HOSPITALITY venues in Ballarat’s foodie precinct are tapping into a cycling trade they say is worth far more than one summer’s day.
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Cycling Australia's national criterium titles mark one of the biggest days’ trade for eateries and bars in Sturt Street and Armstrong Street, particularly those along the course circuit.
But many traders say the CA Road National Championships’ longevity in the city has helped to cultivate athlete and fan regulars and create new opportunities for business.
Europa Cafe owner Kathryn Hotchin, right in the heart of action, said hometown rider Nick Locandro was a regular and, having brought his team into the cafe, word-of-mouth had steadily built up a network dining in while in town.
The cafe’s extra outdoor tables are booked out well in advance but Ms Hotchin said easy takeaways, like a baguette bar introduced last year, were popular with those wandering the course or picnicking in centre.
Nearby in Armstrong Street, The Forge Pizzeria has a steady stream of cyclists (elites and enthusiasts) carb-loading for their rides. Forge owner Tim Matthews said the cycling, on the back of the jazz convention, made for one of their busiest times of the year.
“(Cyclists) come in for their pizza or pasta to get their carbs. On the night, we don’t have a mad rush of customers, just constant, and while we’re generally open pretty late it is busier later after the race,” Mr Matthews said. “The city is quite vibrant when the cycling’s on. We’ve even had (cycling doyen) Phil Liggett eat here and to have someone that respected means a lot.”
Further up Sturt Street, Western Hotel owner Dan Cronin said trade tended to be a little quieter on criterium day. The Western, like other businesses nearby, worked to build business during the whole championships.
The hotel, which hosted a number of cyclists and coaches, will stay open later on Wednesday night to help capture post-race diners. Mr Cronin said the championships were great for the city, especially with an expanded program bringing in more people this year – tapping into that while cyclists were in town was important.
Il Piccolo Gelato owner Anthony Ransome said his trade was governed by the weather but the criterium was still one of the shop’s biggest nights, up there with White Night, Ballarat Beat Rockabillly Festival and national busking championships.
Mr Ransome has been playing with candied meats and will debut a melon-prosciutto flavour for the criteriums, a popular Italian combination in a tilt to the Italian’s love for cycling.
Central cycling stores have also been working to capitalise on extra cycling tourism.
Cyclescape store manager Clancy Purdie said elites had been riding through town, testing the course, for the past month or so and familiar faces stated to roll through the store each year.
Mr Clancy said trade started to pick up in the week before Christmas but during the championships, there tended to be a lot more adults inspired to get riding. Cyclescape will shut slightly earlier on Wednesday to support in-form staffer Shannon Malseed in her nationals bid.
On course, Navajo Avanti Plus Ballarat will host its annual sale stall. The shop, while quieter in the morning, will remain open until 8pm to cater for cycling fans on the street.
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