I mean, how hard is it really to go for a bike ride and get some coffee? Seven times in just over six weeks. With no more than two trips per week. Always to a different venue. OK, so, yes, some particular requirements. It’s not as if I could just ride to the bakery down the street from our house every day for a week and call it good. Although come to think of it, that would be very good.

No, this takes planning, especially since I telework because if I don’t plan to leave the house I’m at the computer monitors all day and into the evening. I’m fortunate to telework and be able to take time for bike rides, I know; not everyone has my level of privilege.

It helps to have the habit of bicycling for transportation. My bike is always ready to roll: Tires pumped, brakes checked. I’ve eliminated the hassle factor and the racks are already set up with bags in case I make a grocery run.

I also have a closet full of everyday clothing that’s comfortable for riding. This is no small barrier to eliminate if you start out like I did with a distinct fondness for pencil skirts. Fortunately I’m also willing to wear a skirt with more room to move and ones made of forgiving fabrics. And then there are the pants, and my long-ago quest for great pants to ride in that work for the office too. (Time for an update on that front; I have some new favorite brands.)

All of this means if I want to go for a bike ride for coffee, away I go.

#Coffeeneuring #1 Oct. 8 conveniently overlapped with #WeekWithoutDriving.

#WeekWithoutDriving Day 7 = #Coffeeneuring #1 for me. Biked downtown with friends for errands and affogatto in the sunshine. Such a beautiful fall day; still ice cream weather! #cycling #Gelato #coffee #WhyWeRide #BikeEverywhere #BikeLove #BikeEvents #affogatto #EBikes pic.twitter.com/9hVhvppnP6— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) October 9, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #2 Oct. 14 had me riding to a friend’s house.

#Coffeeneuring #2 done: Biked over to visit @StefRandolph and lend her my apple corer/slicer. Brought my own coffee and she offered tea and a visit so it’s a double beverage ride. 2.64 miles RT. Good thing she lives just far enough way to make the mileage minimum! #BikeEverywhere pic.twitter.com/Eev6bL6o3u— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) October 14, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #3 Oct. 22 was a bike date with my sweetie.

#Coffeeneuring #3: Bike date with my sweetie to Left Bank Pastries for some deliciousness. If you’re ever in Olympia WA you need to stop here! 8.74mi total. #Cycling #BikeLove #BikeEverywhere #FueledByCalories #FueledByCaffeine #RideCaffeinated #food #pastries #BikeOLY pic.twitter.com/EHvIQetHlY— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) October 22, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #4 Oct. 27 was a simple ride to my neighborhood bakery on a day I really needed a break.

#Coffeeneuring #4: Really needed it today! Bike ride in sunny, crisp fall air to San Francisco Street Bakery for a bagel treat and s’mores mocha. Sign by the register said it was campfire approved. Also Barb-approved. 2.79mi. #FueledByCaffeine #RideCaffeinated #cycling pic.twitter.com/1FN0yjKABD— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) October 28, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #5 (which I misnumbered as #6) Nov. 4 was a beautiful fall ride. I ended up with a little #RideInTheRain but at least it had a rainbow.

#Coffeeneuring #6: Waited for morning rain to stop, headed out in breezy fall sunshine for errands and a pumpkin spice latte at the Owl’s Nest. Fall riding is so delightful! Plan it right and I don’t have to #RideInTheRain just because it’s November. #BikeEverywhere #BikeOLY pic.twitter.com/zhtgj3O63V— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) November 4, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #6 more: OK, I spoke too soon on #RideInTheRain. Friend came by and chatted as I finished my latte. We went to bookstore, home furnishings, clothing store. I may have a new hat. And books. #BicyclesChangeLives #BikeEverywhere #SingingInTheRain #BikeOLY— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) November 5, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #6 more: I went to get groceries and the skies opened up while I was inside. Fortunately it cleared off to rainbow weather and veggie mister by the time I rode home. 7.77mi for the day. #RideInTheRain #BicyclesChangeLives #BikeEverywhere #SingingInTheRain #BikeOLY pic.twitter.com/hJcHNHhUmA— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) November 5, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #6, not #7 as I had thought, was another great ride, this time to brunch with friends.

#Coffeeneuring #7: I did it! Rode downtown to a ladies’ brunch to celebrate my birthday. Coffee may have been accompanied by mimosas along with a great meal at Octapas. Sunshine on the way there, a little drizzle riding home later that couldn’t dampen my spirits. #RideInTheRain pic.twitter.com/Ra0wFHxDNj— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) November 6, 2023

#Coffeeneuring #7 on Nov. 10, for reals this time, had a nice bookend quality to it since I once again rode with friend Stefanie. I’m in a tiny apartment while our house is being remodeled so I first rode up to meet her at the house, where we pondered the paint samples for my office and bedroom and made a final selection. We biked in fall air with a bit of a bite to the paint store, where her bakfiets-style bike with the front carrying space came in very handy. From there we swung by Bar Francis, a tiny coffee spot in downtown Olympia, for her cappucino and my oatmilk chai. Then we headed to my house for prep and painting, in a little drizzle that couldn’t dampen our spirits. We got two coats on my office, one coat on the bedroom that I’ll finish up with a second coat. Et voila, coffeeneuring 2023 is in the cup!

#Coffeeneuring #7: Met with @StefRandolph, biked to pick up paint, to Bar Francis for coffee, then my house where we painted 2 rooms. Very happy with the day and so happy to have such a great friend! 7.53 miles in sun and drizzle. #cycling #BikeEverywhere #FueledByCaffeine pic.twitter.com/57tHGW006R— Barb Chamberlain (@BarbChamberlain) November 11, 2023