Mother Stories
A Wheel-Loving Family Invites Us Over For A Ride
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Maria del Rio
Oct 19, 2021
Kids and bikes tend to go together like peanut butter and jelly. But when it comes to Lea Sabado’s crew—the bike love is a big ‘ol family affair. Lea and her husband Andre work as a CPA and public school educator (respectively) by day, while also running Excelsior Coffee, a neighborhood coffee shop that’s heavy on motorcycle culture and Filipino desserts. To add to the juggle, the San Francisco-based duo is raising two adorable boys—3-year-old Cruz and 6-week-old Malcolm.
Recently, the sweet family invited us over to talk shop and check out their various rides (an impressive collection of motorbikes and vintage cars included), as well as try out a brand-new whip for little Cruz: the woom 2. Ideal for kids ages 3 to 4 1/2, the innovative and lightweight woom 2 is specifically designed to transition kids off of balance bikes and onto pedal bikes—no training wheels needed!
Read about Cruz’s seamless (and enthusiastic!) transition to bike riding and discover the family’s inspiring story in our slideshow below!
This post is brought to you by Mother + woom.
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- Meet mama Lea Sabado and her 5-week-old son, Malcolm.
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Meanwhile, the older "boys"—3-year-old Cruz and dad Andre—work on putting the final touches on their new woom 2 bike.
The next step up from a balance bike (including the woom 1 and woom 1 Plus balance bikes), the woom 2 is ideal for kids ages 3 to 4 1/2, or those who are 37" to 43" in height.
The lightweight bike (it's only 12.3 lbs) was created to help kids skip training wheels and have a seamless transition to a pedal bike—which was precisely the case for Cruz, who got the hang of the woom 2 pedal bike in less than 30 minutes.
Numerous design features that keep tiny people top of mind—from a non-toxic, ergonomic seat to lightweight tires that provide ample shock absorption—help kids intuitively learn skills like balancing, pedaling, and resting their feet.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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The woom 2 can be bought solo, or bundled
with accessories, including bike gloves, a lock, bell, tire pump, lights, and a stainless steel water bottle and bottle holder.
In this picture, Cruz helps screw on reflectors, which come with every bike.
Like all of woom's creations, the woom 2 is super-simple to assemble. And for any issues you run into, there's assistance via phone, email, and chat 6 days a week.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"We have always had an affinity for motorcycles and anything two-wheeled. Naturally, Cruz was inevitably going to pick up on our interests and habits."
"At birth, Cruz was gifted hand-me-down two-wheeled fun things, such as push scooters, bicycles, and even a KTM 50 dirt bike, coupled with model motorcycle and dirt bike toys."
"We also knew with a name like Cruz that he was destined to get into it—we just didn’t know he’d be brave and athletic enough to advance so quickly!"
"He first started on a Lil Ripper push bicycle to a Stacyx and now the woom 2 bicycle—the future is so bright."
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"I want to say I started riding bicycles at the age of 5, because there is some proof that exists in the form of a photo that my parents have."
"I had a Huffy bike that was light purple with white tires, coaster brakes, and tassels. Of course, I ripped the tassels off. I had training wheels at first before I could balance on my own."
"On the other hand, Andre’s first bike was actually a Yamaha PW50 motorcycle at 4 years old, before he got into bicycles. Since then, him being from Santa Cruz, he rode (and still rides) his Schwinn Cruiser, white wall wheels and all."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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Ready to ride—sans training wheels!
The woom 2 comes in five vibrant color options: Woom Red, Sunny Yellow, Purple Haze, Woom Green, and Sky Blue (which Cruz chose!).
The woom KIDS' Helmet comes in the same group of colors, plus classic Black.
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"The woom bicycle fits Cruz like a glove! I am especially impressed how well thought-out this bicycle is and how easy and intuitive it was to put the bicycle together."
"The parts and accessories are also of great quality, from the extra accessory bag that carries toys and random flowers that we pick off of trails, to the fun reflective stickers and back down to the rubber tires having full on tread."
"My favorite part of the woom 2 is the front brake levers being color-coordinated for kids to easily learn and differentiate from the front brake (black) and rear brake (green). The hardest part for us, we learned, is showing Cruz how to properly stop or slow down and how to prevent 'endo’s.'”
GLAM Reflective Stickers, $9, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"Between Andre and I, we’ve gone through nearly every fun (type of) toy under the sun—road bikes and fixed gear bikes, electric bicycles, '70s mopeds, vintage Vespa and Lambretta scooters, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and classic cars."
"His car is a 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback and mine is a (WIP) 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint. In total, we have 3 classic cars, 2 Lambretta scooters, 3 dirt bikes, 1 enduro bike, and 9 full working motorcycles, 3 other motorcycles in pieces, and finally, 1 kid’s dirt bike."
"I’m not sure we call it an obsession, but it’s between passion and hoarding. Haha, let me explain. For Andre, he had this obsession for old cars and vintage motorcycles that originates from his family, namely his dad and uncles, being historians and gearheads."
"Naturally, every mode of transportation we own represents a pivotal period in history, from military motorcycles servicing soldiers in WWII to 'the first scooter introducing disc brakes,' to 'they only made this so-so model of motorcycle for two years,' to 'the first two-stroke triple cylinder motorcycle,' and so forth."
"Each motorcycle we own has its place in history and thus, considered collectibles and our future retirement funds for our boys, haha. So, speaking for the both of us, we just appreciate history, design, craftsmanship, and modern/contemporary art."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"Motherhood hasn’t changed my affinity for motorcycles. Instead, my boys become a part of my passions and lifestyle, and hopefully, these passions will fuel their creativity and provide inspiration in their lives separately."
"The only thing that has lessened during pregnancy and the infancy stages of the new baby is that I do not ride or commute as often anymore. I’m rolling in our 4Runner these days."
"However, I will revel in any opportunity to see my girlfriends, who also have children and ride motorbikes, and get a little R&R weekend with them. I’m very lucky to have found a group of friends who share the same outlook and values on motherhood, balance, and self-care."
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"One of the biggest challenges that derived from staying home for a year and a half, with a toddler, EVERY DAY, was that both of our attentions were hyper-focused on Cruz at age 1 to 2.5 years old. He did not have an opportunity to socialize with many kids and we ended up becoming his best friends."
"Having said that, the challenge is sharing that attention between him and a newborn, while channeling his inner competitiveness and pleas for attention into outdoor activities such as riding bicycles and swimming."
"Andre and I never really took any breaks or a real 'family leave' throughout the pandemic (and now). He teaches and lesson plans from home, while I manage Excelsior Coffee's needs from afar. Til this day, we struggle trying to be in 2-3 places all at once, balancing our focus personally and professionally, time management, and the ability to say 'no.'”
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"Our brightest silver lining is witnessing the growth of an infant into a toddler, and never missing out on his milestones during those delicate stages of life."
"Being home with our family has also enabled us to save money and commit our savings towards home improvements. After 9 years of owning our house and 2 years of building out Excelsior Coffee, it feels good to finally focus on ourselves and our home. Making our house feel like a home has always been at the forefront of our minds."
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- "Absolutely 1000% yes. It’s a complete honor to be a part of the (mom) club. I come from a predominantly matriarch family and raised by strong women. My mother has 4 sisters, her mother (my grandmother) had sisters, and I have 4 sisters—I mean it just goes on. Plus, many of my friends and women that I admire are mothers and aunties. It was always in the cards for me."
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"I’m most excited to travel, learn, and explore the world with our family of four! After all, vacations packages always come in fours, right?"
"Coming from a family of 6 siblings, I was not able to travel as much outside of California and Hawaii, and I’ve always been exposed strictly to my culture and traditions. For our boys to be multiracial (Black, Mexican, and Filipino), it’s very important to us for them to acknowledge and face the unique experiences in managing two or more racial identities, and for them to, simply put, 'own it!'”
"As far as nerves, we all know this past year and a half has been tumultuous and nerve-wracking due to the pandemic, and as a result, the things that make me nervous are the unknowns in the distant future, such as the state of our health and education system and the lack of retirement benefits."
"And then there are the social pressures such as identity and racial stigmatization. It is the unknowns and the intangibles that you cannot control that end up being the most nerve-racking things."
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"We bought our home in the Excelsior District in December 2012 and fully moved in January 2013. It was the only neighborhood we could afford and at the time, the housing market was rapidly climbing in value (and remains so), the demand in single family homes was high while the inventory was low, and the neighborhood was the least-known neighborhood in San Francisco."
"We had our eyes set on the Outer Mission/Excelsior due to its history of multi-cultural, first-generation families and blue-collar individuals. Its unique location and accessibility to the 101 and 280 Freeways, while still being in San Francisco proper, was also crucially important for us. It is also a district that has the most schools!"
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- Sweet brotherly love.
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"The juxtaposition of hand-me-down family heirlooms and modern materials in a 1920’s built home. An on-going struggle and clash between old history and modern times. A work in progress, always!"
KIDS' Helmet, $69, Woom.
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"For Andre, it’s a hutch made by Drexel where he keeps all of the (aforementioned) hand-me-down trinkets and family heirlooms. His favorite piece are these two large Black Panther art deco statues given by his great grandmother."
"For me, it’s the art piece that is centered on our dining room wall that was given to me by my mom. It has to date back to the 1950’s. I’ve never seen anything like it today."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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Snack break, but make it sporty, thanks to woom's KIDS' Helmet.
The innovative design includes extended protection for the forehead, temples, and back of the head, an easy-to-use magnetic closure system, optimal ventilation and a perfect fit due to interchangeable pads and a size-adjustment dial.
The helmet also has a flexible visor, a unique safety feature that provides additional protection for the front of the head.
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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- Sweet family portraits line the main hallway.
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- Lea and Andre's moto-themed wedding invitation and a portrait of the family dog, Zoe, flank a sweet pregnancy pic.
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"The Excelsior is one of the largest and least-known neighborhoods and is comprised of a mix of immigrants and first-generation families, it's home to blue-collar, unionized workers, and middle-class millenniums."
"Excelsior originates from the Latin word meaning 'higher, or ever upward,' and it's never a bad motto to have! We have lived here for almost 9 years."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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The woom's KIDS' Helmet includes
an outer shell and lower edge made of scratch-resistant smooth polycarbonate, directly lined with a molded foam inner shell.
The helmet's magnetic closure can be opened and closed with one hand, even with gloves, and ensures zero pinching.
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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"The opportunity to engage and immerse our kids with the community’s diverse youth and the fact that they can see their parents invest, strengthen, and unify their communities through education and coffee."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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Making wishes with mama.
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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- A favorite Cruz pastime: Gathering flowers with mama and papa to take home.
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Lea and Cruz tuck some flowers into the AMIKO Active Bag attached to the front of his woom 2.
Designed for kids on the go, the bag features three zipper pockets and can be used as a handlebar bag or a waist pack—essentially going anywhere the cyclist goes!
Made out of durable ripstop fabric, the three different zipper pocket options provide enough space to store a wallet, phone, snacks, keys, and other small items.
Meanwhile, the outward facing part of the bag features a reflective stripe for extra safety.
AMIKO Active Bag, $34, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"Andre and I have always dreamt of running and owning ‘something’ together. So, between him and I having backgrounds in civic and customer service, we decided that coffee shops have long been community fixtures in neighborhoods and so, to open one here in the Excelsior, where we reside, is truly an honor."
"We were inspired to open it here specifically to build, invest, nurture, and preserve a vastly changing demographic in San Francisco. With that said, Excelsior Coffee is, at its core, a family joint and labor of love that represents our cultures and product of where we both come from: immigrant families."
"Our mission is to continue to educate and build neighborhood pride in a diverse, working class neighborhood through coffee, and to bridge the connection of coffee with our passions: San Francisco history, vintage scooters and motorcycles, and classic cars."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"We began the initial permitting process and buildout while pregnant with Cruz back in early 2018. He was then born in May 2018, in the middle of heavy demolition and leasehold improvements."
"It was at that moment where life just comes at an abrupt halt where I put the coffee shop project on hold to focus on motherhood, something I always strived to be, but something I had NO idea about. Relying on family and friends has contributed to this delicate sense of balance, and oftentimes, we sort of 'roll with the punches.' You have to. Every day is different, and everything is instinctual. There’s not a handbook for motherhood and work/life balance, whatever that means."
"It is incredibly hard to open and maintain a business in San Francisco and I always tell myself 'I’ll never do this again.' Mad respect to everyone who has done it. Despite the hurdles, it has been very rewarding to see both human babies and coffee shop baby grow into their own(s)."
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"For mamas-to-be, it’s your own journey to motherhood and if there’s one piece of advice to share, it's that everyone’s journey is unique and different. Time flies—savor each moment."
"For those starting a business, appreciate and trust the process. Remember: if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!"
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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"I have about thirteen years of experience in corporate and small business accounting and taxes in San Francisco and currently own my own practice. Prior to my career in finance, I worked in 'mom and pop' coffee shops and restaurants during college and was exposed to all facets in the business."
"This diverse experience, combined with my career in finance, gave me a unique understanding of the dynamic nature of the coffee industry as well as the ability to utilize my expertise in one of the most overlooked areas—accounting and operations. By having coffee shops as clients, I was able to experience the behind-the-scenes in the industry."
"I never drank coffee til I was about 26-years-old! Eventually, that love for coffee and community became that binding-agent between my interests, employment, and lifestyle."
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"It’s extremely important because small businesses like ours are an extension of our identity. They take hard work, commitment, and ingenuity to keep them afloat. Like all parents, we don’t want our kids to be like us, but we want them to be better than us and being able to share personal experiences, like a successful business, serves as a strong model for success—in all of its various forms."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"Radiolab is the one consistent podcast we listen to for all things business, science, intelligence, etc."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"He drinks 'coffee' just like us, which is just steamed milk. Haha."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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- "My favorite drink is an oat milk cappuccino, whether it’s super hot or cold outside. I’m a creature of habit and pretty boring when it comes to coffee. If I do venture outside of our coffee/espresso menu, then I would prefer a Hojicha Latte, which is just a Japanese black tea similar to matcha tea. Thanks to my friends at Roots & Crafts, we’re able to get hojicha tea sourced straight from Japan."
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"Aside from coffee, we try to showcase and introduce our cultural backgrounds through food and pastries. We currently have an offering of ube-based pastries that are reminiscent to the traditional things I grew up eating at home. We also hope to offer more pastries from Andre’s Mexican background: conchas, pan dulce, pan de coco, etc."
"On weekends, we host food pop-ups that change depending on the chef, from Hawaiian-Filipino-based foods to Japanese-inspired plates to Latin American cuisine. My hope is that we have a consistent food option for our customers during the week and not just on the weekends. It takes time and headcount...I’m working on it!"
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"Excelsior Coffee is still in its infancy stages of business at year 2 of operations. Given the unforeseen circumstances around COVID-19 and as a fairly new business attempting to provide a service to our community and a certain degree of financial and health security for our (six) minority employees, our fortunate high has been the ability to employ and retain our staff through the pandemic and becoming a positive fixture for our neighborhood by remaining open. And that obviously feels good to be a safe haven for our customers."
"However, our ultimate low has been reduced sales and any sales potential limited by the lack of in-house patronage and shelter-in-place. Like so many other businesses in San Francisco, the challenges are all too real and the repercussions of this pandemic strike at everyone’s core. For our business and corridor specifically, we are not only simply struggling to survive, but struggling to compete with a city that has simultaneously evolved in a different direction."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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"I haven’t thought about that at all. What I do know is that I’ve seen more employers building better workplaces catered to mothers and committed to helping all women remain active in the workforce in every stage of their journey. It is also very inspirational and empowering to future mothers who do not have to choose between their families and their careers."
"In the next phase of my ‘career,' I hope to inspire the next generation of young entrepreneurs by creating opportunities, pushing for and exploring new (best) practices, and overall, redefining what ‘success’ means today."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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Just a boy and his "coffee" (a.k.a. steamed milk).
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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Cruz checks out all of the ube-centric treats from Excelsior Coffee partner Ube Area.
As mentioned, ube is a popular Filipino dessert made from sweet purple yam—an infinitely photogenic treat that pays homage to Lea's own heritage.
Some customer favorites include ube pocket pies, ube cheesecake, ube cookies, and ube donuts—including the signature XLCR Coffee Mo'Nut, infused with Excelsior Coffee!
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
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"Self-care these days is as simple as silence in the house or going out for a walk to build up mobility again. My mind tells myself that I’m ready to be active and strong again, but my physical alignment has not quite synced up with my mental alignment. I’ll have to practice exercising stillness and patience. Oh and lastly, self-care equals a shower or bath!"
KIDS' Helmet, $69, Woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"In the immediate future, we are committed to developing career pathways for young adults interested in trade-based occupations (we just hosted two internships this past summer with the SFUSD Fellowship Program), continuing to volunteer our time towards community development through social engagement (we hosted two Excelsior Block Parties this past year), and lastly, improving and investing the Excelsior’s commercial corridor (we are currently in the permitting process to build a Shared Space Parklet that our business, neighboring businesses, and customers can use)."
"In the far future, we hope to extend the brand beyond coffee and share/explore more into our lifestyle aspects—such as hosting a classic car and vintage motorcycle show held at Andre’s school, George Washington High School, and sponsoring another one of Andre’s passion projects: the Motorcycle Mechanics Program and Motor Cross Trail held at June Jordan School of Equity."
KIDS' Helmet, $69, woom.
woom 2, $359, woom.
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"In general, we could use more structure in our lives heading into the future. Personally, one of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away from this entire experience is that you can’t sweat the small stuff and while it sounds cliché, it is 100% true. You have to enjoy the things that most of us took for granted—friends, family, and a good night out."
"Professionally, this time has given me the fortune and misfortune of trying to meet the wants and needs of our staff, while balancing the resources we have available and distributing those said resources in a manner that is sustainable."
woom 2, $359, woom.
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To follow along with Lea, her family, and her business, be sure to follow @chillmami and @excelsiorcoffeesf on Instagram and visit xlcrsf.com.
To find out more about the woom 2 bike and other models and accessories—especially as the holidays roll in—head over to us.woombikes.com.
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