This is definitely the coolest thing I've seen (so far) today. The Dutch Bike, Coffee & Bar, on lower Ballard Avenue (near The Walrus & The Carpenter and Walton's Fancy & Staple) is a fairly new bike, coffee, cafe, and wine joint in the old Marine Hardware shop. They've done a fantastic job of renovating the place into a high-ceilinged, brick, loft-like space. They installed an amazing take on steel gates--a window/door that opens up the space via a mechanical pulley system (with some of the gears, etc. coming from an old Model T). It's a wonderful space--while I was there, quite a few people just stopped by just to take pictures.
What knocked me out most was the seven-person "bicycle" that they call a conference bike. Everyone is seated in a circle, and everyone pedals to power the bike. One person is the navigator. I would love to see it in action. You can rent it by the hour ($75). They also sell great looking city bicycles. And coffee. And tasty sounding sandwiches. And beer and wine.
My daughter Claire is working there now as a barista:
click to enlarge
Stop by sometime and say hi, have some coffee or wine, or buy, or try a bike.
4741 Ballard Avenue
Seattle, Wash.
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