The 2014 Coffeeneuring Challenge is complete.
This has been a rather difficult Coffeeneuring year for me. I've ridden A LOT this year -- double the mileage I rode in 2013 (which was itself a personal best for total miles ridden). With all of the randonneuring rides I've attempted, there hasn't been much time for Coffeeneuring.
That said, I managed to (barely) squeeze in seven Coffeeneuring trips during the allowed time period.
Showing posts with label coffeeneuring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coffeeneuring. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2014
Coffeeneuring #7: Belle Pastry in Redmond, WA
I just managed to squeak in my final Coffeeneuring ride on the last possible day.
It was an easy, flat 13.2 mile ride from downtown Woodinville to Belle Pastry in Redmond, WA. I was honestly surprised I had 13.2 miles left in me after the previous day's ride.
On Saturday, a few of usstupid brave souls (Theo, Bill, Geoff, and myself) attempted a 300K ride from Bremerton to Seattle. The ride started at about 7:15am in Bremerton, which required taking a 6:00am ferry from Seattle. The morning started dark, cold, and too damn early.
The temperatures were in the mid 20's when we started, and climbed through the day into the low 40's. As soon as the sun went down, the temperatures plummeted. By the time we reached our penultimate control (near Sumner) the temperature was below 32, and our water bottles began to freeze. Theo and I rolled into Seattle about 00:40, with Bill rolling in about 02:20. Geoff, perhaps the wisest of the three, bailed out in Rainier (~114 miles in) and got a ride home from his wife.
The next day my legs were stiff and achy. I didn't think I could ride at all, but several cups of coffee at home (and a healthy cup of HTFU) got me on the bike and, more importantly, carried me to MORE COFFEE.
It was an easy, flat 13.2 mile ride from downtown Woodinville to Belle Pastry in Redmond, WA. I was honestly surprised I had 13.2 miles left in me after the previous day's ride.
On Saturday, a few of us
The temperatures were in the mid 20's when we started, and climbed through the day into the low 40's. As soon as the sun went down, the temperatures plummeted. By the time we reached our penultimate control (near Sumner) the temperature was below 32, and our water bottles began to freeze. Theo and I rolled into Seattle about 00:40, with Bill rolling in about 02:20. Geoff, perhaps the wisest of the three, bailed out in Rainier (~114 miles in) and got a ride home from his wife.
The next day my legs were stiff and achy. I didn't think I could ride at all, but several cups of coffee at home (and a healthy cup of HTFU) got me on the bike and, more importantly, carried me to MORE COFFEE.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Coffeeneuring #5 and #6: Something old, something new
I had no plans to go Coffeeneuring on Saturday. Instead, I planned to take part in group 300K ride from Bremerton to Seattle. The ride started at 7:00am in Bremerton, which required taking the 6:00am ferry from Seattle. I arrived in Seattle about 5:15am with (I thought) plenty of time to park, prepare the bike, and board.
Street parking is limited to 2 or 4 hours Monday-Saturday. The surface lots I checked had automated ticket machines, each with a 10 hour limit (I needed closer to 20 hours). The garages I checked were all closed.
30 minutes later, still unable to find long-term parking, I gave up and went home.
Since I didn't spend 15 hours riding a 300K, I had plenty of time for some coffeeneuring.
Street parking is limited to 2 or 4 hours Monday-Saturday. The surface lots I checked had automated ticket machines, each with a 10 hour limit (I needed closer to 20 hours). The garages I checked were all closed.
30 minutes later, still unable to find long-term parking, I gave up and went home.
Since I didn't spend 15 hours riding a 300K, I had plenty of time for some coffeeneuring.
Sunday, November 02, 2014
Coffeeneuring #4: Coava Coffee Roasters in Portland, OR
On our last day in Portland it seemed perfectly reasonable (maybe even required) to coffeeneur to one of my favorite coffee destinations: Coava Coffee Roasters. A number of friends old & new agreed to join me there at 10:30. What a wonderful way to start a lazy Sunday.
Kasia and I checked out of our favorite B&B about 9:30 and drove to the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Kasia has wanted to visit these gardens for a long time, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity. While she toured the gardens, I could go coffeeneuring!
Kasia and I checked out of our favorite B&B about 9:30 and drove to the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Kasia has wanted to visit these gardens for a long time, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity. While she toured the gardens, I could go coffeeneuring!
Opportunistic Coffeeneuring at the Verboort Sausage Festival
Coffeeneurs vary wildly on the snacks that accompany their beverage of choice. Some folks focus solely on the coffee, while others include a pastry, cookie, chocolate, or other sweet. It's all good.
But how about... sausages?
But how about... sausages?
Monday, October 27, 2014
Coffeeneuring 2014, #2
Coffeeneuring means different things to different people. Sometimes it's a well-earned coffee after an epic ride; sometimes it's much simpler.
Today was one of those simpler days. Sometimes you just need an easy ride and a good cup of coffee (and, in this case, a piece of cake.)
Today was one of those simpler days. Sometimes you just need an easy ride and a good cup of coffee (and, in this case, a piece of cake.)
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Coffeeneuring 2014, #1
Coffeeneuring season is upon us! It actually started two weeks ago (10/04), but I've been too busy with other rides to take time for coffee. Oh, the horror!
I finally managed to squeeze in a coffeeneuring ride during a recent trip to Eastern Washington. Jason and I drove to Richland, WA to ride with the Desert River Randonneur crowd. Five of us (Norm and Gary from DRR, Susan from Oregon, and Jason & I from SIR) met to ride the Richland-Pendleton-Richland 200K permanent on Saturday.
Susan, Jason, and I, being out-of-towners, stayed in a hotel near the ride start. Coincidentally, the ride started at a Starbuck's. Even more coincidentally, the bike ride from the hotel to the start was 2.3 miles -- perfect coffeeneuring distance!
I finally managed to squeeze in a coffeeneuring ride during a recent trip to Eastern Washington. Jason and I drove to Richland, WA to ride with the Desert River Randonneur crowd. Five of us (Norm and Gary from DRR, Susan from Oregon, and Jason & I from SIR) met to ride the Richland-Pendleton-Richland 200K permanent on Saturday.
Susan, Jason, and I, being out-of-towners, stayed in a hotel near the ride start. Coincidentally, the ride started at a Starbuck's. Even more coincidentally, the bike ride from the hotel to the start was 2.3 miles -- perfect coffeeneuring distance!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Coffeeneuring 2013
This year's Coffeeneuring Challenge is currently underway.
Just completed my 7th and finally coffeeneuring ride.
Last year I blogged about each individual ride, then provided an end-of-challenge roll-up summary. This year, in an act of pure laziness, I skipped the individual articles and jumped straight to the summary.
Here 'tis.
Just completed my 7th and finally coffeeneuring ride.
Last year I blogged about each individual ride, then provided an end-of-challenge roll-up summary. This year, in an act of pure laziness, I skipped the individual articles and jumped straight to the summary.
Here 'tis.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge: Summary
The 2nd Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge is complete. My rides included:
Thanks, Chasing Mailboxes, for organizing this challenge! I'm looking forward to next time.
Thanks, Chasing Mailboxes, for organizing this challenge! I'm looking forward to next time.
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 7: Monroe, WA
Sunday, 11/11/2012
For the final ride this Coffeeneuring Challenge, I felt like cranking the weird-o-meter up a notch or two.
Yesterday's (Saturday's) weather was much better -- clear and cold -- but unfortunately the conditions were ripe for black ice, especially along the heavily wooded roads I intended to ride. Given the choice between Saturday's black ice and Sunday's warmer (but much wetter) conditions, I chose Sunday.
The plan:
The ride went pretty much as planned.
For the final ride this Coffeeneuring Challenge, I felt like cranking the weird-o-meter up a notch or two.
Yesterday's (Saturday's) weather was much better -- clear and cold -- but unfortunately the conditions were ripe for black ice, especially along the heavily wooded roads I intended to ride. Given the choice between Saturday's black ice and Sunday's warmer (but much wetter) conditions, I chose Sunday.
The plan:
- Bike from home
- Ride towards Monroe, with a detour along Ben Howard Road to Sultan
- Stop just outside Monroe for coffee & snakes at The Reptile Zoo
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 6: Snohomish, WA
Sunday, 11/04/2012
Kasia wanted to do some shopping at Flower World today, so I decided to make this a "coffeeneuring opportunity" and ride to the Snohomish Bakery in nearby Snohomish, WA.
I also took advantage of another opportunity: with very little forecast rain (allegedly 10% for most of the day) and temperatures near 60, this may be the last chance I get to ride without full-on rain gear for the rest of the year.
Thankfully, Mother Nature cooperated and I had a dry, pleasant ride. Well... pleasant from a meteorological perspective; more on this below.
Kasia wanted to do some shopping at Flower World today, so I decided to make this a "coffeeneuring opportunity" and ride to the Snohomish Bakery in nearby Snohomish, WA.
I also took advantage of another opportunity: with very little forecast rain (allegedly 10% for most of the day) and temperatures near 60, this may be the last chance I get to ride without full-on rain gear for the rest of the year.
Thankfully, Mother Nature cooperated and I had a dry, pleasant ride. Well... pleasant from a meteorological perspective; more on this below.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 5: Redmond, WA
Saturday, 11/03/2012
I wanted an easy ride today.
Wait, that's not 100% accurate.
I needed an easy ride today.
Lately I've been working out 3 to 5 times per week at the Redmond Athletic Club: a 30 minute "Metabolic Effect" style workout every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 1 hour of weight training with my trainer Stacie on Friday mornings, and (optionally) 45 minute spinning classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Yesterday Stacie unleashed her "Ultimate Sandbag" workout on me, and today my legs are cooked. Well-baked, even.
Today was a good day for an easy ride along the Sammamish River Trail. As it just so happens, there is a relatively new French bakery -- Le Rendez-Vous Café -- very near the trail. This just had "coffeeneuring" written all over it.
I wanted an easy ride today.
Wait, that's not 100% accurate.
I needed an easy ride today.
Lately I've been working out 3 to 5 times per week at the Redmond Athletic Club: a 30 minute "Metabolic Effect" style workout every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 1 hour of weight training with my trainer Stacie on Friday mornings, and (optionally) 45 minute spinning classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Yesterday Stacie unleashed her "Ultimate Sandbag" workout on me, and today my legs are cooked. Well-baked, even.
Today was a good day for an easy ride along the Sammamish River Trail. As it just so happens, there is a relatively new French bakery -- Le Rendez-Vous Café -- very near the trail. This just had "coffeeneuring" written all over it.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 4: Snoqualmie, WA
Saturday, 10/27/2012
It wasn't a "three dog night", but it was definitely a "three+ coffee day". The plan for the day was to a) connect a number of trails together, and b) hit three separate coffee shops.
The trails:
The coffee shops:
It wasn't a "three dog night", but it was definitely a "three+ coffee day". The plan for the day was to a) connect a number of trails together, and b) hit three separate coffee shops.
The trails:
- Tolt Pipeline Trail
- Snoqualmie Valley Trail
- Snoqualmie Ridge Trail
- Preston-Snoqualmie Trail
- Issaquah-Preston Trail
- East Lake Sammamish Trail
- Sammamish River Trail
The coffee shops:
- Sandy's Espresso in Carnation
- SnoValley Coffee in Snoqualmie
- Issaquah Coffee Company in Issaquah
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 3: Redmond, WA
Saturday, 10/20/2012
The day was moist...
Actually, today's weather was much better than forecast. Temperatures were in the mid 40's, and the heavy grey clouds delivered much less than they threatened (although they did indeed deliver -- see below).
Today I rode to a coffee shop I haven't visited in a very long time: Sorrento's on Redmond Ridge. How long has it been? Apparently they closed in February of 2011, and reopened under new management. They're basically a Tully's now.
Since rain was definitely in the forecast, I dug through my box of rain gear, long neglected during our fantastic rain-free summer. Gone (for the next 9 months or so) are the days where I can just throw on some shorts & a shirt, grab my bike and hit the road.
The day was moist...
Actually, today's weather was much better than forecast. Temperatures were in the mid 40's, and the heavy grey clouds delivered much less than they threatened (although they did indeed deliver -- see below).
Today I rode to a coffee shop I haven't visited in a very long time: Sorrento's on Redmond Ridge. How long has it been? Apparently they closed in February of 2011, and reopened under new management. They're basically a Tully's now.
Since rain was definitely in the forecast, I dug through my box of rain gear, long neglected during our fantastic rain-free summer. Gone (for the next 9 months or so) are the days where I can just throw on some shorts & a shirt, grab my bike and hit the road.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 2: Woodinville, WA
Sunday, 10/14/2012
Sunday was my second Coffeeneuring ride. I planned to ride Saturday as well. Not just any ride, but a "practice" run of the Stinky Spoke loop with a group of local biking crazies. The loop itself is about 18 miles long, ~1200 feet elevation gain, mostly on gravel and dirt/mud.
Unfortunately, my legs had other plans.
I've recently been attending "Metabolic Effect-style" exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus working out with a personal trainer on Fridays at the Redmond Athletic Club. Friday's workout was "leg day", and my legs were still trashed on Saturday. My big accomplishment for the day was to buy a foam roller to soothe my poor, aching hamstrings & quads.
Sunday was my second Coffeeneuring ride. I planned to ride Saturday as well. Not just any ride, but a "practice" run of the Stinky Spoke loop with a group of local biking crazies. The loop itself is about 18 miles long, ~1200 feet elevation gain, mostly on gravel and dirt/mud.
Unfortunately, my legs had other plans.
I've recently been attending "Metabolic Effect-style" exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus working out with a personal trainer on Fridays at the Redmond Athletic Club. Friday's workout was "leg day", and my legs were still trashed on Saturday. My big accomplishment for the day was to buy a foam roller to soothe my poor, aching hamstrings & quads.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 1: Leavenworth, WA
Sunday, 10/07/2012
Randonneuring + Coffee = Coffeeneuring
MG over at Chasing Mailboxes has recently instituted the 2nd Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge. The rules are mostly simple: bike to at least 7 coffee shops in 6 weekends, document the rides, and participate socially. There are a few other rules at the above link, but that's the gist of it.
The challenge began the weekend of October 6. On that day, my wife Kasia & I (and a couple of friends) participated in the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Half Marathon in Leavenworth, WA. I knew my legs wouldn't feel up to a ride the day of the event, but I brought my bike anyway. I'm glad I did! I got a nice 8.2 mile ride in the Sunday after the half marathon.
Randonneuring + Coffee = Coffeeneuring
MG over at Chasing Mailboxes has recently instituted the 2nd Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge. The rules are mostly simple: bike to at least 7 coffee shops in 6 weekends, document the rides, and participate socially. There are a few other rules at the above link, but that's the gist of it.
The challenge began the weekend of October 6. On that day, my wife Kasia & I (and a couple of friends) participated in the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Half Marathon in Leavenworth, WA. I knew my legs wouldn't feel up to a ride the day of the event, but I brought my bike anyway. I'm glad I did! I got a nice 8.2 mile ride in the Sunday after the half marathon.
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