Breakfast of Champions: Casual Observations From a week with the Breakfast Club ATX
Does it feel like everyone is talking about the Breakfast Club these days? The Breakfast Club this, the Breakfast Club that. Well, here’s the thing. The Breakfast Club ATX lives up to the hype. Here are a few observations from a week spent in their orbit.
The Clubhouse
They have their own clubhouse now, aka the Harthan House. No, you cannot just drop by, it’s their actual team clubhouse, but they open it from time to time for special events, so keep an eye out for those. There may be Gold Sprints, a Madras Mezcal tasting in the dedicated mezcal bar, or maybe just one of their early—like, very early—morning rides. If you aren’t a morning person, don’t worry too much, there’s always coffee in the back courtyard. We were there for some of those early morning rides that require a vest and leg-warmers during the tricky shoulder season before things really start to heat up in Texas.
Photo by Simon Krenk
On a chilly Thursday morning we pulled together a real treat by calling on Woodneck Kitchen to make their signature breakfast sandwiches for the returning riders. It was a great way to celebrate all things Breakfast, and at the same time photograph a few of our new eyewear styles. Both Cipher and Truss were on display throughout the morning as everyone snacked on spicy sando’s and sipped piping hot coffees. Plus, it is safe to say that the Truss looks good both on and off the bike, which makes it more than perfect for this crew.
That ride was a shakedown of sorts because a few days later was the first official Breakfast Club ATX ride of the year. The sun was shining as nearly 1,100 people milled around at Central Machine Works waiting for the ride leaders to take their positions at the front - and side - and roving throughout each of the ride groups. Choose your ride group wisely though, because the A-Group gets a little spicy when those rolling hills start to kick up.
Photo by Preston Glace
Custom Network Helmets
The ride leaders, however, should be easy to spot in their custom Network helmets and Matte Chalk Rose - Defy sunglasses. Wait, did we say custom Breakfast Club Ride Leader Helmets? Indeed we did. Will Bryant, as the BKFST Club Creative Director (at his studio bathed in glorious sunshine on the second floor of the Harthan House), pulled together a sleek design for the Network in BKFST Club founder Grant Rogers' favorite shade of yellow, making it easy to spot in a sea of white and black helmets.
As for the ride itself? Well, it was one of those things that you just have to experience for yourself. Even saying “they have police escorts the whole time” simply doesn’t do the whole scenario justice. They do have those escorts, which made cruising the overly busy SXSW-attendee-filled Austin a real breakfast treat. Like the milk after finishing off a bowl of Cocoa Puffs or Fruity Pebbles, sweet were the ride leaders themselves to the very end as they guided, helped, led, and even scolded a rider or two with a smile that said “we mean business” just as much as “you’re welcome here anytime.” Sweeter still was the vibe afterward when almost every rider hung around to chat about the ride they had just done together - a sure sign that everyone was excited to be in on another season of riding with the Breakfast Club.
The next Breakfast Club ATX ride takes place this Saturday, April 18th at Central Machine Works in Austin.
Check out their full schedule here.