It's official...Team Mike's Bikes p/b Incase (TMB) is excited to announce that locally based Equator Coffee & Teas (http://www.equatorcoffees.com) is the team's newest sponsor. We've been looking for a coffee company that believed in what we are trying to accomplish and wanted to come on board and help make it happen. We are thrilled to have found Equator Coffee & Teas. Equator is a San Rafael based company co-founded in 1995 by Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell. They have earned an outstanding reputation as purveyors and roasters who provide distinctive specialty coffees and rare teas at competitive prices, with unparallelled customer service. Their mission is to continue to be a growing customer-centric company, dedicated to quality, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Their commitment is to procure distinctive coffees from growers who practice responsible land stewardship and bio friendly farming techniques. This commitment has won over renowned chefs like Thomas Keller (French Laundry, Bouchon Restaurants & Bakeries), Traci Des Jardins (Jardiniere), Elizabeth Faulker (Citizen Cake) and Pascal Rigo (Bay Bread).

"Cycling and coffee just go together. We've been looking for a coffee company to partner with since the beginning of the year," explained Dana Williams, one of the team's senior elite riders who also helps with team marketing. "The introduction to Equator was made by a current employee of Mike's Bikes who used to work for them. Matt Adams (President of Mike's Bikes) and I sat down with Helen, Brooke and their marketing team and shared the team's vision, core values and benefits team partners receive. They got it right away and jumped on board."

If you're wondering 'So how can I try some of Equator's exceptional coffee and tea and/or meet and ride with TMB riders?', then there's a perfect opportunity this weekend. Equator will be opening their very first coffee bar at Proof Lab Surf Shop in Mill Valley this Saturday (June 22nd). Everybody is invited to the Grand Opening weekend celebration.  Riders from TMB will be leading a ride around Paradise Drive departing the new coffee shop at 10AM.

Did we mention FREE coffee? Yep, Equator baristas will be serving up everything from freshly brewed coffee to cappuccinos all weekend long, plus herbal ice tea and hot chocolates for the kids. More details on the Grand Opening can be found here: Equator Coffees at Proof Lab.

We look forward to meeting new faces and supporters on Saturday.