It weighs 375 pounds, requires battery, human, and propane power, contains twenty solenoids, seven forward gears, three wheels, and one bellows, all to make its very own good vibrations. Cue the theme from
Jeopardy!.
Renaissance man Larry Barefield knows: What is Bikebeans? Ladies, and gentlemen, behold the world's first, and only pipe organ-coffee roaster-tricycle. Built right here in Atlanta, this gizmo provides, among other things, "the freshest coffee you'll ever sink a tooth in," promises Barefield. The man knows beans, and has roasted "just about every coffee there is". His signature blend balances the bright notes of Kenyan with the somber, earthy qualities of Sumatran, and just enough Columbian "to keep the two from bumping into each other."
Now that you're caffeinated, feel like dancing? Those twenty solenoids act upon as many organ pipes, each a masterpiece of hand crafting. Don't tell the monkey that all is orchestrated from an iPhone.
'Tis a sure bet Barefield's retirement will be an active one. The micro-roaster boasts a capacity of nine pounds per hour. Look for his traveling show Saturday mornings in the park, at food truck events, or just follow your ears, and nose to
bikebeans.com.
What has two heels and four wheels? The Chic Racers entry for the Atlanta Red Bull Soapbox Race, of course. When social entrepreneur Rosalynn Wilson asked how the zany competition might promote her company, Georgia Tech students (l-r) David Torello, Jamie Zahorian, Eliot Quon and Kemp Kernstine responded with a plan for a yoked pair of bicycles-as-pumps that just might roll over Nancy Sinatra's boots. Fueled by Red Bull, the quintet are working 'round the clock on behalf of Bottle Bar & Bistro, Chic Boutique Tour, Sage Naturalceuticals and Saving Our Communities. Come to Piedmont Park on June 9 and cheer them down the Tenth Street hill.
