Coffeeneuring 2025 - Exploring Scenery Painting with Gouache

This is my 14th Coffeeneuring Challenge! For the 3rd year, my theme has been to explore gouache painting, specifically scenery in 2025.

There are lovely beaches and riverbanks to explore.

Of all the 7 paintings, I like the fluidity of this one.

The fall colors were spectacular this year.

And, the finale: the coffeeneuring quilt, viewing all the paintings together. 

2025 Mileage Goal - It's Time to Go For It

 A while ago I surpassed 3000 annual bicycle miles, a number that's pretty consistent year to year. If another round figure is within reach by years end, I set my sights on that goal. With periodic snow showers, a little rain, shortened days, but generally above freezing temperatures - at least for now - I hereby set 3500 miles as my target. I think I can, I think I can!

November Mind Reset

Revisiting the November mindset.

How is November the most difficult time of year? I get blindsided by the darker evenings, forceful winds, and looming snow/ice. I am euphoric, riding in October's colorful embrace, then suddenly plunged into gloom. It's the dramatic shift that gets to me. I have eagerly accepted the Happy Light, boosted vitamin D, and walk during lunch breaks to soak up the only available weekday daylight. And yet, I feel unmoored.

Because I ride year-round, the cold doesn't bother me. I dress well, often boosted with chemical warmers. I welcome the studded tire life, headlights lighting a snow-lined bike path, the quiet, with a blanket of starlight. Sublime winter evenings.

It's the transition that's awkward.

Cycling is my happy place. In November, I have to pay particular attention to weather forecasts. Is it near freezing with precipitation imminent? Ugh, it's raining and 40F - how bad do I want to ride? Will the temperatures plummet when I'm out there in the darkness? Has it been howling, and should I be concerned with fallen tree limbs? After the snow begins to fall, I wonder whether both towns responsible for path maintenance have completed their plowing. And as a last resort, is it best to go for a walk? 

Getting over the hump, shifting to less frequent outings and safer riding, is a process. I'll get there.

Mountain Bike Riding in 2025

 
My husband and I made an effort to explore various mountain bike trails in 2025. We have loved rail trails, and riding singletrack is another way to extend exploration, limiting vehicle interaction. Every year Vermont communities are building networks, taking advantage of public and private land, the latter due to a special Vermont law that absolves private landowner liability. The Kingdom Trails system - largest in the state - has a relationship with consenting landowners. While I didn't make my annual pilgrimage this year we aimed for new trails. Beside local rides in the Intervale and Colchester Woods - perfect for 1-2 hours - we visited Cady Hill in Stowe, and Slate Valley Trails in Poultney. Both are regions with enough beginner to moderate terrain that suits our riding style. Bombardier Park Trails in Milton is a good example of town maintained multi-use trails, perfect for an hour if you live nearby. We also returned for an afternoon at Saxon Hill in Essex. Without signage, it takes some navigation, but the easy and moderate trails are fun.

There's more to explore in 2026!

Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail

Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail scene and a section of chunky trail conditions.

Planning a ride on the 83 mile Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail (XNHAT) was doable, even in October this year due to the prolonged drought and unusually warm stretch of sunny days. From the western New Hampshire border, eastward to Bethel, Maine, the "trail" is a mix of gravel rail trail - often quite rough - dirt roads, a few sandy stretches shared with ATVs, highway with a couple steep hills, and quiet rolling paved backroads near the eastern terminus. 

End of first day, enjoying the smoother, scenic Presidential Rail Trail.

The XNHAT website includes lots of planning information. They mailed us a waterproof map, which was a huge help because the trail is virtually unsigned - we noticed only 3 markers - so additional phone navigation was necessary. We started on the western end, leaving the car behind.  We reserved a campsite halfway, one in Bethel, and arranged for a shuttle back to our vehicle on the third morning. The only difficulty was getting to each campground by dark. It's odd to camp in October, and my husband and I realized we hadn't chosen to do it in 40 years! 

The well equipped Israel River Campground and a surprise full moon.

The climb from Woodsville along the Ammonoosuc River for the first 20 miles on newly graded, chunky surface gave me trouble. I should've been fine with 2" tires, so I moved slowly, eventually taking a much needed break in Littleton. The afternoon was in the 80sF, but the surfaced improved and we made "time" on the paved portions, arriving at 4:30 at the comfortable Israel River Campground. 

Left: the large bridge span over the Androscoggin River at Gorham. Right: Foliage on North Road, leading into Maine.

The second day's miles were more agreeable, descending gradually on the leaf covered Presidential Trail. We got offtrack in Gorham, unfortunately, letting gravity lead us through sandy shared ATV portion, crossing the amazingly long bridge, into more sand before having to backtrack uphill through the mess to access Gorham and lunch - on the other side of the river! Once we sorted that out, it was easiest to ride on a busy highway for 5 miles, then regain the "trail" on the next bridge crossing. It was a lovely afternoon ride on semi shaded North Road, eventually camping in Bethel, ME. The shuttle back to the car worked perfectly.

I loved that the route followed two major New Hampshire Rivers: Ammonoosuc and Androscoggin. Unfortunately, both were extremely low due to the drought so we missed the waters lovely serenade.

Favorite portions: The Presidential Rail Trail and North Road.