Coffeeneuring - Ride 7 of 7 - The End

The last ride if the 2013 Coffeeneuring Challenge was completed today.  I used the recently completed bike from the Scorcher Project (see earlier posts) for this ride.  Rode to old town Leesburg, VA. on the W&OD trail to visit "Shoes, Cup and Cork", a converted shoe shop that served customers for 100 years.  Total trip length 10.1 miles.

This was my favorite coffee shop visited during the Challenge.  I ordered an Americano and a white chocolate/raspberry scone.

Unclaimed shoes hanging from the ceiling.

Weekend entertainment.

Outside garden.

The Scorcher Project bike.

Some final thoughts on the Coffeeneuring Challenge.  I would like to thank Mary at Chasing Mailboxes D.C. for this event.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the write-ups and pictures from the many participants. This has been a great incentive to get out and enjoy the splendid Fall weather and exercise some Classic Three Speeds. Thank you so very much.

Coffeeneuring - Ride 6 of 7

Today was my Coffee Shop Without Walls ride.  This was the sixth Coffeeneuring Challenge ride completed, only one more to go to complete the Challenge.  The ride was on the C&O canal tow path between Brunswick, MD and Point of Rocks.  I chose the 1972 Raleigh Sports "Gold Edition" for this outing, primarily for its rear rack which was needed to haul the equipment for a proper "brew-up".  The Carradice Barley bag was up to the task of carrying my French press, fresh ground coffee beans, and vintage Sierra Club cups.  I also carried fresh water since the water at the hiker/biker campground along the C&O are treated with iodine, not the taste I was looking for.  I strapped my vintage Svea 123 stove and Sigg-Tourist-Set to the rear rack and we were off.  My son Michael accompanied me on the ride with his Nishiki mountain bike, his job was to follow me and report any equipment falling off the bike.  Here we are at the start.

Barley bag, and vintage Sigg Tourist Set ready for another adventure. 

The tow path is beautiful in the Fall.

Old train tunnel.

Lock 28 house.

View from Bald Eagle Island hiker/biker campground.

Getting ready for the "brew-up", at the campground.

Vintage Svea 123 stove, and Sigg Tourist Set

Preparing the French press.

Heating the water.

The "press", with Michael's green tea in the foreground.

The "pour".

Hot beverages with iconic Cliff Bar "pastries".

A great day; ride 6 of 7 completed.  Looking forward to next week for the last ride of the Challenge.  Until then, Enjoy the Ride.

Coffeeneuring - Ride 5 of 7

Completed ride 5 of the Coffeeneuring Challenge this morning.  I had all intentions of using the recently completed bike from the Scorcher Project, but...

Scorcher Project

because of the morning rain and wet pavement, I opted to use a bike with fenders.  I chose the 1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist, it has fenders and the added bonus of an enclosed chaincase.  This is the same bike I used for the first Challenge ride.  I chose the Vino 9 Market for today's ride.  Located on Route 9 about a 1/4 mile from the W&OD at Paeonian Springs, VA. it has been recently refurbished and now includes a nice patio, and speakeasy type bar (The Blind Pig) under the store.  On Saturday's they have entertainment on the stage in the patio.  The ride there was wet, cool and somber, I was looking forward to a hot cup of coffee on arrival.

  

Front entrance, patio is in the back.

Patio entrance.

1953 Raleigh Sports, the fenders were a good choice today.  Drip coffee tasted extra good.

More patio

Entertainment stage.

Bottle cap table.

Today's ride was 4.4 miles.  On the way home I was thinking about the nice pot of Chipotle Chili I was going to make to brighten the day, but now as I'm writing this the Sun has come out.  Although; the simmering Chili does smell good.

Coffeeneuring - Ride 4 of 7

Today was a cloudy muggy day, definitely not Fall like, but the Coffeeneuring Challenge must be obeyed.  Ride 4 took me to Black Dog Coffee, which is located in the It's Bazaar building in old town Purcellville.  For today's ride I chose my 1972 "Gold Edition" Raleigh Sports.  This bike was recently acquired, but has not been refurbished yet; however, it did see action in the DC Seersucker Social.

1972 Raleigh "Gold Edition" Sports

Today's meal, I also picked-up a bag of whole beans.

OK, ride 4 completed, total trip 3.8 miles.  That's it for this weeks Coffeeneuring rides, hopefully next Tues. and Wed. will be good weather for rides 5 and 6.  Until then enjoy the ride!

Coffeeneuring - Guest Post

As part of my participation in this years edition of the Coffeeneuring Challenge.  I'm responding a request to create a  Guest Post using 7 questions developed by the founder to the Challenge.  So here it goes:

(1.)  Where do you live? 

Currently living in Purcellville, VA., a resident for 33 years.  Born in DC, and have live in the Metro area ever since.



(2.)  How did you decide to coffeeneur?    

I had just finished the refurbishment of a 1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist, when I saw the announcement of the 3rd Annual Challenge.  This seemed like a perfect fit with my fondness for old 3-speed bikes, good coffee, and beautiful Fall mornings.  It would be the good way to get the '53 Sports sorted out, and provide an opportunity to exercise other 3-speeds I own.



(3.)  What bike are you using as your Coffeeneuring bike?  What makes it a good Coffeeneuring bike?

I'll be riding a 1949 Comrade Roadster Model, 1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist, and a 1972 "Gold Edition" Raleigh Sports.  These are all British 3-speeds, they are comfortable with upright riding position, are unpretentious, and just enough gears to deal with most terrain.  A perfect bike for casual jaunts to the local coffee shops.



(4.)  Where did you choose to coffeeneur for this trip?

I'm intending to ride in Purcellville for as many of the 7 trips as I can, but I don't believe there are that many coffee shops available.  I'm trying to avoid using the big chain shops/stores, I plan on using only Mom & Pop shops.  I do want to plan at least one "Coffee Shop Without Walls" trip.  I will be packing my vintage Svea 123 stove and Sigg Tourist set; some fresh ground beans; French press; and ride somewhere to have a "Brew-Up".  Probably on the C&O canal at one of the hiker/biker campsites.  Is the canal even open because of the Government shutdown?



(5.)  Is the coffee shop beautiful and the coffee delicious?  Tell us a little about your Coffeeneuring locale.

 All of the shops have been excellent thus far.  Purcellville for a small town has a good selection of coffee shops; however, there has really been an increase in local vineyards, craft breweries, and now a distillery, Catoctin Creek.  Is there Beerneuring, Wineneuring , or Whiskyneuring in the future? 



(6.)  What other types of riding do you do besides Coffeeneuring?

I used to ride a lot on my 1970's era Reynolds 531 framed custom 10-speed with the Potomac Peddlers.  I still enjoy riding the 10 speed, but I now prefer more casual, comfortable rides on a 3-speed.  I last big ride I did was the Seagull Century (metric) on the Eastern shore, this event gets a huge turnout.  I also enjoy the organized rides in DC sponsored by the Bicycle Space, and the Seersucker Social and Tweed Ride put on by Dandies & Quaintrelles.



(7.)  What else did I forget to ask you that you want to share?

Nothing is particular, just wanted to Thank You for your efforts in putting on the Challenge, I'm having a good time with it thus far.

Coffeeneuring - Ride 3 of 7

Beautiful day for a ride, especially after all the rain last week.  I started the ride in Paeonian Springs on the W&OD trail, and rode to Around the Block Books for my third ride of the Coffeeneuring Challenge.  This was my first visit since they relocated to the second floor above Trails Ends Cycling at the Western terminus of the W&OD trail.  They sell used books and have great coffee and sweets.  There are two sections to the store "Chapter 1", which contains the coffee and sweets, and 2008 and later books; and on the second floor is "Chapter 2", with a very cozy reading/sitting area and more books.  There motto is "We Encourage Loitering".   I normally do not use the word delightful; however, this is a perfect word to describe this place. I enjoyed my coffee and muffin while having interesting conversation with the owners.  It was like having morning coffee at a friends house.  In the course of the conversation my fondness for old bikes came up, and with that I was quickly presented with 1973 edition of "Glenn's Complete Bicycle Manual", which is now mine.

Today I used my 1949 Comrade Roadster Model for the trip, built by the Comrade Cycle Co. of Darlaston England.  This is a classic 3-speed with rod brakes and quadrant shifter.  The total ride length was 11.6 miles, at one point on the ride I hit 19.77 MPH, not bad for a 48 lb., 64 year old three speed.

The Comrade and main entrance to "Chapter 1", and coffee and sweets. 

Entrance to stairway for "Chapter 2"

My idea of health food.

More health food.

Don't forget the coffee.

All mine!

Mom and Daughter owners, Alice and Laura.

Upstairs at "Chapter 2"

On the way back, end of Coffeeneuring Challenge Ride 3.

Coffeeneuring, Ride 2 of 7

Another Coffeeneuring Challenge ride completed.  I'm retired so according to the rules (http://chasingmailboxes.com/2013/09/30/third-annual-chasing-mailboxes-coffeeneuring-challenge/) I can pick any two days of the week for my weekend.  I will be using Tues.and Weds. for my rides.  Today's ride was cloudy and cool.  The rest of the week in these parts looks like plenty of windy rainy weather, so I was happy to get my second ride in today.  I started at the Purcellville train station which is also the Western terminus of the W&OD bike trail.  I used my recently refurbished 1953 Raleigh Sports for this outing.

The LOVE sign at the train station

 A short ride down the W&OD then into town for a stop at Market Street Coffee.  Today I was conservative and just ordered a regular coffee instead of a fancy pour, but I got a little racy with a Vanilla and Orange iced scone.  Total ride length 3.2 miles.

You Have Arrived at Your Destination

Ahh, The Coffeeneruing Life!

Coffeeneuring, Ride 1 of 7

This year I will be participating in the Coffeeneuring Challenge.  Coffeeneuring is a casual bicycle ride to a local coffee shop.  The Challenge is you must visit 7 different coffee shops between Oct. 5 and Nov. 17, 2013, the total ride length must be at least two miles, and you can only ride two days out of the week, normally this would be the weekend, but there are some exceptions.  This is the third year the event has been staged, full rules and description are here:

http://chasingmailboxes.com/2013/09/30/third-annual-chasing-mailboxes-coffeeneuring-challenge/

All rides must be recorded and submitted, I will using this Blog to record my rides.  Those successfully finishing the Challenge will be awarded a prize.  This is a perfect way to sort out the 1953 Sports, and exercise some of my other three speeds while enjoying the beautiful Fall mornings.  Today I completed my first of 7 rides, I visited LoCo (stands for Loudoun County) Joe's in Purcellville, VA.  A nice latte and butterscotch muffin for my first ride of 2.2 miles.

LoCo Joe, Purcellville, VA

1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist Model 23

Porch Entrance

Scenic Fall Latte

Menu Selection

The W&OD Bike Trail on the Way