BarBici unites cycling and coffee culture in Sydney's south

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By Paul Verkuylen

Two of Australia's brightest talents, Chris Sutton (Cofidis) and Graeme Brown (Rabobank), joined soon to be retired cyclist Matt White (Discovery Channel) at the official opening of a new retail store in Sydney that aims to offer something different for the local cycling community.

The cyclists were in Sydney's Sutherland Shire for the launch of BarBici, a revamped bike shop that aims to bring cycling nutrition and a community feel to the cycling retail experience.

BarBici founder Liam Kelly said he wanted to establish a place for Sydney cyclists to meet after a ride, an environment similar to that of a football or surf club. "Most sports have a club house or pub to socialise in after competing," Kelly said. "BarBici gives cyclists and triathletes somewhere to sit around and chat after a ride."

The store brings together some of the world's leading brands in cycling and triathlon, while providing customers with advice on the latest nutrition and a place to sit down and enjoy a coffee, a drink synonymous with cycling. "Coffee and cycling have always gone together, it is a tradition as old as cycling," said shop supporter and recent Hawaii Ironman champion Chris McCormack.

With the inclusion of a coffee cart, BarBici will be able to provide its customers with the best of both worlds.

Rabobank's fast-finisher Brown, who returned to Sydney only days ago from Europe, recently announced he's signed again with the Dutch squad, while Sutton will leave his French squad for American outfit Team Slipstream in 2008, where White will be taking up a position as a team manager.