The People's Republic of Rosendale: Coffeeneuring Day 5

It's always a delight to pass through Rosendale, NY. Originally settled by Europeans in 1685, Rosendale was once home to a booming natural cement industry. While it's still possible to locate the old mines, the industry has long since moved away and artists now outnumber laborers on Rosendale's main street. My destination this afternoon was the beloved Alternative Baker, where I found the mixed berry scone and cup of black coffee quite a pleasant counterpoint to the crisp fall weather.

Location: Rosendale, NY
Venue: The Alternative Baker
Coffee: Black
Carbs: Mixed berry scone
Mileage: 24

Linking East & West: Coffeeneuring Day 4

Several years ago, the amazing Walkway Over the Hudson was unveiled and since then it has become a wonderful local resource as well as a significant tourist destination. The Walkway is the tallest and longest pedestrian bridge in the world and it's well worth a visit whenever you find yourself in the area. It was not until this fall, however, that the two preexisting rail trails on either side of the river were completely and permanently linked together to form a full 18-mile linear park that connects Dutchess and Ulster Counties.

I decided to mark this auspicious occasion with an end-to-end ride with a short break in the middle to enjoy some hot coffee and a seasonal treat. The Dutchess Rail Trail begins at the old Hopewell Junction train station so this is where I began my east-west journey after dropping my daughter off at a local high school to take her SAT II exams. The air was crisp and the skies were blue with a few colorful leaves still hanging onto the trees along the way.

The completion of this linear park required a few bridges and the purchase of a few miles of land from CSX. The next stage planned to enhance the bicycle infrastructure in the area involves building a massive elevator to connect the Walkway with the Metro North train station in Poughkeepsie 220 feet below. After crossing the Walkway, I found a nearby Dunkin Donuts and after enjoying a coffee and a pumpkin donut, I rejoined the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and rode the 10 miles to the trail's end in Highland. Rejoining local roads, I was home in no time.

Location: Highland, NY
Venue: Dunkin' Donuts
Coffee: Regular
Carbs: Pumpkin donut
Mileage: 30

Any Excuse for a Hot Cider Donut: Coffeeneuring Part 3

No autumn gastronomic cycling challenge in the Hudson Valley is complete without a stop at a local farm stand for some hot mulled cider and a fresh cider donut. The Apple Bin is a local favorite, perched on western shore of the Hudson River along a particularly bucolic stretch of iconic Route 9W. Last Sunday, I carved out a short loop in the crisp morning air, while enjoying the remaining color in the trees along the way.

Location: Ulster Park, NY
Venue: Apple Bin Farm Market
Berverage: Hot mulled cider
Carbs: Cider donut
Mileage: 16

A Coffeeeneuring Ramble to Stone Ridge: Day 2

Day two of the Coffeeneuring Challenge brought me to the village of Stone Ridge, NY, which lies just a few miles away from Kingston. Filled with stately colonial homes, Stone Ridge served as the temporary capitol after the burning of Kingston by British troops in 1777.

The weather today was again glorious as I pedaled through several lovely Hudson Valley towns (some which will be featured in future Coffeeneuring adventures) on my way to Stone Ridge.

The hamlet of Stone Ridge sits at atop a hill as the name implies so I was happy to see Jack and Luna's Cafe as I reached the end of my climb. I was less happy, though, when I saw the scant collection of baked goods that was left on the counter at 11:30am, but selected this miniature lemon poppy bundt cake in hopes that the tremendous flavor would make up for it's diminutive size. I was sadly disappointed, though, and the coffee wasn't much to rave about either. 

So after finishing up at Jack and Luna's, I said hello to a few friends and swiftly rode down Main Street and descended the ridge to begin my trek home, already visualizing where coffeeneuring would lead me next weekend.

Location: Stone Ridge, NY
Venue: Jack and Luna's Cafe
Coffee: Hot and black
Carbs: Itsy, bitsy lemon poppy bundt cake
Mileage: 36

A Little Late to the Party: Coffeeneuring Challenge Ride #1

I know, I know, it's been WEEKS since this challenge began. It's been a bit busy recently, so today marked my first stab at the Third Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge. Unlike past years, this time around I think I'll follow a theme or a plan of some sort. Yes, this year I'll ride to seven separate towns that represent my some of my the amazing richness of life in the Hudson Valley.

I begin my odyssey with a ride to one of the earliest European settlements in the area. Originally named Esopus, Kingston, NY was settled, along with Albany and New Amsterdam, by the Dutch in 1651. It persisted as a Dutch settlement for many years, but like most of the area, was taken over by English-speaking colonists during the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1777, Kingston became the capitol of New York State for a short time until the city was torched by British soldiers during the American Revolution. The historic Senate House and several of the other 17th century stone homes are open for tours.

Today, Kingston is divided into three sections, the most interesting of which is the Uptown or Stockade district. Filled with historic stone homes, the area is also home to a growing community of artists and creative souls. The Outdated Cafe is one of my favorites. Where else can you sit and enjoy a giant, freshly baked pear scone with piping hot Costa Rica gold alongside antique dress frames and manual typewriters? I almost felt like a hipster!

Location: Kingston, NY
Venue: Outdated Cafe
Coffee: French Roast Costa Rican
Carbs: Pear Scone
Mileage: 32

The NYC 200K: Sometimes an Ending Feels like a Beginning

I've ridden so little this year, that when I clipped in for the NYC 200K this morning, it was only my third organized brevet of 2013. With a new job and the general family commitments that come with raising teenage children, it's been harder than usual to get into a rhythm of training and brevet riding. For a variety of reasons, today's ride felt more like a beginning than an ending. While others are winding down, I feel like I'm just getting started.

Today was one of those lovely fall days you just don't want to end. Chilly in the morning, but warm in the afternoon as the sun reached our shoulders through the trees whose leaves are starting to thin. It was great to see some familiar faces at the start and Robin L. and I fell into a similar pace as we crossed the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey. Not far off the pace of the lead rider, a guy from Connecticut named Chris (why is everyone form Connecticut named Chris so darn fast?), we settled into a rhythm that allowed us to catch up with each other and make good time simultaneously.

The Bear Mountain area was spectacular with view of the Hudson punctuated with the yellows, oranges and reds of fall. Even the Perkins Drive climb seemed well worth it for the panoramic view of the valley below. The route news of the day was not Perkins Drive, however, but Arden Valley Road which was repaved in black gold since the last time the event was run. This road, which winds through a deep and quiet section of the park, used to have a surface that was so treacherous, it was not only unpleasant, but downright dangerous to ride. That's all a distant memory now, as one can see from the photo above of Robin climbing one of the many hills in the park along Arden Valley Road with confidence.

The lunch stop at the Monroe Bagel Boys could not have come at a better time. I ordered up a delicious chicken salad sandwich (complete with grapes) on a sesame seed bagel which really hit the spot. We ate lunch with Mordecai S. who soon caught up with us and rode the second half the day in our company.

So while this ride was a season-ender for many, I felt as though I was just getting started, having combed the 2014 RUSA calendar one morning last week to plan for the season ahead.

Diana Nyad's XtremeDream: On Age, Goals and Endurance

Diana Nyad's successful 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida this week reminds us that age need not get in the way of achieving monumental acts of physical endurance. In fact, age may even be an asset. Success in endurance athletics is mainly the result of mental stamina and this is a quality that often improves over time. Given so many opportunities to throw in the towel, it's those that persist despite blinding pain and suffering who eventually succeed. We're wise to remember ultra cyclist Lon Haldeman's advice, "if you think the pain will go away within two weeks, keep riding."

The most amazing lesson from Nyad's achievement may not be the swim itself, but rather her persistence in completing it. Don't get me wrong, swimming for 54 hours straight is nothing to sneeze at, but hammering away at a goal for 35 years and making the attempt FIVE times is a remarkable lesson for us all. At age 64, Nyad's achievement will inspire many to do crazy things they barely believe possible, and if they fail, they will see the value of trying again and again and again. As she reminded us upon reaching Key West, "never, ever give up."

Anyone familiar with randonneuring knows that age is often an asset. The emphasis in our sport is not on who finishes first, yet it is not uncommon for the tortoise to beat the hare over great distances by bringing wisdom and careful planning to bear. Anticipating and avoiding show-stopping problems helps as does developing the patience and persistence to complete our "extreme dreams."

Think about it: what if we actually get better with age? It's counterintuitive in our youth-obsessed culture, yet Diana Nyad is a shining example of what's possible if we persist. The best thing about setting and committing to goals of great magnitude is that they are deeply personal  As Nyad remarked, "I swam from Cuba to Florida and no one can take that away from me." I know that I'll be thinking of her achievement as I pedal through northern France in 2015, especially if the weather turns foul and my confidence begins to feel tenuous.

Of Roundels and Recovery

There's nothing quite like getting a trinket in the mail to commemorate past suffering, so I was very pleased to see the small telltale black envelope from London when I returned from vacation earlier this week. My roundel (this one in the form of a patch) brings me a warm feeling of pride and serves as a symbol of both the persistence and determination I brought to the #rapharising challenge.

After this concentrated bout of climbing, my rides have been of the recovery sort: decidedly flat and short. Two weeks on Block Island reunited me with some wonderful roads and delicious views. After returning, I immediately took off for a week of work based at the Emma Willard School in Troy, NY. The campus is straight out of Harry Potter and the surrounding countryside is pretty easy on the eyes as well. I nearly left the bike at home in my haste, but sure am glad I didn't. Starting each day with a concentrated ride just after dawn was another reminder to #alwaysbringthebike.