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Coffee and cycling make quite a tandem at this Italy-inspired shop

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Jeeves de Veyra

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NzMuPQqeisc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA --Coffee and cycling are two passions that go together. In countries with long-established cycling cultures, having coffee before, during and after long rides is a long-standing ritual. In the Philippines, Celeste Cycles &amp; Coffee hopes to promote this tradition.</p><p>Owner and CEO Paul Lawrence Tan said he got the idea when he went on a Milan-Bergamo bike ride two years ago.</p><p>“We wanted to feel the cycling community in Italy. We were inspired by Bianchi Café &amp; Cycles Milano. Before you ride a bike and after you ride a bike, most cyclists like to drink coffee,” explained Tan.</p><p>The bike store-café got its name from the trademark shade of green that the Bianchi brand of bicycles is known for. The oldest bicycle brand in the world, it is very close to Tan’s heart as he has been collecting Bianchi bikes for a long time.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/05/18/1-cycling.jpg"/><figcaption>Celeste Cafe &amp; Cycles owner Paul Lawrence Tan.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Tan and his family are no strangers to the local bicycle industry having sold entry-level commuter and kids bikes for decades. He went into the premium bikes business out of the frustration of having no local sources for high-end bikes and accessories. These are now the centerpiece of his stores.</p><p>The family is very bullish about the local bicycle industry, citing the numerous bike-related events from races to triathlons that are held month to month. They even launched Devel, a Filipino-designed triathlon bike, during the recent grand opening of Celeste Café and Cycles.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/05/18/2-cycling.jpg"/><figcaption>Owner Paul Lawrence Tan with the Devel prototype.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The bike shop has a number of bicycles, parts and accessories for sale. The highlight are still the celeste green bikes as Tan has the whole range available from road, triathlon, hardtail and full-suspension cross-country mountain bikes, to retro/vintage bikes. </p><p>On one side of the bike shop is the bike mechanics section for tune-ups, repair, and bike wash.</p><p>For cyclists who want to maximize their cycling efficiency, Celeste Café &amp; Cycles has a high-tech bike fit studio with the Motionlogic 3D system. The system is the same one used by UCI Tour De France riders to optimize their position on the bike that enable them to ride long distances comfortable and without pain.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/05/18/3-cycling.jpg"/><figcaption>The bike fit and cycling studio.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The store also has an indoor cycling studio. Through the latest Acer Xplova indoor trainers mated to a Zwift virtual cycling simulator, hardcore cyclists can get their workout indoors even when its raining outside. The cycling studio also has shower rooms. Patrons can squeeze in a shower and breakfast at the café after a quick ride around the area or on the indoor trainers before work.</p><p>Speaking of the café, the café uses local beans to make favorite coffee concoctions like simple americanos, lattes and ice blended drinks. Even the espresso machine is celeste green. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/05/18/4-cycling.jpg"/><figcaption>Even the espresso machine is celeste green. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/05/18/5-cycling.jpg"/><figcaption>Frozen mocha and latte. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Tan said that right now, the café serves simple food like cakes and pastries thought this may change later on if there is demand for heavier fare.</p><p>Celeste Café &amp; Cycles is ideally situated at the starting point for rides to Antipolo, Bugarin, and the Sierra Madre loop. Several organized group rides have already used this as a starting point.</p><p>As a café, bike shop and a comfortable place to chill out and meet other cycling aficionados, Celeste Café &amp; Cycles is off to a good start in promoting its coffee and cycling advocacy.</p><p>Celeste Cycles &amp; Café is located in Circulo Verde in Pasig. Store and café hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.</p>

<p>In countries with long-established cycling cultures, having coffee before, during and after long rides is a long-standing ritual. </p>

In countries with long-established cycling cultures, having coffee before, during and after long rides is a long-standing ritual.