We Pedal Peace Coffee… Literally… over 5,000 Miles Year Round A Day in the Life of Peace Coffee's Delivery Cyclist Peace Coffee delivers coffee by bike courier where ever possible to save fossil fuels. Our motto is "Roast beans, not fossil fuel." These are a few of our biker stories… "IT'S NOT THE COLD SO MUCH AS THE SNOW." – esoteric bicycle delivery wisdom Winter is a trying time for us Minnesotans. It's our chance to experience some pretty ridiculous weather and a chance to hurl ourselves headlong into the brash masochism of winter activities. This year I've spent a lot of time outdoors because… well, it's my job. As cabin fever sets in across the city it becomes imperative that enough coffee is supplied to stave off the hardcore winter blues. That's why three days a week I'm out on my bike, delivering coffee beans to happy brightly lit grocery stores and friendly neighborhood cafés. Everyday I encounter people who seem concerned about the rationality of my chosen profession. On the nastiest days I get pastries and hot drinks offered to me regularly – a definite perk and an open invitation to linger indoors and chat with folks, usually about the weather. Though it seems like bragging to admit it, for me this winter has been full of revelatory moment regarding my own physical capacities, like riding 40 miles on a day that barely saw negative 15 degrees. A day so cold that my breath froze into a five inch long icicle that dangled from my face mask. Snow, of course, is problematic. A modest snowfall will reduce me to a sobbing wreck if I'm dragging the trailer through it. A couple of weeks back I conceded a well-earned surrender to slick roads, snow banks, deep drifts, and myriad agonies on a run to the Wedge Coop and the French Meadow Café. Lindsey, the coffee buyer at French Meadow, donated a whole bag of pastries to my emotional recovery. The next day I was back on the horse. In summation the good things about winter are hot beverages, increased fat intake and night walks in fresh snow. The bad thing about winter is people who think winter is a bad thing. HEY! IT'S SPRING! Spring is beginning to work its quiet magic on the state of Minnesota. Over the past couple of weeks much of the snow that's blanketed the lawns has melted. I've been able to ride comfortably without a base layer, and the other day I noticed seedlings sprouting from the crack in a sidewalk. It was a year ago this month that I started delivering coffee beans on my bike. I still remember my first day – riding through St. Paul in warm, brilliant sunlight and great standing pools of melted snow. I remember it so well because it was one of those days that happens every year and we are all familiar with. It's the day when it seems the entire city unanimously decided "hey, it's spring, it's finally here." It's a day marked by universal light-heartedness and many make a point to take their lunch-breaks out doors or linger a bit on their walk home from school. On this particular day last year I remember that colors seemed especially vibrant, people waved from the sidewalks and cars shouted "Go Peace Coffee!" It just felt good to be riding my bike even though I was getting soaked from the puddles. My senses were opening and it was a feeling that seemed to resonate through everyone I encountered. It's an invigorating time to be Midwesterners as much of the country doesn't have winter the way we do. As our seasons are so starkly different so is our internal reaction to the changes. In fact, I propose that New Year's resolutions be made around mid to late March, once winter's somberness has a chance to melt away. Well, it's something to consider at least. Anyway let's not forget winter for the impressive spectacle that it is. Last week's surprise snowstorm was a reminder. Leaving that morning for work I was startled by the trees behind my building. Snow had delicately blanketed every bough from the trunk to the smallest branch. By early afternoon the wind had blown most of the snow to the ground. It was pretty, sure, but I'm still looking forward to spring – leaves are a bit more stable on trees. Live Bike Cam Coming Soon! To read about the Benefits of Bicycling in Minnesota check out this report: http://www.lrrb.org/pdf/200450.pdf