Unlike some of my more urban-located and sophisticated cycling friends (Doohickie, Rat Trap Press, and DFW Point-to-Point), I don’t have ready access to a local coffee shop. I enjoy reading their accounts of rides through the city, including refreshment stops at those fancy gathering places. Sadly, my own experiences fall short in comparison.
They enjoy the comforts of furniture and the stimulating hustle and bustle of other friendly patrons. I am required to sit in solitude under a pecan tree on a small patch of blanket that I must pack and bring with me.
At those urban coffee shops, visitors have a mind expanding array of product and accessory options. I suppose one could order his coffee ten thousand different ways. He can doctor up his coffee with all sorts creams, sprinkles, and sweeteners so as to make it taste less like coffee, and more like dessert. I just have my thermos with only one choice, and I had to brew it myself. It’s coffee that’s black, and just tastes like coffee.
They have those paper cups with plastic lids, and those clever cardboard insulator thingies. I am required to pack my own coffee cup with the low-tech little handle on the side. I am a little embarrassed to say that my cup doesn’t have the status boosting brand name logo on it. Instead, it just has a subtle floral pattern. Not very manly.
Once my friends are handed their cup, leave their tips, dust someone else’s scone crumbs off the chair and sit down, they enjoy trendy, energetic, high-volume music, discussions of current events, and cell phone conversations of other patrons. I don’t have entertainment. I only have the sound of a southern breeze and bird song. I’m not certain about those bird lyrics lately, but they sound vaguely like, “spring is coming.”
Finally, my coffee stop is not down the street and around the corner. I must pedal along on desolate roads, some of them gravel, for two hours to find it. After a series of hill crests and creek crossings, a serviceable spot appears. By then, a short stop, even my humble spot, is something I can live with.
It is so very hard to be me.
"Sophisticated."
ReplyDeleteHeh.
*Doohickie snorks milk through his nose at the thought of something seeing him as sophisticated.*
I think those fancy smancy urban coffee shops are way over rated. Besides they take money from your pockets that could be better used for things like bike parts!
ReplyDeleteAaron
(who carries a small stove, thermos, and mug with him for brew ups on his rambles)
Poor baby.
ReplyDeleteBTW, none of those additive take up any space at all so you could make that cowboy coffee taste just like a Snickers bar if you were so inclined.
I sent this excellent post to my friend, Maynard Hershon, and he re-posted on his blog. Hope you don't mind. http://maynardnet.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteYeah, you've got it rough.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you're getting wildflowers already. Just beautiful!
Thanks for taking me along on your ride, I am feeling cooped up in the house, thanks to my surgery.
I'll take your coffee shop any day.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of pecan trees, I need to have breakfast and scoot off to work. But first, I'll crack some of those Texas pecans and put them on my bowl of cereal. My sister lives in TX and sends me a box of local pecans every year for Christmas. They are the best.
Wait, are you patronizing me? Are you sure you're not?
ReplyDeleteDoohickie, don't say that. We all look up to you.
ReplyDeleteSteve, yeah, or I could just take a Snickers bar AND coffee.
Mark, thanks, I've enjoyed Maynard's stories for a long time.
Apertome, yep, it's tree bud time around here. Try to keep your patience, and us southerners will give you a preview of what is coming your way.
Doug, I usually like my pecans in pie, but cereal sounds like another good application.
Tex69, I'm not following your question.