COFFEENEURING 2019

Another season of the Coffeeneuring Challenge has been completed, and this one felt more of a challenge with life seeming to get in the way. We made it work, however, because we cold not miss out on a season of coffeeneuring. The coffeeneuring challenge is a fun biking/coffee drinking challenge put forth by Mary G. of chasingmailboxes.com in which, over the course of seven weeks, you ride your bike to seven different places, at least 2 miles round-trip each time, drink seven cups of coffee (or similar), and take seven pictures as proof of your coffeeneuring. That is all it takes, but it is amazing how time can get away from you, hence making it the challenge. You have to be purposeful, get on the bike, and go get some coffee. This year we tried to keep it simple; just taking our Costa Rican, Pura Vida (which means "simple life" or "pure life") coffee mugs with us to save on disposable coffee cups (although we missed once due to coffee mugs being washed in the dishwasher at the time we left the house). The coffee places we went to were a mix of locally owned and chain establishments. None of them disappointed.

Below are the results of our seven coffeeneuring rides:

COFFEENEUR #1

WHERE: Starbucks

                 185 Spencer St, Manchester, CT              

                 http://www.starbucks.com/

DATE: October 13, 2019
DRANK: Two pumpkin lattes

DETAILS: At the end of a mostly woodsy, off road bike path along the highway, is Starbucks. Makes for a simple, easy ride, which is what we need sometimes. Usually we do not frequent Starbucks, but the convenience made it worth it this time.

DISTANCE: 6.6 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem

COFFEENEUR #2

WHERE: Silk City Coffee

                 763 Main St, Manchester, CT              

                 http://www.silkcitycoffee.com/

DATE: October 14, 2019
DRANK: Two pumpkin lattes

DETAILS: By far our absolute favorite coffee shop, just down the street from our house. We go there every Friday night when we aren't out of town for games and live music, and of course coffee and treats. Great ride down Main St. in Manchester.

DISTANCE: 2.5 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem

COFFEENEUR #3

WHERE: Berkins Blend Cafe
                 1003 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT              
                 http://www.berkinsblendcafe.com/
DATE: October 20, 2019
DRANK: Two drip coffees.
DETAILS: One of our standard coffeeneuring stops not far into Glastonbury from our house. An easy ride along mostly back roads with decent space for cars and bikes alike.
DISTANCE: 9.8 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem

COFFEENEUR #4

WHERE: Starbucks

                 135 Talcottville Rd, Vernon, CT              

                 http://www.starbucks.com/

DATE: October 28, 2019
DRANK: Two pumpkin lattes

DETAILS: We combined this ride with an errand to the automotive store to pick up headlights for the car using a coupon we had on hand. Definitely not a bike friendly main road once we got out there, but with our lights and reflective vests, I think we were easily seen. Most cars gave us space, but it was a relief to relax a bit and enjoy a worm drink on a cool night.

DISTANCE: 13.8 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem

COFFEENEUR #5

WHERE: Bread From Heaven Bakery
                 912 Main St, East Hartford, CT              

DATE: November 3, 2019
DRANK: Two drip coffees.
DETAILS: Actually had some free time to take a longer ride on this day. Ended up at a simple Puerto Rican bakery for a nice cup of coffee. Getting there is mostly along bike trail and bike lane so maked for an easy ride.
DISTANCE: 16.4 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem

COFFEENEUR #6

WHERE: Dunkin Donuts

                 244 Center St, Manchester, CT              
                 http://dunkindonuts.com/
DATE: November 9, 2019
DRANK: Two pumpkin lattes.
DETAILS: Combined this outing with some grocery shopping. Found out they are actually working on extending the Cheney Rail Trail further to the south making a continuous off road trail through the center of Manchester from north to south. They only have to complete the bridge crossing over Center St. Once complete it will make grocery shopping much easier. Excited for that!
DISTANCE: 5.0 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem

COFFEENEUR #7

WHERE: Daybreak Coffee Roasters
                  2377 Main St, Glastonbury, CT              
                  http://www.daybreakcoffee.com/ 
DATE: November 23, 2019
DRANK: A mocha latte and drip coffee.
DETAILS: A nice ride through the back roads of Manchester and Glastonbury to the busy Main St. of Glastonbury. Had been fighting a nasty cold for several days, so lucky to get this ride in. It felt good to breathe in some fresh air.
DISTANCE: 14.7 miles
RIDING: Hokitika Tandem