Rapha Cycling Club Los Angeles
RCCLA is cycling clubhouse that happens to take coffee very seriously.
A relative newcomer to the SaMo coffee scene, but their espresso shots sure do pack a punch.
Location
One of the perks of joining the Rapha cycling club is free coffee at any location around the world. Yes, you heard that right.
For more info on upcoming events and organized group bike rides, check out their local calendar.
The Vibe
Before 9am, this is a laid back place to be. You may run into a few early birds coming in to grab a coffee and lounge on the couch post-ride. Most cyclists completing the Rapha 6:30am group ride end up here between 8:15 and 8:45am.
It’s always nice to see a different mix of road bikes hanging on the wall —if you ride in, you too can take advantage of this VIP parking. A couple who rode down from the Bay area had their fully loaded Bromptons on display recently, so if you’re into off-road cycling or long distance touring, you’ll surely find someone to talk story with.
A bit closer to noon, it’s an interesting mix of tourists and folks who work nearby. They do stop serving coffee around 3pm I believe, which seems to follow Italian rules.
The store is spacious, has tall ceilings, and ample, comfortable seating. The combination of boundless natural light, mid-century modern furniture, and free wifi for customers makes this a very nice workspace.
The Gear
The walls of the shop are adorned in cycling kits, long sleeve jerseys, jackets, accessories like tools, helmets, and even some bike touring bag options (handlebar burrito bag and expandable saddle bag). They also carry a good amount of casual attire, backpacks, and small accessories such as wallets and even a Chris King coffee tamper.
Some of the products you do not have access to unless you’re a member, and this is where Rapha draws their charm (or ire) from: exclusivity.
The Coffee
Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast, a coffee fanatic, or just happen to be in the area, this spot is definitely worth a visit. All the baristas are consistent across the board — they all pull one mean shot of espresso.
Your options are espresso or drip coffee. They use Intelligentsia beans — Black Cat for espresso, and for drip, you have two single-origin options: La Perla de Oaxaca (Mexico) or La Tortuga (Honduras).
You can take your coffee with Clover whole milk or Califia Farms almond milk.
Keep up with us on the regular — @findsomecoffee
