Coffeeneuring Challenge: Ride 7

Our final coffeeneuring ride of 2013 took us to Caribou Coffee, which is located inside Mount Royal Fine Foods, a short 4 mile ride from our front doorstep (for the mathematically challenged, that makes for an 8 mile round trip).


This was the only one of the shops we've visited during the challenge to have a (well placed) bike rack for their customers.


We took advantage of Caribou being inside of a grocery store and picked up a few items, along with a new winter mascot. We each had a dark chocolate Ho Ho Mint Mocha with soy and also brought home a pound of Reindeer Blend to help kick start our holiday spirit.


The coffee was so good we decided to finish drinking it at home so we could savor every last drop.

Big thanks to MG for the challenge. Can't wait to do it again next year.

Coffeeneuring Challenge: Ride 6

For our penultimate coffeeneuring outing we rode our Mukluks to nearby Hartley Nature Center for our second coffee shop without walls. Although the park has 9 miles of single track to ride, we decided to take the direct route to our destination. It was supposed to rain the rest of the weekend, so we wanted to get home before it started. We'll save the rainy ride for Sunday.


Our five mile round trip included some nice dirt roads.......


and a bit of single track.


Selfie at the pond.


We drank hot apple cider by the waters edge.


Hot apple cider over ice. Who'da thunk it?

Coffeeneuring Challenge: Rides 4 & 5

Saturday's coffeeneuring outing took us to Casa Latte, which is located at the intersection of State Highways 53 & 194. While its not located at the most picturesque of locations, their excellent coffee more than made up for this small shortcoming.
The approach.


Although it was cozy and warm inside, we had our coffee to go. We didn't want to overheat.


Trish had a Soy Cinnamon Mocha, while I had a Soy Turtle Mocha. We shared* a Birthday Cake Scone.


Since Trish was given a large instead of the medium she ordered, I made the ultimate sacrifice and finished it for her.


Coffee brings out the sun, which we were very grateful for on our chilly 18 mile trip.



Sunday's ride took us down the hill into Duluth to At Sara's Table/Chester Creek Cafe.


One nice thing about bikes is that they have no windows to scrape.


The shop is located about halfway down the hill in the Chester Park neighborhood, close to the UMD campus. It was a 10.6 mile round trip.


We each had Chai Lattes and shared* a Vegan Chocolate Cupcake.
The drinks were good. The cupcake was even better.
Cheers!

*When I say shared, I mean that I let her have a little bite while I inhaled the remainder.