Coffeeneuring 2017 Ride 7

Sunday November 19, 2017

Unfortunately our neighbors were unable to ride with us on our final ride. With a busy week ahead for the holidays and colder weather, we were unable to reschedule.  Jen and I were out late last night to see my favorite band, Son Volt,  and got in around midnight--something we usually don't do, but the show started late and we hung out later than usual.  No regrets though, the show was amazing, as were all the other times I've had the opportunity to see these icons. The rain came in as we were leaving and behind it, the temps fell like a rock.  The difference from yesterday to today's ride was about 25 degrees, with a steady 20 mile per hour wind constant from the north. 


The ride today was obviously a short one. A ride to a local park for our final coffee outside of the 2017 coffeeneuring season.  The wind was cold, biting out of the north, and our spot right on the bay probably wasn't the best for an MSR stove to cook our water; it blew out three times, but we persevered and were able to have a nice cup of folgers instant and a Tazo Tea for Jen. 

I would have had some cool pics of the boiling process and some nice landscape pics, but my usually dependable SD card SPLIT IN HALF as I put it in the reader. bummer. 

The kiddos were selling beverages again on the corner today, which may have been an option as they were selling hot chocolate and hot tea, but we missed them on the way to our planned stop. Needed the exercise today anyway!


So, a fifth coffeeneuring season for me comes to a close. It's been a wonderful, albeit quick season.  Looking forward to more off-season trips, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the indoors and hiking trips. 

Ride 7:
4.3 miles
Coffee Outside, Sandpiper Pier/Park

Coffeeneuring 2017 Ride 6

Saturday November 18, 2017

Once again, unseasonably warm weather returns before a cold front blows through tonight.  Team La Condesa decided to get ride six in before it gets cold, and will be harder to do rides during Thanksgiving week. 

Our ride today was a windy nooner around local neighborhoods under 75 degree weather, with a stop near the end of the loop at McDonalds for a nice iced Cafe Mocha.  

On the route, we made a turn and found two younger kiddos selling lemonade--even though that's not necessarily on the list of stops, we had to grab a cup of fresh lemonade.  I know you never know what you're gonna get at lemonade stands for .50 cents, but this lemonade was very good!  We took ours on the road, all the while talking about the weeks events, and how acupuncture can make one emotional. We also found out Joe loves lacrosse, as he is a coach.  WE also know he recruits lemonade salesmen, to make sure they're furthering the sport in the area :)

After an easy eight miles, we put ride 6 behind us.  Hard to believe we only have one ride left in this coffeeneuring season.  We'll try to knock it out tomorrow. 

Good Lemonade stand.  .50

Ride 6:

7.9 miles

Stop McDonalds

Two Iced Cafe Mochas

Coffeeneuring 2017 Ride 5

Sunday November 12, 2017

Coffeeneuring Ride 5

Sometimes, it's all about business. We usually have one of these real quiet rides every year.  This year it was ride 5.  We were up early and at the pedals around 8AM before any of us really had any wake up time.  We rode the 98 under nice weather conditions to the Whataburger in Gulf Breeze, hoping to get there before the church crowds get out, because the demand for coffee goes up exponentially around 9:30.  Luckily we made it with time to spare and we all had a nice big 16 oz black coffee.  I ate a new Chorizo Taquito, which isn't nearly as good as the Chorizo burger, while Jen had the staple, coffee w/creamer and a sausage/egg/cheese biscuit.  

We rode with Joe and Amber again (of course) on this trip, at a decent pace for beach cruiser style bikes. 

Met up with a friend who was nursing a hangover and talked about things really not relevant to coffeeneuring so I felt that this trip was kind of a quiet one as far as what I'm used to, but nonetheless, ride five was in the books. 

all binazz

Ride 5:

10.7 miles
Whataburger

Black Coffee and Coffee w/cream and breakfast

Coffeeneuring 2017 Ride 4

Sunday November 5, 2017

What a difference a week makes!  Last week we rode in fifty degree weather, and this Sunday there was a delicious fog over 68 degree weather.  

After a time change, it is usually easier to do coffee outside, so the plan this morning was for team Lacondesa to hit the Naval Live Oaks reservation for some black coffee. We originally thought a bean run was in the works, but I'd been sore and figured a mild mileage trip would be best.  

The ride to the NLO was uneventful but the fog was gorgeous. Even though I'm still having a front brake issue, I was able to keep up once I disconnected the calipers-it was a rear caliper brake kinda ride. A very faint fog up front, with the thickness lying just above the bay.  I was a little concerned once we got to the woodline on bloody 98 that we wouldn't be seen, especially since none of us brought our bright blinky taillights.  Amber and Joe decided riding faster on the narrower bike path on the north side of 98 in the reservation was a good idea and Jen and I were easily dropped.  The good thing about Sunday mornings is the roads are somewhat silent, with the exception of the eager church-goers.  

Team Lacondesa broke out both MSR stoves and fired up the Stanley pots to get the water boiling.  Jen and Amber enjoyed some tea, while Joe and I went with the double bagged folgers 16 oz for some wake up kick starter on the ride back.  We hung out and talked.  I was also able to break out the work issued Fuji XT-1 and get some pretty cool pics.  Hey, I know-but I need to get familiar with a camera for work.  It is truly a beautiful and awesome camera.  

There were plenty of photo opportunities in the NLO.  Spiderwebs with dew, and of course, the team drinking beverages and talking.  A great ride day, even if the jet-lag of time-change persists even today as I write this the Wednesday after.  

Ride 4:

10.9 miles

NLO destination

Coffeeoutside with Folgers and the MSR stoves