Love To Pedal

Bike Photo Friday!: I saw the devil’s ride while searching for a cross bike.

Jami

– September 3, 2010Posted in: Uncategorized

I detest riding my mountain bike on the road or gravel. Two weeks ago I decided that view would be better from a cross bike. The search has escalated with the recent rains.

Trying out cyclocross frames is a challenge. There are lots of cyclocross bikes out there in the bike-o-verse, but is difficult to get my hands on multiple frames that fit. I also want steel, which narrows my options.

Test riding the frame is crucial. I haven’t been on a road bike since junior high. There’s a chance I might hate the way a CX bike feels. I also know nothing about cyclocross bikes. Unless I have some knowledge of the frames, fit, materials and components, there’s no way I can part with $1000. I need to know what I’m buying. I also need to love it. This includes loving the paint scheme. Dave makes fun of the fact that bike color is a factor. If I’m forking out cash, then yes, I must also want to look at it.

One night while out for dinner, Dave and I went to Bike Mart to see if I could find a cyclocross bike to test ride. The store was gearing up for the Hotter than Hell, the annual 100 mile bike ride in Wichita Falls, TX.

This fiery display greeted customers. If the devil rides a bike it might look a little something like this minus the glitter. I don’t see the devil as a glitter guy.

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You Pedal: Pedaling Coffee

Jami

– September 1, 2010Posted in: You Pedal

I brew my coffee at home to save some cash, but I buy my beans at the grocery store. The beans pour from big dispensers into paper bags that I take home to sit on my counter. I’m also guilty of lounging at the big green coffee franchise. They sell what I like, but I recently learned that what they serve is far from the best. It’s clear that I have some things to learn about coffee.

Last month I met a local roaster who combines two of my favorite things, coffee and bikes. When you go local for your java you’ll find a little soul in the blend; there’s also an enormous difference in taste.

From left to right: Emory, Paul, Margo, and Anya.

For coffee roaster Paul, from Locally Roasted, it’s a lifestyle before it’s a business. That’s my take on his side company after spending two afternoons with him and his family. Paul and his wife Margo are two of the nicest people. Margo is full of great stories, which are made even better with a cup of the live-in barista’s home brew. Both strive to live sustainably, and this trickles down to their kids. The family bike rides are increasingly moving from quick errands to a regular way to get around town. Paul even commutes to work when the weather permits.

Paul's Kona ready to make a delivery.

The perfect bike accessory for the coffee roaster on the go.

I ran across Paul’s website online. He delivers most of his coffee by bike due to his local clientele. Often times the neighbors just stop by to pick up the java, beckoned by the sound of the roaster working early in the morning.

Paul’s shelves are loaded with bags of raw coffee beans to choose from. Different beans for different blends.

Raw Sumatra coffee beans

Coffee beans are green before roasting.

Beans start off as green. During the roasting process they smoke, and then pop. Each pop lets the roaster know how cooked the beans are. The air smells earthy while the beans are roasting, not at all like coffee.

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