Oh, and even though no one else is going to go there, I will: another oft-overlooked function of coffee, w/r/t riding, is that it, uh, makes for predictable movements. When leaving on a long ride, there's a certain level of comfort in knowing that I've gotten the morning pit stops out of the way.

I've dialed the strength back over the few years: I'm currently over 1kg/month in coffee beans.

And don't forget espresso!

There are a lot of health benefits from coffee. This article lists just a few of them and you can google many more. Coffee helps prevent type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, it makes you happier, improves athletic performance and it's the easiest way in the morning to ensure I go number 2 before heading out on a long ride.

11 Reasons You Should Drink Coffee Every Day

In scheme of things, drinking coffee is much less harmful -- and has a number of benefits -- compared to other habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, etc. Unless you live like a monk and only drink water, coffee is preferable in many respects to many other non-alcoholic drinks such as sodas, fruit juices, milk, shakes and many teas -- particular if you drink coffee without sugar.

If you don't like the taste of coffee and/or have never developed a taste, it's no big loss. However, I get a lot of enjoyment out of drinking coffee and have no qualms about drinking 3-4 cups a day.

i heart coffee

Can't live without coffee, the headaches are too bad. Plus, it is the best tasting beverage on the planet. IMO, of course.

You beat me to it. A morning cup of La Colombe made in a French press usually lightens the load by a few pounds. Gotta love it.

Did you know that Yerba Mate has caffeine too? Less than coffee though.

I love a big coffee in the morning and one in the afternoon. If I'm going to the gym after a long day at work, a little cup of coffee helps get the energy up! I don't mind using it as a stimulant, but I might want to switch to tea eventually. I'm so used to the caffeine though...

As far as addictions go, it's not a bad one. The worst effect for me is the tendency to buy coffee instead of bringing it to work in a thermos. Even cheap coffee- that adds up.

Pot a day. Unless I am on the road for work, then I seek out an extra large of Dunkin Donuts coffee. Yeah I love espresso and cappucino's but I cant a afford a real machine and I dont live in Europe. :-(

Oh and Starbucks is not an option.

Apparently you must be young and hadn't have a cup of coffee from a gas station in the US back in the 80s and 90s.

It's my last remaining vice.

Coffee is one of the basic food groups, It is an essential nutrient and necessary for the survival of civilization.

Ah, it was a nice treat to pick up the occasional bag of La Colombe when I was still on the east coast. Not that I'm hurting for good local roasters, anymore, but still...

As an aside, I've recently refreshed my infatuation with my morning cup - I replaced the pump in my espresso machine and she's workin' so nice an' happy, now.

^^This^^ , end of thread...

A neighbor. Storehouse Coffee Company - Fresh Coffee Roasted to Order
I oftentimes get the scent of roasting beans wafting across my backyard. Good product, Good people.

I'm a regular coffee drinker. I like the effect. I have a "Death before Decaf" button. However the week before a big event I cut it out or at least down to 1 cup. Then the caffeine I use for the event has a bigger effect. More than a stimulant, caffeine spares glycogen by increasing fat burn.

I'm slightly allergic to caffeine - causes a post-nasal drip, no matter what caffeinated beverage i have.

For me, caffeine + cooler weather = a mess.

..... but i still drink it

Decaffeinated coffee makes as much sense as non-alcoholic gin.

Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker 12 Cup 1 5 L 51 Ounce New | eBay

The coffee K Cups for the Keurig machine at work don't have the same bathroom effect as store bought coffee or coffee made at home. I guess because it's weaker. And it doesn't taste good. It's just convenient.

I didn't want to put it that way, but that's the way it really is.

I have two big strong double espressos made from my home machine first thing in the morning, then no more for the rest of the day. It takes me a very long time to become alert after waking, and the coffee is an important part of that. I've been getting up at 5:30am occasionally to ride before the heat. It takes me those two coffees and until at least 6:30am to feel alert enough to head out. I cannot wait for cooler weather, because this sucks.

I love my morning coffee (french press). I won't drink that drip crap they have at the office. I don't like to drink coffee in the morning before a ride because I'll have to stop every 30 minutes and I doubt the group will appreciate that. So I have oatmeal (steel cut oats) but instead of adding water or milk...I add coffee. Still get to enjoy my coffee but in a different way without having to stop every 30 minutes.

I didn't know that the manner in which you ingest it made a difference in how the body reacts to it.