November 10/10 13:52 pm - Domestique-Café Cyclo Sportif - a Cyclist's Place

Posted by Editoress on 11/10/10
 

It is not very often that someone gets to combine their passions with their job, but Krys Hines is one of the lucky few with the opening of his coffee bistro Domestique-Café Cyclo Sportif in Dundas, Ontario.

Krys has two passions - cycling and coffee. I've known him for at least ten years for his involvement in cycling, as he worked with the Jet Fuel team, and with Mike Barry (senior) at his legendary shop Bicyclesport, where Krys was involved in the Mariposa frame building operation.

Krys also, invariably, ran an espresso machine out of the team truck when he was on the road, and we knew where to go to get a 'real' coffee. Given the chance, he would talk your ear off about beans, roasting, blending and grinding ... all we knew was that this was good coffee.

Now, Krys has made the big step of opening his own place; naturally in one of the prime cycling locales of southern Ontario - the small town of Dundas on the outskirts of Hamilton.

Last winter, Hines began renovating an older, two-storey red brick house just off the main street of Dundas. It has a big front porch (where you can leave your bike), and when you walk through the front door, the first thing you see is a picture of his friend, Michael Barry, the Team Sky professional who is, yes, a domestique.

The entire main floor has been opened up as the coffee shop, with the front half containing table and chairs, and the back of the space filled with an L-shaped coffee bar, containing the tools of his trade and lots of healthy snacks for cyclists just finishing a ride. Out back, for the warmer months, there is a patio.

The walls are filled with bikes (a revolving collection from pro riders and some classic models), plus much paraphernalia from the world of cycling - staff and team passes from Euro major races, posters and, in pride of place behind the bar, one of Steve Bauer's Yellow Jerseys from the Tour de France.

The coffee, as one would expect, is excellent - even to a finicky crowd of cyclists, and Krys will (given the chance) fill you in on the intricacies of the beans he uses, how they are roasted and the proper preparation of a cappuccino. Not being a true coffee connoisseur, I won't attempt to offer a critique, only commenting that we have never been disappointed with either the drinks or the food.

Whenever we stop by, the place is bustling, with both locals and passing cyclists. It has become a starting and finishing point for local rides, and Krys is allowing the space to be used for events and activities, including product launches and talks - there is one coming up later this month: Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes.

So, if you are in the area, make the time to stop by Domestique-Café Cyclo Sportif.

More photos

Domestique-Café Cyclo Sportif
12 Miller's Lane, Dundas, Ontario