Just in case there is any confusion about MY identity, I’m the real Greg. How can you tell? Easy. This is the way I always dress for a short bike ride in Minnesota during mid-summer weather. Not shown: MY electrically heated thermal underwear.
Read MoreHi fellow Cycle365-ers, Old Grumbleface here. Today I thought it might be fun to escape sunny California and make a quick day trip up to Minnesota for a bike ride with that clown, Greg Garceau. I figured I could accomplish that task and be back home before my Ace Support Crew even noticed I was … Continue reading "OLD GRUMBLEFACE AND GREGBLOOD GO FOR A RIDE IN MINNESOTA"
Read MoreAmong my cycling highlights for this year are discovering you good folk at Cycle 365 and participating in the various challenges. A yearend challenge I have pursued since 2014 is the Rapha Festive 500. The challenge is to ride 500km between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. To provide some incentive, Rapha sends everyone who completes the … Continue reading "Speaking of challenges . . . ."
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Windy weather and a head cold scratched our plans for a rubbish collection ride on the weekend. So it will be a couple more weeks before I fulfill the Thanksgiving Challenge – though really, it’s a challenge that can be done any time of year anyway! The guys and I did get out for a … Continue reading "Postponing our Thanks"
Read MoreAs I have mentioned in other posts, those three cycling Grands have moved to Sacramento for what we hope is a temporary move. But, that meant we would not be seeing that family this Thanksgiving. Jenny, Susan’s older daughter invited us to join them this year. Visiting this family is a little more involved as … Continue reading "Grandmas Bike Over The River and Through The Woods"
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I know that Coffeeneuring season is over, and I’ve already completed my seven caffeine-free entries. Wine is fine any old time though, and today’s ride was interesting enough to share. The wine comes from Fontfroide Abbey, a beautiful place we visited last fall. I was delighted to see a wine from there on the card … Continue reading "Vinouring outside the box: Fontfroide Abbey"
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First noticed this a few days ago along the North Fork on 7th street — looked like beaver activity — but beavers aren’t common here. The chips were too evenly distributed around the base of the trunk to have been done with an axe or hatchet — so no certainty of what was going on. … Continue reading "7th street out and back"
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Nice talk for a family recreation trail!! I’m in my lane…young woman walks in front of me I ring my bell. Just so she’s aware this is a bike lane. She doesn’t acknowledge me and turns and crosses back in front of me again! I ring my bell twice this time. Now, she looks up … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring #7…What’s Your Problem B$#!h!"
Read MoreManaged to get out for a short spin this morning, chilly NE wind. This flock “enjoying” a field of turnips, between Kennington and Sunningwell. Members of Sunningwell School of Art kindly hung these gaudy items from their hacked about willow tree. Contrasting colours showed up well. Close by these four attracted my attention. Back to … Continue reading "Animals and Art"
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Made it, and in just under the wire. I was starting to get anxious, but I’VE DONE IT AGAIN! My streak of successfully completed ‘Coffeeneuring’ seasons continues unbroken, now at – er, I forget for sure, and my first season was recorded and then purged from a former website I chose not to name at this … Continue reading "Vinouring 2019: Languedoc in Agde"
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Mary’s note re the end of the challenge caught me on the hop. I thought I had another week!! Anyway, suitably kicked up the backside I managed to squeeze in one more coffee ride – this time to the coffee shop without walls. You can find the details HERE
Read MoreI did a similar route that Kathleen had done. A little over 3 years ago I took Jaydon on the route with me. I was finally able to dig out the photos. Jaydon is just shy of 6 years old here. I *must* now post recent photos of my bike buddies, ;’-) Jaydon at 9 … Continue reading "MY Trans-Am ride ;’-)"
Read MoreAdding miles and points to my team for the Ride In The Rain Challenge, I arranged a ride last week with another bike buddy and the start for me was early on a frosty morning. I started riding from my house in some rather deep frost on the lawns and leaves along the roadside. … Continue reading "Frost and some outdoor art"
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I’m not sure what the story is on these colorful statues in Montpellier. Is it a single work of art, or a series of ancient works vandalized by spray painters? Whatever we’re seeing here, I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s much improved by the addition of a stylishly placed bicycle. There was more to this … Continue reading "November art challenge: some headless torsi"
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Last week I rode the Armstrong Road loop in the Norfolk Plains area and collected a bag of rubbish. I had come across a pile of tin cans and had picked half up, filling the trash bag. I then wrote up the ride in these pages but when I couldn’t find the pictures it remained … Continue reading "Tasmanian Junk Man again"
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Obscured by the cloud, the sun is setting south of CR 4000N south of town View is due west on 4000 The winter solstice is still 30 days away, however further movement of the sun to the south will be negligible — the direct ray of the sun is only 3 degrees away from the … Continue reading "Thanksgiving Eve Sunset"
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Last Sunday I headed north to take on the 100km Sally’s Ride. Tony also rode (the 45km route) on his ‘bent and you can read his post here. All the proceeds from this Charity Ride go to much deserving local charities. Many of the State’s strongest riders turn up to hammer the metric century route … Continue reading "THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE: SALLY’S RIDE (100KM)"
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The crowds in Monterey and on the trail have been “thick” to say the least! Awful if you want to be honest. Everyone is trying to escape the smoke in the Bay Area. We have had this sweet pocket of not so bad air and have been able to keep to our normal activities. It’s … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring Ride #6 – North to Castroville"
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Today marked the thirteenth consecutive day in Santa Rosa (and the Bay Area) with the Air Quality Index in the “unhealthy” range or worse. That’s a record. However, the weather prognosticators finally forecast the wind would kick up today and clear out most of the smoke ahead of a big rain storm moving in tonight, … Continue reading "Smoke and Art, part 2"
Read MoreI picked up a birthday “tradition” while living in The Netherlands. I think some of you share it. Ride Your Age. In most cases, this means a ride length equal to or longer than your chronological age. My Duch cycling friends added a maximum speed equal to or faster than your chronological age to the … Continue reading "RIDE # 154: 20 NOVEMBER 2018"
Read MoreYou will have guessed that I haven’t ridden much in November. Thirteen days, including travel time, were spent in Billund and Copenhagen in Denmark. It was too cold for my thin-blood to ride a bike, which was a shame. The bike paths in Billund looked lovely. This would have been just the bike to explore Billund … Continue reading "Outdoor Art on Foot"
Read MoreMonday, November 12, 2018 / 2 miles So we end our coffeeneuring with a whimper in the smoke from a huge wildfire about 150 miles north of us. The weather patterns are not being kind to California this fall. We had a smitch of rain on October 1, and nothing in the immediate forecast. No … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring 2018 Ride 7: In the Big Smoke"
Read MoreMonday, November 5, 2018 / 9 miles / This was a special day: I got to ride with Janet and Jack. We met somewhat in the middle at Wilder Ranch State Park. They drove up to the north end of Monterey Bay, I came over the hill from SF Bay. We had no particular agenda … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring 2018 Ride 6: Surf City"
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The Huffy crossed town to the IGA store No prepared bags of food for the Cupboard, so we were on our own Township building where the Food Cupboard is located IGA bag looks a little lonely but it was early in the day Just for fun, watch the first 40 seconds of this video.
Read MoreIts been a few weeks since I last posted something, so thought it was high I did so again. The plan was for Neale, our youngest son and myself to ride out into the moderate N Easterly breeze to a village in the North Oxfordshire countryside that neither of us had ever been to before, … Continue reading "A Return to Posting"
Read MoreSusan and I host our women’s riding group every year at this time — the Saturday before Thanksgiving. There are some vegetarians in our group so I have dubbed this get together “Unturkey Thanksgiving”. I cook vegetarian chili and corn bread and everyone else brings sides and desserts of their choice. It is a great … Continue reading "A LITTLE CRANKSGIVING"
Read MoreNot necessarily in that order. Minnesotans will laugh, but its gotten cold here in Burgundy. The temperature this morning was a chilly 4°C. Yes, I know that’s well above freezing, but with a ferocious north wind coming down from the North Sea, it seems that our prolonged fall is finally over. With the sun out … Continue reading "Coffee, soup, and cold weather…….."
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Today I cycled the 45k ride in Sally’s Ride, Launceston, Tasmania. The profits from the ride all go to local charities – so I reckoned it fitted under the banner of community service even if not directly.
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I lost focus on this year’s challenge for a bit, and was a bit anxious looking up the dates to see if I’d run out of time. I’m good though – there’s still a week left. After today’s post, my sixth of the season, I’m only one shy. The pressure is on, but I’m pretty … Continue reading "Vinouring 2018: Gigandas in Saint Remy"
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Coffeeneuring Ride Number 6 took place on a lovely 23°C day, no wind until on the way back and a chance meeting with friends on the way. Read all about it HERE
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Bike and hike is my idea now. I prefer walking when it gets cold. So Janos and I cycled to the Olympic Park – we could have walked there but it’s such a boring walk – parked our bikes and climbed the smaller of the two Olympic hills. Bike and hike is perhaps a slight … Continue reading "One More Before We Go"
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Howdy Cycle365life Folks. My fifth coffeeneuring challenge was at Nambung NP 180kms north of Perth. There was no coffee shop anywhere so I prepared my own brew. Hope you find it interesting For details Click here
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Our smoky air is not nearly as dangerous and destructive as the fire that roared through Paradise (and continues to rage), but it is harmful enough that schools have been closed, outdoor events cancelled, and residents warned to stay indoors. That’s been going on for eight days. By the time I headed out today, the … Continue reading "Smoke and Art, part 1"
Read MoreThis is not “challenge related”, just a bit about my bike ride today. I met up with my bike buddy to scout a route we had found on maps to see if it was worth keeping for future riding. It isn’t. At the park where we met up, there is this monument that I have … Continue reading "A Rather Different Monument"
Read MoreIn the words of Chester A. Riley: “What a revoltin’ development this is!”
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For the past six days, the air quality index in Santa Rosa has fluctuated between “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy.” Today the AQI improved to “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” As an insensitive old grumbly guy, I figured I would be safe for a quick ride over to Spring Lake in order to partake of a thermos … Continue reading "Smoke gets in my tea"
Read MoreHi folks. Boy, am I getting behind on these posts. So to catch up a little, I have two rides to talk about. The first ride was actually last week on the 8th (Thursday). The day started out foggy. I usually don’t like to ride with such poor visibility, but the sun was starting to … Continue reading "Two coffeeneuring rides for the price of one (post)."
Read MoreThe next town north of us (in Mukilteo) is the town of Everett. It was a big lumber town in the past and has the nickname of “Mill Town”. There is a trail that goes by the waterfront named Mill Town Trail. I will do a ride along there to share in a post sometime … Continue reading "NOVEMBER CHALLENGE: OUTDOOR ART #7 IN “MILL TOWN”"
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Good weather, that’s the Good, and it seems to want to go on forever. Of course it won’t, but although it is getting cooler, it doesn’t feel like summer ever stopped and I just wonder why the shadows are so long and it is getting dark so early in the day. I love that riding … Continue reading "The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful – Monthly Challenge Outdoor Art"
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I’ve been riding Little Bessie a lot lately. I like the upright sitting and just the relaxed feeling I have on her…oh yes her bell too! However, she has had a rubbing on her back wheel for several months. We thought it was just because the wheel was out of round. Nope she had two … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring #5 – Little Bessie Gets New Shoes"
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Just for the heck of it, here’s a collection of photos of birds, and bikes and birds. Most were taken on bike rides, although many are outtakes that I’ve never posted. Others were taken on hikes, walks, or while hanging out in my backyard. Sorry, no photos of Tippi Hedren. Read more at Bill Bikes
Read MoreMy intent was to do some community service to fulfill Em’s challenge. I would ride to the beach and clean up some litter and trash. Well, we have quite a clean beach! So my intent was thwarted and I will need to come up with something else for that challenge. A clean beach with kayakers … Continue reading "NOVEMBER CHALLENGE: OUTDOOR ART #6"
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November 11, the day of the Armistice Treaty of Compiègne, marks the centenary of the end of the First World War. For this occasion, the Munich action artist Walter Kuhn has transformed the Königsplatz into a sea of several thousand large red poppies made of artificial silk, thus commemorating the millions of soldiers and civilian … Continue reading "Public Art Challenge: A Memorial to Peace"
Read MoreMy daughter stayed with her dad Saturday afternoon freeing me up for a few hours. My main activity was turkey hunting. For the last two weeks, I’ve checked all the stores around me looking for my favorite brand of turkey breast. Finally, today some of the seasonal products showed up at my local supermarket. I … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring – Ride #4 – Nov 9"
Read MoreWednesday, October 31, 2018 / 16 miles / This was a spectacular day. The more I think back on it the happier it makes me feel. It involved some relaxation, the beach, redwoods, a resurrected cemetery, a big honkin hill, brussels sprouts, hot sun, deep shade, and tea. It had distinct sections that may have … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring 2018 Ride 5: Portals"
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Cranksgiving This is a concept I had never heard of until I watched the video below. Apparently its been going on for quite a few years. The idea is to cycle to various stores, buy non-perishable food, and take it to the local food pantry. While they make it a ‘race’ of sorts it can … Continue reading "Cranksgiving"
Read MoreI had to wait until early afternoon to get out for my ride and hunt for this art. That turned out for the best as that is when the sun came ;’-). It was still cold at 44 degrees when I started my ride, but I warmed up while riding and had a good solo … Continue reading "NOVEMBER CHALLENGE: OUTDOOR ART #5"
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I haven’t been going out of the way to rise to this month’s challenge. We’re on the road enough that I’ve been assuming that if I just kept my eyes open, art would come our way eventually. Today was the day. Two nice sculptures showed up on our loop through the Loup Gorge in southern … Continue reading "November challenge: Provençal public art"
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John Deere dealership years ago In the past, a foundry here cast parts for JD equipment (Click here for current photos of the ruins) Bubbly artwork adorns the northern facade now The laundromat’s float in the Sweetcorn Festival Parade spews massive amounts of bubbles Lawrence Welk would be pleased 😉 * * * * … Continue reading "bubbles"
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That was it for October, and as I had hoped, a month of beautiful colors and many sunny days. Most of my rides were not long, just around town, but it felt good to be in the saddle so often this time of year. No more trips planned for this year, bicycle trips that is. … Continue reading "100 Cycle Days Challenege – October"
Read MoreThe sun did not allow for a good photo of this no matter where I stood. From what I understand from others, it is (again) an art project done by students at a nearby school. The piece is located on a very popular bike trail and we stopped here for a restroom visit just before … Continue reading "NOVEMBER CHALLENGE: OUTDOOR ART #4"
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Coffeeneuring, November Outdoor Art, Thanksgiving Community Service–it’s almost too many challenges in one month for my addled brain to handle. Physically and emotionally, I’m ready and willing to do all of them, but mentally I am going to have to approach them in the same way I always handle multiple tasks–one at a time. I’m … Continue reading "Eye-Poppingly Beautiful Art in MY Town"
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The former Professional Building casts a shadow over silhouettes on the now abandoned Western Auto Store Here it is — Built in 1905, once home to a Department Store, Doctors and Lawyers offices, a Bank, Chamber of Commerce and more Short ride continues. . . . . . One for Scott — Street Art Jerky … Continue reading "November Challenge #4"
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A Mule, a Cemetery and Public Art — 11/5/2018 : This is becoming repetitive, but I’m not complaining – again a gorgeous autumn day, a balmy blue-sky day. I had been planning to ride to the New Israelite Cemetery again for a while now, and looked forward to visiting it in the golden light of … Continue reading "November Challenge: Outdoor Art in Munich"
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Back in “The Day” Today Lots of changes to the downtown area in 90+ years Either thru fire, demolition, or collapse, several former building sites have opened space for mini-parks These were pachyderms of interest in the disappearance of the the Corn Stalk They were exonerated when it was discovered the stalk fell victim to … Continue reading "November Challenge #3"
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The San Francisco Bay Area is fortunate to have so many parks, open space preserves, and public lands, and in Sonoma County we have our fair share. The newest is Tolay Lake Regional Park in the southern part of the county. It officially opened for daily access less than two weeks ago. My ace support … Continue reading "Tolay for Tea"
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How lucky for me that my birthday always seems to fall during Coffeeneuring. That usually means I get a nice ride somewhere fun. Well this year didn’t disappoint…..we drove north to Santa Cruz and had a meetup with The Goddess herself. As you can see it was a bright clear day….well now. When we left … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring #4 Happy Birthday to me!"
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My first entry to the Thanksgiving Challenge. I picked up these items during Tuesday’s ride through the Norfolk Plains. I couldn’t carry more as I hadn’t planned to start today. I will ad a crate to the carrier next time and will be able to carry a lot more.
Read MoreEarly morning looking out my window seemed almost too drippy and dismal to join Susan for a ride to her school. She had left some items there last week during a substitute teaching job, and would ride to retrieve them this morning. I dithered about joining her and thought to perhaps wait until later for … Continue reading "NOVEMBER CHALLENGE: OUTDOOR ART #3"
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Huffy prepares to go in search of outdoor art Max gets his morning drink The Huffy is a gen-u-ine Made in the USA bicycle manufactured by the Huffy Corporation in Celina, Ohio Seemed fitting to photograph the Huffy and the Stars and Stripes Wicked looking object was retrieved from road
Read MoreROSEVILLE, MINNESOTA: Where I Tested the Limits of My Coffee-Tasting Tolerance This morning I drove up to the bustling suburb of Roseville which abuts the northern edges of both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Roseville has lots of restaurants, the very first Target Store, and not one, but TWO enclosed shopping malls. At 40-degrees (F), it … Continue reading "BROADENING MY COFFEENEURING HORIZONS: Part Seven (of Seven)"
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So there are several reasons you might care about this post. If you’re a wine lover, foodie or Francophile, you’ll be glad to see that we’re finally done with Italy and are enjoying our first meal in France (for this tour). If you’re into photography, you’ll be impressed by the layout of the featured photo, … Continue reading "Vinouring 2018: Cotes de Provence in Menton"
Read MoreThanks to all of you who expressed concern over my health commenting on my last post. I really am much better and the pain in my foot remains a mystery. Its not cramps, or a stress fracture or a broken bone spur (although it felt like one of the last two), the doc doesn’t think … Continue reading "Art Coffee Ride: Sunday in the park"
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The weather was nice. My mitochondria seemed to be functioning a bit. So the guys and I did a very short overnight ride on Sat/Sun. We stopped in Rutherglen on the way home and took some snaps along the Sculpture Trail. See below. There is a bit more art from the lake portion of the sculpture … Continue reading "November Challenge: Art on the way home"
Read MoreThis is about no challenge, but about a bike ride and photo to compare Bill’s cyclisk. Last fall I did a tour in South Dakota. We rode the Mickelson Trail but also cycled briefly through a few towns. Here is the “Bike Monument” I saw in one of those towns. Not neatly formed like Bill’s … Continue reading "CYCLISK-ISH AND A CEMETERY RIDE"
Read MoreMy last Reflections photograph was taken in Taiwan. Here are my blog posts about that trip to Taiwan. Taiwan Ti Bike Pickup Trip: Prologue Taiwan Ti Bike Pickup Trip: Day 1 Taiwan Ti Bike Pickup Trip: Day 2 Taiwan Ti Bike Pickup Trip: Day 3 Taiwan Ti Bike Pickup Trip: Day 4 Xièxiè
Read MoreMonday morning I woke up with a tremendous pain in my right foot. I could barely hobble my way down stairs for breakfast, so I scheduled an appointment with the doc as soon as the office opened. Doctor Paurelle determined that I was indeed in much pain (oh he can be cruel with his probings) … Continue reading "Tea art ride"
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I had three items on my agenda for today, two of them far more pleasant than the other one: Quaff a cup of tea (and wolf down a scone) in Sebastopol in order to make progress (ride number five out of seven) in the Coffeeneuring Challenge Stop and pay my respects at the intersection in … Continue reading "Tea, deathtrap, and cyclisk"
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The venerable old Huffy visits a barn quilt at the Civic Center This was at the park, rode out this morning to get a photo and it was gone. ??? 🙁 (Photo from Web) Remains of Ronald’s playground at JR’s See the horse? Dunno if it qualifies as outdoor art — horse seems to think … Continue reading "November Challenge"
Read MoreBeing a Rainiac, or on the Rainiac Team for November, I could not allow the threat of rain deter me from a ride today. I did look closely at the forecast and it seemed I might have a good window (but no sucker hole) in the early part of the morning. Sooooo… I got geared … Continue reading "NOVEMBER CHALLENGE: OUTDOOR ART #2"
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We woke up yesterday to an absolutely amazing sunrise! It was warm too…so I thought it might be a good day for an “errand” ride. I had an appointment to get my haircut so off we went. First I stopped at Beverly’s to order some plexiglass for frames. I’m going to have three photos in … Continue reading "Pepsineuring Ride #3"
Read MoreTo the tune of “Back in the Saddle Again”, I am Back in Seattle Again ;’-) We have been having a glorious fall, even though it is an adjustment to have it raining!! But look at this color… For the little story of my day, if you are interested …. GO HERE
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The day for Coffeeneuring dawned very windy, stormy and without power due to electrical cells in the storms. Only a short ride then. But where? Ah, there’s a new Bakehouse in Perth and a new bit of track at the end of the the Breadalbane to Perth shared track to try, so starting at Devon … Continue reading "Tasmanian Coffeeneuring #4. The Country Bakehouse, Perth"
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A ride to Schleißheim Palace with some public art on the way — November 1, 2018 — It was looking grey again but after lunch we decided to get our show on the road, no more hanging around and sitting at the computer. Schleissheim is one of our regular cycling destinations, about 30 km round … Continue reading "Kaffeenierung in Munich – Ride 7"
Read MoreWHITE BEAR LAKE, MINNESOTA: Was the Original White Bear a Polar Bear or an Albino Black Bear? Before I delve into today’s relatively uneventful Coffeeneuring ride, I’ve decided to fill some space with a totally unnecessary summary of my horizon-broadening efforts so far. As you may recall, I set a couple of personal goals for … Continue reading "BROADENING MY COFFEENEURING HORIZONS: Part Six (of Seven)"
Read MoreHere in the wet PNW, there is this challenge for November, the wettest month of the year, called “Ride In The Rain”. I have joined with my local bike club to form a team that we have named “Rainiacs”, and today I wanted to get a few miles in for the team ;’-). I did … Continue reading "November Challenge: Outdoor Art"
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In order to satisfy the mandates of the Coffeeneuring Challenge (this was my fourth Coffeeneuring ride out of the requisite seven caffeine excursions), I pedaled over to the Trailhouse, our local coffee bar / beer joint / bike shop. (Their motto: “Bikes. Beer. Coffee. Not Necessarily in That Order.”) In keeping with the requirements, or … Continue reading "Trailhouse"
Read MoreTuesday, October 30, 2018 / 16 miles / By some miracle, four neighboring cities and a town on the San Francisco peninsula agreed on something. It’s called the Peninsula Bikeway, a designated route on surface streets connecting the cities and town. They even agreed on the signage. And even more of a miracle, the route … Continue reading "Coffeeneuring 2018 Ride 4: The Tao of Bike"
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I propose a Thanksgiving Challenge. What: Ride your bike somewhere and perform some sort of community service. Give thanks for all that you have and pay that forward. You could pick up rubbish along your favourite bike path or in a park that you engage in Coffeeneuring. If you live in a civilised and cultured … Continue reading "The Thanksgiving Challenge"
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