Weighing Your Options

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Weighing Your Options

There are radically different theories or approaches when it comes to brewing coffee. Heck, these completely diverse ways of thinking reflect a deeper philosophical approach to life. Not to try to play armchair psychologist here, but how you brew your coffee reflects much about who you really are. So what are those approaches? Let's tease this out, because it also reflects what kind of mountain biker you are too (doh!). Ready?

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Is Coffee Outside Really Practical Or Is It Just Hype?

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Is Coffee Outside Really Practical Or Is It Just Hype?

Life can be deceptive. Then we are bombarded by a million competing voices throughout the day. The media and marketing world are not purists as there is usually an agenda. We're no different. We have an agenda too. We're biased, unfair, and slant every conversation to our own leanings and value system.

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What's the Best Way to Brew Coffee?

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What's the Best Way to Brew Coffee?

Arguing over brew methods is like debating whether 27.5 wheels are better than 29 ... or 27.5+, 29+, or even (gulp) 26. It is all in the eye of the beholder. As soon as we write off 26" wheels Brandon Semenuk wins the Redbull Rampage 2016 on a 26er (see bike check here). So when it comes to brew methods we all have our favorites ... and they all merit our attention and affection. But to say which one is "better?" ... whew, good luck.

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Treasures in the Bargain Basement

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Treasures in the Bargain Basement

In Portland we have a magical wonderland called the "bargain basement" at Next Adventure. It is a whole treasure trove of used outdoor adventure goods. Your city has them too. Need new snowboard boots for the season? How about dropping $40 on a pair of last year's rentals? Did you blow out your MTB shoes? There's a pair of Five Ten Kestrel shoes (barely used) for $55. Need base layers for winter riding? Covered. Goggles? Yep. Mountaineering boots? Plenty.

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Coffee in the Bike Industry

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Coffee in the Bike Industry

Sometimes I forget we're in the coffee industry. In my mind we're in the bike industry. Odd admission. What I mean is this. When I started Loam Coffee I was mentally coming from the vantage point of a mountain biker, former mountain biking guide, and immersed in the mountain biking culture. As a result, I viewed ourselves from the very beginning like a bike or component company ... a RaceFace, Pivot, Maxxis, Shimano, etc.

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Introducing the Fire Hydrant

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Introducing the Fire Hydrant

Let's be honest ... not all mountain bikers are created equally. They all have different loves, tastes, preferences, flares, routines, and when it comes to where to ride we all have our biases and go-to trails. Again, be honest ... you have different mountain biker friends that you tap to ride with knowing what kinds of trails they love and only ride. In theory we all should ride everything, but we don't. So when you feel like a shuttle day you hit up those friends. When you're feeling spritely and pedally you message those friends. Every trail has a different purpose and attracts different kinds of riders.

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