Moving for the Soul

15 miles of mountain biking in the lovely, shaded and quiet Ethan Allen/Mackenzie Park Trails. They're dried out now from July's floodwaters. The nettles are thankfully flattened, but it took a lot of work to clear debris and saw fallen trees.

It's helpful to keep moving, diversifying local routes, and in this time when we can plan adventures, finally, sometimes health quirks place us mentally back in pandemic times. Put one front in front of the other and don't look too far ahead. 

Both the Caulkins and MacKenzie Trails skirt farmland and zigzag along the Winooski Riverbank with water views.

With an age gap between me and my husband - he's free to travel and set his own schedule - and thus what a wonderful two months he's had in 2023, traveling thousands of miles, visiting family and friends, pedaling long distance trails and hiking high points. But his health has thrown curveballs, too. Often he overdoes physical work at home and at a summer residence, where seemingly minor tweaks accumulate and turn into debilitating back injuries that take weeks to heal. I'm hopeful he recovers in time for my planned vacation time - I'm still working - in September, because from day one, we're the best traveling partners.

Choose from meandering trails or a dirt road throughout the Winooski River bottomland - a local treasure,
whether walking or riding.

After a wonderful ride on the Erie Canal Trail (where my husband's fitness put me to shame) but then we had a thwarted July adventure, due to Vermont's terrible flooding, when I badly need a vacation. In the meantime, for my peace of mind, I have a quasi backup adventure just in case my husband can't make it.

Ditching the Mirror

For a while I've ridden without mirrors on any of my four bikes. It wasn't a conscious decision and evolved over time, with switching handlebars, updating controls, etc. I meant to reinstall mirrors but learned I hardly needed the rearview vision with my current style of riding: mostly upright bikes with better awareness, on bike paths, rail trails, and dirt roads. Funny thing is, I used to be an advocate of mirrors, but now I'm happier, avoiding contact with automobiles, thus the accessory became unnecessary. 

What has been your experience?

Unexpected Peugeot St. Laurent Upgrades

Asking for a updated shifter and getting a whole new drivetrain!

I've been running a 1X system on the Peugeot St. Laurent since April. At the time, our son cobbled together some some new and used parts, using a single thumbshifter. It wasn't a perfect system, but allowed me to get used to less gears, which proved brilliant. The thumbie was always the weak part, requiring strength, finesse, and friction mode guesswork!  

The speed shifter allows shifting into higher gears with my index finger -
similar to my mountain bike. Less strain on my thumb!

This autumn I asked for a speed shifter. As is our son's pattern, he works on personal projects after hours for efficiency - nothing like his shop corner, favorite tools, and handy access to used and new parts.

What I didn't expect was getting a new drivetrain!

New cassette and derailleur, plus new, used rear wheel.

I presume he was still learning last spring and wanted to properly set up the 1 x system. He knows how much I like this old Peugeot. Fortunately, it only cost me parts. 

New gold chainring.

I have enjoyed watching our son's growth and confidence bloom since working full time as a bike mechanic. Not everyone is lucky enough to get paid for their passion! Once upon a time he teased me because I had 4 bicycles, but no longer. He has double that, plus two more frames he intends to build up.

Coffeeneuring 2022 - Sixth Cup on the Winooski River Bank

 

Ten years of Coffeeneuring, but first time in a T-shirt! Crazy Vermont November weather.

My Stanley Thermos coffee press makes a good strong brew.

A favorite spot where the single track trail edges close to the river.

Loop Rides

I set out on another unseasonably warm afternoon, purposely riding a figure 8 course for a refreshing take on my Loop Rides theme. Considering I'd broken my toe the previous day, I was happy that I could ride at all! Unfortunately, last year at this time I'd broken a big toe (what's up with that?) so with that experience, and spinning easy miles, I presumed I could still ride. I couldn't miss another glorious weekend.

The Place: Ethan Allen Homestead, Winooski Riverbank (different location from #1)

Date: Saturday, November 5

Drink: Coffee in Stanley Thermos Press

Observation: Happy to be able to ride with an injury.

Total Miles: 15

Coffeeneuring 2022 - First Cup Riverside

A beautiful spot near the boat access ramp on the Winooski River.

First time using my new stove. Wow, boiled a cup in 2 minutes. A balmy 60F.

Ginger tea - only non-caffeinated tea in the pantry.

I rode my Rachel, initially to have the local shop refit a much loved old rack. 

They added an extension, that worked quite well. I'm pleased.

Loop Rides

This is my Tenth year of the Coffeeneuring Challenge! I'm dedicating this year's miles to loop rides because I normally ride an out and back route (at sunset these days), escaping the drudgery of a home office. I'm also using Strava to learn the app and more accurately record mileage.

 

I'm not feeling the love, sadly, this year for coffeeneuring. I have family obligations that are weighing on me, so we'll see how it goes. Here's hoping great weekend weather awaits! Maybe that and dedicated daylight loop rides can pull me out of a funk.

It's been years since I brought a stove and made tea/or coffee, but balmy weather made it easier.

The Place: Riverside at the Ethan Allen Homestead

Date: Saturday, October 15

Drink: Ginger Tea
Observation: Flocks of birds were singing!
Total Miles: 15

2019 Rewind

If there is one word that describes 2019, it is transition. I'm proud of a leap in creativity, overcoming and fully embracing riding on snow, thoughts on replacing one bike for another, an amazing hiking adventure that stretched my physical limits and unfortunately lowers the bar for future long distance hikes, and finally an upcoming relocation that's filled our thoughts since October.

I find writing this year end blog post very therapeutic - a chance to reflect - so I can move forward. Equally important to recounting is writing (and referring back to periodically through the year) a future goals/ideas type of blog post - not so detailed to feel overwhelming - but to set an intention, which gives me something to look forward to. When winter rolls around, I anticipate future trips, thoughts, new places to see, etc. for the coming year. It keeps me going!

I fully embraced the Dahon in 2019, focusing on lowering the gearing, fixing a broken fender, making a water bottle holder, pouch thingy, (from scratch!) and creating small panniers. While riding the brilliant, easy to mount folder, quite a lot this year, I realize I would be perfectly content if I had to make a choice of having one bike - the Dahon is it. This simple realization is liberating.

My heart wasn't in planning my own overnight excursions in 2019, but I found a solution: hook up with a cool trip to Law Island and a WTF Explorers weekend. Both adventures stretched my comfort zone - never forget your sleeping bag! In addition, Adele and I made our annual pilgrimage to Quebec happen with last minute planning. I'm so fortunate to have an adaptable companion.

In September I went on a two week hiking adventure with my husband, a 100 mile circuit of Mont Blanc, often referred to as the TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc). With daily steep ascents and descents, it was very difficult terrain, but easily the most beautiful scenery. With complications in places to stay, and the busiest trail I've ever seen (in the off season no less!), and very sore knees (yours truly), it was a wonder we were able to finish every mile. Going forward, I've given myself permission to avoid difficult hikes from now on.

The Coffeeneuring season has turned me into a confident winter rider. For the second year in a row, November's arctic blast and early snowfall meant toting a thermos when I otherwise might've stayed indoors. With a chosen theme to explore a neighboring town - where we'll eventually move in 2020 -meant a least a 15+ mile round-trip ride, often in temperatures of 20F. Because of the coffeeneuring challenges, I believe a year from now, when my commute distance doubles (9.5 miles each way) on mostly flat bike path, I'll be able to ride to work on many wintry days.

Emotionally I'm ready to let go of one ill fitting bicycle. I am also considering acquiring a hard tail mountain bike as I have a desire to ride trails. I've also accepted that blog posts will remain infrequent (though follow me on Instagram at @annie.bikes for photos). I'm content with this social arrangement.

I'm ready for 2020 - are you?

Coffeeneuring 2019 - Seventh Cup in our Future Backyard

Having a cuppa in our future backyard.

New Places, New Spaces
The final stop on my Coffeeneuring in Colchester tour was a special bank overlooking, yet again, the Winooski River! One of the reasons I've chosen to explore Colchester, and specifically the region surrounding the mouth of the river where it empties into Lake Champlain, is because in late spring of 2020 we will be moving into a new house - part of a new neighborhood of 12 homes in various phases of ownership/construction.

The Place:  Future neighborhood, sitting on the riverbank enjoying our future backyard view
Date: Saturday, November 23
Drink: Trader Joe's Red Refresh tea
Observation: Ugh, still waiting for the cellar hole to be dug.
Total Miles: 20

Parking bike in future driveway (actually in path/sidewalk just before).

Sipping tea and looking upriver. 

Sipping tea and looking downriver.

Street view with model home under construction.

The new neighborhood view from nearby fishing access. Model home is in the center.

25 F without wind feels balmy! 

Parting thoughts

• By far, this year I rode the most mileage during a Coffeeneuring Challenge, averaging 15 miles each time.
• 2018 and 2019 saw below average temperatures and snowfall in early November. I was lucky to have finished both challenges.
• This was my 7th year of Coffeeneuring. 
• To keep the challenge fresh, I decide on a different theme each year. In the beginning, I visited coffee shops, then toted a stove for coffee without walls, even gravitating to setting up a camping chair! For the past two years, I've used a thermos, which has improved my outdoor experience (and kept my hands warmer). Who knows, because of next years new living situation, I may go full circle and ride into Burlington to explore coffee shops!

Coffeeneuring 2019 - Fifth Cup at Macrae Farm Park

New Places, New Spaces
The next stop on my Coffeeneuring in Colchester tour was my first exploration of Macrae Park bottom lands along the Winooski River. Macrae Farm is one of Colchester's largest parks. 

The Place:  Macrae Farm Park
Date: Sunday, November 10
Drink: Trader Joe's Red Refresh tea
Observation:  Lots of trails! Best utilized during winter?
Total Miles: 20

A one mile dirt road ends at the farm where a couple cars were parked on the side of the road. I pushed my bike around a barrier and over a bridge in need of repair. 

I sipped tea while enjoying the views of the river and farm. I like how remote this area feels yet close to neighborhoods and shopping. I'd once explored the upland trails but never along the river. 

 A convenient map for guide, I set off for a walk.

 A massive tree!

The woodland trail started off quite lovely. I saw beaver action: gnawed and felled saplings along with animal trails to river's edge. But as there was recent flooding (somewhat receding), I wasn't able to complete a loop and gingerly returned to my bike, skirting puddled portions of path. I'm anxious to explore the whole area, but I suspect it's best to return during winter, when footing is better, or with skis. With old farmland, I imagine ticks are a problem during summertime.