2024 Autumn Dahon Ride - Try, Try Again

Spoiler alert: I made it!

If plans go awry, get back out there and try again! Recently, when I set off on a 3-day journey via folding bike, a slashed tire sidelined the completion of day 3. Serendipity intervened in the form of a stranger who delivered me and my bicycle to the Amtrak station for the journey home. Luckily, another weekend weather window opened 3 weeks later, this time for an overnight only, hopefully, this time, making it to Saratoga National Historical Park.

With the Amtrak schedule running an hour late, I would be pushing daylight. However, most of the route to Troy was familiar, including the comfortable B&B. In addition, I was down to the wire, finishing the Coffeeneuring Challenge, and the only viable option open late was a Starbucks. Somehow I managed the visit: the latte was terrible, though the franchise sported the best, visible, sheltered bike rack. Go figure.

After a comfortable night's sleep, I set off northward, repeating miles in a frosty morning that gradually warmed.

I made it to the park! It was hilly, however, so between my flatlander legs and limited gears, I stuck to the main road following a ravine. There was a lot to explore, so a return trip would be necessary. At the visitor center, I hiked for 2 miles, guided by an online tour, then set off to Saratoga Springs and later Amtrak reservation. I enjoyed Google's hilly rural route by horse farmland, then around a portion of Lake Saratoga and its well-heeled lakeside homes, and eventually riding a main route into the city with wide shoulders. The gargantuan famous racetrack was a shocker, including the accompanying barns, stables, accommodation, parking lots, and museum. As I've said before, when you allow ample time for a new adventure, surprises make the journey.

With sunset at 4:30 in mind, I had ample time to safely pedal to the train station in daylight, so I visited Whitman Brewery, chosen for its long list of IPAs - I'm a big fan - and accompanying food. The burger and fries were delicious. Whitman was a good choice, so if you're in the area, check them out.

Remember, adventures are not always about the miles, but about encountering something new. 

Coffeeneuring 2024 - More Gouache Exploration, Rides 5-8

Coffeeneuring #5 - I painted this one with an acrylic gouache (more opaque, sharper edges).

This one is with my typical gouache (softer edges).

Vivid is a large coffee shop (formerly New Moon, with the vertical sign still evident). Without a nearby bike rack, I made do by wrapping my cable lock around a tree. I sat in front of the garage-type window, sipping my first Matcha Latte - wow, delicious!

5. The Place:  Vivid Coffee in Burlington
Date: Wednesday, November 6
Observation: Took the day off for Election fallout and decompression.
Total Miles: 13

Drink: Matcha Latte - my first!

Coffeeneuring #6 at Scout.

The Rose donuts at Scout are sooo good.

Local roaster Scout has a few cafes open later on the weekend, so I went to Winooski's location in a historic building. I am continually impressed with their smooth dark roast. Their cappuccino, once again, was exceptional. And their chewy donut is to die for!

6. The Place: Scout Coffee in Winooski

Date: Sunday, November 10

Drink: Cappuccino
Observation: Warmish and pushing daylight to arrive after 4 pm. Scout's coffee is very smooth, and likely the best brew around.
Total Miles: 15

Coffeeneuring #7 at a Starbucks.

I was away during the final weekend of Coffeenuring (and on a train for most of the day), so I sought out a cafe that would be open late afternoon—Starbucks. What could go wrong? I'll give them kudos for providing a visible bike rack, but the latte was watered out and the barista sheepishly said, "I'm sorry I don't know how to create coffee art." Fortunately, I found out later that the deadline was extended another week!

7. The Place: Starbucks in Troy, NY

Date: Saturday, November 16

Drink: Latte
Observation: low 50s, arrived at dusk, terrible latte for a Starbucks
Total Miles: 16

Coffeeneuring #8, going out with a bang - more delicious matcha

Bonus round thanks to Queen Coffeeneur for graciously extending the deadline.

I headed to downtown Burlington on a weekend, selecting Black Cap for its glass storefront and convenient bike rack. Their matcha was stellar and the flourless chocolate torte was very yummy! I delivered half the dessert to our youngest son, the bike mechanic because I can't treat him well enough for maintaining my bicycles!

8. The Place: Black Cap Coffee in Burlington

Date: Saturday, November 23

Drink: Autumn Harvest Matcha Latte
Observation: Downtown Burlington feels unsafe due to unhoused people yet it's where there's the widest variety of coffee shops. I was delighted to find Black Cap with a bike rack in front.
Total Miles: 17

I learned that I prefer the coffee shop without walls venue versus working around coffee shop hours. I enjoyed painting coffee art plus adding the handwritten details. Who knows, maybe I'm ready to incorporate mini landscapes into next year's coffeeneuring theme?

And like last year, the Coffeeneuring Quilt:

Coffeeneuring 2024 - More Gouache Exploration, Rides 1-4

 #1 Latte at Specs Coffee in Winooski. It's difficult to take art photos with a phone camera...the paper is white.

Learning to Paint with Gouache

In my twelfth year of the Coffeeneuring Challenge, I've been inspired by Mary's current theme: latte art.  I was successful with last year's simple mug art because I could focus on one image. I want to learn painting but not be overwhelmed by 7 complicated pieces of art. I struggle with what my style should be. Whimsical, realistic, detailed, or how about using unusual colors? I have enjoyed gouache's bold, flat colors so whatever I come up with it's sure to be colorful!

Since my theme requires latte art, I also see this year's challenge as a return to coffee shops. It's been since 2014! For many years, plus during the pandemic, I embraced the Coffee Shop Without Walls opportunities for it's flexibility, where I drank more tea because it was easier and I often went out after work where drinking caffeine was not feasible, nor were coffee shops generally open. Weekend outings are required, though I see this year as an opportunity to try other beverages. What's a cortado? Will I like matcha? One thing I know: a yummy pumpkin beverage is on the agenda. 

1. The Place: Specs Coffee in Winooski

Date: Saturday, October 12

Drink: Latte
Observation: What a beautiful fall day! It was sunny and 55F. 
Total Miles: 16

Wouldn't it be great to request your own latte art? Since I didn't receive any, I painted my own. I also like the addition of a simple, colorful background

I tried out a double-thick poncho I'd created last year. It worked well - my rendition of Vermont chic.

That's my Peugeot on the right.

Wow, a chewy, airy donut!

2 . The Place: Scout Coffee on North Ave. Burlington

Date: Saturday, October 12

Drink: Chai Tea Latte
Observation: Another sunny day, chai apparently isn't served with latte art, but I created what I wanted to see!
Total Miles: 11

Meh, day-old almond croissant.

I like the misshapen mug rim.

The autumn colors were still brilliant, even evident across Lake Champlain in New York.

3 . The Place: Barrio Bakery in Burlington

Date: Saturday, October 26

Drink: Cappuccino
Observation: Uber quiet shop. Weird vibe, so definitely wouldn't return. Tasty cappuccino. I bought a small bag of day old pastries.
Total Miles: 16

I need to go back to a simpler, one-color background. Painting is always a work in progress.

This was a tasty, grainy pumpkin latte.

Kru Coffee is one of my favorite coffee shops because of varied clientele, and old building location, with the most interesting art and lighting.

Coffee cup lights!

I stopped by to visit #2 son, who showed me his recent single-speed bike build. I thought 5 bikes in my own stable was sufficient, but I've lost count of how many he has.

4 . The Place: Kru Coffee in Burlington

Date: Saturday, October 27

Drink: Pumpkin Spice Latte
Observation: Kru is known for great pastries. Unfortunately, when I show up at noon they are sold out! A swirl of color in the cup instead of art. 
Total Miles: 12

Coffeeneuring 2023 - Learning to Paint with Gouache, Rides 5-7

 

#5 - This mug was a hostess gift at wedding shower - the hostess was a potter.

To recap, I'm learning to paint with gouache by completing mini paintings of special mugs used in the challenge. A complete painting usually takes two days; one for sketching and painting a base layer color: the second for completing the mug portion, then adding a complimentary background color. I'm happy with the results - love bold colors - and plan to hang a framed collage in our kitchen.

Coffeeneuring #5 was a special event, heading out for my first ride on my newly built Specialized Hard Rock. I set up the Jack-the-Bike-Rack for immediate utility so I could carry coffeeneuring supplies. 

Stunning afternoon light at Bayside Park.

5. The Place: Bayside Park, Colchester

Date: Sunday, November 12

Drink: English Breakfast Tea with maple sugar & milk
Observation: The maiden voyage of my Specialized Hard Rock. It's fun!

Total Miles: 12

#6 - a 2019 gift from a dear friend. The petroglyph characters are throwing spears at a SUV (out of view)

This was my only evening ride of the challenge. With high winds, I pedaled around a bit and finally found a well-lit, sheltered spot behind a community center. 

6. The Place: Picnic tables behind the Miller Center, Burlington

Date: Wednesday, November 15

Drink: Green Tea with honey
Observation: I rode around for a while, seeking a well-lit spot sheltered from the strong breeze.

Total Miles: 10

#7 - a pottery mug adorned with three dimensional maple leaf, a gift from my brother.

On the last day of the challenge, I rode to the nearest beach at lunchtime and sat for a moment on a log, sipping tea and admiring the view. It was very peaceful.

7. The Place: Rossetti Park Beach

Date: Monday, November 20

Drink: Tulsi Tea
Observation: Lunchtime scamper to the nearest quiet beach, avoiding a cold, dark evening ride, just making the event deadline.
Total Miles: 3

Dahon Boardwalk and Amtrak to the Glens Falls Area Trails

On my radar since the successful Amtrak excursion to Albany in April, the weather gods aligned to provide another weekend getaway - November no less - this time to explore more of the Empire State Trail in conjunction with the Glens Falls regional network of paths. 

Fort Edward, New York Amtrak station, housed by Evergreen Bicycle Works. There are no facilities or inside waiting area. I took note of this for Sunday evening boarding.

Like before, it's an easy roll to Burlington's Amtrak Station, folding and storing the bike inside a large tote, then hop on board. Sometimes I get lucky and staff hoists the bike up the narrow steps, but not this time. A 3+ hour journey and I start pedaling in Fort Edward.

Saturday was overcast but with light winds so 50sF was certainly doable. I bundled up and set off northward to explore the Empire State Trail's segment to Fort Ann. 

Narrow, older canal at left.

The Amtrak station was situated on the Empire Trail route so it was easy navigation.

The wide Champlain Canal, formerly tugboats towed barges, but this portion also serves boaters long distance cruising from Lake Champlain to New York City! We learned about Loopers while riding the Erie Canal. 

Between paved and gravel trail, plus a segment of dirt road, all following either a narrow mule lead former narrow canal (currently either dry or filled with mallards) the varied surfaces reminded me of our adventure on the Erie Canal Trail.

Canadian geese filled the waterway.

I never found this segment boring. There were walkers, geese honking, and even curvy sections.

What's this on a nearby road, beefing up wet areas for snow machines?

Interesting trail portion through the former canal. I appreciate the historical signage!

With waning daylight, I turned around in Fort Ann and beelined it back to the Glens Falls Feeder Canal junction, turning west.

The initial climb past the beautiful locks was lovely. However, it was hard to ignore the adjacent mountain, a former dump, now classified as a superfund cleanup site...

I continued following the rather quiet Feeder Canal trail, sometimes riding through leaves, dirt, or paved sections along, between neighborhoods, or beside closed mills - some converted to housing in Hudson Falls.  It was very parklike, a gem within former mill cities, that I presume have seen lots of transformation in recent years, especially after GE left, unfortunately contaminating portions of the Hudson River. I felt safe though, and resorted to using lights the last five miles until arriving at my reserved hotel in Queensbury around 6 pm.

I had done my homework, though, and had a pleasant hotel experience. The staff made me feel safe, which as a solitary traveler, made a big difference. 

I also have been participating in the Coffeeneuring Challenge. I'd brought a special mug, filled it with hotel coffee (rather tasty too), and toted it about a mile to a park on the Hudson River, but not without a near disaster. The mug with silicone top seemed fairly secure, but the lid popped off and flew away as I gently coasted down a hill - I stared at the hot coffee, snug in my stem bag, until I managed to stop, avoiding as many pavement cracks and bumps as possible. I jogged back to retrieve the lid - fortunately without traffic - and secured it in place. Phew.

What a grand spot to sip coffee! Overlook Park is the confluence of the Hudson River and the beginning of the Feeder Canal Trail, the portion I had not visited the previous day.

I chatted with three people on a triple Commotion bicycle who were laughing and obviously trying to figure out how to maneuver together. 

I photographed them later when they caught up with me.

A few miles later, I crossed downtown Glens Falls and connected with another trail system to Lake George. I'd ridden this section about 15 years ago, but had forgotten how hilly it is! I struggled a few times and walked a couple short stretches where the trail arcs over a busy road - probably better suited to a lowered-geared bike - but I made it. 

Lake George is nostalgic for me and I wistfully thought of my father who has been gone for several years. We camped as a family with my parents a few times when our children were young. 

As it turns out, it was mostly uphill to Lake George. I rested and snacked on the shoreline, enjoying the emerging sunshine.

Exploring Roger's Island in Fort Edward and the Roger's Rangers monument.

Sunday was also the day we turned clocks back, so I had ample time for riding. The difficult part was the train didn't leave until 6:20, now in complete darkness. But the sun felt nice and I tried to find a lunch spot, but failed, not wanting to add extra miles. I made do with a Stewart's convenience store, had a warm place to hang out, recharge my phone, fill water bottles, and use of a bathroom. I also stumbled on a dollar store, bought a warmer hat (thinking of sitting later on the train platform), replaced threadbare gloves, and got snacks for the journey home.

Slickfin Brewery - what a local gem! Their flagship IPA is yummy.

By early afternoon I had retraced the Feeder Canal to Fort Edward and wondered what to do for the next several hours, besides basking in glorious warmth. I took advantage of pedaling around a bit, visiting Roger's Island, and relaxed in a lovely town park on the Hudson. For travelers, finding a public bathroom is critical and the singular one was closed so I resorted to the local, yet again, Stewart's Shop! 

Fort Edward is a sleepy town, but I did locate the hot spot after hearing a band, Googling, and discovering Slickfin Brewing - and only two blocks from the train station! Perfect. I sat outdoors next to a heater, and chatted with locals, eventually retreating inside to enjoy warmth when the sun went down. Though the brewery officially closed at 5, it was okay to stay until 5:45, when I helped stack chairs on tables. 

The return journey went off without a hitch and I pedaled home in the dark. Each day was about 38 miles.