Coffeeneuring 2014 - Seventh Cup

I checked the Yellow Pages before bundling up, setting out on my bike. Stumped for ideas for another local coffee shop to fulfill Day 7 of the Coffeeneuring Challenge, I was reminded of two establishments that I hadn't patronized for a couple years. As it turns out, I didn't end up in either of those places. En route to browse a newly opened L.L. Bean store, I remembered the Blue Bird kiosk. I pass it all the time. I'm just not a frequent customer, so it remained on the periphery of my coffee-seeking radar, and overlooked until now.

The cappuccino was delicious. I drank it, standing beside the kiosk window, engaging the young man inside the storefront. The tiny booth stays open all winter, offers sandwiches, creemees in summer, and your pick of espresso drinks. It's a perfect downtown location, capturing tourists and locals alike. Oddly, they use Chicago based Intelligentsia coffee and not any of our delicious local roasters. 

Hilarious accouterments in a kale field.

Charged on caffeine, I visit LL Bean, and continue on a loop through the Intervale. The single track trails call to me at certain times of the year, especially in the Autumn when the air is crisp, frogs aren't kamikaze-jumping in front of my wheels, and trails are often dry.

I was having such a great time that I extended my ride onto a trail that I usually avoid when I'm alone. Burlington, like many cities has a homeless population. People camp in parks, beaches, anywhere they can live undetected and undisturbed. Authorities leave the homeless alone unless there's a disturbance. Even so, I'm wary but took a chance anyway as I turned onto the detour. I didn't come across anyone living near the trail, thankfully, and I immensely enjoyed riding in the woods. So much so, that once I meandered again into the open field, I continued to avoid the main trail, instead easily riding a grassy, nearly obscure path (I've skied this in winter) around the Intervale Farms. I stopped, laughing at someone's Halloween decoration: three nude manikins, seeming rising from the earth, a pumpkin perched as a head on one figure.

There is still leafy color, you just need to look down.

The emerald ash borer - a pest that's eating our trees.

The Intervale changes throughout the year. I've come across birders, hikers with dogs, a few bike riders, and fortunately mostly older humans. Only once have I witnessed school-aged kids walking—it's far from most schools—and to be fair, it's even a stretch to find a homeless encampment this far from the city center. There are closer wooded lots for shelter, which puts the homeless within walking distance, where they're offered two hot meals a day.

I never know what I'll find along the trail.

This beautiful tree has three main trunks.

And speaking of woodland, I came across this grassroots effort on the waterfront trail. Squeezed between railroad tracks and boat access parking lot, a section of paved trail has been difficult to negotiate for years. The asphalt zigzags around trees, crosses rail tracks at a dangerous angle, and is very narrow. Slated as part of this fall's trail renovation, and as such will be widened for users' safety, there is an appeal to save a huge cottonwood tree that's, unfortunately, smack in the way. It's also part of the problem; the tree's roots have eroded pavement, creating a hazard for bicycles.

At the same time I understand the concern to save the tree. Removing the cottonwood will leave a section of trail without tree cover, a place that lacks foliage to begin with.

Curiosity, plus it seems appropriate (considering the purpose of this outing was to drink coffee), I photographed Coffee Enterprises building. It's in the Lakeside district, a slight detour off the waterfront path. I stumbled onto the building a week ago, and was reminded that in the past the business was located close to downtown, a place I frequently passed where luscious aromas once filled the air. Internet research reveals the company provides coffee consulting and marketing. Coffee Enterprises also has expert testing analysis equipment onsite. Who knew such a business was located in Burlington? 

And with the final outing I'm done with coffeeneuring or—at the very least—done with logging my coffeeneuring exploits. Call it what you want, but I'm far from finished riding my bicycle this fall. Or done with drinking coffee. As a matter of fact I 've earned a free espresso drink at Panera (part of their club). It's not a local business, nor does it require a long bike ride to get there. I can even walk. But, with sunshine and lacking slippery roads so far this fall, you can bet I'll be out on my bike, stopping for at least one more cup of joe.

Just the facts:
The Place: Blue Bird Coffee Stop kiosk
Date: Monday, November 10
Drink: Cappuccino
Observation, Bike Friendliness: Pretty good cappuccino. I can roll my bike up to the kiosk and order something hot—perfect quick stop.
Total Miles: 10

A Ride Leads to Discovery: The Black Snake Affair

Following the Intervale Trail through fertile farmland, I stopped to inspect a new sign near the Winooski River. 

The Champlain Valley is abundant with history because of shared border with Canada, making Lake Champlain a major transportation waterway in early settlement times. Vermonters were also on the frontier, claiming and printing their own currency, unwilling to join the original 13 colonies, holding out for a dozen years before giving in.

It comes as little surprise that residents refused to head the 1808 Embargo Act placed against trade with British Canada. The Black Snake vessel was in the Winooski River ready to smuggle downstream a load of potash when a Revenue Cutter seized the boat. A confrontation developed and Black Snake's crew killed three men.

A area roped off to approximate the Black Snake's size. I read the temporary placards, which informed about potash in early history. Potash is made by running water through ash, and used as ingredient in gunpowder and as fertilizer. The display was removed when I pedaled by two days later

Three men were tried, but only one was sentenced for hanging. Cyrus Dean was executed in front of 10,000 Burlington people. He was "swung off".

I shared my historical discovery with Garage Sale Ride ladies (sadly, only my co-leader and friend attended). We picnicked at a nearby community gardens. And interestingly, one person had never ridden through the Intervale, on either dirt or paved pathways, so all was not lost. I was happy to introduce an alternative way through Burlington and share new found history; I purchased a book at a sale, and one lady bought a tool. All on a bright blue sky morning.

Attention Bike Riders!

I should have seen it coming. I knew Burlington police, in conjunction with Local Motion, has been spot checking intersections for a couple years, handing out friendly warnings for those cyclists running stop signs and traffic signals, even zipping across town at night without lights. Fortunately, canvassers also distributed free blinky lights.

All this led up to a profusion of warning signs zip tied to bike racks, timed for when thousands of college students arrived on campus this year.

The Burlington Police Department is stepping up enforcement of all traffic laws for bicyclists.

You could get a $50.00 ticket if you:

Go through a red light of stop sign 

Travel the wrong way on a one-way street

Ride at night without lights (front & back)

While the bold print was aimed at cyclists (signs affixed to racks), all transit modes are forewarned. Drivers and pedestrians are likewise cautioned or will be ticketed.

I have mixed feelings regarding crackdown on offending cyclists. There are more cyclists than ever cruising Burlington's narrow streets. That's a good sign. More students on bikes equals less drivers and—hopefully—less inebriated young people behind the wheels of dangerous vehicles. This is a positive direction for Burlington, one which is finally helpful in times of increased student attendance at several area colleges.

How far reaching are the new transit laws? With few cycling routes in Burlington, I often ride sidewalks, sometimes against the flow on one-way streets. Neither do I stop at every stop sign. I assess each crossing and make a decision based upon traffic flow. As I like to tell my children, "make eye contact. Slow down. When in doubt, stop. Cars are bigger than you are." And, if I forget my light, I ride sidewalks at dusk. Will these practices now risk a fine?

I realize laws are for the sake of general population, but at what point do they hinder safe navigation? Or worse, keep folks from even attempting to try two-wheeled transportation.

At least they aren't banning cyclists from sidewalks, or instituting helmet laws—yet.

Wandering

A brisk morning. I just dropped my youngest boy off at his school. Without specific plans, I wander.

Aha! There's a new sign, finally, alerting non-motorized travelers to the frequently used steep route to the lakefront. Long ago, Depot Street was filled with trucks, back when Shell Oil's tanks lined the shore and Pease grain elevator dumped its cargo into train storage cars. Since the early 1990s, the street provided easy access for pedestrians and cyclists. Now, tourist and North End newcomers will know the way.

Oh, happy day! I know it looks insignificant, but this pavement patch makes me smile. With frequent waterfront festivals needing electricity, there were areas with uplifted asphalt, someone's idea of hasty coverage to hide the electrical lines. If you habitually ride this area, you needed to stand in the pedals for a moment to absorb the bumps's jolting shock. It's now a welcome, smooth transition.

A clear day across the lake.

 Geese huddle on the sandbars.

I take a moment to enjoy the golden trees on Perkins Pier. This year, Vermont is back on track for foliage viewing. It should be peak soon in the Champlain Valley.

Memories flood my mind. I used to bring my boys to this tiny playground, then we'd watch the trains at the nearby engine roundhouse.

Alternative Bike Route

A new set of signs recently cropped up along one of Burlington's north/south corridors. This is a busy 4 lane thoroughfare filled with housing, shopping center, gas stations, high school - just the type of roadway you want to avoid while riding a bike. There are no designated bike lanes, though the ubiquitous "share the road" signs line the asphalt. Unfortunately, it's become almost a joke in the bike community to ride this highway during rush hour. The brave souls that dare ride, probably "take the lane" otherwise it's a dangerous squeeze play between car, bike, and curb.

To my surprise and delight, there are now several of these little green signs, directing cyclers to the safe waterfront path. Since the trail moves in a likewise north/south route, it's a perfect alternative for resident and tourist. And what's more, it helps out of town travelers who find themselves stranded on this unwieldy roadway, allowing a better option. I have personally redirected many lost souls over the past five years.

The waterfront trail is the grey line about halfway down the photo.
It frequently crosses neighborhood streets

One day I followed a sign to it's confluence with the waterfront trail. And sure enough, it gives explicit detail for further exploration. Little by little the cycling community is growing and these particular connections are increasingly important.

Smithsonian Castle Garden Sign

I walked to the garden behind the Smithsonian Castle in Washington D.C. and spied this fun sign.

The sign was raised or embossed on the stone path; its message loud and clear.

Sign for The Sweaty Biker

I ran across this sign in Maglianero Cafe's restroom. There are two facilities for customers: one has a shower, the other displays this humorous sign on the paper towel dispenser.

This and That

Below are photos that didn't warrant an entire blog post, but are too good to tuck away. Enjoy.

Blogging at a cafe.

This is a keyhole cutout in the pillar of the Earth Clock. Do you think the heart shape was cut on purpose by a bored granite drillperson? Or is it a coincidence?

There has been a profusion of  SPEED HUMPs, replacing SPEED BUMPs  in Burlington and South Burlington. The humps are longer like a miniature plateau as opposed to the jolting quick up and down of a bump. The humps are fun on a bike, like riding a roller coaster. Of course, the humps and bumps (sounds like a dance) are there specifically to slow down cars, but I wonder what decides using one over the other. The photo below is in a residential section, prone to less traffic. I presume humps are easier for the snow plows to navigate. Then again, I tend to get carried away with semantics...

Lovely "fingery" shadows along the Island Line Trail.

Here's wishing all, a splendid day!

Stop Ahead or Ahead Stop?

Am I the only one who doesn't read these signs the way they were intended?

As with most signage painted on the road or bike path, you should read it in order as the words appear, ie. STOP AHEAD. My brain doesn't work that way, though. Since I was a little kid, learning to formulate the simple vocabulary in Dick, Jane, and Spot (that dates me), I read from left to right and from top to bottom. No amount of pedaling or driving can force me to interpret it otherwise. Fortunately, this simple message can be understood either way.

But only a mile later on the same path, I came across this:

In this instance, reading it from top down, it makes sense - KEEP RIGHT. This works for me. But, if you read it as with most signs, it should be translated as RIGHT KEEP, which is a bit baffling though certainly  acceptable. Either way, I wish there was more consistency.

Automobile drivers blazing at 60 m.p.h. might decipher words better as they appear on the asphalt, and the signs are spaced accordingly. Cyclists, however, are riding at a much slower pace and might benefit from more readable messages (at least the way I understand them). It would also aid children as they learn to read and negotiate bike paths.

Egads, what to do when confronted with this?

I couldn't resist this photo, found on the Internet.

I am so confused. (It's a good thing I wear a helmet.)