(I had intended to do digital layouts for each ride and had started them. Then my external hard drive that holds all my photos died last Tuesday. I have a backup but was waiting for a replacement hard drive to arrive. I didn't wait to long to post them so I decided to just do a single blog post and do the layouts later.)
I love Coffeeneuring. It gives me an excuse to ride longer and stop for warm drinks filled with calories. Again, I choose Starbucks because they are nearby and I know what to expect. But this year, I found that I ordered more steamed milk drinks than hot cocoa. There is more variety and more options to make them special.
Saturday, 23 October
Coffeeneuring #1
Start: Mostly Cloudy, 71°F, Feels like 73°F, Humidity 92%, Wind 4-7mph from NE
End: Humid and Mostly Cloudy, 79°F, Feels like 82°F, Humidity 80%, Wind 5-7mph from NE - by Klimat.app
NE wind but I was not up for riding to Zephyrhills. (My thighs were sore from walking up 7 flights of stairs.)I rode through Seven Oaks to SR54 to Starbucks. It was too early for anything holiday season drinks so I ordered a Pumpkin Spice Crème. It was OK.
I realized soon after I started again that I should have gotten almond milk. Dairy sits heavy in my stomach. Despite that, the ride back was better, faster. It is always nice to have a tailwind.
18.68 miles
Sunday, 24 October
Coffeeneuring #2
Start: Humid and Mostly Cloudy, 74°F, Feels like 76°F, Humidity 95%, Wind 6-12mph from ENE
End: Humid and Overcast, 81°F, Feels like 86°F, Humidity 82%, Wind 8-12mph from E - by Klimat.app
Overcast and breezy. (I was still not up to ride to Zephyrhills) I rode to SR56 & Morris Bridge. I turned around and rode to Starbucks
I ordered Vanilla Crème with Dark Caramel Sauce and Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles. The drink was lacking. Maybe it was the almond milk, not as creamy. I only drank half.
I rode back the "short" way. It was a shorter distance but I had to cross BBD twice.
17.38 miles
Saturday, 30 October
Coffeeneuring #3
Start: Partly Cloudy, 70°F, Feels like 70°F, Humidity 74%, Wind 9-16mph from WNW
End: Partly Cloudy, 71°F, Feels like 71°F, Humidity 73%, Wind 10-16mph from WNW - by Klimat.app
Northwest wind. Rode up BBD to SR54. Slow and drizzly. I wish I had worn long sleeves.
I went to the Starbucks outside of the outlet mall. The mall is a mess with the Fall Festival. And the Starbucks was not taking order ahead. Damn. I had to figure out my drink before I got to the cashier.
Grande Vanilla Crème with Coconut Milk and Dark Caramel Sauce. Whipped cream? All melted but maybe it was there.
The drink is meh but the skies are clearing up.
I rode west to Cypress Creek then south to CLR. There are no shoulders on either road but the drivers were not aggressive towards me.
18.93 miles
Sunday, 31 October
Coffeeneuring #4
Start: Partly Cloudy, 70°F, Feels like 70°F, Humidity 71%, Wind 7-11mph from NNW
End: Clear, 72°F, Feels like 72°F, Humidity 68%, Wind 8-12mph from NW - by Klimat.app
It was a shorter ride. I felt bad leaving my dad with his back pain. NW wind. Rode Mansfield to Chancey to BBD and back through Seven Oaks.
I had to stop to get my dad some (non-expired) Tylenol. I was going to stop at Walgreens then remembered the Starbucks at Target. This will count for Coffeeneuring!
It was windy and I was slow. It was nice when I turned south and the tailwind was helping.
I went to Target and got some Tylenol for my dad. Then I got a Tall Pumpkin Spice Crème for me. I got extra whip this time so I had some when I got my drink. But it was missing the pumpkin spice topping.
14.98 miles
Saturday, 6 November
Coffeeneuring #5
Start: Overcast, 60°F, Feels like 60°F, Humidity 87%, Wind 13-19mph from NNW
End: Mostly Cloudy, 62°F, Feels like 62°F, Humidity 81%, Wind 13-19mph from NNW - by Klimat.app
Chilly and windy.
I rode Mansfield to Chancey to BBD. I rode SR54 to Land o' Lakes Starbucks. Last year it was very slow. Today it was ready extra fast despite the line of cars waiting to place their orders.
I was so happy to have my 1220. Despite the wind, I had decent speed (for me).
I got Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Yum. I got coconut milk so it won't sit like a rock on the way home.
I disappointed that they had no Christmas ornaments. (Is this a supply issue?)
The ride home was good but I was chilled. Wool is supposed to wick moisture but my arms get sweaty and then cold when the wind blows.
Only one asshole pulled out and stopped in the bike lane. I was in the top gear then my chain got stuck. I managed to get it loose with my foot while coasting. But then I couldn't get into the top gear again. WTH. Though I didn't really need it except for going down the overpass.
23.37 miles
Sunday, 7 November
Coffeeneuring #6 (Bonus)
Start: Partly Cloudy, 58°F, Feels like 58°F, Humidity 78%, Wind 12-21mph from NNW
End: Partly Cloudy, 62°F, Feels like 62°F, Humidity 75%, Wind 13-21mph from NNW - by Klimat.app
Chilly. Windy. I rode through Seven Oaks to SR54 and back south to Starbucks. (I should ride farther but too cool and windy.)
Starbucks is slow. Chestnut Praline Crème. This is really good!
I rode home the long way but it was faster because there are no busy roads to cross.
15.79 miles
Saturday, 13 November
Coffeeneuring #7
Start: Mostly Cloudy, 75°F, Feels like 76°F, Humidity 80%, Wind 11-16mph from WSW
End: Partly Cloudy, 72°F, Feels like 73°F, Humidity 83%, Wind 9-11mph from WNW - by Klimat.app
I waited for the rain to pass. The roads were wet.
I stopped at Oliver's to have them fix the front gear. I can't shift into the top gear. They adjusted it. It is still difficult but no longer impossible.
I rode to Tampa Palms. I rode through twice. An angry driver in a yellow jeep honked and yelled at me to ride on the sidewalk. Asshole.
I turned north to find the wind had shifted and was against me. Figures.
I stopped at Starbucks for Caramel Brûlée Crème.
Aside from the baristas, I was the only one wearing a mask. Sigh. I am not sure about the crunchy caramel pieces but the drink is yummy.
I rode home against the wind.
30.05 miles
Sunday, 14 November
Coffeeneuring #8
Start: Partly Cloudy, 67°F, Feels like 67°F, Humidity 54%, Wind 8-12mph from WNW
End: Mostly Cloudy, 66°F, Feels like 66°F, Humidity 56%, Wind 10-12mph from NW - by Klimat.app
NW windy. Rode up to SR54 to the outlet mall. The clouds were the perfect wispy clouds I love so much. Traffic wasn't too bad but Starbucks was busy. I ordered a Toasted White Hot Chocolate with coconut milk.
No sprinkles. Boo.
Still pretty tasty. Like a sugar cookie.
Next time I will try steamed milk with Irish cream sauce.
The ride back was OK. Not as fast as I would have liked. The shoulder is narrower along SR54.
25.34 miles
Saturday, 20 November
Coffeeneuring #9
Start: Mostly Cloudy, 74°F, Feels like 75°F, Humidity 92%, Wind 15-23mph from ENE
End: Overcast, 73°F, Feels like 74°F, Humidity 92%, Wind 14-25mph from ENE - by Klimat.app
Windy AF
It took me 90 minutes to get to Starbucks in Zephyrhills. (15.84 miles) There is construction along US301 and the little shoulder that it there is gone for a future turn lane. It was not fun.
I ordered Vanilla Crème but with Irish Cream instead of vanilla. The drink was OK but a little less creamy than I would have liked.
The ride back was fast. The tailwind was great. I rode SR54 to MPB. There is a narrow shoulder during construction.
31.04 miles
Sunday, 21 November
Coffeeneuring #10
Start: Humid and Mostly Cloudy, 78°F, Feels like 79°F, Humidity 83%, Wind 11-19mph from ENE
End: Mostly Cloudy, 79°F, Feels like 80°F, Humidity 80%, Wind 11-17mph from ENE - by Klimat.app
Windy. Not as bad as yesterday but it is still too much. Decided to ride a shorter route today. (I have extra days off coming up and will ride more then.)
I went to BBD to SR54. I know why I don't like riding up this way on the MUP, drivers pulling up to BBD do no look my way and block the path.
Starbucks for Vanilla Crème with Sugar Cookie Syrup and Holiday Sprinkles. I took the lid off and could smell the sugar cookie. But the whip was all melted so they didn't add the extra I requested. Yes, it tasted like a sugar cookie. But I miss the crunch of the cookie.
I rode SR54 to FoxWood to Chancey to MPB. I wanted to avoid MPB as much as possible. North of SR56, it is busy and is in need of replacing. I rode along the MUP but found it was even worse!
Around my 16, my legs were done. I was glad I didn't do another long route.
18.42 miles
Thursday, 25 November
Thanksgiving
Coffeeneuring #11
Start: Partly Cloudy, 76°F, Feels like 76°F, Humidity 50%, Wind 5-7mph from E
End: Mostly Cloudy, 75°F, Feels like 75°F, Humidity 50%, Wind 4-6mph from ENE - by Klimat.app
I planned on a shorter ride but felt good and wind was light so I rode to Zephyrhills. I figured traffic would be lightest today and I wouldn't anger too many drivers because there is no shoulder or bike lanes on Morris Bridge and Chancey.
Starbucks
It took three tries to find a drink that wasn't sold out of some syrup. I am not sure why they let you add the syrup when it is out.
I ordered Chestnut Praline Crème and a marshmallow bar.
The ride back was fine but not much tailwind.
31.09 miles
Friday, 26 November
Coffeeneuring #12
Start: Partly Cloudy, 76°F, Feels like 76°F, Humidity 52%, Wind 9-13mph from W
End: Partly Cloudy, 74°F, Feels like 74°F, Humidity 57%, Wind 10-13mph from WNW - by Klimat.app
I had a plan but kept changing my mind as I rode. I rode to BBD to Tampa Palms and back to Starbucks at Hunter's Green.
Once again, the syrups I wanted were OOS but it doesn't tell you until after you customize and go to checkout. with Caramel Brûlée Crème with extra whip. The drink was very good!
Five fast miles home.
21.66 miles
Saturday, 27 November
Coffeeneuring #13
Start: Clear, 67°F, Feels like 67°F, Humidity 29%, Wind 5-6mph from N
End: Clear, 70°F, Feels like 70°F, Humidity 26%, Wind 5-6mph from N - by Klimat.app
North wind. I rode to BBD and through Seven Oaks to SR54.
Chilly. Glad I wore long sleeves. Starbucks for Vanilla Crème with Dark Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Curls. Drink is meh. (After typing all these trips up, I realize that Dark Caramel Sauce is too bland and will avoid in the future.)
I rode SR54 to Fox Ridge and through the development. Then I took Chancey back to MPB and home.
20.99 miles
20211128 sunday
Coffeeneuring #14
Start: Mostly Cloudy, 68°F, Feels like 68°F, Humidity 33%, Wind 6-7mph from NW
End: Mostly Cloudy, 66°F, Feels like 66°F, Humidity 41%, Wind 7-10mph from NW - by Klimat.app
I got a very late start. I decided a short ride was OK for my last coffeeneuring. I rode Mansfield to Chancey through Seven Oaks and back south BBD. It was overcast and cool. At least it wasn't too windy.
Starbucks. I didn't even try for the other syrups. I just ordered a Chestnut Praline Crème.
Oh wow. I thought I ordered Caramel Brûlée but am glad I got the Chestnut Praline instead. She gave me a venti cup so I got a lot more whipped cream
Yay.
I rode back SR56 to
Mansfield.
16.00 miles
Looking back, I only got 2 hot cocoa drinks and the rest were Steamers. Dark Caramel Sauce is my least favorite despite my love of caramel. Chestnut Praline is the best drink this season.
Total rides: 14
Total miles: 303.72 miles
Uniques Spots: 8
