The Cycle Life Challenge Autumn 2017
Kaffeeklatsch? Cycle Life Challenge? A few words of explanation. My Kaffeeklatsch rides were originally written up for posting on the Bicycle Life website where a group of like-minded cyclists participated in the challenge. Here on my website it is slightly out of context. So for the uninitiated, a few words on what the Cycle Life Challenge is all about, or you can go to the link.
I'll use the words of Kathleen, who sponsored the challenge for several years:
I'll use the words of Kathleen, who sponsored the challenge for several years:
We expect all of you to have a great time meeting this challenge. There are loads of rules but you’ll not have any trouble meeting them.
The basic rules are:
- over the course of 7’ish weeks in October and November
- ride your bike 7 different places,
- at least 2 miles round-trip each time,
- drink 7 cups of coffee (or similar), and
- take 7 pictures as proof of your purchase, and of your bike if possible
The challenge kick started my cycling in the spring and fall of 2017. I wasn't cycling regularly at that time and not only did the challenge get me out on my bike in all kinds of weather but it also got me back on my bike for more riding all year round. Riding seven times in seven weeks is no longer a challenge, but it was then. I usually ride my bike seven times a week now.
I didn't just want to take seven rides, I wanted a theme for my rides. I decided on visiting the different museum cafés here in Munich. We have several excellent museums that I hardly ever get around to visiting (because I live here) and they all have very nice cafés. That would be something for body and soul - I exercise, I get to eat cake and I have done something edifying as well.
The only remaining issue was to find a title for the journal. One of my initial ideas was to use some catchy lyrics from a song with coffee, like "One more coffee for the road...", or a little rhyme "I love coffee, I love tea, I love the boys and the boys love me." Neither seemed to really apply. Especially since I don't drink coffee.
Then I came upon Kaffeeklatsch. Greg, who also took part in the challenge, used the word kaffeeklatsch in his journal first, but since it appealed to me and I'm writing from Germany I took the liberty of borrowing his idea. Thanks, Greg! Forgive the plagiarism.
I didn't just want to take seven rides, I wanted a theme for my rides. I decided on visiting the different museum cafés here in Munich. We have several excellent museums that I hardly ever get around to visiting (because I live here) and they all have very nice cafés. That would be something for body and soul - I exercise, I get to eat cake and I have done something edifying as well.
The only remaining issue was to find a title for the journal. One of my initial ideas was to use some catchy lyrics from a song with coffee, like "One more coffee for the road...", or a little rhyme "I love coffee, I love tea, I love the boys and the boys love me." Neither seemed to really apply. Especially since I don't drink coffee.
Then I came upon Kaffeeklatsch. Greg, who also took part in the challenge, used the word kaffeeklatsch in his journal first, but since it appealed to me and I'm writing from Germany I took the liberty of borrowing his idea. Thanks, Greg! Forgive the plagiarism.