Coffeeneuring finale

Well, it's been a wild one. Not so much the coffeeneuring part, but the thousands of miles in between. Start the challenge in Colorado, mid-challenge in Michigan, and the finale in Colorado. Not ideal by any means in terms of miles driven, but it kept things interesting.

Today's trip was kind of short, as the coffee shop I wanted to visit was close to home. Torpedo Coffee opened since I left the 'hood 3 years ago. It's in what used to be a neglected and slightly dilapidated residential shopping center (Oneida Park). I'd say circa 1950's/60's if my neighborhood history recollection is accurate. Kudos to the developer or whomever spearheaded the revitalization. It now has an interesting mix of shops and restaurants. It used to be an area to be avoided, so it's good to see the turnaround. No doubt that this neighborhood gem struggled because it isn't located on a major thoroughfare, but I always thought it had potential and I'm thrilled to see the improvements.

I enjoyed a dirty chai with oatmilk, which is my standard drink when I go out for coffee. Spendy, but since I don't do it very often, hey, why not?

Cross Check in repose

The rest of the ride was a cruise around the old neighborhood, complete with a (distanced and outdoor) visit with former neighbors. Then a loop through City Park to gaze upon my favorite Denver view, a couple of errand stops, and that was a wrap.

My One Good Thing for this ride was enjoying a sunny, 60 degree day in Denver before the snow starts falling tonight! Overall, it's been surreal doing the Michigan/Colorado back and forth all in the course of a few weeks. It kept things interesting, though, and knowing I'd be back and forth is one of the reasons I decided to undertake it this year after not participating for several years. This challenge embodies the core of what riding a bike is for me and it was a joy to be reminded of that.

Coffeeneuring #6

Temps in the 70's in Northern (lower) Michigan in early November? Hey, I am not complaining. In fact, it has been downright glorious. I took advantage by knocking out another coffeeneuring ride this morning. This nice weather is expected to last through Monday, so I might even be able to squeeze in my last jaunt before rain and colder temps set in. And, if not, I can certainly make it through one sub-par journey.

Given the rising COVID numbers, it's probably best to do coffee without walls. We do have a couple of good coffee options in my little town, for which I'm grateful, but honestly I'm happiest with the coffee I make at home.

I packed up the fam (Lori and Fletcher) and we headed for our usual coffee outside locale. The village has picked up all of the picnic tables and garbage cans at the local parks in advance of winter, so amenities were spartan! We sat on the concrete pad of the picnic shelter at the public boat launch.

After downing some coffee and a doughnut, we took Fletcher for a quick walk in town. Then back on the bikes for a short out and back on the Leelanau Trail before heading back home.

Fletcher's ear flapping in the breeze. Totes adorbs.

The One Good Thing for today's ride was getting out with Lori and Fletcher. It definitely ups the quality of the ride to be able to ride together. Fletcher loves the trailer and it's so adorable how he watches very closely when I pull out the bike and trailer. He's 14.5 years old and we're definitely on bonus time with him so every ride feels like icing on the cake.

Coffeeneuring #5

 At long last, I notched another Coffeeneuring ride.

It's a 2 state challenge this year, with rides in Colorado and Michigan. I started out with a bang in Colorado, enjoying great weather and a plethora of coffee shops to choose from. I figured I better front load the Colorado segment of the challenge, because you never know what you're going to get in Michigan when it comes to fall weather.

However, patience is a virtue, though one I find unfamiliar and uncomfortable. After a week of dicey weather that featured rain, snow, and high winds, I was feeling panicky that the rest of the challenge would be miserable. But second fall has arrived, and this is one of the reasons I moved to Michigan.

The ride today was glorious. The shadows are long and everything has a yellowish-orange hue. The scent of wet leaves serves as a reminder of the richness of the soil here. It was quiet on the trail as I rambled along and marveled at my good fortune to be in this place at this moment.

Obvs this was a coffee without walls. An out and back on the Leelanau Trail. It doesn't look like much on the almighty Strava, but to me it was rejuvenating and a much needed respite from the election craziness.

My One Good Thing for this ride, if I HAVE to pick one, is fall in Michigan!

Fall color is winding down but autumnal beauty still abounds

My ever-faithful Surly Cross Check

Throwing shade

Coffeeneuring #4

 Whew, quite the Coffeeneuring expedition today! The weather is slated to turn cold later this week and then snow on Sunday, so I wanted to take advantage of today's gorgeous late fall weather and punch my Coffeeneuring card one more time before heading back to Michigan. It was well worth it.

I started my ride with civic purpose! I dropped off Lori's ballot at the drop box in City Park. My ballot awaits in Michigan but I was more than happy to provide delivery service for this precious cargo. Michigan could take cues from Colorado in this regard, as this system has been in place for years in Colorado and works pretty darn well if you ask me. But no one asked me so there's that.

Saw a nice mural in Five Points

My destination today was Blue Sparrow Coffee. I had ridden by a couple of weeks ago when I was doing recon for this challenge. And I'm so glad I stopped! As I was locking up my bike, I heard "well, hello there," and as usual I assumed the words were not meant for me, given my miniscule social circle. But lo and behold, it was my landlord! Turns out she is the property manager for the building complex the coffee shop inhabits, aka Backyard on Blake. They have done a super job with it. It's more of a small marketplace with fun little shops and restaurants. I'll definitely be back.

My coffee was delicious and it was such a nice place to sit and sip.

But wait, there's more!

Could there be anything MORE Colorado/coffee/bikey than this? Hemp infused coffee named after a bike mapping app.

And, yeah, I am tracking my Coffeeneuring rides on said bike mapping app.

As I was walking around, I bumped into this.

Yes, they have vegan donuts. Yes, they are cake donuts. Yes, they are the vegan cake donuts I have been searching for. There were so many things to like about today's outing but I'd say my One Good Thing for this ride has to be the donuts. I am not ashamed to admit that my days revolve around food.

Saw another interesting mural on the way home.

Maybe it's me, but it seems as though there are a lot more murals around these days. I'm sure a person could center multiple rides around mural searches and sightings around town. That's definitely an idea.

All in all, I'd say this was one of the best Coffeeneuring rides I've ever had. Maybe it's the sugar from the donut talking, but between the weather, the scenery, the coffee, the food, and the bike endorphins, it's the embodiment of why I ride and why bicycles mean so much to me.

Coffeeneuring #3

It has been interesting to be back in Denver after 3 years. Long story, but it looks like I may be splitting my time between Denver and Michigan, at least for the near term. I've also been away from Coffeeneuring for a few years, so getting back to it while also being back in Denver definitely has a nostalgic feel to it.

Today's trip took me to unfamiliar environs. Well, not exactly unfamiliar, but it's been a long time since I've been in this neighborhood. Denver has seen a lot of growth in the time I've been gone, and I don't think there's a neighborhood in the city that wouldn't be considered as gentrifying. It's a stark contrast to a lot of places in Michigan.

Also in stark contrast to Michigan (at least where I live), I have a seemingly unlimited choice of coffee establishments to visit. Many familiar, but many new ones, too. I did a quick search of "Denver's best coffee bars" and made a list of 17 places of interest. Given that there are 7 Coffeeneuring visits for the challenge and I'll be in Michigan for part of the time; well, my coffee cup runneth over.

Today, I opted to stop at Rivers and Roads Coffee. Denver is a city of neighborhoods, which is one of the things I love most about it. Rivers and Roads is located in Clayton, which I haven't explored all that much, so this was a fun trip. The shop itself looks to be an old car repair garage, so it has that industrial feel to it. It has a nice patio and even a dog-friendly yard!

My pumpkin spice latte was delicious. Don't hate on me. It's my first and possibly only PSL of the year and I am an unabashed pumpkin afficionado. The muffin does not get high praise but they do have a number of vegan options on their menu so perhaps I merely chose unwisely today.

All in all, a successful outing.

The Denver skyline from the north side of City Park Golf Course. A little cloudy and a little forest fire smoke haze.

My One Good Thing for outing #3 is finding new places in the city I called home for so many years.

Coffeeneuring #2

This morning's coffee stop served dual purposes, which is my favorite kind of trip. I had to drop my car off for some routine maintenance, and it just so happens that the garage is near one of my fave coffee shops in one of my fave Denver neighborhoods.

So of course I took it upon myself to stop at Steam Espresso Bar for a dirty chai with oat milk + extra shot. Gotta have that extra shot to power the ride home across town.

While fall in Denver isn't as colorful as it is in Michigan, it's still pleasant and involves a lot less rain.

And, yep, it's pretty much the identical route to Coffeeneuring Numero Uno, but it's my tried and true cross-town route. A mellow, scenic route and a guaranteed-to-be-delicious espresso drink together make for my One Good Thing of today's endeavor. A beautiful fall day, a tailwind, and my trusty Cross Check are added bonuses.

Coffeeneuring Numero Uno of 2020

 After a few years of hiatus, I am back in the Coffeeneuring game!  Apparently, I'm back in the blogging game, too, but that's another story.

Personal circumstances have prevented me from participating in the Coffeeneuring challenge the past few years, and I'm excited to be able to participate this year. And for me to be excited or even enthused about much of anything is a big deal.

My first foray of this year's challenge was simply a ride to meet a friend. A friend I haven't seen in several years, so yet another thing to be enthused about. We met in my favorite park in Denver, Harvard Gulch Park, and spent a couple of hours catching up. I drank coffee that I had brewed at home. It was a good compromise to meeting at an establishment, as we were outside and able to maintain physical distance.

One good thing: seeing an old friend and chatting as though no time had passed between visits.