Sharing stories about coffee, stories, and stoke
Living in Portland feels like ground zero for the gentrification debates. Our African American community, once located primary in inner N/NE Portland is all but gone, dispersed, priced out, or for the fortunate ones cashed out. I don't have to look any farther for the deleterious effects of gentrification than the part of the city I've called home for the past 7 years.
What is the goal of any business? The bottom line. Generate a profit and then increase that profit margin. Produce and sell more goods. Over time then become more efficient in producing goods at a lower price and enlarge your distribution channels and network. That in a nutshell what the bottom line is all about. Without it businesses would falter and eventually shutter operations.
I grew up in small-town America. Blue collar, agricultural, and no hype. The local economy was tied to farming and ranching. One of the main industries in town was the meat-packing plant and livestock auction. Not much in terms of recreation and certainly not a tourist destination (not until later on when a casino opened).
What draws us to bikes? The same can be asked of coffee. While we may love the fitness that comes with mountain biking or the pick-me-up that coffee delivers in the morning, what ultimately draws us in is the lifestyle. The "scene," the friendships and camaraderie, events and races, and the overall culture of mountain biking is what we want and love to be part of. It lands us in a "tribe" or family.
I find that spending a day at the coast is what it truly takes for me to slow down and rest. On my mountain bike day trips and outings I feel as though I’m fighting against the clock. Get up early, pack up my bike and gear, drive to the trailhead (usually a 60-90 minute drive), hope the crowds aren’t too insane (which is why it’s essential to leave early), ride hard, pack up, and then head home (stopping for a meal on the way back). When I’m on the trail it’s about going fast. If it’s a loop or specific route I’m usually then trying to beat my previous times. But a trip at the coast? I just sit and watch the waves …
If you’ve followed Loam Coffee for any time then you’ll know that we love experimenting with different brew methods. Seemingly every month there’s a new device out on the market that claims to brew a “perfect cup” of coffee. As I’ve shared before, at times my home kitchen looks like a junior high science classroom with all sorts of beakers, carafes, scales, electric kettles, various grinders, filters, and more. So when we had the opportunity to test drive the new Wacaco Nanopresso it was a resounding, “YES!!!”
