RAGBRAI XLI Countdown – July 21-27, 2013
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Coffee?
(29 posts)
(15 voices)
Started 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago by Altidude
Latest reply from Eric McVey 10 months ago ago
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Altidude -
OK, I am a bit of a coffee snob. So shoot me.
With that said, what is up with coffee on RAGBRAI? I had the hardest time even finding a cup of Folgers? I can’t believe with all the vendors that there was not a single espresso cart. The coffee guy who was always 5-7 miles out from the start was at least something, even it it was crappy coffee brewed in a Bunn maker and was $3. Usually the line was so long I just skipped it.
Then, many of the morning stops had water/gatorade etc…and no coffee? Gatorade with muffins? Really?
It seems like a huge business opportunity for someone with a coffee trailer to set up near the expo in the morning with some decent coffee. Maybe I should do this next year instead of riding – I bet I would make a killing. Are the vendor license fees for RAGBRAI so high that a coffee cart can’t make it?
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Sandaltan -
We had coffee every morning before we left town. For example there were three coffee stops downtown in Webster City, we had coffee and a cinnamon roll for two bucks right on the main street out of town. In Sioux Center a woman was serving StarBucks and home baked scones out of her garage. Depending on where you bunk up for the night you may have to back track for coffee. A word to the wise, not a bad idea to scout for likely coffee spots when you roll into town.
RIDE RIGHT
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Melissa Berry -
Not sure if you were on a team or had a support vehicle- However my friend who was our “gear biatch” brought a portable camping coffee pot – So we woke up to a freshly brewed pot every morning – I think she said it was less than $100.00 at Bass Pro – May be worth the investment for a fellow coffee snob
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Altidude -
Melissa Berry:
Not sure if you were on a team or had a support vehicle- However my friend who was our “gear biatch” brought a portable camping coffee pot – So we woke up to a freshly brewed pot every morning – I think she said it was less than $100.00 at Bass Pro – May be worth the investment for a fellow coffee snobWe were camping with the RAGBRAI trucks…our bags were already too heavy, and the noise of firing up my portable espresso maker (which I almost brought) would not have been appreciated anyway!
Seriously, I think an espresso cart next to the baggage trucks in each town would have made a killing. Has there really never been one anywhere on RAGBRAI? Does anyone know the terms of licensing to get a spot in the “midway”?
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This reply was modified 10 months, 3 weeks ago by
Altidude.
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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This reply was modified 10 months, 3 weeks ago by
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gburban -
Altidude:
OK, I am a bit of a coffee snob.So shoot me.With that said, what is up with coffee on RAGBRAI?I had the hardest time even finding a cup of Folgers?I can’t believe with all the vendors that there was not a single espresso cart.The coffee guy who was always 5-7 miles out from the start was at least something, even it it was crappy coffee brewed in a Bunn maker and was $3.Usually the line was so long I just skipped it.
Then, many of the morning stops had water/gatorade etc…and no coffee?Gatorade with muffins?Really?
It seems like a huge business opportunity for someone with a coffee trailer to set up near the expo in the morning with some decent coffee.Maybe I should do this next year instead of riding – I bet I would make a killing. Are the vendor license fees for RAGBRAI so high that a coffee cart can’t make it?
I too was a bit surprised by the lack of coffee stands this year. What hapen to the dude with the espresso cart? Anyway I think I was able to kick the coffee habit because I couldn’;t find any.
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Michrider -
I miss the Fair Trade Coffee Hippies!!!! They used to set up within the first 10 miles. The promise of their great coffee got me down the road!!!!!
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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tryan -
In my experience coffee can be good for another 10 RPM. I too did not see a lot of coffee joints during the ride. I don’t think Iowa is a Guatemala premium coffee kind of place. Folgers maybe but you really had to look to find premium coffee. Availability at the right time of the morning is the business model and it was not present.
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Sandaltan -
I forgot one, the Old Factory Coffee Shop in Orange City was on half block off the route after you passed the down town choke point. I saw bikes parked there and investigated. There were a dozen people in the shop at most with two in line to order coffee and two in line for the rest room. Ya gotta keep your head up and look for bikes parked. Those bikes are there for a reason.
RIDE RIGHT
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Jammin John -
I sympathize. I also miss the Fair Trade coffee. We have a support van and we have home-roasted coffee each morning. I even carry morning coffee in my metal water bottle.
If you can find hot water or weak coffee, I recommend Starbucks Via. It’s very good for instant and has traveled with me on a couple of self-contained rides.
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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John L -
JJ I am with you. I am from Louisiana and was disappointed in the coffee. I brought a french press and had some good stuff.
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Sandaltan -
John L:
JJ I am with you. I am from Louisiana and was disappointed in the coffee. I brought a french press and had some good stuff.We kinda like the Community Coffee we find in the shops in LA. Also, there is a coffee roaster in Breaux Bridge that has really pleased the Little Stoker. Baby’s Coffee I believe is the name. Baby’s Coffee can also be found in the Keys, about MM 11.
RIDE RIGHT
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Michrider -
Gotta love the Dunkin coffee brewed by Rex of PBV!!!!! Good coffee, brewed fresh each AM!!!!!!!!
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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John L -
Mich, I too had the DD coffee at PBV. THAT is my only complaint to Tammy and Pete. That is not coffee, yes it is nice, warm, caffeinated, brown water but that is it. I would love to supply them with Community!
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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John L -
ST, Thanks!! I will look for Little Baby’s when I head down for a LSU Tiger game this fall…only 29 days away!
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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Michrider -
John L:
Mich, I too had the DD coffee at PBV. THAT is my only complaint to Tammy and Pete. That is not coffee, yes it is nice, warm, caffeinated, brown water but that is it.I would love to supply them with Community!I think it’s pretty good coffee. It gets me going in the AM!!!!!
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago ago
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