Posts tagged ‘coffee’
utilitaire 8.12: caffeinated
Everyone is going separate ways today, but my beloved and I managed to take a little time out to ride for coffee before he heads out of town later today. Utilitaire checkpoint #2: coffeeneuring. Once again a traverse through town on the Greenway, and for whatever reason, I am always compelled to stop on this bridge. I want to start keeping a tally. There are other bridges, other underpasses, other places I ride through and across as often, or more frequently, than this bridge… but I always consciously think about this location, this bridge, whenever I cross it. I have no idea why.
As for coffee – I know that Starbucks often gets a bad rap. Yeah, it’s not some trendy local roaster, I can’t get a latte with a picture created in the froth, but it’s really about the only game in town. I tend to avoid the Inman Street Coffee House run by the Salvation Army, because I have a personal aversion to the big screen tv’s they have hanging on the walls playing Fox News, and I take issue with some of the national organization’s position statements. Sorry, Tim (and the other kids who work there). At Starbucks, I am always greeted with a smile and treated very well by the barristas I have come to know, I’d rather listen to music than blaring tv’s, I’ve made a few friends here (both cyclists and non-) and truthfully, they manage to make the best skinny vanilla latte in the neighborhood. Not to mention, it’s a convenient ride off of the Greenway.
Rode back, no time for trip-chaining today unfortunately. Time to get on with the other stuff. Sigh.
coffee on the go
#30daysofbiking Day 19: caffeinated
- my friend Sarah: concert violinist, coffee lover and cyclist
Rode into town this morning to meet my friend Sarah for coffee. She is one of the most amazing women I feel honored to call a friend. Accomplished concert violinist, adjunct professor of music, cyclist, gardener … and one of the most positive and upbeat people I have ever met. It was one of those hard-to-get-started Monday mornings where I needed to tap into her vivaciousness and energy. A little caffeine and an apple fritter didn’t hurt, either.
Sarah and her husband Jeff are both passionate/committed/avid cyclists (and after yesterday’s post, I hate to even try to figure out the correct adjectives). They deliberately chose to buy their house close to the university where Jeff is teaching – where he rides his bike or walk to work every day. Sarah rides locally as much as she can, although her teaching and playing often take her a little farther out, and not always within cycling range. They both recently rode in a local charity cycling event to support Habitat for Humanity. They’ve planted a wonderful organic garden in their back yard, and are always so conscious of their low-impact/no-impact lifestyle choices. I’m always inspired by them.
After coffee, I stopped at the garden center for a few small items and then headed home. Would’ve liked to have ridden a bit more, a little farther today … but it was another day of HS tennis for Grant, and I just couldn’t find the time. Feeling a little over-extended in keeping up with family, friends, photos, biking, blogging … and laundry.
But the best part about a bike commute – the times when I can incorporate a ride into daily task – is that it really gives me some breathing room. A pause from the routine. Even if it’s just a trip to town for coffee, or a stop at the garden center – it’s infinitely more satisfying than driving in a car. (Now if I could only figure out a way to do my laundry by bicycle! ;))
- errands
shebicycles 