I think this may be my 13th year of coffeeneuring and I’ve never managed to craft a “theme within a theme” that didn’t get derailed. This year, given the state of bad things happening in the world, I decided that a theme I could manage was to include doing one small good thing each ride. Perhaps these small acts do little good, but I take inspiration from the final message Jane Goodall left to the world in the interview she authorized to be broadcast after her death. Acknowledging the crisis facing our planet, she urged us not to give up hope and to take the small actions that, all together, can help move the needle in the right direction.
So, whether taking food to a friend, sharing the bounty from my Asian pear tree, giving money to someone in need, or tipping generously: these are things I can do while riding my bike in beautiful autumn weather, sampling tasty beverages, and having a meal or snack.
Ride # 1 October 15, 2025 – 12 miles
Rode to my friend and fellow-coffeeneur’s house to drop off about a quart and a half of fresh-squeezed Asian pear juice. Two young deer darted across the W&OD path on my way – always a treat. She was getting ready to go for a ride and I suggested we ride together to the Arlington Courthouse to vote early for the important Virginia elections. We then stopped at Bayou Bakery for delicious fresh, warm beignet and I had a ginger tea to go with them. I then headed home, with a stop at Trader Joe’s.
Ride #2 October 19, 2025 – 6 miles
I was dropping off some food for a friend and stopped at Living the Pie Life on my way back home. Sadly, I found they no longer sell coffee or tea, although their pies and other goodies look as delicious as ever. Apparently, I had not visited since before the pandemic – which is when they closed their coffee service. So, I rode to the Westover farmer’s market where I needed a few items and got a cup of iced hibiscus tea from the coffee and tea vendor.
Ride #3 October 24, 2025 – 6 miles
I wanted to take a ride along the Bluemont Junction trail because I usually see some nice fall foliage there. Although the trees were just beginning to turn, it was a pleasant ride. I parked my bike at Good Company, walked over to Ballston Mall where I visited my gym for a little strength training and use of the massage chair and to get cash from the bank. Then I returned to Good Company for a delicious cider donut and a London Fog tea. I hadn’t quite figured out a “good” thing to do, so I gave a 100% tip. Small actions add up, I hope.
Ride #4 October 27, 2025 – 7 miles
I had errands to do by bike and, at Trader Joe’s, I purchased a gift card for the man who distributes the homeless newspaper: Street Sense. I then rode to Trade Roots, close to home, for a turmeric latte. Sitting outside I was happy to run into a friend and her husband, and we had a chance to catch up. When she saw me, her first question was, “Did you come by bike?” and I was happy to say yes!
Ride #5 November 1, 2025 – 10 miles
Once again, I had food and fresh juice for a friend and asked her to meet me at Shirlington. There are two places to get special goodies at Shirlington: sticky buns at Best Buns and a certain cake donut I like at Astro. But I was not the early bird and neither was available. However, there was a surprise beer garden festival set up and, as I walked among the vendors, I was offered a free lemon-lavender tea and some spicy popcorn, so that was my beverage and snack. On the way back home, I had another deer sighting – this time a large buck dashing across a fairly busy road. I was glad he made it safely. I enjoyed seeing the autumn bounty in the community gardens I pass on my way.
Ride #6 November 2, 2025 – 22 miles
I was happy to be able to make it to the DC coffeeneur meet-up in DC at the Rubell Museum coffee shop. It was a chilly morning so I got a late start, but managed to arrive before everyone had left. I packed my pannier with a box full of my Asian pears, which I distributed to my fellow coffeeneurs and to the barista, who was so happy to receive them that she insisted on giving me a free beverage. By the time I arrived, the weather had warmed considerably, so I opted for an iced mint tea.
It was lovely to meet some of my fellow riders in person, including an Arlington neighbor. Initially I thought I’d ride in and take my bike home on the metro, but the day was just too beautiful. I decided to bike home via the longer but flatter route, which meant I got to include the Arlington 17-mile loop, which I always try to do once during coffeeneuring season. Including the DC detour, my best estimate is about 22 miles total.
By the time I got to Shirlington I was hungry and stopped at Taco Bamba for a veggie mushroom chorizo taco and an ear of street corn, along with some lemonade. The taco was so big (and delicious) I had to take the corn home for later. On the final stretch I didn’t see any deer, but caught two turtles sunning themselves on a rock in a pond.
Ride #7 November 6, 2025 – 6 miles
I needed a few items from Aldi and decided to also get canned goods to donate to Arlington Food Assistance Center. Given the government shutdown and precarity of the SNAP program, it seemed especially important this year. My big faux pas was not putting air in the tires of my bike trailer, which I hadn’t used in a while. By the time I got to Aldi, I realized that the tires were virtually flat. The entire ride to my local library, where I planned to drop off the food afterwards and pick up a book, I could hear the trailer’s tires groaning in protest, due to the added weight of the canned goods. Nevertheless, I carried on and even made it up the hills, promising to pump up the tires as soon as I got home.
I had intended to stop at Village Sweet for a beverage and snack, but they were closed so I headed down the block to The Italian Store and, given that it was lunch time, I got their vegetarian sub and was lured in by a Sicilian pomegranate soda in the prettiest soda can I’ve ever seen. The soda proved to be waaaaaay too sweet, but the sandwich was delicious. The store has so many tempting foods, but I settled for a few photos.
And so ends another coffeeneuring season, which seems to have gone by way too fast, although I’m sure there will be plenty more ABC rides as long as the good weather holds.
Enid writes 