Weekend biking around the Eastern Bays is a Melbourne tradition. On Saturday and Sunday mornings hordes of bikers, in the very best lycra and helmets, form packs and peddle furiously along Beach Road to Marine Parade in St Kilda and then on to Port Melbourne.
Those of us who drive have to keep a keen eye for them. One of my nightmares is that I will park and open my car door into a bunch of cyclists. And the cyclists may well have nightmares of somebody doing just that and knocking them under a passing vehicle.
For the lycra clad the place to stop for a breather is Café Racer, 15 Marine Parade, St Kilda. In the weekend Café Racer is all about bikes, cycling and breakfasts. If you ever wanted to learn what cycling is about pop along for a chat. The place is heaving with people to talk to. Perhaps you should wear lycra, too.
Café Racer is also open during the week when it presents another face to the world. The clientele is different. There are few bikers, more locals, beach walkers and people who sit for hours with their laptops. My favourite place to sit is on the bench looking through the window, across Marine Parade and out to the sea while I read the morning papers. They have the best selection of papers and magazines – lovely glossies like Vogue and Gourmet.
There is Black Board menu that leans toward organic and free range. The food is interesting and good. Their bacon and egg rolls are the best I have had. Lightly toasted, they are slightly crisp on top with a soft bread roll. $6.50. The eggs are soft-cooked and for those of us who are used to chomping through a firm piece of yellow it comes as a delicious shock. If you order one just watch the yoke doesn’t dribble down your chin. You are given a knife and fork to make eating easy. They also have muffins etc from Phillippas . I am not a fan of Phillips cakes and muffins so I am never tempted with my morning coffee.
The coffee is the best. Better than any of the coffee I’ve had along the beach front.
Café Racer is open from 6.30am to 6,00pm seven days a week, 15 Marine Parade St Kilda.
It’s an easy walk from Acland Street. Just wander down to the beach and it is a couple of blocks towards Elwood.
Trams to St Kilda the number 96 to the end of Acland Street or the 16 that takes you to the corner of Acland and Carlisle Streets.
“…Those of us who drive have to keep a keen eye for them..” Are you implying that it is some sort of unfair imposition? We dont hide and deliberately “spring out” on you to cause you trouble.
Like you we want to enjoy our right to share the road and return home to our families intact.
“… One of my nightmares is that I will park and open my car door into a bunch of cyclists….”
Why would it be a nightmare? Just check your wing mirror before you even reach for the door handle. Do it always & make it a lifelong habit.
If you find yourself “surprised by a cyclist beside you in traffic then YOU haven’t looked hard or long enough at what is around you.
Lastly, SMIDSY (Sorry mate I didn’t See ya”) is the LAST thing a cyclist wants to hear from a car driver that has almosty killed tham. It doesn’t rate as an excuse as it is YOUR job to see all other road users not just the big obvious ones.
PJB Thank you for your comment. You’re right, of course, however I believe that the more worried we drivers are about your safety the more likely we are to ensure it. I wish you many happy miles of safe biking and many good meals at Cafe Racer if that’s your fuel stop. Em
Hi there,
I just created a Facebook group called Cafe Racer St Kilda. Feel free to join & comment.
Cheers.
Open your door with your left hand and all will be right. It will help you remember to look in the rear view mirror.
Cheers!