakfast's $8-16.