Most often, on weekends, I’m either riding or showing up for trail-building work parties. While I’m thinking lots about bikes (and trails) for obvious reasons, one of the other aspects of my planning is coffee. I suppose I don’t overthink about it as it slots into my mental checklist as I’m getting ready to leave … bike (check), helmet (check), shoes (check), knee pads (check), coffee (check) …

There’s never a time when I’m heading out the door, and I don’t have a travel mug filled with coffee I just brewed. Whether my road trip is 30 minutes or 3 hours, coffee is one travel companion I never do without. Then after my ride or trail building work party, I’m then on the hunt for another cup of coffee. Sometimes I bring all of the essentials to brew another cup post-ride, but often it means hunting for the nearest (good) coffee shop. This past weekend was no exception.

On Sunday, I took off mid-morning to head into the Gorge to ride. Destination? Syncline (or Coyote Wall). The forecast was for sun, and living in rain-drenched Portland this time of the year means seeking our sun whenever and wherever I can find it. Sure enough, without thinking twice about it, I brewed up a cup of coffee, poured it in my travel mug, and hit the road.

The weather was perfect, the temps were spot on for this time of year, and apart from an error-induced crash, it couldn’t have been a better day. Oh, and apart from mechanicals with my derailleur. But a day on the trail is always spectacular. As I started my final descent and began pedaling back to the trailhead, my mind was on one thing and one thing alone … coffee. Luckily that was easy to solve with a quick drive over to the Society Hotel in Bingen. Iced Americano, and I was ready to drive back to Portland.

I titled this article “Why Coffee and Mountain Biking Are Meant to be Together” because … well, they are. Coffee is so integrated into my mountain biking routine (and lifestyle?) that I cannot separate the two. I’m also talking in terms of enjoying the flavor and experience. I don’t view coffee as some utilitarian liquid that delivers caffeine. It’s an experience to be savored and enjoyed. That’s probably why coffee goes so well with mountain biking. Mountain biking delivers us to the outdoors for an experience to be savored and enjoyed.

The next time to head out to the trailhead, don’t forget your coffee.