Coffeeneuring Ride #7, Gulu-Gulu Cafe, Mission Complete

Coffeenurring Ride 7, Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Seven weeks, seven rides, seven coffee shops! Today I wrapped up the Coffeeneuring Challenge with a pre-game ride to Gulu-Gulu Cafe in Salem. I had a longer ride planned for the afternoon, as Chip's FINAL football game -- a Championship game for the NECYFL title -- was local. But at the last minute I realized I left my road bike at the B&S Fitness Facilities after P2 last week! Ugh. Change of plans -- I took the mountain bike to Salem instead, no problem, just a shorter and slower ride.

It was busy at the Gulu-Gulu. I drank part of my coffee inside and then headed out to a cafe table where it was a little quieter before continuing on to Chip's game. The coffee at Gulu-Gulu was decent, though not as good as it could have been. (And sadly, Chip's game was a crushing loss for the Blue.) Just a bummer afternoon.

Coffee rankings during the challenge, from best to least favorite:
1. Atomic Cafe, Marblehead, BEST COFFEE
2. Jaho Coffee and Tea, Salem
3. Gulu-Gulu Cafe, Salem
4. Shubie's Marketplace, Marblehead, NICEST STAFF.
5. Ohlin's Bakery, Watertown
6. Russell Orchards, Ipswich, BEST CIDER, BEST RIDE.
7. The Driftwood, Marblehead

And that wraps up the Coffeeneuring Challenge 2015!

Window reflection outside Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Day 13: 30 Days of Biking, Orchard Stop

I overslept this morning after a hectic Friday, missing my Cyclopath breakfast ride out of Salem.

"No problem", I thought. "I have all day for my ride!!"

Hahaha.... "Noooooooo", said Mike. "Chip has a game later today." 

Rats!

After downing a cup of coffee, I headed out to start my ride in Beverly -- which I've been doing lately to avoid the chaos of Salem. We had a cool, overcast day, with a strong wind, but I managed to make my way to Ipswich in decent time, stopping to pick up some honey at Russell Orchards. (And, well, I treated myself to a very non-paleo cider donut while I was at it). I had a head wind on the return trip but still got home in time to get Chip to Manning Bowl in Lynn for his game. (Mike was working today.)

Sadly, they lost, 42-7. Ouch.

Not a good week for the Blue. The varsity and JV lost as well.

Go Big Blue!

Football season continues for the little guys as the Big Blue Spartans made the playoffs... extending Chip's season into November. (Unfortunately for the older boys, the high school teams didn't fare as well.) At last week's practice, one of the coaches gave each player a dog tag that included a name, number, and nickname. I expected Chip's to read "Chipwich" or "Chipper", which I'm sure I've heard most often on the field, but no. His nickname is "Wild Thing". (Just what a mom wants to hear, right?)

I added his new schedule to the calendar, and noted my conditioning workouts with Keli and Christine are conflicting with his practice times, so my off season training is off to a slow start. But on the plus side, I get to watch Chip play a little longer. I missed several of the boys' games this year with my ride schedule... and it's been a while since I sat in the bleachers for a game, bundled under ten wool blankets to stay warm. Hahaha! Congrats on making the play-offs, Chippy! Go Blue!

"Oh, hey, good to see you!" Social Ride

I've logged in some mileage, (a tad over 120), between the Point to Point last Saturday and today's ride for 30. I originally headed out towards Manchester this morning, but turned around upon realizing I left my phone at home... only to discover it was dead anyways and needed to be recharged. (Oops.) So, not wanting to be too far off the beaten path without a way for the boys to reach me, I decided to log in my miles locally. Of course that meant I kept running into people I knew, (too funny!), and my ride became a social ride more than a workout. That's o.k. It's summer. Stop and smell the roses.

The last few days have been tough to squeeze in rides as the boys' football schedules ramp up. Today I had to cut my ride short to get Will in for his concussion test... only to find out he was bumped to tomorrow. (Ha! I get extra credit for the pun!) Unfortunately, it leaves another broken day tomorrow -- and it's been hard to get in four straight uninterrupted hours this week. Just doing the best I can.

Inspiration

Will is in a bit of a funk today. His football team lost their 5th straight game last night while Chip's team likely made the playoffs. It's not always easy when one boy has more success than the other. I tend to become a walking Nike ad, trying to spin their negative thoughts into positive inspiration. Of course they think I'm crazy.

I'm feeling sore today after working intervals with Christine on Monday. She hit all the muscles the bike doesn't touch. I hurt all over. Guess I need to start quoting those Nike ads to myself.

And speaking of Nike... I just learned that they dropped Lance Armstrong from their stable of endorsements, claiming Armstrong "misled" Nike for more than a decade. Really? In a sport rife with doping, Nike was in the dark?. Ummm... o.k... whatever. I'm not defending Armstrong by any means, but we all know there wasn't any juice left to squeeze out of that endorsement deal... the guy retired 2 years ago. But claiming the moral high ground here, while standing behind other embattled athletes including Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger, Marion Jones and Alex Rodriguez (who admitted to taking PEDs), seems rather bogus, don't you think?

I wrote this post when Armstrong announced that he wasn't planning to fight the USADA charges against him. Absent of actual proof that he cheated, I felt he deserved the benefit of the doubt. (Especially since Nike supported other athletes with questionable morals.) Armstrong has since admitted to doping. Another hero bites the dust.

It's been HOT!

The heat wave didn't slow Will down this week as he still managed to get in a few rides with Cyclopaths Ethan and Sheldon. He had a terrific time at the Patrick Chung Football Academy last week, where they had three-a-day practices and scrimmages.The kid is in shape but really needs to spend a little more time on the bike to get in more miles. I wish I could spend that time with him, but he's doing great taking charge of his own training and arranging rides with other cyclists. I'm proud of him! Right now I'm working out at the Y on the recumbent bike and plan to switch to the spin bikes this weekend. Hard to believe it's been nearly three weeks since the crash! It feels so much longer.

Patrick Chung Football Academy

Will listens in as Coach Patrick Chung, DB of the NE Patriots, addresses the players at the end of their last scrimmage. It was a great week of training camp for Will and Chip as they focused on wide receiver/defensive back/safety skills, (Will), and running back, (Chip). They're ready for some football... after the Pan Mass Challenge!

This photo just cracks me up. Will was on the sideline getting ready to go in for the next play. He looked up to his teammate on his left, and then to those on his right, and took a knee. He probably realized, when the kids are 50 pounds heavier and a foot taller, it would call less attention (to his small size) that way. Too funny.

Cycling Season Over. Are we ready for some football? See you next year!