Burritos, Brews, and Backroads: Life on the Road Serving Coffee at Cascade Gravel

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Burritos, Brews, and Backroads: Life on the Road Serving Coffee at Cascade Gravel

I have a road trip ritual I rarely stray from: Diet Mountain Dew, crunchy peanut butter Clif Bars, sunflower seeds, and classic country music. How that combo came to be, I couldn’t tell you. But it works.

I just rolled back home after a weekend of serving coffee at Cascade Gravel in Sisters, Oregon. These events always feel like something special. The energy. The people. That final pre-race sip of coffee before riders clip in and chase 40, 60, or 80 miles through the shadow of the Cascades.

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From Gas Station to Trailhead: Making Specialty Coffee Less Complicated

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From Gas Station to Trailhead: Making Specialty Coffee Less Complicated

Let’s be honest: most people aren’t drinking espresso pulled from a $20,000 machine, let alone a $1,000-$2,000 machine at home. They’re not measuring water temperature or timing the bloom. They’re grabbing a mug on the way out the door, pouring drip from a countertop brewer they picked up from Walmart, or topping off a gas station cup somewhere on a dusty road between Point A and Point B.

And you know what? That’s okay. It’s actually great.

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Why I’m Slowing Down Loam Coffee to Serve Something More Meaningful

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Why I’m Slowing Down Loam Coffee to Serve Something More Meaningful

The light was soft, the gravel still damp from the night before. Riders rolled in slowly, quiet in that pre-race way with legs tense and minds somewhere between stoke and nerves. I had already fired up the kettle in Nacho the Van, the smell of freshly ground beans mixing with pine and chain lube in the cool morning air. It wasn’t anything fancy. Just coffee, a little conversation, and the quiet satisfaction of showing up.

That’s the version of Loam Coffee I’ve grown to love most.

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Coffee, Gravel, and Crazy Winds: My First Time at Gorge Gravel

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Coffee, Gravel, and Crazy Winds: My First Time at Gorge Gravel

This past weekend, I had the chance to serve coffee at the Gorge Gravel race for the very first time — and let me just say, it was an unforgettable experience.

From the moment I rolled up with Nacho the Van, I knew it was going to be a special day. The energy was electric, the community was welcoming, and the winds… well, let’s just say they added a little extra adventure to the day! Majorkudos to every racer who braved those crazy gusts and powered through. Gravel events are always about grit and perseverance, and this weekend definitely delivered on both fronts.

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One Coffee, One Ride at a Time

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One Coffee, One Ride at a Time

I’ve always believed coffee should match the moment. Whether it’s a quiet sunrise pourover before a ride or a post-race espresso from the back of Nacho the Van, every cup tells a story.

Right now, I’m excited to share the next chapter of that story: Ethiopia Senna Katta Mountain. This one’s wild—in the best way. But here's the real news: I’m trying something different. From now on, I’ll be roasting and selling one coffee at a time. That’s it.

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Dig Days & Dirtbags: Why Trail Stewardship Is the Soul of Any Ride Town

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Dig Days & Dirtbags: Why Trail Stewardship Is the Soul of Any Ride Town

What makes a mountain bike town more than just a dot on the map? It’s not just the flow trails, the epic descents, or the trail density—it’s the people behind it all.

The locals with dirt under their nails. The ones who show up, tools in hand, week after week. Community engagement and trail stewardship aren’t just supporting acts—they’re the main event in any trail town worth its loam.

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