Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday January 30

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is January 30. It departs from the Minnesota Ave & 13th St Starbucks which is at the intersection of (can you believe it?) 13th St and Minnesota Ave.

Here is December's hearty & hardy group.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 9.5 miles and is weather adjustable. Here are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Here is the route and a way to download it:

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday December 26

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is December 26. It departs from the Minnesota Ave Kaladis which is at the intersection of 26th St and Minnesota Ave.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 10.5 miles and is weather adjustable. Here are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route looks like this:

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 12/26 PLUS: We're 1, Happy Birthday

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be the last Saturday of December. That makes it a very special post-Christmas Saturday, December 26 ride. We'll depart at 9am from Kaladis on Minnesota Ave. Please realize that because of its proximity to Christmas the venue may change – dependent upon their holiday schedule.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. For the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride posts follow this link.

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November’s ride featured our second largest group of riders. Of course, with temperatures rising lots of people were outside enjoying themselves. One youngster was quite impressed with the spectacle of a group of riders outside his home, “WOW!” he exclaimed.

After being greeted by two or three groups of neighborhood people in close proximity it was observed by many of us that when we drive our cars hardly anybody ever waves. Even when we get together with our friends and drive our cars in groups, still nobody waves.

Go figure…

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A look back at the history of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides reveals I announced the first one on November 29, 2014. The first ride left from Kaladis on December 27. That makes us 1 year old.

Happy Birthday!

To remember the year below is the complete set of 12 official ride photos. Enjoy.

December - Kaladis - not pictured. I was new at this.

January - Starbucks (14th & Minnesota)

February - MB Haskett's but it was busy so we went...I don't remember.

March - Panera Bread

 

April -  Pappy's: The Original

May -  Manna Bakery

June -  Scooters

July - Falls Park Farmer's Market

August - Black Sheep Coffe

September -  Dunn Brothers Coffee

October -  Caribou Coffee (28th & Minnesota)

November - Coffea Downtown

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday November 14

First, the official photo from the October ride. You'd wish by now I'd figure out where there is too much sun behind the photo subject. Sigh.

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is already November 14. It's really early this month because the holidays are upon us and I have plans. It departs from Coffea Downtown which is at the intersection of 10th St and Phillips Ave. Feel free to plan your own post ride downtown visits to Duluth Trading Company and MacKenzie River Pizza. I may see you there!

We're heading east so that we can go west down the 18th Street hill. Through Riverdale and McKennan Parks. Some block zig-zagging, because I like to zig-zag blocks and back into downtown.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 10.16 miles and is weather adjustable. Here are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route goes a lotta something like this:

Create Routes or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday October 24

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is October 24. It departs from the Minnesota Ave Caribou Coffee which is at the intersection of 28th St and Minnesota Ave. When you arrive, if you find the store absent, gone missing, or just plain closed proceed to the new store at 31st St and Minnesota Ave.

When you look at the route and you happen to see a flying insect looking Bart Simpson I suggest you immediately get help. I did. Recovery is quick.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 9.6 miles and is weather adjustable. Here are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

 Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route goes a lotta something like this:

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 10/24

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will not be the last Saturday of October. Rather it will be Saturday, October 24. We'll depart at 9am from the Minnesota Ave Caribou Coffee. I understand they are relocating from 28th Street to 31st Street. I'll be paying attention to that.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. For the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride posts follow this link.

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It's pretty tough for me to name a more meaningful point to point ride from my home than the ride to Dunn Brothers Coffee. I live very far west in the city. Dunn Bros is very far east. It is very satisfying to ride there for a cup of coffee.

I arrived 10 minutes late. Thankfully the Saturday Coffee Shop Riders weathered the anxiety and were ready to roll upon my arrival. We made our way south to Harmodon Park and then north and west back for copious coffee consumption.

Here's the formal group shot.

Here's the group shot of a bunch of riders stopped at a stop sign.

Here's the dog that accompanied us.

Here's my 35 mile Saturday morning bike ride route.

See you in October!

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday September 26

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is September 26. It departs from Dunn Brothers Coffee, 5320 E Arrowhead Parkway. The route explores the multi-use path along ummm...what do they call it, SD 100, Powderhouse Road, Veterans Memorial Parkway...ugh, that north/south thoroughfare over that way. Harmodon Park and Rosa Parks Elementary are in there too.

Dunn Brothers is way out there so give yourself plenty of time if you're riding.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 10.5 miles and is weather adjustable. Here are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route goes a lotta something like this:

Create Routes or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 9/26

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be Saturday September 26. We'll depart at 9am from Dunn Brothers Coffee near the intersection of Arrowhead Parkway and Highline Ave. It's a long way out there so plan plenty of travel time.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. If you want to see the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride posts follow this link.

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I had a blast today. Partly because riding bikes is fun. Partly because I spent from 8am to 2:30pm on my bike or on bike related activities. Partly because the Pugsley has come back into my bike riding favor.

Today began with a ride into the foggy sunrise with riding buddy Clint.

By the time we reached the starting place for the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride I could see the front of his back.

Clint and I departed Black Sheep Coffee on schedule and when I held up my phone for a bike riding selfie I discovered we were being followed! Gasp. So I took a picture of them in case they were up to no good.

I decided on the way to the ride to alter our route so that we could see this giant pin cushion.

This watertower is soon going to be painted. Part of the external structure is for scaffolding as seen demonstrated in the photo. Not demonstrated and on the ground is a giant cover that will be pulled up to conceal the tower while it's being painted. I assume this protects neighboring homes from turning blue however I HOPE that they'll secretly paint something revolutionary.

Back in the good old days this water tower had a pentagram and RUSH painted on it. There was also an ostensibly abandoned garage nearby where I assumed satanic rituals took place. I've grown up a lot since then.

I suppose it's just as likely to be turned into a giant statue of T Denny Sanford.

Along the way I was able to line up the riders for a group photo. Isn't that a fine looking bunch? I think so!

After 10 miles we returned to Black Sheep Coffee where I ordered a cup of coffee and drew the interest of a giraffe, tiger and a dalmatian. The tiger had bloody paws and teeth which I thought would maybe cause the nearby and rather pristine lion to take exception. Nevertheless the giraffe, being tall enough to actually reach the coffee was my only real source of concern.

Upon our second departure of Black Sheep Coffee there remained a smaller group of rather stalwart pursuers. Turns out they got wind of the possibility of tacos.

Our next order of business was to pre-ride the route for the September 17th Taco Ride. We arrived at Sertoma Park and in short order were on our wandering, mis-directed, round-about way to the Louise Ave Puerta Vallarta. Where we indeed enjoyed lunch.

Seriously, the Taco Ride. September 17th. From Sertoma Park. 6pm departure. 8 mile tour of the city then a taco bar at the Louise Ave Puerta Vallarta. If I'm reading the Facebook event page correctly I believe it says there are rumors that the taco bar is compliments of the Taco Ride. Keep that quiet though. If word gets out we might have 100 riders. Everybody knows 100 RIDERS WOULD BE...

...AWESOME!

We closed the Taco Ride loop back at Sertoma Park before heading off on the long way home. Clint and I ended a very satisfying day with 40 FAT miles.

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday August 29

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be August 29. It will depart from Black Sheep Coffee, 1007 W 11th St. The route will explore the 10th St sharrow, the best way to access the events center by bike, the Russell/West bike lanes and the Main Street road diet.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 10 miles and is as always weather adjustable. There are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route goes a little something like this:

Create Routes or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 8/29

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be Saturday August 29. We'll depart at 9am from Black Sheep Coffee near the intersection of Grange Ave and 12th Street.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. If you want to see the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride posts follow this link.

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Today began early as I departed home on a fully geared front suspended off-road bicycle and an aptly named Camelbak perched upon my back as if it were the hump of a camel. This was somewhat unusual gear selection for the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride, however today I had plans within plans.

I met The Owner and One Of The Owner's Daughters at the Elmen Trailhead. I found them in conversation with a couple well known hoodlums - erm, riders. We bid them farewell and were off to The Falls Park Farmer's Market together while the two riders continued their travels around the north part of the bike trail.

At the farmer's market we joined a family of three generations. We found a young man on a homemade bamboo rig. Another, even younger man was on a beautiful grey and light blue Purefix. Parts he apparently selected on his own. The Owner and  One Of The Owner's Daughters were on a bicycle built for tandem.

The MinusCar Project Saturday Coffee Shop Ride takes all kinds.

Just before our 9:15-ish departure - yeah, we wait for people if we know they're coming - the two hoodlums appeared and were briefly greeted in the form of the Hello Again Wave.

Our first order of business was to arrange the requisite group photo. This one at the Pioneer Memorial.

After some short singletrack and even shorter bits of avoiding fresh dirt piles we crossed Cliff Ave entered the land of "hey, I've never been here before" and "do you know where we are?" I surely enjoy that. Our northernmost point was the Sanford Research building where the horses run but not free.

Along Benson Road we were passed by a half-dozen cars which may well have been a record until we later traversed North Drive and were passed by more and at much closer proximity. If I were to do that piece over I'd probably ride it differently.

In the midst of the North Drive tension a couple inmates played the role of comic foils by inquiring about the likelihood we were heading to Sturgis.

There were some very nice views of The City on this route. Art marshaled the back of our ride and captured this picture as we began the Main Ave descent back to The Falls. Thanks for the picture Bike Sioux Falls.

After cups of coffee, breakfast pizzas and decent conversations were consumed I was off to the remainder of my 35 mile day. A visit to Leaders Park and the long ride home. The icing on the top of my ridecake came with a couple blocks worth of cooling rainfall as I arrived home. Ahhhh...Saturday!

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday July 25

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be July 25. It will depart from the Falls Park Farmer's Market north of Falls Park. The route will take us immediately up the hill by the penitentiary and on to the Pioneer Memorial that overlooks Morrells - erm, the city.

50 yards of singletrack will put us in north Sioux Falls where we'll see the place the Schwan's trucks sleep, the Sanford Research Center and the seemingly forgotten Seubert Ave. On the return trip we'll narrowly miss the entrance to Lacey Park, loop around Presentation Street, skim the entrance to the South Dakota State Penitentiary and zoom down Main Street back to the farmer's market for freshly made coffee and/or pizza and/or brats and/or burgers.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is barely under 11 miles and is as always weather adjustable. There are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route goes a little something like this:

                    Create Routes
                    or Search for a route
                    from millions at MapMyRide
               

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 7/25

First. The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be Saturday July 25. We'll depart at 9am from the Falls Park Farmer's Market. This is near the intersection of 2nd Ave and Falls Park Drive. "What? When we're done with the ride we're going to eat lettuce?" No. Cherrybean Coffee is always there with the piping hot liquid. Skipping Stone Wood Fired Pizza makes their pizzas to order. Dakota Natural Beef always has burgers and brats on the grill.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. If you want to see the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride posts follow this link.

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Unlike our truncated wintertime attempt at this loop the weather took care of it's business in the early morning hours. By the time we rolled from Scooters the last bits of moisture were evaporating from the roadway.

Scooter's presents some interesting challenges when it comes to access. Situated near a 40,000 vehicle per day intersection with roads that were created to offer drivers a false sense of safety and efficiency as they move their cars through at 10 to 15 mph over the speed limit, this area is not welcoming to riders or walkers. Thankfully The MinusCar Project's Rides have many of the most experienced urban riders in the city - setting examples and providing confidence.

We departed Scooters moving south on Western and quickly found the relative tranquility of Ralph Rogers Road. Ralph led us to a bit of travel on 69th, the four lane divided roadway. Finally south into the neighborhoods of grand back yards, creative unique siding, and more square feet than I need or imagine.

For this ride we accepted a mascot. After a brief tour of Harrisburg's Journey Elementary student drop-off area we stopped to quickly greet Hazel and mark the moment with a photo.

After riding much of the length of a road that is most excellent for biking South Tomar Road, and the fast sweeping downhill left turn that is Plum Creek Drive we made our way to the bike path at Tomar Park.

What I thought would be the final road challenge of the day, a short bit on 57th Street to Scooters proved to be a non-issue. Our group managed to find a gap big enough in traffic which allowed us to complete the section as one unit.

The parking lot proved to me to be the greatest challenge as we arrived and faced 25mph Escalades and drivers departing parking spots without seeing. Surprise!

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Saturday June 20

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be June 20. It will depart from Scooter's Coffeehouse in the Bridges on 57th shopping area. The route will take us through the southern part of the city. We'll visit Prairie Trail Park. A first attempt at this loop occurred in November during a pretty heavy snowfall. We cut the ride short.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is just over 11 miles and is as always weather adjustable. There are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Download the route by visiting this link. Otherwise, the route goes a little something like this:

Create Maps or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 6/20

First. The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be Saturday June 20. We'll depart at 9am from Scooters near the intersection of 57th and Western (5009 S Western Ave). Half a year ago we truncated our attempt at this loop due to heavy snowfall causing unpredictable riding. It will be nice to get a proper ride done on this southern loop. I think it's got some nice features.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. If you want to see the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides posts follow this link.

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What about today? Today a whole bunch of us descended upon the Manna Bakery. Could it be that riders like a challenge? Did holding the Saturday Coffee Shop Ride on Sunday cause the attendance record to be broken by riders coming out to prove they can't be fooled by a misnomer? Time may tell.

The Manna Bakery doesn't mess around. Whilst we hung around outside before and after our ride a steady stream of customers arrived and departed with fresh baked pastry goodness. Don't be disappointed that once inside you can barely remove your helmet without bumping into a powdered sugar covered something-or-other. They have maximized their pastry product capacity.

Curiously while I shot this picture a driver stopped and waited. I joked that he might be waiting for me to step or fall off the curb so that he could run over me. As I completed my photographic artistry he called me over. He inquired after my knowledge of Falls Area Singletrack, something I do happen to know a thing or three about.

Sid thanked me for the trails at Leaders Park. As a kid he used to live near and mess around in the park. As an olderish man he's ever so pleased that he can still move around in the park because we've cut trails through the brush for him.

To all the volunteers who built and continue to maintain Leaders Park, that one's for you!

Here's our group descending what I think is Cleveland Ave.

Our group anxiously awaiting a green light at 10th and Fairfax. Anxiously because it became clear that 20 riders stopped for a red light was still not going to be enough for the traffic engineer to turn it green for us. Deep red-light-running contemplations were being weighed when the Harvest Church bus arrived for a left turn and immediately activated the trigger. Like Manna from heaven.

The Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is a 10 mile loop, which is pretty short for many riders. This morning The Boy 17 and I departed an hour early with neighbors Clint and Noah. We made our way around the southside of the bike trail. Rode the coffee shop ride. Rode the bike trail north to home.

In the end, 40 miles. 137 for me for the week.

At the very end, a lemonade stand. Clint's treat. #winning

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride On Sunday 5/31

After pre-riding the loop for Sunday's Saturday Coffee Shop Ride I found more gravel than I'd like for this ride - so I radically altered the route.

The final word: Sunday's Saturday Coffee Shop Ride which is on May 31 leaves the Manna Bakery at 9am and follows a route that goes a lotta something like this...unless I find something whilst pre-riding.

Create Maps or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: SUNDAY May 31

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be SUNDAY May 31. SUNDAY. I cannot emphasize enough that SUNDAY is the next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride.

Pay attention. There will be a quiz at the end. Sunday May 31 is the next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride.

It will depart from the Manna Bakery - 812 E 6th St. We'll venture a bit into the northeast quad of the city then take a look at the new-ish trail spur that diverts near the diversion channel.

(this ride is on sunday, may 31)

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is just shy of 12 miles and is as always weather adjustable. We'll enjoy manna from heaven (or maybe just from the bakery) after. There are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

Pop quiz hot shot. There's a Saturday Coffee Shop Ride schedule for Sunday May 31. What do you do?

The route goes a little something like this:

*** the route has changed - follow this link for new route ***

(the embed feature seems a bit mangled. here is a link to the route page.)

Create Maps or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 5/31

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is Sunday May 31. We'll depart at 9am from the Manna Bakery. The Manna Bakery address is 812 E 6th St. You were paying attention when you read that first sentence, right? It said, "The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is Sunday May 31."

Sunday.

After taking this picture it quickly moved high on my list of favorite bike Sioux Falls photos.

The Manna Bakery has no indoor seating so I'm hoping we're beyond the realm of snowfall by then.Also, the Manna Bakery has no indoor seating.

Here's the group picture from April's ride.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. If you want to see the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides posts follow this link.

See you next month.

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: April 25

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be the last Saturday of April. The 25th. It will depart from Pappy's The Original - 101 S Phillips Ave. We'll encircle the heart of the core of the city, and take a nice long look at Covell Lake.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop again is about 11 miles and is as always weather adjustable. We'll enjoy coffee or full breakfast after. There are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

The route goes a little something like this:

Create Maps or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: Next! 4/25

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is April 25. We'll depart at 9am from downtown's newest eatery. Pappy's: The Original! That's 101 S Phillips Ave, 1st level of DocuTap which was recently formerly known as the CNA building.

Here is a link to the general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the speed of this ride a bit mentally challenging. If you want to see the entirety of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides posts follow this link.

Today's ride featured two brand new people. Welcome Casey and Gregg. Murph! greeted us at Panera with regrets about flat tires and whatnot. Gregg and Murph! were very loyal riders of yesteryear's popular Coffee and Donut Rides.

See you next month!

Saturday Coffee Shop Ride: March 28

The next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride will be the last Saturday of March. The 28th. It will depart from Panera Bread - 5117 S Louise Ave. I like to think of the route as a tour of the Harrisburg School District in Sioux Falls.

The ride leaves at 9am. The loop this time is about 11 miles and weather adjustable. We'll enjoy coffee or full breakfast after. There are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.

The route goes a little something like this:

Create Maps or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide