Coffeeneuring #6

As I dropped down to the BGT, received a friendly hello from a member of the Seattle Randonneurs, who complimented the Bleriot and encouraged me to join the group for their winter training series.  I'm inclined to do so, along with helping out with Cascade's CTS and Getting Ready to Ride events next February.  Riding through winter is admirable, without going too nuts, and it's good to have goals.

The sixth ride in my Seattle Coffeeneuring series this fall took me by the Seattle Peace Park and a view of a Halloween-draped 1000 Cranes statue.   From there, a stop at the Leschi Starbucks, always a place to see other cyclists, both casual and the serious, as it's a central location for those circumnavigating the lake, heading over the I-90 bridge to points east, or just out for a mere toodle.   I filled up on a double-short latte, plus a chocolate croissant, thus earning coffeeneuring points.

Then, up the hill, through the I-90 bike tunnel and in a departure from my norm, a left turn onto the Mountain-to-Sound trail, and up Beacon Hill to Daejeon Park, a little gem dedicated to a sister city in Korea.   And, the sun came out while taking a picture of the Korean-style shelter.

Continued to the end of the trail and a fine descent on Holgate into Sodo, I rode back up the waterfront and found Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior docked at Pier 66.  Volunteers were asking for signatures on their petition to the Russian government to free the Arctic 30, a group seized during their protest of Gazprom drilling in the Arctic.  I gladly signed, and took a few photos of the ship.

Rest of the ride was relatively uneventful, but fall colors on the trail, more leaves on the ground, grey skies (it's sure been foggy around here!) and a definite chill in the breeze all underscore that we're into serious autumn now.

Coffeeneuring #5

Coffeeneuring #5 started out well.   Cool, foggy, damp, wet pavement, this is cycling in Seattle in autumn.  First wrinkle was encountering the Dawg Dash 10K on the BGT at 25th, suggesting a detour through the Husky Stadium parking lot and crossing the Montlake Bridge. Climbed up Interlaken, crossed I-5, turned on Boylston Ave., and when accelerating after a stop, I broke my chain!   That necessitated an emergency reroute on foot back to Montlake Bike Shop, where repairs were quickly made.

Back on the road, and the next stop was at Caffe Ladro for a double latte and a slice of pumpkin bread. Delicious and a real spot-hitter.

From Downtown Seattle, headed through Seattle Center and over to the trail along Elliott Bay, and out to the Locks, now open after 16 days of being held hostage.   Herons are nesting in the trees, and Lake Washington is being drawn down for winter.  After crossing the canal, looped back home via the BGT.

29 miles, not including the walk back for repairs.

Next Week's Assignment in Coffeeneuring

This Week in the Coffeeneuring Challenge: Guest Post Coffeeneuring | chasing mailboxes d.c.:

How to Fit a Bicycle

How to Fit a Bicycle:

Maybe some day I'll pay attention to serious articles like this one written by Peter Jon White.

Coffeeneuring #4

Chilly morning, and I made the mistake of not wearing the long johns or the full fingered gloves, so by the time I put in the miles to Marymoor Park I was cold to the core.   But, a double short latte at the Dog Park Espresso ("Creative Coffee Concepts") provided sufficient warmth and calories to continue. Rode the new cycle track on the West Lake Sammamish Parkway, up over Newport Way, across Mercer Island, and then down into Leschi.

Stopped at the Starbucks in Leschi, a frequent and well-used venue by many who ride the Lake Washington Loop and used my free rewards to reward myself with a double mocha for the jaunt back up through the Arboretum and then on home.   49. 6 miles today.

Coffeeneuring #3

Stopped at Zoka U-Village for the by now familiar order of a double Americano + a goodie, in this case, a Zoka Bar.   Zoka is a quintessential Seattle coffee purveyor, fair trade, free range, line caught, organic, pure of heart coffee, sponsor of cycling team, plus maker of outrageous baked goods.   

Once fired up, I continued past Husky Stadium, where the UW was in the process of valiantly losing to the Oregon Ducks.   There had been plenty of action in the parking lot for the tailgaters, plus I witnessed the UW police arrest a young Husky fan who apparently had caused trouble on the BGT.

Today's short route took me over Interlaken, past REI, out to Seattle Center, back via the bridge to Myrtle Edwards park, and then return via the Ship Canal.  The newly refurbished Bleriot rode and shifted like a dream after the TLC from Montlake Bike Shop.  

More sunny fall weather on tap for tomorrow and the week time come!

Coffeeneuring #2

Rode my training route to Sunset Hill and Golden Gardens, but stopped at top of descent at Cafe Fiore, home of the grumpy baristas.   Double americano plus something called a Coco Jo Mint cookie.  Hope this is not the last 75 degree day of 2013!

Coffeeneuring 2013

Coffeeneuring #1 involved a trip to Zeitgeist in Pioneer Square for a double Americano plus a ginger molasses cookie.

Afterwards, checked out the Klondike Gold Rush Museum across the street, which was closed and held hostage by the Banana Republicans.   Then, off to West Seattle on the aluminum Lemond, a light and somewhat squirrelly ride, especially after riding the steel Rivendell exclusively for the last several years.   44 + miles, including a visit to the Ballard Locks, also closed due to the shutdown.   

Coffeeneuring Challenge Update: Government Shutdown Rule | chasing mailboxes d.c.

Coffeeneuring Challenge Update: Government Shutdown Rule | chasing mailboxes d.c.:

The fershlugginer Banana Republicans are now impacting important social activities....

The Rules - Third Annual Chasing Mailboxes Coffeeneuring Challenge

Third Annual Chasing Mailboxes Coffeeneuring Challenge | chasing mailboxes d.c.:

This is not 'Nam.  There are rules.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQmQhA-OrM