Coffeeneuring 2015 - First Cup Atop a Tower!

What could be better than brilliant sunshine on weekends? Why, taking advantage of the Coffee Shop Without Walls category of the Coffeeneuring Challenge!

Up front and personal parking along the fence.

We are fortunate to have many beautiful Burlington Parks within a few miles of our home, a perfect venue for multiple brew ups on a camp stove if the current weather patterns remain stable.

My husband tries out his Whisper-lite stove for the first time.

Ethan Allen Tower is open to all and holds a surprising wide angle view of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. It's the perfect spot to enjoy sunshine, a cup of coffee and/or tea, plus chat with a folks who've also climbed the metal staircase for the incredible view.

My husband brews coffee while I steep tea. I like to use a table cloth for civilized picnicking.

I am inspired to consider challenging myself to complete all seven Coffeeneuring adventures in the great outdoors. Who else will join me?

The Place: Atop Ethan Allen Park Tower
Date: Sunday, October 4
Drink: Ginger Tea
Observation, Bike Friendliness: I'd forgotten that the views on top of the tower are the best in Burlington. There is primo bike parking wherever you like along the chain link fence. 
Total Miles: 12

Open Streets Burlington

In this second Open Streets event, a pop up demonstration by Local Motion shows how riders feel safer with a barrier as buffer between themselves and traffic. In this instance an existing bike lane only needs some kind of movable impediment, like a cement curb-like structure, similar to those used on Montreal bike lanes.

Another example: swap curbside automobile parking with bike lane to allow cyclists safer navigation.

A youngster plays red light, green light bean bag toss.

3 miles of public roads were closed to allow walkers and cyclists a chance to experience car-free streets. There were several exhibitors: schools, Red Cross, bike shops offering free wrenching service, produce stands, a park full of giant checkers and Junga blocks to play. There was free coffee, pop corn, slalom courses set up to have fun testing bike handling skills.

Do you know your bicycle hand signals? 

Under threat of stormy-looking skies, families still mobilized and took advantage of what several booths had to offer for games free apples, and swag. The Red Cross handed out popular stuffed dogs.

Cyclists of all ages enjoyed the event.

Stylish young riders followed parents.

Young couples towed children in trailers.

I was mesmerized with spray chalk. What bright colors!

Some hardy folks tested their metal on Gold Sprints.

I'm glad the weather held so everyone could enjoy Open Streets BTV!

Girls Ride Out

A Facebook event. Getting girls (and wee ones too) together. Plus one dog, a cargo bike, and a tandem.

To chat. Stop at stop signs. Giving each other space.

Ringing all our bells - what a glorious sound.

Laughing. Sharing tales. 30+ riders strong.

We are girls. We are riders. We are safe. We have a good time, riding into a spectacular sunset.

When do we do it again?

Burlington Streets Challenge - ONE Complete

Another installment in the series to ride every public road within Burlington's city limits in 2015.

With 228 streets behind me, I have completed the Old North End district, otherwise known as ONE, Burlington's up and coming part of town. Once a low income neighborhood, full of derelict houses, there's a move to unite new immigrants, artsy young people and elderly folks through shifting regional identity. Enter historic signs, community meeting spaces, multinational groceries and restaurants, a marriage of Old Spokes Home and Bike Recycle, ONE events, and the second year of Open Streets, closing 3 miles of roads to host and celebrate pedestrian and cycling activities. It's a veritable whirlwind of change!

A building with lots of character.

I've especially enjoyed pedaling through this part of town because I stumble upon pop-up libraries, sweet little gardens in public green spaces, and the most interesting houses. On dead end Crowley Street I find the Champlain Club. I've discovered it's a venue for Vermont Swings, a dancing club that utilizes space from regular members-only clientele that play poker and shoot pool on Friday nights. Originally called the Goethe Lodge or German Club, it's only one of many private clubs in Burlington. For some reason these organizations tend to reside in quiet neighborhoods. 

Close up of the Champlain Club's early roots as the German Club. Look at that spectacular window!

ONE developers and builders take care to blend new construction (like the metal siding shown above, trimmed in yellow) with existing wood clapboard structures (see green building). 

Some streets are filled with colorfully painted Victorian structures, giving new life and vibrancy to dense neighborhoods. 

There are as many as 50 houses all dolled up in striking color schemes. No longer viewed as garish, they have become an accepted, defining feature of the ONE district.

The map is upfront and center as I make sure to ride particular streets.

Now that it's September, I'm concentrating on completing certain city areas, For example, I designate two parallel streets that bisect one region, then set my goal to ride all streets in between that are not yet checked off my map. This may include riding dead end streets, or pedaling one block—whatever it takes to fill in quadrants on my map. 

And where else but the ONE would I encounter a food truck on it's way to some event!

As I exit the region, I pedal by a favorite bike rack, marveling at the size of the—albeit fixed—numerical lock.

Completed Streets to date:

187. Red Oak Lane
188. Valade Park
189. Blondin Circle
190. Venus Avenue
191. Sky Drive
192. Sunset Drive
193. Meridian Street
194. Sandy Lane
195. Lopes Avenue
196. Rosade Parkway
197. Lakewood Parkway
198. Tallwood Street
199. Birchwood Street
200. Leonard Street
201. Kimball Avenue
202. South Williams Street
203. North Williams Street
204. Booth Street
205. Crowley Street
206. Myrtle Street
207. Summer Street
208. Green Street
209. Buell Street
210. Cherry Street
211. Main Street
212. North Champlain Street
213. Monroe Street
214. Johnson Street
215. Murray Street
216. Allen Street
217. Elmwood Avenue
218. George Street
219. Clark Street
220. North Winooski Avenue
221. Lafayette Street
222. Converse Court
223. North Willard Street
224. Adsit Court
225. Weston Street
226. High Grove Court
227. South Prospect Street
228. King Street

Practical Review of Upcycled Bike Bags

For several months I've exclusively used three upcycled bike bags on my daily 10-mile round trip commute. I own traditional panniers however, for reasons better explained here, I've focused on this pleasant alternative.

I appreciate the floral sling bag because of its large volume. The bag was constructed with pannier hardware - the lock down clips are it's best feature - and the deep canvas-like fabric molds to whatever I stow inside. In this case I usually stuff a book, dress clothes, and my lunch. Surprisingly, the bag holds more gear than I ever expected. The tan color is now speckled with black spots, but as with any pannier, it's difficult to keep clean.

The downsides: depending upon the weight, the bag has a tendency to sway, but I've learned to pack accordingly, stuffing heavier items towards the rack. It should go with out saying that any pannier constructed from multiple materials is not waterproof. I throw a couple plastic grocery bags inside for those days with a chance of showers.

I've used the handle bar bag for years. In its place I often contemplate zip tying a wire basket to the front rack - I love the look of baskets - but the functionality of this double fabric canvas bag with strong leather handles regularly holds a tiny tool bag, a mini pump, plus whatever else I can fit inside. It conveniently holds a gallon of milk or paint can, all supported upon the rack. This bag's a keeper!

The small-sized messenger bag has become my purse. I store the usual items plus a camera. Because it is secured to rack with velcro-type attachment, it is not designed to carry heavy stuff. This is a perfect bag and easy to sling over my shoulder when I enter the office.

I'm pleased with the overall functionality of all my upcycled bike bags and wouldn't consider returning to traditional panniers for short commutes.

What unconventional storage systems have you explored?