The Shoulder Season: Catching my Breath While Planning Ahead.

I do so enjoy the cyclical nature of the calendar. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why I find working in schools so comforting. It's also why I'll likely never be able to leave the Northeast where the rhythm of the seasons is predictable, provides variation and allows for built-in reminders to rest and rejuvenate before heading off into another period of training and adventure.

In the waning months of fall, I alternate between enjoying short bursts of riding with periods of planning and rest. Ever since the RUSA calendar was published last October, I've been toying with event options for 2013. The shorter, cooler days of fall also align well with my body's need for rest after a long, hard season.

I'm quite pleased with my accomplishments in 2012. In June, I completed my first R-12, having worked hard to maintain the consistency of monthly long rides that has eluded me in the past. The exceptionally mild winter helped to be sure. I am also very pleased to have completed my first Super Randonneur season since my 2010 accident. With each successful event, I became more confident in my ability to perform as a competent randonneur. While I was disappointed with my speed and climbing agility throughout the season, I look forward to making solid improvements in both areas next year.

So looking ahead to 2013, my largest goal will be to complete a 1200K with strength, speed and determination. As always, my work schedule is marked by feast and famine. Unable to take extended time away from school except when classes are not in session, there are three domestic 1200K events available to me next year: the Gold Rush Randonnee, the Big Wild Ride and the Endless Mountains 1240K.

For a variety of reasons, largely based on our family's summer schedule, I've chosen to ride in the Gold Rush Randonnee in late June. With my sister and several good friends living in San Francisco, the trip West will bring fun and adventure on several levels.

So I'll continue to enjoy the upcoming week of rest before ramping up my 2013 base training immediately following Thanksgiving.

The Coffeeneur Challenge Ends: Veterans Day Edition (Ride 7)

A tasty banana nut muffin and a black coffee at the Fresh and Easy Cafe in Kingston.

I completed the 2013 Coffeeneuring Challenge today by taking advantage of Rule #16, which allows for a qualifying ride on Veterans Day (observed). This enabled me to get in a great ride on a beautiful day, pay my respects to local veterans and learn more about my community. My ride began at the Toyota dealership where I dropped off my Prius for servicing. I grabbed my bike from the back and pedaled over to the Fresh and Easy Cafe for a muffin and coffee before heading out to visit Hudson Valley veterans from wars past.

Stopping at three graveyards within 10 miles of my house, I found quite a few gravestones from the 19th century, several of the which identified soldiers who fought with the 20th Regiment of the NYSV. Digging a little deeper, I discovered that this was a volunteer regiment during the Civil War comprised of German "48ers," refugees from the revolutions in 1848 who found a home in America and joined the Union cause in large numbers to expand the rights of working people and stop the spread of slavery into the western lands.

This man lived to the ripe old age of 88.

A comrade lies just a few yards away.

This soldier died in battle in 1865 at age 23.

And so it goes. Another great year of coffeenuring comes to a close. Thanks, MG, for your vision and enthusiasm. What a fun way to enjoy the waning light and mild weather as we head into winter.

Ride 7 by the numbers: 10 miles, 1.5 hours, 1 coffee, 1 banana nut muffin.

Coffeeneuring in The People's Republic of Rosendale: Ride 6

A mixed berry scone compliments my hot coffee. 

Today the arctic winds swept in from Canada to give us all a little taste of winter, yet my new Rapha long sleeve jersey was more than adequate to the task of keeping me warm and toasty throughout my midday Coffeeneuring Challenge ride to The Alternative Baker. This great local bakery moved to (The People's Republic of) Rosendale several years ago from Kingston and the new location is much more suitable. Rosendale is a fun little Hudson Valley town filled with odd and interesting shops, galleries and restaurants. Directly across the street form the bakery, one finds the Rosendale Theater Collective, formed several years ago as a community-supported venture when the previous owners retired. Today's ride was short but refreshing.

Red cafe tables make the scene.

In the People's Republic of Rosendale, there's always something interesting nearby.

Ride 6 by the numbers: 22 miles, 1.75 hours, 1 cup of coffee and 1 mixed berry scone.

Coffeeneuring at the Night of 100 Pumpkins: Ride 5

Each year in the village of New Paltz, The Bakery, a small locally-owned coffee shop hosts a Halloween extravaganza known as the "Night of 100 Pumpkins." Children and adults alike contribute original pumpkin designs that are judged in a wide range of categories. This year, due to Hurricane Sandy, the event was postponed until this evening. After the sun sets, the candles are lit and the drumming begins as Bakery employees distribute free baked treats and hot apple cider. I decided to pop over to New Paltz this afternoon to get a peak at the entries and satisfy the requirements of my fifth Coffeeneur Challenge ride of the season. I enjoyed a hot cup of french roast coffee and a seasonal pumpkin-oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Below are a few of my favorite contest entries.

Ride 5 by the numbers: 25 miles, 1.5 hours, 1 cup of coffee, 1 pumpkin-oatmeal chocolate chip cookie

Coffeeneuring Before the Storm: Ride 4

Not my favorite cup of Joe this season.

In between preparations for Hurricane Sandy and dusk this evening, I squeezed in a quick Coffeeneuring Challenge ride to the closest coffee shop I could find that I've not already visited this season. I'm a big fan of Stewart's Shops as controle points on brevets and permanents because they're almost always open, have great clean bathrooms and a range of cheap food options including a great selection of ice cream. They are not exactly destination coffee shops, however. I couldn't be choosy today, though, with a huge storm on the way, so Stewart's it was going to be after spending several hours preparing the basement and patio for the potential ravages of Sandy.

The Headless Horseman - Voted #1 Haunted House in the Northeast by MTV

Ride 4 by the numbers: 16 miles, 1 hour, 1 cup of coffee.

Coffeeneuring Starts the Day off Right: Ride 3

With yet another busy weekend day ahead, I decided to get out early for a quick ride along the Hudson River to Kingston for a fresh cup of coffee at the Dulce Cafe located in the city's fashionable Rondout district. With two of my friends riding one of our area permanents today and the weather simply ideal, it is all I can do to keep my focus on work, which is where it is needed as I begin hosting a four-day reaccreditation visit at my school this afternoon. Thankfully, the Coffeeneuring Challenge gave me the push I needed to ride despite the busy schedule.

The foliage is in peak form today along this section of the river.

Tugs pushing barges upriver are a common sight.

Signs of fall are everywhere.

Ride 3 by the numbers: 18 miles, 1.25 hours, 1 cup of coffee.

Coffeeneuring in a Hurry: Ride 2

While the fall is typically a time to slow down, this October I feel like I'm traveling relentlessly at high speeds. With a bar mitzvah and wedding on the same day in two different states, I squeezed my coffeeneuring ride in while the house was still asleep. I awoke before dawn and crept downstairs to suit up in my full winter kit. We had the first hard freeze of the season last night and temps still hovered below freezing as I clipped in. Climbing the hills behind my house got my blood flowing and warmed me from the core.

I enjoyed a quick 12-mile loop which included a stop at my beloved Apple Bin Farm Market for a hot cup of coffee and a few pieces of fresh rugelach. Sadly, the warm apple cider donuts were not yet ready.

Ride 2 by the numbers: 12 miles, 55 minutes, two pieces of rugelach, 1 coffee.

When Randonneuring Leads to Coffeeneuring: Ride 1.

A warm cup of joe and a classic black and white at the Mudd Puddle.

Fall is in the air; the leaves are changing colors, a long sleeve jersey feels just right - it must be time for the annual Coffeeneuring Challenge. Created last year by the inimitable MG over at the Chasing Mailboxes blog, the challenge is to ride to seven coffee shops over the course of six weekends. I had hoped to complete my October R-12 ride today, but with my son's bar mitzvah later in the month and a large work project looming, I opted to inaugurate my coffeeneuring season with a quick run to New Paltz. The Mudd Puddle is one of my favorite cafes and their freshly roasted coffee and tasty black and white cookies never disappoint.

The restored church at the Huguenot graveyard in New Paltz.

Ride 1 by the numbers: 24 miles, 1.5 hours, 1 black and white cookie, 1 coffee.