Life has been a jumble this year, both humbling and disruptive, spent with a reeling mind as my comfy routine evaporated. I’ve confronted unfun truths and come closer to understanding our finite nature. At times, it’s been a challenge to accept, recover, and move through.
This mishmash of the unfun and uncertain made me think the Coffeeneuring Challenge could be in need of a gap year. Perhaps give it a rest and get back to it when I feel better, I thought.
But when people started messaging to ask when we’d kick off the 2024 challenge and saying how much they enjoyed it, I reconsidered.
I thought of all the coffeeneurs who have stepped outside their comfort zones and shown resilience in small and big ways.
People have layered up and ridden outside to coffee on dreary days or freezing cold – even snow – to complete the Coffeeneuring Challenge.
People committed to coffeeneuring through the toughest personal cicumstances. Family illness. Personal injury. Loss and grief.
I hope you don’t mind, I borrowed some of your strength and grace this year.
Others have used this challenge to dive deeper into themselves through creative expression. Sketching, painting, journaling, taking photos or even video. Sharing art exposes our vulnerabilities, and our self-expression connects us to the larger world on a deeper level.
In many different ways, this simple pasttime of coffeeneuring has served as a life tool. Go outside on bikes and keep going. That’s how I approached my own Coffeeneuring Challenge this year.
Every ride was a small win, a time to appreciate that I exist in the world, that I am connected to the earth (the only place where coffeeneuring is permitted), as well as to all of you.
Basically, I’ve written this post all backwards. What I mean to say is that I am grateful to the Coffeeneuring Challenge and I am endlessly grateful to all of you who have participated and have shared your rides, personal stories, and pieces of yourselves over the years. I’m glad we ran the challenge again this year.
I am stronger because of you. A glimmer of fun returned to my life. Pedaling forward has been more than a metaphor.
The Coffeeneuring Challenge stays strong because of you. We’ve formed an awesome community. It’s a rare thing. As the Intern likes to say, it’s the most beautiful time of year.
Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Always Be Coffeeneuring.
Chasing Mailboxes 