Coffeeneuring 2017 - First Cup on the Long Trail Bridge

View from Long Trail Bridge above the Winooski River.

My husband challenged me to expand my Coffee Shop Without Walls horizons this year to include tributaries to Lake Champlain. For two years I've brewed coffee and tea on the shores of our beautiful lake, which has been great fun and is close to home, should I need to keep brew ups short and sweet on a frigid morning. I have a few more scenic spots in mind. My husband, however, is bored with my usual coffeeneuring routine and he wants to accompany me on more outings further afield, which, I am over-the-moon about, plus I will have a built in photographer, making documentation easier.

Or should make photography easier...except I made a coffeeneur's faux pas: at the car park as we assembled our bikes, I realized I'd left my camera and phone at home!

So, readers, use your imagination. Here's Miss Clementine loaded with my usual basket of goodies: camp stove, cup, tea, table cloth, chair, water bottle, and lock.

A coffeeneaur's bike set up reenactment, sans bungee cord tie downs. I collected the bunch of red clover on the return to the car as treats for our animals!

I snagged these photos the following day, returning with our family as part of a driving foliage tour.
Our boys are walking on the bridge.

Two years ago the Green Mountain Club built a suspension bridge over the Winooski River to aid Long Trail through hikers over a major river in their quest to hike the length of Vermont. It's easy to access each end of the bridge either by car or bicycle.

In fact, we rolled our bicycles onto the bridge where I brewed tea while observing spectacular water views. Rivaling a momentous Ethan Allen Tower adventure, the Long Trail Bridge brew up was my husband's idea as our first coffeeneuring stop. Way to go husband!

The Place: Long Trail Bridge
Date: Saturday, October 14.
Drink: Celestial Seasoning's Wild Berry Zinger Tea
Observation: Epic fail, forgetting a camera or phone, but we recovered by returning later to take photos and introduced our boys to the bridge.
Total Miles: 14

Dahon Boardwalk 6-Speed - An Opportune Purchase

Adding a Dahon Boardwalk to my bicycle quiver.

A folding bicycle has been on my radar for sometime, not because I need one, but because I've long admired their simplicity, lightness, and of course their utility. I'm the last person who could benefit from owning a folder: I fly infrequently, have ample workplace parking, sport bike racks on both our vehicles or otherwise have a specific need for folder, but I've been intrigued by the design. And, I freely admit, I think folding bicycles are cute!

When two multi-speed Dahons were advertised on Craigslist for 75.00 each, I followed up, test rode one of the 6 speeds, impressed with their impeccable condition, despite their 15 year old age, and bought it. My only prerequisites for a folder were multiple gears, 20" wheels, a reputable brand, and inexpensive cost. That the Boardwalk model came with fenders and a rack, a clean drive-train, and came with Dahon canvas bag and documentation, was like cream in my coffee! How could I pass up this opportunity? Interestingly, after talking with the owners, I'd seen their bikes before (scroll to end of post).

Of course, when my husband saw what I'd done, he rolled his eyes!

There are worse habits I countered...and he followed up with wondering if it would fit inside his Miata's trunk...

I test rode the bike on a Queen City Bicycle Club ride, a perfect low key stroll around the city. I'm impressed at the comfortable ride, low enough gearing, and frankly, how well the wheels roll!

What happens next?

Longterm, I'm unsure how this bicycle will fit in my life, though I'm  currently dreaming of taking it on Amtrak for an overnight, or pedal around New York City, or Montreal, etc. Then there's hauling gear, which poses it's own set of challenges, which when I think about it, why not pay the extra baggage fee to bring a normal sized bike?

For now, it's an unforeseen but welcome addition to our varied fleet and takes up little space in our garage. If the novelty wears off, I can easily sell it.

Looking Forward to Coffeeneuring!

Stellar views from Railyard Park.

As I cruised by a small lakefront parklet at sunrise this morning, I thought of past Coffee Without Walls spots - of which Railyard Park was one - and how I have accumulated a list of 7+ waterside brew up locations ahead of me - without repeating the past 2 years of coffee outings!

Nancy has pledged a similar theme, but with tea.

Rock on, coffeeneurs! Let the challenge begin...

Good Bye Ross Mount Saint Helens

I've said so long to the Ross Mt. Saint Helens. Between stripping her of fenders, racks, and a front wheel to build the Peugeot into my current commuter, there wasn't much left. However, I've saved the rear wheel, seat, and seat post for spare parts, but replaced the distinctive green handlebars back on the Ross for it's next recipient.

I donated what's left to Bike Recycle, leaving the frame hooked on their outside rack, because the shop wasn't open. Coincidentally, our youngest son happened to volunteer his time with a friend, repairing flat tires, etc. in their work space and saw someone working on the Ross.

I haven't been emotionally invested in this bike like my others, but because this was my first step through, and one I've ridden throughout the winter, the Ross has been instrumental in expanding my cycling horizons. It's time for this bike to help other folks less fortunate experience what it's like to ride a stable, strong commuter bike.

Thoughts on 1980's Mountain Bike Fit and the Trek Antelope as a Winter Bike

I find it interesting how one bicycle can have multiple lives. The Trek Antelope's early life was as a versatile commuter/dirt road rider/sport bicycle. In the mid 90s it functioned beautifully as a world tourer, climbing steep inclines and holding it's own on rough, third world roads. Since 2000, this do-it-all machine morphed into a daily commuter again with an occasional multi-day tour thrown in for good measure. But, it some respects, I've moved on, mostly, to riding step through bicycles, so the Trek has lately served as a loan to relatives or our youngest son has ridden it to a mowing job when his bike has a flat.

What I find particularly interesting, is the suggested fit for bikes of this era. I went from riding a 20-21" touring bike to the recommended 19" mountain bike. I believe the rationale went like this: ride a smaller frame so you'd have clearance on rough trails, making it easier to dismount or put a foot on the ground.

In hindsight, and from the wisdom of age, a 20" mountain bike suits me better. The reach is perfect without the need for bar ends, which, on the Trek has become a necessity for optimal comfort.

So, what to do with the Trek Antelope?

Now that I've found a perfect-sized Peugeot step through for commuting - a size that's proven difficult to locate - it occurred to me (after Ryan suggested I use the Ross as a winter bike) that I should press the Trek into cold weather duty, small or not, and keep the Peugeot for the long haul and not subject it to salt-crusted roads.

The Plan - Transform the Trek into a lean, functional machine*

• remove front rack
• add wider gumwall tires
• beef up the worn hand grips, perhaps with a funky wrap job
• replace toe clip pedals with simple platform type

*Of course, the added benefit here is I don't have to get rid of a bicycle that has memories up the wazoo...