Coffeeneuring 2024: Pushing the deadline

Sunrise ride

Well, despite getting an extra week after Coffeeneuring 2024 was extended, I still managed to finish this year's challenge on the last day. (I'm happy to note my fellow 30 Days of Biking friend Pam did the same. Lol.) Gosh, life got crazy this month. One obstacle this fall was trying to get out on the bike during my running "off" days.

Yesterday, (Monday, Nov 25th), kicked off a busy holiday week. I'd awoken at 4:30 a.m., my brain unable to shut down from over-thinking the challenging days ahead of me -- so I decided to get the day started with a final Coffeeneuring ride to clear my head. I tossed my mountain bike in the back of the car and headed to Devereaux Beach for the sunrise, and then rode out around the lighthouse and back into town for coffee at Plus Cafe. It was exactly what I needed to start the day.

Bonus: I found one of my besties, Amy, waiting at Devereaux Beach for the sunrise. (✿ •‿•)

Coffeeneuring Ride 7: Cafe Latte at Plus Café

Thanksgiving week... a good excuse to splurge

It's been a stressful month, and I've overcommitted myself a hundred times over, but I'm still managing to get things done. At the bottom of the list is my upcoming 5k with Chip! I've not yet "graduated" from my C25K running program, but I'm close. (I've repeated a few weeks.) 

The Feaster Five (race) is just a few days away. A storm is expected on race day, and honestly I'd rather not run in a cold rain, so Chip (home from grad school) and I may pivot and run our own Feaster Five on Friday instead. We pick up our race packets tomorrow and will decide on race day whether to run the Andover course on Thanksgiving or punt it to Friday. 

Coffeeneuring 2024 is officially over, but our mild weather (for November) continues. Hopefully I'll be able to get in a few more coffee rides before the winter settle in.

Always be Coffeeneuring.

Seeking a little peace and serenity this week

Coffeeneuring Ride 6: New Pier at Salem Willows

It was a brisk, chilly day for Coffeeneuring ride 5 out to Salem Willows. I hadn't planned to ride that far on the mountain bike, but after taking the trail to Salem and popping down to Congress Street to find coffee, I was curious to venture down Derby St to check out Maitland Mountain Farm's new restaurant. It looked great and I'll definitely have to pop back there for lunch sometime soon. From there, I continued on to the Willows, which made it a long haul home on the Kona. (Normally I'd prefer the road bike for that loop.)

The new fishing pier at the Willows opened last week and was already active with fisherman catching mackerel at the end of the pier. The previous pier was destroyed a few years ago in a storm -- the new one looks fantastic! 

Coffeeneuring Ride 5: Salem Willows
and Lulu's Bakery

My coffee stop was to Lulu's Bakery and Pantry, which had a place to leave my bike (unlocked) in front of huge glass windows. I popped in for a few minutes to warm up, grab a hummingbird muffin and an iced coffee, but didn't linger too long. There are benches at the small park adjacent to the bakery where I finished my coffee.

Just one ride to go! I'll be finishing this year's challenge on time, but probably take it down to the last day. It's crazy how quickly the time goes when you have a packed schedule.

Coffeeneuring 2024, Ride 5: Coffee Shop Without Walls

I lost my bike lock somewhere between Oct 27th and Nov 2, and the replacement lock I've ordered has not yet arrived. On Sunday, I decided to head to the beach for coffee instead of a coffee shop where I'd be unable to secure my bike. I packed up a small backpack with a S'well thermos of hot water, an AeroPress coffee maker, measured out some coffee grinds, filled a small container with almond-milk creamer and wrapped up a toasted English muffin with jam and headed to the beach!

A perfect plan for a Sunday morning!

Coffeeneuring Ride 5:
Aeropress coffee by the beach

Coffeeneuring Ride 4: Farmer's Market,

We had a cool (seasonal?) but sunny day for Coffeeneuring ride number 4. I met my sister for a stop at the Marblehead farmer's market where I picked up leeks, apples, cranberries and dried green peas for a split pea soup -- cozy Fall favorites. Next, we headed to Shubie's Marketplace which recently added a renovated café area for coffee and a bite to eat. I can't say the employees who served us were on the ball, but we rolled with it. (One example, I ordered a hot black tea and was served an iced tea. I'm not sure how that got mixed up.)

Coffeeneuring Ride 4: Iced Tea?

We caught up on events and news that was happening in both of our lives over coffee/tea and then I headed home with a full backpack. It was a chilly ride heading home --- I'm looking forward to some more Fall soups!

Coffeenuering Ride 3: Trail to Salem

Coffeeneuring Ride 3: On the Grind Cafe

Drought conditions continue here in Eastern Massachusetts and several wildfires have flared up over the last few days. I rode the rail trail into Salem despite the less-than-ideal air quality, telling myself it wasn't that bad -- but ending up with a sore and scratchy throat by the end of the day. I headed to On the Grind Cafe on Jefferson Ave for Coffeeneuring ride #3, just enough beyond the tourist area that it wasn't crawling with people. 

The weather has been spectacular, although again, very dry. I stopped by Hawthorn Pond where ducks are still often around this time of year. The pond was gone. Completely dry and dead, no water, no fish, no ducks. Crazy. I imagine if we don't get significant snow this winter, that pond might not recover in the Spring.  

Hawthorn Pond, drought damage

Coffeeneauring, Island Time

Oak Bluffs

Our summer was so busy, Mike and I couldn't squeeze in a vacation getaway until the weekend of Columbus Day -- also known as Indigenous Peoples Day in Massachusetts. My first plan was to head to Maine, which we've always enjoyed and where Mike is considering retiring, but I was thrown a wrench in my plans when he informed me he had a Patriots home game that weekend. Lol. Shoot. Making a pivot, I rented a place in Bourne for a few days so we could attend the game together on Sunday, and then took a ferry to Martha's Vineyard for the rest of the week.

Yo, Martha's Vineyard is deadddd in mid-October. We had a lovely time and it was a nice escape, but most of the shops and restaurants were closed for the season -- and do you know how hard it was to find an open coffee shop?! Well, I can tell you there were none in Oak Bluffs.

Closed

On our last morning on the island, I borrowed a bike from Sun n' Fun on Lake Ave -- a step-through Marin Kentfield with a sturdy basket -- and rode several miles down the windy coastline towards Edgartown; then weaving back to Oak Bluffs through sweet neighborhoods, googling "coffee near me" on the way, I soon discovered I was in the wrong village for coffee. Every stop I made was met with a sign reading, "Closed for the Season". Every. Stop. Mocha Motts. Toccopuro. Bass Best. Back Door Donuts. Undaunted by the challenge, but knowing I had little time to ride out to Vineyard Haven, I swung over to Winston's Kitchen for a coffee and a blueberry muffin to go and sat in the sun at Oak Bluffs Harbor for Coffeeneuring Ride 2.

 

Coffeeneuring Ride 2: Winston's Kitchen for a
coffee and blueberry muffin on Oak Bluffs Harbor

Note: Winston's Kitchen is a gem. We visited several eateries on Martha's Vineyard during our stay, and the takeout from Winston's Kitchen, (fried chicken for Mike; loaded baked potato soup and a sandwich for me), bested them all. 

We had a great time on the vineyard... it really is beautiful at this time of year and the gingerbread cottages were especially pretty amongst the fall foliage... but alas our vacation was too short. We are now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Coffeenuring Time!

Coffeeneuring Ride 1: A beachy brew and
apple cider donut. A perfect fall day!

My blog gets updated so infrequently these days and if it were not for Coffeeneuring, it would remain dusty through the fall. I love, love this time of year -- crispy autumn days, casual rides for coffee, the changing colors of the leaves... so fabulous.

I kicked off Coffeeneuring 2024, now my 7th or 8th year (I've lost track), with a trail ride to Salem and a loop through the Forest River Conservation area. I ran a few miles earlier in the day in Andover and felt energized to hop on my bike when I returned home -- it was such a gorgeous day (!) -- but by the time I hit Salem I felt my energy drain. I needed coffee!! Since Salem is a madhouse in October, I returned down the trail to Marblehead to grab a coffee at Java Sun and breakfast by the beach. 

Trails today!

The foliage is still very green along the coast, but not for much longer. I started training with a running group that meets early on Sunday mornings in Andover, gearing up for the Feaster Five on Thanksgiving day, and noticed the colors up north are really popping. Riding our trail at home I noted the coastal towns are a week or two behind. It won't be much longer before the leaves change, though -- it's getting chilly at night!

Fall colors, cooler temps, and more coffee rides ahead! Coffeeneuring 2024 is underway.

Coffeeneuring 2023 Control Card

Always Be Coffeeneuring

Ride Number: 1

Date: 10/09/2023
Mileage (total): 5
Location Name: Cafe Avellino
Address: Humphrey Street, Swampscott
Drink: Iced latte (and Italian sugar cookies)

Bike: Trek Domane
Ride note: Met a friendly elderly neighbor and his 13-year-old dog, Sonny, who were visiting the cafe  for Sonny's daily homemade meatball, (made by cafe owner Teresa S.)

Ride Number: 2

Date: 10/14/23
Mileage (total): 16
Location Name: The Blue Canoe
Address: School Street, Marblehead
Drink: Iced Vermont maple coffee (and a breakfast sandwich)

Bike: Trek Domane
Ride note: My sister Donna joined me for coffee at The Blue Canoe, followed by art shopping downtown. Fortunately my purchases fit in my backpack for the ride home.

Ride Number: 3

Date: 10/19/23
Mileage (total): 18
Location Name: On the Grind
Address: Jefferson Ave, Salem
Drink: Large cappuccino (and an oatmeal cookie)

Bike: Trek Domane
Ride note: Ran an errand in Salem, which is always difficult at this time of year. (Haunted Happenings brings thousands of tourists to Salem every October) Riding the bike made it quick and easy! I took a winding, off the beaten path route, and snapped a photo of the Halloween decorations on Federal Street. Coffee was at a new place -- On the Grind Cafe -- which opened last Spring. It might be my new favorite coffee shop!

Ride Number: 4

Date: 10/27/23
Mileage (total): 11
Location Name: Java Sun
Address: Atlantic Ave, Marblehead
Drink: Iced chai (and pistachio biscotti)

Bike: Kona Kahuna
Ride note: 75 degrees! Summer in October, I'll take it. Unless that's emblematic of global climate change; in which case, I'd rather it be the normal 55 degrees of October.

Ride Number: 5

Date: 11/3/23

Mileage (total): 14
Location Name: Camilla's Cafe and Breakfast
Address: Canal Street, Salem
Drink: Medium cappuccino (and a croissant)

Bike: Kona Kahuna
Ride note: Started the day early with a gorgeous sunrise! Rail trail to Salem and back, including a paved section along Canal Street in Salem. Stopped at another new coffee spot -- Camilla's Cafe. Great day for a ride!

Ride Number: 6

Date: 11/11/23
Mileage (total): 15
Location Name: Red Line Cafe
Address: Essex Street, Salem
Drink: Iced mocha (and ham and cheese spanakopita)

Bike: Trek Domane
Ride note: Headed our on a windy morning to meet Will at the Peabody Essex Museum, followed by coffee at the (new to me) Red Line Cafe  on the pedestrian mall. There's still quite a number of tourists 2 weeks after Halloween.

Ride Number: 7

Date: 11/16/23
Mileage (total): 15
Location Name: Lulu's Bakery and Pantry
Address: Derby Street, Salem
Drink: Iced latte (and a chocolate covered marshamallow)

Bike: Trek Domane
Ride note: Last ride of the challenge! Visited (new to me) Lulu's Bakery in Salem during a winding tour through quiet city streets. The hordes of tourists are finally gone and Salem is peaceful again. I love this time of year, the lull before the holidays.

----

I finished Coffeeneuring early this year! Woot woot! That's so rare for me! The weather was near perfect, which made it easier. I also visited several new coffee places this year -- four of the seven, (On the Grind, Lulu's Bakery and Pantry, Red Line Cafe, and Camilla's) -- and one, (Cafe Avellino), I'd only been to once before. Salem has several terrific coffee spots downtown, (and really the best coffee), but I avoid biking through there during most of October. Some great rides this year! Hopefully there will be a few more before the snow arrives.

Happy riding, happy fall!

Coffeeneuring Ride 7, An early finish!

Coffeeneuring Ride 7, Lulu's Bakery and Pantry

I didn't ride with a theme this year, but I could have -- I visited four new coffee shops this Fall and easily could have added a few more to make it a theme. Today I stopped at Lulu's Bakery and Pantry which opened in 2022 and was new to me. Add it to the growing list of great coffee places in Salem! 

The bakery offerings were large, (cookies the size of a saucer), so I chose a small chocolate covered marshmallow and ordered an iced latte with oatmilk. I'm trying to limit my sweets leading up to Thanksgiving, but when I opened the mini bakery box there were two marshmallows inside. OMG. Yes, it was as delicious as it looks. 

I only ate one... until I rode home and patted myself on the back for once again riding up Lafayette Hill into Marblehead... and rewarded myself for the effort with the second marshmallow. Lol.

I started my ride with a loop out to the Willows and Winter Island, and then back towards Salem Common where I intended to cut down to Wolf Next Door for coffee. The trees were beautiful, with just a smattering of leaves hanging on for the last bits of autumn. A lighting contractor was stringing lights in the trees, getting ready for the winter holidays. I love this time of year, when Salem transitions from the gaudy Halloween spectacle to classic, old charm Christmas. It's so lovely.

Broke out the coffeeneuring bandana today

I walked my bike through the Common and rode down Hawthorne Blvd towards Derby Street, but changed my mind on the coffee destination -- instead visiting Lulu's Bakery. It was a happy decision.

Heading home, I swung down Peabody Street to check out the new mini murals that were painted over the summer. Last May, I helped prep the panels for new art work, but hadn't made it over to see the new installation. I got a chuckle seeing the Dunkin' art -- what a perfect ending.

Coffeeneuring 2023 officially comes to a close. Hopefully there will be a few more coffee rides before the snow falls.

Coffeeneuring Ride 6, Museum Day!

Coffeeneuring Ride 6, Red Line Cafe

After several days of gray, wet weather, it was nice to see the sunshine this morning! Will and I had tickets to see the Salem Witch Trials exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, (ending on November 27th), but with the weather being so nice, I wanted to take advantage of it while I could and get out on my bike! We made a plan to meet at the museum later in the morning, and I headed off to Salem on the road bike.

The sun was deceiving. There was a cold headwind!

1941 Columbia Superb

We met at the museum and had a great time exploring the galleries for a few hours -- we can both easily spend an entire day there -- and then walked down to the Red Line Cafe on the Essex Street pedestrian mall. I'd actually never been to the Red Line Cafe, as so many of my favorite coffee places are nearby, but I'm glad we checked it out! It was packed -- but we were able to find a cozy table, and went ahead and ordered two iced mochas and some food. The coffee was great and the lunch hit the spot and we enjoyed the vibe. It was still quite busy in Salem post-Halloween, which was surprising to see. 

Heading home I had a tail wind, which wasn't so bad. 

Coffee, art, bikes, and Will. It was a perfect Saturday.

Coffeeneuring Ride 5, Sunrise start

Early morning double sunrise

I know I'm lucky to live where we do -- it's just a short hop to the beach -- and yet I don't take advantage of catching the sunrise often enough. I was up early today and thinking about brewing my first cup of coffee when I received a text from Will, (already at work), alerting me to the pinks and purples in the sky. I headed down to the beach, thinking there was still 15 minutes before the sunrise, watching the pinks and purples in the sky become shades of red and orange as I got closer to the ocean.

When I arrived at the beach, I was surprised to see the sun was already well above the horizon, a bit hazy from the clouds. My timing must have been off?? But, as I sat on the seawall and enjoyed the changing colors, the sounds of the surf, and the gulls flying overhead, the actual sun popped up over the horizon, giving the illusion of two suns. Stunning.

Today's coffee ride was to Salem, taking the rail trail and new Canal Street bike path that drops you right into Riley Plaza, Salem. (Is it still called Riley Plaza?) I've been trying to visit new coffee places during this year's Coffeeneuring Challenge, and decided to try Camilla's Cafe and Breakfast on Canal Street, adjacent to the bike path. (It's a new-ish place in the original HoneyDew Donuts shop.) The coffee was good but my timing may have been off because they didn't have much in the way of small snacks. I ordered a cappuccino and croissant and sat by a sunny window to warm up. 

Coffeneuring Ride 5, Camilla's Cafe

I headed back home, staying on Canal Street to Loring Ave and then through the Forest River area. There still isn't much foliage to be seen this year -- and many trees have gone straight from green to brown and leafless, (with no change of colors in between). Crazy weather we're having, but lovely for riding.