Coffeeneuring Without a Chain Tool

For this first one, better safe than sorry

To kick off my participation in the Chasing Mailboxes 2014 Coffeeneuring Challenge, I made some adjustments to my Trek 950 to make it rideable for my older daughter, and enticed her into a shorter ride with promises of iced tea and fresh-baked muffins. We rode about three miles to Terra Java as our first destination.

Terra Java. Lock to handicapped parking sign.

For such a brief and carefree trip, which, by its very name ought to be easily begun and performed without cares, you would think I could bring myself to just hop on the bike and go, without carrying much or anything. So, while one U-lock to secure both bikes to a signpost is probably justifiable, anything else just seems like impediments: to gather, to carry, to walk around with, to keep track of. There's some kind of minimalist principle at work here, that the less you carry, the easier and more relaxed the trip would be. It should be about the coffee, and the fun, time spent with the daughter, enjoyment of the sunshine and the morning, rather than about the gear. 

I think, though, since I wanted to make sure that my daughter's ride went as smoothly as possible on the unfamiliar-to-her bicycle, I took gear along anyway: a frame pump in case there was any trouble with the new tires I had mounted. A six foot cable in addition to the U-lock to give more options for securing the bikes at the destination. A multitool. My camera to support this post.

All that stuff is probably acceptable, given the circumstances. But when you get right down to it, there's little or no justification for taking the chain tool on a three mile coffeeneuring fun ride. That's just pure OCD tool toting. Next time, next weekend, no chain tool. I will be bold and brave. Maybe.

Good coffee, good turkey pesto pannini.

The food and coffee at Terra Java was fresh and tasty. For dine-in I would prefer my coffee in real cups not paper, particularly since the food came on an actual plate, but I didn't ask so perhaps that was my doing--I'm sure just as many people would request that coffee served in a ceramic mug was poured into a paper cup so they could take it with them, and since I didn't ask I'm not criticizing. The ambiance was quiet and calm, just as I prefer.

Ambiance shot

Did I overthink and overpack for a short coffeeneuring ride? Since I want to go with what is both comfortable and easy, I'm looking at a basket for her coffeeneuring bike along with something like a Sackville Shop Sack from Rivendell to just toss everything in and go. I'm not saying if "everything" includes a chain tool or not, that will be concealed within the great and easygoing darkness of the bag of stuff. Pretty sure a pump and an extra tube will be in there, though. Just in case.

Trek 950 tuned up for coffeeneuring: Brook's leather grips, easy bars, Crane bell, comfy saddle, smooth city tires.