20171101 coffeeneuring #3

in front of the sorting pens along wiregrass ranch boulevard.

Sunny but cool in the shade. 50º humidity 90% wind 2 NE

cows in the pen

I started out on my usual route then turned north on Wiregrass Boulevard. I wanted some more miles before I reached my destination. I heard some cows as I was going around the first roundabout and circled back. They were 3 small calves in the pen. Were they being weened? I got off my bike and walked to the fence and took some photos. They seemed curious and took a few steps towards me but didn’t come up to the fence. 

I continued to Chancey and went west to Seven Oaks. I rode south to SR56 and turned west. 
Gate is on SR56. I rode around the building looking for a bike rack. There was none. I locked my bike to one of the round metal tables.  

i have tried a boiled peanut once. it was mushy and gross.

Gate is not as big as RaceTrac and Wawa, They did have coffee, cocoa (out of order), shakes and smoothies, only sweet and unsweetened tea, sodas. They had some pre-made hot sandwiches a roller bar and frozen yogurt. They have insulated foam cups which some people prefer. They do have contactless payment in case you forget your wallet. $1.06

I sat outside in the shade, out of the wind. The tea was OK. 

I rode back on SR56 to Northwood Palms and rode through to CLR the east towards home. It was windy on the way home and I didn’t feel like fighting it. 

17.84 miles

20171026 coffeeneuring #2

I had to turn around for my debit card. I didn't think I would get lucky twice with being able to use Apple Pay.

The flag at MPIII was flapping until I stopped to take a photo.

The wind was annoying and chilly. Two days ago I was in bike shorts and t-shirt and sweating. Today I am in bike tights and long sleeved base and sweatshirt. My blood is Florida thin.

I rode out to Union Park before going west to RaceTrac.

There are sidewalks Along SR56 but they are narrow and have barriers which make it impossible to pass anyone else. I crossed SR56 then crossed back to RaceTrac.

There is no bike rack but a short fence to lock my bike up.

There are so many choices inside. There is a variety of iced teas, slushies, sodas, frozen yogurt and hotdogs. There was no hot foods nor hot drinks because they were upgrading. I got unsweetened ice tea. It was good. Twelve ounce iced tea was $1.17.

There are a few tables outside. I chose to sit in the sun.

I went south to CLR and then had the wind against me the whole time. Part of CLR has no bike lane nor any shoulder but that portion was short.

18.25 miles
12.44 mph

20171020 coffeeneuring #1

This is my third coffeeneuring challenge. The first year, I tried visiting coffee shops and found they just don't work for my rides. Most of my rides are for fitness and I tend to think of them as a chore to get done. I just can't spend the time to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, or tea in my case. Last year I tried smoothies. The smoothies were OK but expensive and filling and not so good when I still need to ride home. This year I thought about pit stops to get a quick beverage and be on my way. I thought about the spirit of coffeeneuring and how it started as stopping for coffee. Though drinking coffee is not required, I think hot coffee should be an available beverage. This meant that places like CVS and Walgreens were not allowed. However, almost every gas station has become a place to fill up your car as well as yourself. Some even have small cafés attached. I rarely go into these places and coffeeneuring is a good chance to check out these places.

if only i liked coffee. so many choices.

a decent variety of protein bars in between king sized candy bars

I have been on "vacation" this week but still managed to put my first coffeeneuring trip off until the end of the week. I decided to tack on my coffeeneuring on the back end of my regular ride. I rode out to Union Park then along SR56 to Wawa. I had never been before. They have a small bike rack and tables outside. The iced beverages are separated from the hot beverages. I chose iced tea. I walked around looking at items and to hide the fact I wasn’t sure where to check out. 
The tea wasn’t very good but it was only $1.07 and I could use Apple Pay. 
The two miles home were tough because the wind was against me again. 
16.02 miles

there are tables in sun as well as some in the shade

unsweetened tea is always an iffy beverage as it sometimes can sit for days

coffeeneuring #7

Planet Smoothie kept popping up on my list when I looked for smoothie places. I kept ignoring it because the route there is not great. There are bike lanes but it is on a busy and fast highway.
I decided to get it done in case something else pops up later in the week.
The weather was good, cool and overcast. The traffic was heavy but didn’t bother me.
There wasn’t much to see as far as the scenery is concerned. This is a commercial zone, I only stopped for traffic lights.

Planet smoothie is in a shopping center but along a side road. I saw no bike rack near by and no where to lock my bike. There were no others around and took a chance and didn’t lock my bike. 
I have never been to a Planet Smoothie. I saw a poster for a Orange Push-Up Smoothie and it sounded good. I ordered a small. It was really good and did taste like an orange push-up.
I sat outside and finished my smoothie.

The ride home was fine. I chose a different route which lacks a bike lane and at times, a shoulder. The view is a bit better but mostly houses and empty fields.

almost home

I enjoyed coffeeneuring this year. I might enjoy it more if I had someone to ride with me. I am not sure why the cost of smoothies surprised me. I paid cash for most of them instead of using my debit card so I really paid attention when the dollars leave my hand. I didn’t have any extra costs like last year so overall, this year was much cheaper.

Total rides: 7
Total miles: 119.36
Total cost $37.46

coffeeneuring #6

since the gated  was removed, people use kinnan as an dumping ground

I wanted to ride longer to make up some miles (I had to skip my ride the day before.) One easy way to ride longer is to go through Flatwoods Park. There is a 7 mile paved loop for cyclists and runners.

this is stuffing not loads of cottonwood pollen

I went out to Mansfield and rode across the gap to Kinnan. I turned at Brockton and rode that to Cross Creek. I was planning on turning east but as I sat waiting for the light to change, decided to go through Cory Lake Isles. It is a gated community but usually allows for cyclists to ride through. I hadn’t been through CLI in over 10 years. I had forgotten that the road was paved with bricks instead of asphalt or concrete. It made for a bumpy ride. It would have been even worse a year ago when my tires were only 23mm wide. Because it is a gated community, I didn't feel it would be smart to stop and take photos.

cory lake isles

I followed the main road out to Morris Bridge. Morris Bridge has been repaved since I have been on about year ago. The bike lane is much better. The only obstacles are low branches.

they provide water at 4 spots around the 7 mile loop

I turned west again at Flatwoods. There were few people riding and running. I like how quiet it is during the week. The path had also been repaved and even widened in some areas.

I was back on Bruce B Downs and busy traffic. I crossed at the light and went south a couple of blocks to the shopping center. I saw no bike rack and locked my bike up to a sign post.

Since I had already been to Smoothie King at another location, I tried another smoothie. I ordered a Peach Papaya Greek Yogurt Smoothie. There are a couple of tables inside and I saw for a few minutes. I took the rest of my smoothie and rode back home via Bruce B Downs.

coffeeneuring #5

Tuesday 1 November
66° humidity 94% wind 4-5 NE

looking west at sr54 and mpb

Pam told me about the wellness café at Florida Hospital. I decided to check it out. To make it worth the calories, I went out MPB to SR54. O rode the MUP along MPB. I prefer the road but it gets busy along this stretch and I wasn't sure I could keep my tired brain aware enough to be safe. 

looking south at sr54 and bbd

There is a decent shoulder along SR54. The wind was behind me and I cruised along. I had to stop briefly at Curley Road for the light and then again at BBD to cross safely. While waiting for the light, I realized I have never been to the Waffle House. We have homemade waffles and sausage every Sunday at home so there is no need to have waffles anywhere else.

non-descript entry for visitors

I rode south down BBD. The wind was with me and helped me get some good speed. I rode in the road instead of the MUP. The bike lane is clear.

I have not been to Florida Hospital. I followed the signs to the Wellness Center and looked for a bike rack. I found two in the back with the visitor parking. I locked up my bike and went in. The Café is very small but had a good variety of smoothies. Why do most smoothies include bananas? I ordered a berry blast. It was $4.82. 

There is seating inside but I prefer to go outside. At least there were other people around in workout clothes since the Wellness Center includes a fitness area. There was no seating outside so I took my smoothie to go. I rode back against the wind, SR56 to Mansfield. 

18.17 miles
12.82 mph

coffeeneuring #4

Monday, 24 October
61° humidity 80% wind 5 NNE

this is the barrier at the end of mansfield. there is a worn path along the right side.

I wore my long sleeve base but didn't need it. The sun was warm. I went out CLR to Mansfield over to Kinnan. Kennan is an abandoned future road. It was built to connect two counties but the counties cannot agree. There was no broken glass but shredded mattress someone dumped here. I rode to Cross Creek. 

no bike lane and a lower shoulder is no very bike friendly.

I had to stop to cross traffic to get across the road to Hunters' Green. My speeds were good with wind behind me. I went north on BBD.

cross creek and bruce b downs

I missed hitting resume on my Apple Watch and lost 1/4 mile. Oops. 
I rode east on Regents Park All the way around to BBD. I rode it back to Pebble Creek and took that to the shopping center. Regents Park and Pebble Creek are narrow roads with no bike lanes and no shoulders. The sidewalks are narrow and not meant for bikes. The pavement is bumpy in places due to the street trees. 

Tropical Island Smoothies and Subs is a small place with a big menu. I don't know how he can keep all of it fresh. I ordered a mango strawberry and kiwi smoothie. It came with some whipped cream on top! It was good and sweet but expensive. Smoothies are $7.99 and he was so nice I felt obligated to give him a tip. 

There is no bike rack around. They do offer seating inside and outside. I rode back with most of my smoothie. I rode home, against the wind. 

starve and wahoo will connect the dots but not the Apple Watch.

15.8 miles 13.8 mph

coffeeneuring #2

wasteful foam cup i cannot recycle

Friday, October 14
77° humidity 88% wind 3-7 NE

they look cool but do they attract birds?

i would expect to see purple martins in this type of bird house

I went out to Union Park. I stopped at the bird houses. They are interesting but I doubt many birds use them. They are probably too close together and not maintained. I accidentally hit resume and lost my average speed on Wahoo app. 

the trees are still too small to attract squirrels, there are several fake squirrels around the development

I rode to SR56 to BBD. I went across BBD and then down to Smoothie King at CLR. I had never there been before. I saw one bike chained to a street sign, a recumbent just sitting on the walk so I assumed there was no rack.

the rack is off the walkway but is visible from the shops

I got off my bike and saw the rack, unused. I locked my bike and went inside. SK is nicer than I expected. They have loads of energy bars and protein canisters. 

too many choices?

I got a Greek Yogurt with Strawberry and Bluberry. There were too many options. SK is expensive. A small Smoothie is over $5. I had a coupon and paid $3.20. 
There is seating inside but it was too cool to stay. There is no seating outside. I took my Smoothie and went home, against the wind. 

15.13 miles
13 mph

#coffeeneuring

coffeeneuring #3

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
72° humidity 92% wind 5-7 NE

this is the best view at union park, at least the route i ride

I was tired but wanted to get another challenge out of the way. I rode out to Union Park. I had to ride over the wooden bridge because kids were waiting for the bus on the sidewalk. I saw a girl riding her bike and wondered if she rode to school. I saw her bike parked near the bus stop when I left Union Park.

mt wesley chapel?

I had to stop at SR56. I took a photo of the mound of fill dirt that has been there for months. Is it for the future road extension? 

I rode west on SR56 and had some good tailwind. But my legs didn't feel like pushing too hard. 

small & noisy with the mixers whirring

I rode to Wiregrass and rode through Paseo Drive to Fresh Healthy Café. There was no bike rack nearby so I locked my bike to a street light pole. 

I ordered a Green Tea Berry with energy supplement. $6.41
I sat outside and drank my smoothie. 

I rode home when I finished. It wasn't a good ride. My belly was too full and the wind was too strong. 

16.4 miles 12.9 mph

coffeeneuring #1

Coffeeneuring 2016: smoothie roads ahead

This is my second year with the challenge. I don’t drink coffee so I tried tea last year. Hot tea is too hot for Florida, iced chai is just OK. On a long ride last year, I tried a smoothie and realized this is my drink of choice after a ride. This year would just be smoothies.
I planned to start October 7 but Hurricane Matthew rolled through the area. I started almost a week later on October 13.

Thursday, October 13
70° humidity 93% wind 7-8 NNE

wooden bridge at union park

Windy. Rode up to Union Park. Rode my usual route backwards. 
Rode up SR56 in the road to Panera. I did the short loop at WRB. The road may be complete but I didn't try it. 

a cyclist at panera was hogging the lone bike rack with a cover for his bike. i locked up my bike and went inside.

I ordered a Superfruit Smoothie. I don't really care for the tang of Greek yogurt but it is OK and the calorie count is low. I got my smoothie and went outside to the patio.

the patio is nice but SR56 runs along side and there is car noise. 

Ugh. Don't slurp down Smoothie too quickly or risk a brain freeze!

i prefer not to ride on sidewalks but this is the quickest way to the light and is usually empty.

The ride back was a bit rough. I had a headwind all along SR56 and most of Mansfield. Also, my belly was full of smoothie. I forgot to hit resume after the stop light and lost some mileage. I lost some speed but gained it back once I turned away from the wind. 

13.68 miles (bike computer)
13.2 mph (bike computer)

#coffeeneuring