Rally Coffee

[Tallyho]

Our club has never been to an MOA National Rally. The club was originally founded on the common interests of motorcycle and coffee enjoyment. As we're located in Northern California, we often find ourselves planning trips up to the Bend, OR area. We've made plans to attend the 4R en masse this year staying at our favorite lodging venue in Bend. We know what the riding is like up there but what's the coffee been like at the actual rally? Readily available? How about the quality of what's been offered? Espresso options on site? We're thinking about setting up in the Chartered Club boondock area and offering our own brew to the brethren for a donation to the MOA foundation. Good idea?

What say you, experienced national rally riders?

[sudani]

Sounds like a great way to meet people! :thumb

[Sue]

I want to camp by you.

[SIBUD]

Wake up and smell the coffee. :thumb

[BumbleBee]

YES PLEASE!:kiss

[calnalu]

I always pack my Jetboil camp stove, coffee press, and a bag of Peet's Mocha Java. But if you had Beemer Baristas in Redmond, I'd visit! :coffee

[bmwchromehead]

Bring it on...

[Polarbear]

I'm a non coffee guy, but bring on the HOT Cocoa please:). My SO drinks the dark stuff and would love her coffee fix...Good idea. THIS is what makes this rally work! Volunteers doing something special and bringing in new and cool ideas. Its not hard to make this happen,imo..Randy, rally veteran:thumb

[glenfiddich]

Being a quality geek for a gourmet coffee roaster in Vermont, I know a good bean when I cup it. Haven't found any such thing at the National, so some good stuff would be appreciated. I travel with a mini French Press and some fine African beans, but am always looking for micro-roasters in particular. They often get some phenomenal beans available in qtys too limited to be economically viable for the big roasters.

Looking forward to cupping with you at Redmond!

Pete

[bogthebasher]

We're thinking about setting up in the Chartered Club boondock area and offering our own brew to the brethren for a donation to the MOA foundation. Good idea?

What say you, experienced national rally riders?

I WILL find you! Coffee is, after, all one of the four food groups!:coffee

[SherpaMayberry]

I don't know about others, but to make coffee in small quantities, you can get away with small burner units or even small generators.

In the past I'd use two 101 cup electric units, and could only brew one at a time as they used 15a. Can't run two off the same circuit.

And even then, with both pots running around the clock all morning, I'd still run out (also consider I'm serving over 200 people, Sherpa customers and non-Sherpa customers who don't belong in my coffee mess).

I had to solve this problem with an 18 gallon propane pour over unit. I can keep up now, but that set me back $1,800.

[PAULBACH]

I don't know about others, but to make coffee in small quantities, you can get away with small burner units or even small generators.

In the past I'd use two 101 cup electric units, and could only brew one at a time as they used 15a. Can't run two off the same circuit.

And even then, with both pots running around the clock all morning, I'd still run out (also consider I'm serving over 200 people, Sherpa customers and non-Sherpa customers who don't belong in my coffee mess).

I had to solve this problem with an 18 gallon propane pour over unit. I can keep up now, but that set me back $1,800.

Camp with Ted, he always does a first class job:

coffee
12V chargers
110V chargers
fresh towels each day
shade - there always is shade
ice
cold water and
a mint on your pillow


Ted will be at the MOA rally in Oregon and the RA rally in Vermont

a satisfied customer :dance

[PAULBACH]

I WILL find you! Coffee is, after, all one of the four food groups!:coffee

Help me to understand what the four groups are ...

Coffee
Beer
Burgers
Pizza

Should not room be left for chocolate and ice-cream? :scratch

[bmwchromehead]

Help me to understand what the four groups are ...

Coffee
Beer
Burgers
Pizza

Should not room be left for chocolate and ice-cream? :scratch

I always had the understanding that Scotch was one of the 4 food groups. :bar

[BobsST]

Folks from Bend/Portland are almost as bad as people from Seattle as far as being coffee snobs - beer also!

There will be no shortage of local bean available if you want to hunt it down. Sisters Coffee and Stricktly Organic are some of the good ones. Also Eleven Roasters, Thump Coffee and Back Porch Coffee Roasters. All of these places have outlets in Bend - 16 miles to the south but worth the trip if yoy are into the bean.

We'll have the travel trailer out there and where the travel trailer goes the espresso machine goes.

[Tallyho]

Just to clarify, I'm talking about making some better than average stuff available at the Expresso Riders Chartered Club section of the boondock area in the morning hours as a social gathering point which allows you to stumble out of your tent, drag over your Kermit, and get a "starter" cup of coffee before hiking over to the main buildings or riding half an hour into town. We're not planning on bringing the full espresso set up and were kind of curious as to whether there might be an espresso shack/vendor on the fairgrounds as this part of the world is usually full of coffee alternatives. I also understand we may not be able to overcome the logistics issues if there is no electricity and we will not be able to run our generator until after 0800.

On a side note, some friends own a little roadside espresso shack in Crescent, OR right on Hwy 97 about 40 miles south of Bend. If you're coming up from the south or perhaps heading down to Crater Lake you might consider it a rest stop. There is a rest room next door at the Shell station. Top notch hot and cold espresso drinks at Mill Town Espresso. If you're taking the Mt. Bachelor loop south out of Bend, you'll pop out on 97 right at the intersection where it's located.

[Holly]

OK, I would like to be able to crawl out of my tent between 8 and 9 am and get a good cup of coffee without having to ride somewhere. Maybe you could figure out how many people you could provide the coffee for and then we could subscribe and pay up in advance. That way you would know exactly how much to prepare, and we would know the coffee would be there for us. A donation to the Foundation would certainly sweeten the pot.

As the Environmental Steward of the rally, may I suggest that we bring our own re-usable cups.

Holly

[Tallyho]

I don't know about others, but to make coffee in small quantities, you can get away with small burner units or even small generators.

In the past I'd use two 101 cup electric units, and could only brew one at a time as they used 15a. Can't run two off the same circuit.

And even then, with both pots running around the clock all morning, I'd still run out (also consider I'm serving over 200 people, Sherpa customers and non-Sherpa customers who don't belong in my coffee mess).

I had to solve this problem with an 18 gallon propane pour over unit. I can keep up now, but that set me back $1,800.I appreciate your feedback on this. We've been working through the logistics and numbers and really can't figure out a way to make it work. Perhaps there will be other options. I know there are coffee vendors with mobile trucks or trailers around here. Perhaps they might exist in central Oregon and could be enticed to set up shop near the boonies?

[rbertalotto]

When the Yankee Beemers "Toy Box" is within striking distance of a RA/MOA Rally, the coffee is always flowing at 5am............

Down at the Johnson City Rally we served up 20-25 gallons of coffee each morning. All free (donations accepted)...........

The Toy Box will not be in Oregon (too far) but it should be at the RA............

Here is an interior shot of the TB with the coffee machines ready and waiting.....

http://images49.fotki.com/v1521/photos/2/36012/7472433/P1020225-vi.jpg

[SIBUD]

Makes me proud to be a YB! :thumb

[MLS2GO]

Your forgot Hostess. Definitely on of the food groups.

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/RA%20Shots/bb6fe272.jpg

I hear the YBers will be serving free Green Mountain Coffee!

What a club!

[Rob Nye]

I want to camp by you.

In a hotel parking lot in Bend? :wow

To the OP if you offer coffee you will pour all you can brew.

Bring it on.

[Rob Nye]

OK, I would like to be able to crawl out of my tent between 8 and 9 am and get a good cup of coffee without having to ride somewhere. Maybe you could figure out how many people you could provide the coffee for and then we could subscribe and pay up in advance. That way you would know exactly how much to prepare, and we would know the coffee would be there for us. A donation to the Foundation would certainly sweeten the pot.

As the Environmental Steward of the rally, may I suggest that we bring our own re-usable cups.

Holly

Holly,

Prior to Lima the board of the MOA decided at Sue RM's request that we included free morning coffee at the rally.

The Yankee Beemers took up the challenge and the first year we had a ton of fun and served over 15,000 cups of coffee at the rally.

Prior to the Vermont rally the board approved the purchase of a pretty high end commercial unit that can really brew, IIRC it's around 2,500 cups per hour. At every rally since a group of early rising volunteers have stepped up to serve free coffee.

It's always there but because of ocassional issues with the established vendors it's not always in an obvious place.

For the environmental concerns when the YB's did the coffee it was free if you brought a mug, otherwise it was a buck with all proceeds going to the rally charity.

I don't even drink the stuff but I love being able to offer someone who does their morning fix.

[Tallyho]

When the Yankee Beemers "Toy Box" is within striking distance of a RA/MOA Rally, the coffee is always flowing at 5am............

Down at the Johnson City Rally we served up 20-25 gallons of coffee each morning. All free (donations accepted)...........

The Toy Box will not be in Oregon (too far) but it should be at the RA............

Here is an interior shot of the TB with the coffee machines ready and waiting.....

http://images49.fotki.com/v1521/photos/2/36012/7472433/P1020225-vi.jpg
Your photo validates why we can't make the logistics work. We'd really like to be able to do it but I think we need a few more years under our belt and a nice warchest to draw upon before we figure this one out. :dunno That's a nice rig! :thumb

And, well yes, our lodging in Bend has an espresso shop on the premises. I knew there was a reason we weren't camping. :brow

[SherpaMayberry]

Your photo validates why we can't make the logistics work.

Each of those 6 101 cup makers take 15 amps.

Three 3k generators would do the trick! (of course, you'd probably brew half or third at a time so maybe you can get away with only a single 3k generator, this assumes once a pot is brewed, it's unplugged and not kept warm).

But, with a propane unit like this:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/b80f2d68.jpg

This unit can replace all six (four or five if I'm only limited to initial water supply, in other words, if I can't add more water through the morning).

Interestingly enough, I found the propane unit much more efficient on coffee. The 101 cup machines usually take 3/4 of a can to make coffee. Much less with the propane pour over unit.

Takes three hours for the burners to heat up all the water (means I have to stumble out at 3am to get it started). But, once the water is heated, it's ready to go.

[Rob Nye]

Each of those 6 101 cup makers take 15 amps.

Three 3k generators would do the trick! (of course, you'd probably brew half or third at a time so maybe you can get away with only a single 3k generator, this assumes once a pot is brewed, it's unplugged and not kept warm).

But, with a propane unit like this:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/b80f2d68.jpg

This unit can replace all six (four or five if I'm only limited to initial water supply, in other words, if I can't add more water through the morning).

Interestingly enough, I found the propane unit much more efficient on coffee. The 101 cup machines usually take 3/4 of a can to make coffee. Much less with the propane pour over unit.

Takes three hours for the burners to heat up all the water (means I have to stumble out at 3am to get it started). But, once the water is heated, it's ready to go.

What is the make and model of your propane machine?

[rbertalotto]

Solar Panels are on order.......Cover the top of the Toy Box and we should be good to go.......:thumb

If that doesn't work, I have 500' of extension cords.

Those propane units are nice, but three hours to heat water is a bit long.
If I was going to go the propane route, I'd install an "On Demand Hot Water Heater" which can get water to brew temperature in seconds. And it never runs out. It would be very easy modify the drip system of the electric units to use this pre heated water..........

[SherpaMayberry]

What is the make and model of your propane machine?

Cecilware.

You won't find it on their site (I couldn't find it anyway), I ordered mine from here:

http://www.akitchen.com/store/urn-mpo.html

When I ordered mine, it was custom made. I don't think they have units sitting on the shelf waiting to be sold. Also had to wait well over half a year for delivery. Oh yea, even longer since they initially forgot to ship the spigots.

I have the 18 gallon model, but it holds more than 18 gallons.

Well, let me rephrase that. Each coffee urn is 6 gallons, (advertised as six gallons I figure that's pretty close). The remaining reservoir is supposed to be another 6 gallons, but that reservoir holds a lot more than that, probably closer to 10 gallons. Anyway, once a six gallon urn is depleted, I use the hot water from the reservoir to brew another six gallons, which takes about 15 minutes. (15 Minutes not bad for six gallons of coffee).

[SherpaMayberry]

Solar Panels are on order.......Cover the top of the Toy Box and we should be good to go.......:thumb

Solar panels won't help much to power a coffee maker. I have couple older solar panels that punch out maybe 6 amps together. Let's assume you can get panels at twice that efficiency since mine are old.

12a at 12v is about 140w (rounding).

That power, if converted with 100% efficiency, can provide just over an amp at 115v. Last I knew, inverters lose you about 30%, so you are back under one amp at 115v.

Plus, there isn't much sunlight at 6am.


If that doesn't work, I have 500' of extension cords.


If they are powering the 101 cup machines, you can get away with 14 gauge cords, but if you are using 500' to transfer 15a, you probably will need 12g.

Also, you need to be within 500ft of an outlet, and then you need to also be within 500ft of another circuit. It's not unusual to find a 20a circuit, but you can't run two 101 cup machines off the same circuit (well, I won't go into how many breakers I've tripped in this business).

Those propane units are nice, but three hours to heat water is a bit long.

Actually, it's not a big deal. I set an alarm for 3am, stumble outside, turn a dial (pilot light is already lit), then stumble back inside for another few hours of sleep.

At 6, water is ready for coffee.

If I was going to go the propane route, I'd install an "On Demand Hot Water Heater" which can get water to brew temperature in seconds. And it never runs out. It would be very easy modify the drip system of the electric units to use this pre heated water..........


Interesting approach.

The on demand hot water heaters I've experienced will not provide nearly the temperature of water needed to brew coffee (my experience has been limited to bathroom sink units).

I can't remember off hand, I think my unit gets the water up to 160 deg for coffee making. If you can find an on-demand unit to convert, that'd be a pretty cool way to go.

If you can get the throughput.

I've used drip systems before, they can't keep up with demand (unless you have enough in parallel). But, brew early enough to put into insulated urns, that might work too.

[Rob Nye]

The Sherpa has obviously done a ton of homework.

:thumb


All this talk about finding that ever so vital first cuppa joe in the morning makes me happy my vital first bevearge is a can of diet coke. :brad

Even though I don't drink the stuff I still love to serve hot coffee to my riding buddies, it makes them soooo happy!

[rbertalotto]

Yea......I knew all bout the Solar Panel issues............That was a bit of tongue in cheek......:)

Ditto for the extension cords..........

I've used dozens of these gas, on demand hot water heater. 185 degrees is easily obtained at 2-3 gal per minute. Much faster if the water is preheated to 100 degrees or so.

http://www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heater/r98lse/

We have one in a cabin I frequent up in Maine. Using well water that is about 40 degrees, it makes a cup of coffee in about two minutes with propane.

Really neat units.............

[SherpaMayberry]

I've used dozens of these gas, on demand hot water heater. 185 degrees is easily obtained at 2-3 gal per minute. Much faster if the water is preheated to 100 degrees or so.

http://www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heater/r98lse/

We have one in a cabin I frequent up in Maine. Using well water that is about 40 degrees, it makes a cup of coffee in about two minutes with propane.

Really neat units.............

Looks like you need the commercial unit for 185 degree capability.

Sounds nice, looks like you can really produce enough water to power a bunch of drip units in parallel.

[Tallyho]

I'd definitely like to stop by and check out your propane unit in Redmond.

I had read/seen that one cannot operate generators until after 0800. One can certainly understand but it sure throws a wrench in the logistics side of things. We're also striving to make a "good" cup of coffee in high volume and short order, not something that looks like coffee and tastes like sh--, ah, dissappointment.

It appears Sherpa and YB have done a lot of work cracking the code in this vital area of rally services. All very interesting and informative.

[SherpaMayberry]

I'd definitely like to stop by and check out your propane unit in Redmond.

Anytime. I'm usually easy to locate.



I had read/seen that one cannot operate generators until after 0800. One can certainly understand but it sure throws a wrench in the logistics side of things.

I'm fortunate enough that MOA has a very mature rally. Other rallies I support do not provide me with electricity, and I often have to spin the generator up at 5am to get coffee started. I hate doing that because it certainly causes stress on those sleeping in tents within earshot.

I'm about to buy an EU3000 honda generator. I've heard one idle, extremely quiet. Probably gets a lot louder once a load is applied.

We're also striving to make a "good" cup of coffee in high volume and short order, not something that looks like coffee and tastes like sh--, ah, dissappointment.

I'm not one to compare my coffee to Starbucks. Heck, since I don't even drink the stuff, I can't even tell you how good it is. But, I do get lots of compliments, probably has a lot to do with the regular creamer I also offer (used to use powder, but that just wasn't right).

When I'm camping, even canned ravioli tastes good, so my suspected generic coffee probably just tastes better than usual for those sleeping in tents.

I can't even pretend to make 24 gallons (that's how many a day I made at the 2009 MOA Rally) of what some would consider high quality brew.


It appears Sherpa and YB have done a lot of work cracking the code in this vital area of rally services. All very interesting and informative.

I'd give the propane inline heater a serious consideration if I were to do it again.

But, it would still require multiple drip units operating in parallel, figure each has to be modified as most drip units are trying to heat the water themselves.

Plus you have to have a pretty good sized tank (at least 20 gallons) of water to draw from, and a 12v water pump to move the water through the heater.

With a bit of plumbing, it could work out nicely, though I think you'd go through a lot more coffee grounds, have to clean the pots quite frequently, would be constantly swapping out filters, etc.

My solution was most definitely expensive (over $2k today), but 15 minutes of pouring water over the grounds and next thing you know, you have 12 gallons of coffee ready to go. Gourmet or not, well that's your call. :)

After that, I just make sure there is enough cups, creamer and sweeteners available on the table for my customers to draw from.


Oh, one more thing, the table. The propane unit I have now is somewhere about 100 lbs. Add say, 20 gallons of water at 8 lbs a gallon, that adds 160 lbs, totaling 260 lbs.

You should be able to observe in my picture two points:

1) I spread the weight across two tables. One table shows considerable wear (bending) from the weight. I need to get a steel rolling cart to specifically serve this behemoth.

2) I have a masonry board thing under the unit. The propane generates a ton of heat and the plastic tables I use would have melted. One of the tables show mild burn (brown) marks even through the board. When I use a metal rolling cart, I'm concerned that the cart itself will become too hot and will still have to use an insulating top (tile, mason board, etc).

These are issues you wouldn't have to deal with if you went with inline propane heater setup.

[kgadley01]

Damn it people!!!! your all missing the point.... its about the RIDE.... stumble out of the sack, mount your trusty steed and ride, ride, ride to Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks or where ever for your morning lift!!!! LOL :stick

[Rob Nye]

Damn it people!!!! your all missing the point.... its about the RIDE.... stumble out of the sack, mount your trusty steed and ride, ride, ride to Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks or where ever for your morning lift!!!! LOL :stick


:laugh

Most of the guys I know like to stumble out of their tent, enjoy a cup of coffee and then ride fifty miles to breakfast.

If they said let's get all geared up and go to dunkin before going on our ride I'd laugh at them in my mirror.

There is one person who can get me to stumble out of the tent and stop at a dunkin in the first 30 minutes, only because she and I will be stumbling out of the same tent. :p

[glenfiddich]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/RA%20Shots/bb6fe272.jpg

I hear the YBers will be serving free Green Mountain Coffee!

What a club!

I'll assume that's a hint.

Tell me when you need it and I'll make it happen.

Pete