FIELD TRIP!!! Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory Tour and a Ride??

[SadieKate]

http://www.scharffenberger.com/factory.asp

MP and I have been kicking around the idea of a tour. Due to one thing and another August 26th at 3:30 is the day and time.

Please let me know if you’d like to join us and how many. We can have up to 40 people.

A private tour would be best in order that space is guaranteed for everyone and I don't have to make individual reservations; the cost for a private tour is $35 and everyone would get a $1 back for the gift shop or 2 free small chocolates. We can share the cost equally. Tours are an hour long. Is this OK with everyone?

PetitePois makes the grade – everyone must be 10 or more years of age (there is no comment about mental age which is good because Bubba wants to come).

Is anyone interested in a bike ride before the tour? Would anyone like to take on the organization? Scharffen Berger does have a bike rack outside their factory but doesn’t guarantee safety of the bikes and theft has become a problem. We could ride ahead of time and leave bikes locked inside cars or on secure car racks. I'm leaning toward a Saturday date to have more ride time or shopping time or eating time (or all of the above).

One last thing: I leave for Oregon on Wednesday so post ASAP as I don’t know if I’ll have a WI-FI connection there. I’ll do my best to keep up.

Oh yeah, footwear. Because we are all such fashion mavens and the web site says closed toed shoes are required, I asked about Keen sandals. Probably won't past muster as you can still see the joints of the toes. You can bring them and ask, but have a back up pair of walking shoes in the car.

[maillotpois]

FANTASTIC!!!

However, this is where I become a PITA: The only date that works for us is the August 26 - 27 date. We're away both other weekends.

I won't be riding before or after the tour, unfortunately. I will simply eat my chocolate and watch you all ride...

[SadieKate]

However, this is where I become a PITA: . . .Become? :p

[SadieKate]

I just edited the original post. How many spaces should I put down for the Family Pois?

[maillotpois]

We'll be in for 2 spaces at least. The Big Pois will probably be riding... :cool:

[jobob]

What a great idea !

I think either Aug. 26 or 27 would work for me & the Mr.

[Trek420]

Where's the ride route? BC (before chocolate?) I might not be able to do both but would like to attend the ride at least.

[SadieKate]

Repeating for Trek420's benefit.:D

Is anyone interested in a bike ride before the tour? Would anyone like to take on the organization?

Two spaces reserved for the Bobs on the 267th and 27th. yippee!

Trek - any spaces for you? And what's the ride plan?

Big Pois - somehow that name fits.:rolleyes: Particularly with that blue polka dot jersey. It was very hot that day; it was dots, wasn't it?

[maillotpois]

It was dots. He is so proud of it. My dermatologist/his ride buddy gave it to him for his b-day.

[maillotpois]

Gawd, my post just popped up again in front of me and I read "dots" as "clots". Guess I am a bit obsessed!!! :rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

I bet some chocolate would hep.

[SadieKate]

Adding one space for Dachsund on Aug 26 or 27.

[snapdragen]

Me too! Me too!

[SadieKate]

Same time? Same place? Same channel? How many spaces? Bringing any guests?

[snapdragen]

Just me, I'd bring the dog but choc's no good for her. 26th or 27th seems to be the popular date.

[maillotpois]

Could we perhaps choose Saturday the 26th? I now may have an "event" on Sunday.

My riding partner has decided to throw her full support into my new trail running rehab efforts. So there's a trail run on the 27th we may do: http://www.pctrailruns.com/Redwood_Park.htm

Would Saturday 8/26 work for the chocoholics here?

[SadieKate]

Works for me. I was leaning toward Saturday anyway but didn't want to be too controlling. That meant our PITA make the final call.

[SadieKate]

I heavily edited my original post and will make reservations for August 26th.

I just need to keep a headcount so let me know if you want to join us. Still have my spreadsheet going.

Slinke? What about your family?

[bikerz]

I'm in for one spot!

I can't wait to see what happens when all you chocoholics experience the mother-lode!

[SadieKate]

That's probably the real reason they make us wear closed toed shoes. Fewer broken toes . . .

[snapdragen]

OK - it's on my calendar, so it's official. Aug 26th.:cool:

[bikerz]

Ride idea...

The factory is very near the Bay Trail - lovely bay views, places to eat at either end, 20-30 miles of lovely cool bike path*!

This would be a totally flat ride. And very unlikely to be hot. (Says BZ, fresh from her near-heat-exhaustion experience of Sunday!)


* The fine print: In the interest of full disclosure, it could also be 20-30 miles of fog and/or relentless headwinds and crosswinds, with surprisingly few tailwind moments. And all the usual irritations found on multi-use paths.

[slinkedog]

What's the route? (I, embarrassingly enough, have no idea where the SB factory is!) How long of a ride and all that jazz? :)

I'd love to come. I know the kids will be back to school that week, so I will have to talk to Blaine and see if he's willing to spare me. Will this be a whole-day affair?

[spazzdog]

Might do a ride but don't like chocolate all that much.

A little goes a long way... a little piece of this and a little piece of that, then I'm done til the next holiday.

Now, if there's a ride centering on the JellyBelly place or the Gummi Bear place (requires trip to Germany), watch out grrls!

I'll beat y'all to the door, blasting thru roller bladers, running over slow moving seniors, and beating off small children in strollers like they were pesky paparazzi... just to get my hands on those scrumdillyishous JellyBellys.

spazz (shakin' all over from excitement)

[bikerz]

What's the route? (I, embarrassingly enough, have no idea where the SB factory is!) How long of a ride and all that jazz? :)

I'd love to come. I know the kids will be back to school that week, so I will have to talk to Blaine and see if he's willing to spare me. Will this be a whole-day affair?

Hey Slinke - the factory in in Berkeley just off 80 between Ashby and University. The ride is TBD... (I made a humble suggestion above.)

[Tiffanie]

Oh yum. Dh and I will be in San Francisco and near Sonoma mid-August. Looks like they have a factor in SF, too?

I think I'll need to stop in there. :D

[SadieKate]

BZ - are you stepping up to the post of Humble Ride Leader? Sounds good to me. I have no idea what the parking is like at the Factory so I don't know if they'd be thrilled with our cars there while we ride. And, I certainly don't know ride routes in the area. Thanks, ma'am.

Spazz, the tour is only one hour and you can hang out with friends. You can learn all about the cacao bean and amaze your friends.

BZ, can we ride, have a late lunch and then tour? Will that work with your ride idea?

[Pedal Wench]

I might have to move to California just for this ride!

[SadieKate]

Any one seen Miss Kim? When she abdicated the role of Exective Decider she seems to have flown the coop. Do we need to put out a search for aka_kim?

[bikerz]

Hmm - H.R.L. - a new title - I like it!

Yes - a ride on the Bay Trail and lunch and then the tour would work fine. It will be totally flat (except for one small hill), and quite possibly breezy! But beautiful views...

The primary logistics question is one of parking. Any idea how many cars we are talking about? With a rough count, I can call the factory and ask how they feel about the parking issue - that would be the easiest solution!
There is plenty of public parking at the Emeryville end of the trail, and I'm almost 100% sure that there is public parking at the Richmond end too - I will confirm.

At the Richmond end of the trail is a nice little grocery store/cafe where they make good (and inexpensive) sandwiches. We could then ride out to the very end of the Richmond Marina and eat our lunches watching the boats come and go, if it's not too windy, or go to one of the more sheltered picnic areas (and the cafe has some sheltered outdoor seating too) if it is windy. The benefit here is that our bikes would all be in our presence at all times...

If we wanted to eat at a restaurant, there is a Chevy's in Emeryville (the south end of the trail) which has a waterfront view and plenty of space to accommodate a large group, and the pro (or con, depending on how you feel about Chevy's!) of being consistently Chevy's. I'm not sure what we would do with our bikes while we ate, though.

Any Berkeley TE folk have other/better suggestions? Of course there are a gazillion other places to eat off the trail in Berkeley, but I'm not sure how well they would accommodate a group of cyclists (and their bikes).

[SadieKate]

We'll probably need to maintain 2 lists. One for the tour and one for the ride.

Count Bill and me in for the ride.

Everyone else?

[bikerz]

OK - here's the ride list:

SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
RSquare
AdventureGirl (maybe)



who else?????

[maillotpois]

We're in for lunch, but not for the ride. :(

[Adventure Girl]

OK - here's the ride list:

SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZPlease list me as a "maybe" for the tour, lunch and ride. I'd love to do all three. I will be either a yes or no for the trifecta but I won't know until early August.

Chocolate.... Yum.... Scharffen Berger... Yummmmmmmm!

[SadieKate]

Tour list as of 7/18/06

SadieKate
Bubba
Maillotpois
PetitePois
Jobob
Leebob
Dachsund
Snapdragen
BikerZ
Adventure Girl (maybe)
Slinkedog (maybe)
RSquare

I paid the tour fee this morning and we're signed up as Amici Veloci.

Update on Keen sandals - some models might be OK but if too much skin is showing they may ask you to wear other shoes.

[maillotpois]

I can't begin to describe how excited Em is about this. When I told her last night, she jumped up and down. She's a big dark chocolate fan. All of which reminded me that 2 nice sections of the Peets/Scharffenberger bar that Mike brought me in the hospital are still in the fridge. I'd clean forgot about them until last night. Wonder how long they'll last now.....

[slinkedog]

Update on Keen sandals - some models might be OK but if too much skin is showing they may ask you to wear other shoes.

You mean we can't wear our cleats? :rolleyes:

[spazzdog]

You know, if that whole "business" thing of yours ever goes south, you'd give Julie on the Love Boat a run for her money as Activities Director :D

[cindysue]

The primary logistics question is one of parking.

you can also park at the berkeley marina. lots to eat on 4th street and university -- just up from the marina.

* Bette's Oceanview Diner, 1807 4th
* Café Rouge, 1782 4th
* Celia's Mexican Restaurant, 2040 4th
* Eccolo Restaurant & Bar, 1820 4th
* O Chamé, 1830 4th
* Spenger's, 1919 4th
* Sugar Bowl Bakery & Café, 1799 4th "F"
* Tacubaya, 1788 4th
* Tomate Cafe, 2265 5th
* Viks Chaat Corner, 726 Allston
* Pasta Shop, 1786 4th
* Grocery Outlet, 2001 4th
* Manhattan Bagel, 1789 4th
* Peet's Coffee, 1776 4th
* Sketch Ice Cream, 1809 A 4th
* Stonehouse California Olive Oil
* Sugar Bowl Bakery & Café, 1799 4th "F"
* Vino!, 1786 4th

for links to these: http://shopinberkeley.com/neighborhood/4th-street/restaurants.php

p.s. i should be around. no ride, but a tour with friends would be nice.

[bikerz]

Cindy - are you in for the lunch as well as the tour???

I guess the other logistics issue is what to do with all the bikes while we eat, which is why the cafe on the trail itself was appealing, but Cindy, your list looks great - I'm totally open to suggestions. Vic's Chaat Corner is amazing, if you like South Indian food (yumm - dosas!)

Lunch list as of 7/19:
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
RSQuare
Maillotpois and the PetitePois

Maybes:
AdventureGirl
SlinkeDog

[snapdragen]

Bikerz - I'm in for lunch too; still undecided about riding.

[SadieKate]

Nice that we had this little tour planned for all of our friends who can't ride for a while . . . .

Tour list as of 7/19/06
SadieKate
Bubba
Maillotpois
PetitePois
Jobob
Leebob
Dachsund
Snapdragen
BikerZ
Adventure Girl (maybe)
Slinkedog (maybe)
RSQuare
CindySue

[bikerz]

Lunch list (updated 7/19)
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
RSQuare
Maillotpois and the PetitePois
Snapdragen
Dachshund

AdventureGirl (maybe)
SlinkeDog (maybe)


Ride list (updated 7/19)
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
RSQuare
Dachshund

Snapdragen (maybe)
AdventureGirl (maybe)
SlinkeDog (maybe

[dachshund]

Oh, I'll do the ride. And I might as well do lunch. :) I guess we have a full month to figure out logistics.

I actually can go either way on the tour, so if shuffling or switching is needed, I can be a maybe. (Realizing that I committed to reimbursing SadieKate, which I am agreed to one way or the other.)

[cindysue]

Cindy - are you in for the lunch as well as the tour???

lunch? of course! :p

[bikerz]

Lunch list (updated 7/21)
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
RSQuare
Maillotpois and the PetitePois
Snapdragen
Dachshund
CindySue (yay!)
AdventureGirl (maybe)
SlinkeDog (maybe)


Ride list (updated 7/19)
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
RSQuare
Dachshund

Snapdragen (maybe)
AdventureGirl (maybe)
SlinkeDog (maybe)

[maillotpois]

You people are making it very difficult for me to forget about the one last piece of Peets/Scharffenberger I have in the fridge..... :cool:

[snapdragen]

I have three mini bars I picked up at the Dry Creek General store last weekend.

Bittersweet
Semisweet
Nibby Bar

I'm trying to ignore their call....

[maillotpois]

They're pretty loud, huh, Snap?

[snapdragen]

They're pretty loud, huh, Snap?

Screaming!

[SadieKate]

Just checking on 2 things:

1) Anyone else interested? Want to make sure no one feels left out.
2) The survival of MP's Scharffen Berger chocolate. Did it find its demise?

[snapdragen]

Just checking on 2 things:

1) Anyone else interested? Want to make sure no one feels left out.
2) The survival of MP's Scharffen Berger chocolate. Did it find its demise?

I don't know about MP's but my three bars are still safe and sound. Such a good little weight watcher person am I.....

what? shaddup you damn chocolate bars, I'm trying to talk here!!!!

[maillotpois]

Just checking on 2 things:
...

2) The survival of MP's Scharffen Berger chocolate. Did it find its demise?


Funny thing about that. My hospital chocolate had 2 squares left. I gave one to the PP, memory fails as to why. Told her on pain of death the last square was mine. It's still there - however, this morning, killing some time before my deposition I went into Mollie Stone's and bought one of the mini bars of Scharffenberger Bittersweet. At 1/2 of that late in the afternoon (2 points, Snap and I counted them!).

So the rest of today's bar is now in the fridge with the hospital chocolate. Maybe I end up with a bunch of partly eaten bits of fancy chocolate bars and then some day have a party and just finish them off.. :rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

Sheesh you guys have way too much willpower.

[snapdragen]

Sheesh you guys have way too much willpower.

Or way too much middle bulge........

[maillotpois]

Or way too much middle bulge........


And a little HIP bulge, too....

[SadieKate]

Adding 4 more (1 is a maybe) who will probably do the lunch and ride also. Anything others?

Tour list as of 8/7/06
SadieKate
Bubba
Maillotpois
PetitePois
Jobob
Leebob
Dachsund
Snapdragen
BikerZ
Adventure Girl (maybe)
Slinkedog (maybe)
RSQuare
CindySue
Candy
Marty
Ada (Marty's son's SO)
Sue F (maybe)

[snapdragen]

Update.

The three mini bars have bit the dust.:rolleyes:

Did you guys know there is a cafe at the factory? Or am I having a "duh" moment?

http://www.cafecacao.biz/

[BikeMomma]

Adding 4 more (1 is a maybe) who will probably do the lunch and ride also. Anything others?

Tour list as of 8/7/06
SadieKate
Bubba
Maillotpois
PetitePois
Jobob
Leebob
Dachsund
Snapdragen
BikerZ
Adventure Girl (maybe)
Slinkedog (maybe)
RSQuare
CindySue
Candy
Marty
Ada (Marty's son's SO)
Sue F (maybe)

Hey Gals....just joining this thread. SK, would you put me down as a maybe (edit: for the lunch, ride, and tour)? I have to check with the Mr. to see if he can babysit the kiddos. I've been gone alot from the homestead lately (just got back from another quick trip to Maine for family stuff & I signed up for the Cool Breeze next weekend....yada yada), so it's iffy.

yummm....dark chocolate..........:D :p
~BikeMomma

[SadieKate]

Update.
Did you guys know there is a cafe at the factory? Or am I having a "duh" moment?

http://www.cafecacao.biz/Wow! Heck, that would allow us to re-group after the ride and maybe be on time for the tour. What time did I say the tour is?

Sure, BikeMomma. I'll add you to the list of May Bees. You could bring the family.

Tour list as of 8/13/06
SadieKate
Bubba
Maillotpois
PetitePois
Jobob
Leebob
Dachsund
Snapdragen
BikerZ
Adventure Girl (maybe)
Slinkedog (maybe)
CindySue
Candy
Marty
Ada (Marty's son's SO)
Sue F (maybe)
BikeMomma (maybe)

[snapdragen]

I can't find the time for the tour....guess I'll just hang out a the factory all day looking pitiful. Maybe people will give me chocolate......

[SadieKate]

See post #1 -- 3:30 pm

[BikeMomma]

Sure, BikeMomma. I'll add you to the list of May Bees. You could bring the family.That possibility did occur to me. The kids would love it (duh! it's chocolate :D ). Lemme propose it to him and see what he thinks.

I'd have to work out the logistics. < Thinkin' aloud here....> My bike can fit in the back of our van, so we can all drive over, he and the kids could have lunch with us, and then he'd probably just need to find something for the kids to do while we're riding and drive to the factory to meet us.

Did I get that right that we'd meet for lunch before the ride? And the ride is about 30 miles? At a leisurely pace, would that be about a 2 to 2.5-hour ride....correct me if I have that wrong (I rarely ride 30 miles at a leisurely pace these days...the group here has gone speed-crazy :p ).

[SadieKate]

I believe the schedule is Ride, Eat, Tour. We'd have to check with the Ride and Eats Director.

[jobob]

Oops, Z, add me & the Mr. to the ride-and-lunch list too.

Ed. to add: pleeeze

[snapdragen]

Put me on the ride list too, I'm assuming this won't be a crack of dawn ride?

[cindysue]

whah! I want to ride :mad:

[SadieKate]

What's the prognosis? Healing as planned? Faster? Higher? Stronger? Are you planning your comeback?

[cindysue]

I am healing well but doc says no bike yet (it's been a month since the accident). He wanted me to come back in another month for an x-ray (I saw him a week ago) but my health insurance ran out today and my temporary insurance won't cover "pre-existing conditions." Because I was a student, not an employee, I'm not eligible for Cobra (probaby couldn't afford it anyway). No job yet, so I don't have stellar insurance yet - but I'm covered if something horrible were to happen....

so the short answer is I don't know. His expert advice, sans x-ray, is "if it hurts, don't do it" :p Right now it still hurts to lift anything that weighs more than a glass of water (you'd think that would stop me - hahaha)....

I'd like to do the 12 mile ride for Bike Against the Odds on 9/10. I'll have to do a test ride a few days before to see how I feel. Flat may be OK, but I'm not sure about the 400 feet of climbing on that ride. I realize that's nothing but I guess I won't know until I try.....

Thanks for asking! Can't wait to see you all!

[slinkedog]

Okay, I must officially say I can't make it. Elizabeth has a birthday party that day and I think Blaine is going to have to work. I will miss you guys! :(

[bikerz]

I just went through all the recent posts - did I catch everyone for the ride/lunch portion of the festivities?

Ride list (updated 8/16)
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
Dachshund
Jobob and Leebob
Snapdragen
Candy
Marty
Ada (Marty's son's SO)
Ride maybes:
Sue F
AdventureGirl
BikeMomma [+ kids?]

Lunch list (updated 8/16)
SadieKate and Bubba
BikerZ
Maillotpois + PetitePois
Snapdragen
Jobob and Leebob
Dachshund
CindySue
Candy
Marty
Ada (Marty's son's SO)
Lunch maybes:
Sue F
AdventureGirl
BikeMomma [+ kids?]

[Adventure Girl]

My "maybe" for the tour, lunch and ride has to change to a "nope". Sorry. More travels for work, blah blah blah.... If they could give me a little advanced warning, but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo:mad: But that's another story. Maybe I'll spend the time while you guys are on the tour eating chocolate!

[bikerz]

Oh AG - what a bummer!

[SadieKate]

Hey, BZ! Why don't you start a whole new thread so the details aren't buried in this one. I'll let you start as the Ride and Eats Director which comes before the Tour. Take Sue F off the list.

AG!!!:(