Time for another installment in More Less 2026. Today’s subject includes a very important update as well: all 2025 Coffeeneuring Challenge prizes have been mailed (provided you ordered and paid for one). They’ve been traveling fast so be on the lookout in a mailbox near you! If you finished this year’s challenge and still want to order a prize, it’s not too late.
A highlight of the early weeks of 2026 has been to finalize the patch design, see it arrive in person to my mailbox, and work with the Intern to package up the patch prizes. We counted out the patches and stickers with precision (though we always miscalculate at least one or two so if we missed something in your envelope please let us know).
We purchased the perfect stamps to accompany each mailing (a new Global first class stamp this year, too, so exciting!) and applied them according to country. An extra bit of trivia: first ever finishers in Alaska and Spain this year! We successfully hurdled the label-generating mail merge (only 3 bad words shouted and no labels ruined!), and stuffed envelopes with care until the sun set.
The brush and drop of the letters slipping through the mail slot met me with a smile. We did it! You did it! Another year in the books, and I hope you all savor the prizes you earned and find the good spot to display them.
Over the years, the Coffeeneuring Challenge has garnered critics as well as fans. Why stretch out short rides to coffee (tea, or other approved beverage) over six weeks when you could knock it out in one? What is with these rules and documentation? Why such fuss for such a small matter?
Because it must be so. We embrace a deliberate approach to this event to plan our mini-adventures, share them with others if we so choose, and savor the season overall. There is a time to sprint and coffeeneuring is not that time! We stretch it out to fit the band of time between the higher speed months of spring and summer and impending winter days.
Doug of Umbrella Works spent hours working up the design, Walter at Falls Creek Outfitters and I worked back and forth on the color and style of the embroidery so it would render just so. We collaborate with people we know and who understand the challenge. This deliberate approach resulted in a patch prize worthy of year 15 of the Coffeeneuring Challenge.
For those with a dash it off and be done mindset, the Coffeeneuring Challenge is not a fit. And hey, I take that approach with lots of life things and it seems fine. But this year, I’m sorting through what activities might benefit from a process-oriented place.
The Coffeeneuring Challenge patch mailings was step one. I’m just expanding into other areas, such as meal planning. I’ve already found that if I slow down just a touch, an entire experience is improved and the final product more pleasing. Who knows what daily activity will be next? Send me your recommendations if you have ideas.
And one more thing: if you ordered, but do not receive your patch in two weeks (say by February 23), please let me know! Some always go missing. Also, if your mailing is not what you expected, also let me know! We are a small team and errors are always possible. We want to make sure that you receive the prize your earned!
Chasing Mailboxes 