Why I sometimes feel clueless: A true story.

My wife and I had a conversation last night which shows why I sometimes feel clueless. You may find it helpful when talking across the gender gap. Or not. Either way, there are a couple of things you need to know before you read this. 

First, our next door neighbor Mrs. H. recently moved into a condo type of place after living next to us for over 10 years. 

Second when you read this, the lines in "quotes" are what my wife said and the lines in (parentheses) are what I thought after she said it. Okay, here we go:

Winter Solstice Ride

 

I don't know if any words can capture the full magic of our Winter Solstice Ride but Patrick (Dancer) said it well:

bade farewell to autumn and welcomed the first day of winter with a small handful of hardy randos on the inaugural Winter Solstice 200k, the all-night ride complete with bikes festooned with string lights, tinsel, reindeer antlers and Santa hats, the dark night punctuated with Christmas carols, bad jokes and oohs and aahs at the festively decorated houses along the route. Good friends, good times: a wonderful way as any to spend the longest night of the year.

Audaxing through the snow

The New Jersey Randonneurs held their annual holiday gathering on Sunday. In true Rando style, it centered around riding a 112K permanent - the Great Adventure.  Joe "K-Hound" arranged it all including the meals and refreshment. We'd meet for breakfast, ride the route and then eat again. 

Coffeeneuring - final day: Create Wonder * Share Joy

The long ago fallen brown leaves crunch and crackle under our wheels. We pedal on a path of broken pavement, gravel and rocks that borders Pennypack Creek, a thin ribbon of wild, threading through the north suburbs, protected by signs defining conduct.

• Catch and release only. 
• No hunting. 
• Stay on trail.

We stay on trail and ride the line of least resistance on this unknown path. Over the river and through the woods, to coffeenneur we go.

Coffeeneuring day six: Mint tea and Irish Potato at the Keswick

The Keswick Theater provides live performances for the NPR listening kind of customer. Live music - folk, rock, acoustic, electric - live comedy, a little bit of this and a little bit of that, to keep the middle aged suburban sorta-kinda-hipster feeling relevant and "with it." 

Almost next door is the Keswick Coffee House. Selections of flavored lattes served in paper cups, teas, ice cream, Kosher Hot Dogs and couches. 

The laptop user in the window seat has his book on theological writing propped open so the title is easily read by us non-theological writing non -window seat customers.  

Coffeeneuring day five: Talking turkey at Creekside

 The Veterans day rule saved the day.

Central Jersey 200K: Come dance with me.

A big turn out. A fast course.  Challenging winds. A mighty fine group to ride with. Sounds like the making of a Rando video: