If you read The Daily Randonneur, you may recall my interview last month with Joe Platzner. At the end of it, he noted:
A bunch of us have trained pretty hard for PBP. After PBP, I’m probably going to lobby RUSA for an official “Coffee Shop Run” medal. To earn it, you need to ride your bike slowly to a nearby coffee shop and enjoy a fine beverage. I think this would be a big seller in September.
Since returning from Paris, we’ve seriously ratcheted back the weekend cycling miles. In exchange, we’ve spent some luxurious hours in local coffee establishments, telling stories and sipping espresso. Our post-PBP coffee shop visits made me remember how much fun coffeeneuring can be. Also, this fall weather puts me in a coffee drinking, coffee shop mood.
After giving Joe’s comments some additional consideration, I’ve decided that coffee shop rides are a fantastic idea and I’m creating the Coffeeneuring Challenge, a relaxed weekend cycling endeavor for cyclists everywhere.
I hope you’re up for the Coffeeneuring Challenge and will play along, too.
Interested in the Coffeeneuring Challenge? Here’s what you have to do to play.
- Ride your bike to 7 different local coffee shops from now through October.
- Only Saturday and Sunday rides qualify. Weekday rides are ineligible.
- Only 1 coffee shop per day counts. If you visit 7 coffee shops in one day, you may choose only one as a qualifying ride.
- You must do a short write-up of your experience that includes: where you went (address and website, if possible), the date you went there, what you drank, who was with you (or state whether you were solo), total mileage, and a few details about your coffeeneuring ride.
- You must take at least one photo during your ride, caption it, and submit it as verification that you actually went to the coffee shop and drank a beverage there.
- Hot chocolate qualifies, as do tea beverages.
- You may not combine your coffeeneuring ride with any other ride such as a populaire or brevet. You may, however, combine your coffeeneuring ride with a grocery run, ride to the gym, or other transportation/utility-oriented ride.
- Your ride must be at least two miles total, but there is no maximum so yes, you could ride 100 miles for a cup of coffee.
- There are no geographic limitations to the Coffeeneuring Challenge.
- You have to go to 7 different coffee shops, although you may ride to multiple locations of a chain (though that is not preferred).
- Deadline for submission for the Coffeeneuring 7 is November 2, 2011.
- Submissions must be sent to me at gersemalina “at” gmail.com.
- All qualifying rides must be submitted at the same time. That is, send me all 7 together, NOT ride 1, ride 2, etc.
- Premium unknown, BUT you will be featured as a guest post on this blog. So fame is part of your premium. Beyond that, I cannot say.
- During Columbus Day weekend (October 8-10), you have three days to accomplish two qualifying coffeeneuring rides.
There you go. 14 15 rules for the 7-ride Coffeeneuring Challenge. I think that’s enough. Seven shops in six weekends. Are you up for it??
Let’s have fun, and maybe I’ll see you coffeeneuring!
chasingmailboxes.com 
Very cool idea. Have a fun time hitting the coffee shops.
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Wow! I love the idea– I don’t live near any coffee shops, though, so it will be a true challenge if I take it on!
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I’m in, IF I can count trips from hotel to coffee near my kids’ colleges. We have two parents’ weekend trips planned between now and the end of October. But I’m planning to take the bike along for both!!
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This sounds really good, and a challenge to not go to the 4 coffee shops under 1 mile from home – unless I can find a way to capture them on a longer ride.
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Good idea. Although the idea of doing all seven coffee shops in one ride is intriguing. Instead of riding home along the Potomac, I could ride home on the Potomac. Buzzzzzz!
(Will Cupcakeneuring be far behind?)
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Cupcakeneuring- there’s an idea!
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Love to drink coffee, love to ride, love to count: I’m on it!
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Thanks, everybody, for the interest and enthusiasm!! I’m totally excited! And Mike, yes, you can count trips from your hotel via bike to the coffee shop.
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I just discovered your awesome blog..and am signing myself up for the challenge. Great idea.
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Excellent! I await your coffeeneuring tales!
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Sounds like a challenge!!
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I’ve bagged my first, looking forward to the series! May I suggest another challenge: Beer Brevets? Similar rules, different beverage.
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Well done! AND you’re funny! I’m sticking srictly to coffeeneuring for the time being :)…
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What a fun idea ~ Gale Bernhardt
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Oh Man.. Talk about taking a crazy idea and running with it. I’m so behind the times I’ll need to enter another round of play. Can’t wait to see the results and I’m thrilled at the complexity of the rules. How appropriate!
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I’m in as well. Coming to the party a little late, but October has 5 weekends so I should be OK. Can I count a coffee tent that is setup at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market every weekend as a coffee shop?
I need to get back on the bike, and this seems like a fun way to do it!
Chris
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Yes, a coffee tent at a farmers’ market counts toward the Coffeeneuring Challenge. Good luck!
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Coming late to the game, but I’m in.
A bunch of us, on a ride today, thought we could knock this off in one day, but alas, the rules. Always the rules.
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JUST in time, Joe! And yes, those rules. I was so proud of coming up with 14 rules. 🙂 Makes it spicier!
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Whoops! Forgot to take a photo to record today’s ride as we kick off a coffeeneuring movement in the other Washington. I have lots of witnesses, though, as it was a gathering of friends to taste cupcakes and coffee at a local coffee roaster with a great farm-to-cup philosophy (http://roasthouse.net/ and yes, you can buy online. Be ready for the autoplay video on their home page.)
My homage post helping Spokane get geared up for the Coffeeneuring Challenge: http://bikestylespokane.com/2011/10/08/coffeeneuring-fueled-by-caffeine/
Thanks for the AWESOME idea. Genius–sheer genius.
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I’m close to an epic DNF here. I came late to the game, but there was still time. If I missed only one weekend ride, I could throw my bike at the line. Sadly, I did a 200K today, that involved a fair bit of coffee, but the rules are clear on this, so no joy today.
I’m going to give it the old college try, but I’m on the ropes.
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Started the challenge late.
Saturday was ok rode and got a coffeee. Sunday I rode and got my hair cut. Then I realised that was coiffureneuring. D’oh.
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ha ha ha!!! Sounds like a weekend of variety.
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MG – Need a little rules clarification here . . . couldn’t get out today on the bike. Can I log a coffeenuering ride AFTER I finish my 200K permanent tomorrow if I get my card signed at the final control and THEN take off in search of ANOTHER coffee shop for a post ride latte? We’re running out of October . . .
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Yes. Provided that you do a separate coffeeneuring ride that is not part of the brevet, you are good!
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Phew!
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Well, put a fork in me, I’m done. DNF.
After the 200K yesterday, I was all set to ride to the coffee shop today and try to keep my streak alive, but it was not to be. I got a call to meet Anne at the local store, but I didn’t have time to ride there. No worries, I can always go back later in the day. Well it never happened.
Perhaps I just didn’t push myself sufficiently.
Next time. I have unfinished business. Chapeau to all of you still in the game. Only your fellow coffeneurs will understand why you do this admiral task.
Joe “I’ll be back” P
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I’m sorry to hear that, Joe. Next time (and there will be a next time!). Also, you should know that it is because of you that the Coffeeneuring Challenge even exists!! Thank you for inspiring me to do this!
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