The uncertain arc of a ride as long as a 600K draws me to it. So many factors define the ultimate experience: fitness, weather, terrain, traffic, and the bike itself. Moments where I wonder what the heck I’m doing on this ride are almost a given on a distance like this. Frustrating as these times are, it intrigues me to see how I wrestle with … Continue reading Made-Up Me: D.C. Randonneurs 600K
That Jerry Seager sure is a charmer. After swearing off the flèche for the rest of my days, Jerry’s keen routing skills and thirst for adventure convinced Felkerino and me to join him yet again for the 2017 edition of the D.C. Randonneurs flèche with Team Once in a Blue Moon. This year our team consisted of Jerry and Eric – two flèche veterans with whom we’ve … Continue reading Once in a Blue Moon: 2017 D.C. Randonneurs Fleche
My year in cycling was another surprise when I compare how I felt about it versus the story reflected in photos and miles. The story was far better than perception during a period when time on the bike was – like my running in 2016 – inconsistent from month to month, making for a herky jerky year. Waa wahhhh, there are many real issues to worry about. … Continue reading 2016: Bike as Backbone
The last couple of days, my Instagram feed has filled with the #optoutside hashtag, as Insta connections spend the day in nature and the outdoors instead of dedicating time in retail spaces or in front of their computer. Part of me is glad for that, although I suspect that most of the people I know would choose the #optoutside path. Not in response to Black Friday. It’s just what … Continue reading Opting
Heavy hearts are the worst. A heavy heart burrows into your stomach and crowds other organs, causing discomfort. A heavy heart – being so burdened – needs extra oxygen to function, which can leave a person deflated and lethargic. It takes a lot of energy to endure a heavy heart. While it seems counterintuitive, a bicycle breeze may help temporarily lighten a heavy heart. Especially an autumn bicycle breeze. Unlike a … Continue reading Heavy Hearts and Bicycle Breezes
The 2016 Coffeeneuring Challenge prize is about to be revealed, but before the grand unveiling, I’m featuring the man behind the excellent coffeeneuring designs of the past two years. Doug of umbrella works stepped forward last year to offer his skills in creating the Coffeeneuring Challenge patch prize, and we’ve been working together since. Many thanks to Doug for being part of coffeeneuring. His involvement … Continue reading The Coffeeneur Behind the Coffeeneuring Patch Designs: Doug of Umbrella Works
The Coffeeneuring Challenge allows for an appreciation of cycling different from the oftentimes more active spring and summer months. Slow down. Relax. Spend time with a friend and drink a cup of coffee (or similar). Such was the case with Michael and Chauncey – best friends and riding buddies – who took on last year’s challenge together in Cincinatti, Ohio. As Michael wrote in his submission: “We had … Continue reading Remembering Michael Prater: Cycling Fed His Soul, Coffee Fueled His Ride
Last year’s Coffeeneuring Challenge introduced a new option for participants: the theme within a theme. The idea took off with quite a few, including Kathy, the author and illustrator of today’s post. Kathy took on the theme of visual journaling, and the result is a vivid set of watercolor pieces Kathy painted during the course of the challenge. Many thanks to Kathy for today’s post! Remember, … Continue reading A Theme Within a Theme Coffeeneuring Rewind: Visual Journaling with Kathy
When the Coffeeneuring Challenge first began, I had no idea who would participate and what cities would be represented. Over the years, Pittsburgh has consistently emerged as the city with the most participants. Last year, Pittsburgh coffeeneurs put together a poster announcing the challenge, and also worked with a local bike shop to coordinate both a kickoff and a closing event. Curious about the Pittsburgh … Continue reading The Capital City of Coffeeneuring: Pittsburgh, PA
Do you ride your bike to drink coffee or tea? Or even hot chocolate? Do you not care about rules, or perhaps not care for rules? Are you in training for the upcoming 2016 coffeeneuring season (coming soon, dates being decided by committee as we speak!). If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then perhaps you should consider joining the Always Be Coffeeneuring … Continue reading The Always Be Coffeeneuring Club
After five years in existence, the Coffeeneuring Challenge is becoming a fall tradition. For most of us, coffeeneuring never truly stops, but there is something especially enticing about the cool fall air, crunchy leaves under our wheels, and rides to coffee (or other coffee-ish) beverages with friends. This year, I talked with people in a couple of cities about their coffeeneuring exploits. The first is … Continue reading Coffeeneuring is Coming: An Inside Look at Coffeeneuring in Milwaukee
I’m fond of my active commute routine. My regular commute to work is predictable, pleasant. Over the years I’ve devised a sweet route that minimizes high-volume car traffic, and I store a nice selection of seasonal work clothes in my office. This week I’ve been thrust outside of my routine, which is pretty much a theme of 2016. Who needs routine? Routines are boring! Due … Continue reading Ride Your Bikes, People
A while back, I wrote a post called Randonneur- and Real-Life Spouse, which attempted to articulate my frustration about feelings of exclusion from a particular brevet experience (the #randbro adventure). This piece also discussed some of the demeaning comments we have received over the years from men who think that my willingness to stoke a tandem was my partner’s way of motivating me to ride. I probably shouldn’t even … Continue reading Making the Experience Yours: Randonneuring
I kicked off 2016 with cycling and running foremost in my mind. I participated in the area’s Freezing Saddles challenge – to ride as many days as possible from January through March – and signed on to ride the best flèche ever with our friend Jerry. From the beginning of the year through April, I enthusiastically pursued daily riding and weekly mileage goals. At some point, though, other activities … Continue reading Bicycle Estrangement
I started randonneuring because I wanted to see what the distances beyond 100 miles held for me. I hoped randonneuring would make me fitter and stronger, and help me see new places. What I did not realize, though, is that randonneuring was stealthily strengthening me in other ways, too. Over the past two years, other life pressures have pushed themselves to the fore, and I have … Continue reading Real Life Lessons From Randonneuring
