Score a Free Acai Bowl at Moberi’s New PSU Outpost
Moberi founder Ryan Carpenter
Image: Jason Quigley
Even if you don’t recognize the name “Moberi,” you’ve likely gawked at one of its bicycle-mounted blenders. Inspired by a Guatemalan nonprofit that uses bikes to power “everything from washing machines to concrete mixers,” founder Ryan Carpenter launched Moberi in 2011, using the pedal power of a stationary Schwinn bicycle to blend local produce into nutrient-packed smoothies. The company currently comprises a pair of bright green carts on Mississippi Ave and Northwest 23rd—and on Friday, May 20, Moberi will celebrate the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar location.
Located a block away from the Portland State University Rec Center on SW 5th Avenue, Moberi’s new café puts the focus on a quartet of tropical acai bowls topped with fresh fruit, granola, honey and peanut butter. Patrons can also enjoy a diverse roster of smoothies loaded with berries, greens, protein powder and superfoods.
Bike blenders will rotate between catering events and the café, so there’s a chance that you might not be able to blend your own bowl. But you can still squeeze in a quick sweat sesh: a pedal-powered generator is on hand to charge lighting and electronics. Which begs the question… how long does it take to charge a smart phone by bike?
“It would take about a half hour to fully charge an iPhone,” Carpenter says. “It stores energy, too, so if someone pedals for a few minutes the lights will stay charged and other folks can charge their phones.”
Image: Courtesy Moberi
If you’re craving a refreshing acai bowl right now, you’re in luck: Moberi celebrates its grand opening on Friday, May 20, by offering free acai bowls from 3–5 p.m. Head on over to the PSU campus to claim your reward—just be sure you’re ready to pedal long enough to keep the lights on.
Want to learn more? Check out our 2013 Moberi video to see the bike blender in action.
