Saturday, August 13, 2016

Archer Road Connector Reaches ABT



The stretch of sidewalk passing in front of Kimble Wiles Elementary and Kanapaha Middle Schools is no more. As of Friday, August 12, the concrete gave way to dirt. Presumably the county plans to cover the dirt with asphalt but ran out of time before the first day of school.

The story offered while ABT (Archer Braid Trail) was being extended through Kanapaha Park alleged that the school system had denied its permission to allow the Archer Connector to join with ABT; almost two years later it happened. Ordinary citizens can't expect to understand the reasoning that made this 0.4 mile stretch untouchable in 2014 . . . or something. Nonetheless, regular users will appreciated it when completed.

Kanapaha Middle
Kanapaha Middle

Wiles Elementary
Wiles Elementary




Sunday, August 7, 2016

Get A Whey: Energy Made Locally



Anyone who tours by bike or takes part in demanding rides over long distances understands the need for convenient food that can be consumed along the way. Whether devouring or savoring the ubiquitous "energy bar", the consumption alone instantly boosts mood if not energy, but the fuel does get to where it is needed, assuring a few more productive miles. A touring rider usually has opportunities to stop at fast food and convenience joints, even where routes meander around traffic heavy places. Of course, there's also fast food America in all but the most isolated places. Irrespective, the energy demands are such that regularly adding carbs is a necessity.
 
I have relied on Lara Bars as my go-to fuel since discovering them in 2010 or 11. I've sampled and used others and have a box holding a large number of accumulated "energy bars." Friends and acquaintances often give me products and often they are wholly satisfactory. The accompanying image is a small sample.

"Energy Bars"

When Get A Whey bars appeared at Haile's Farmers' Market I bought some to support the Gainesville maker of the product.

Get A Whey Bars

The bars are substantial at three ounces (eighty-five grams). Because they are whey based they have significant amounts of protein and you can make your own decision about how much of what kind of carbs is best or how many calories you want (260 for Banana and 250 for chocolate). Overall, Get A Whey compares favorably to most popular bars. If there is a questionable element it is sodium which reaches 220mg in the chocolate flavor. Non-scientific logic suggests that replacing sodium would be useful if you're sweating a lot.

Chocolate
Banana

Ultimately, what matters most is whether the things are edible and both banana and chocolate that I have tried are tasty. they might be too crumbly for some but that quality also makes them easy to use while moving and don't want or are unable to pay close attention; pretty much stuff, bite, chew, repeat. Additionally, their sweetness does not turn your fingers sticky. No one likes sticky handlebars.

Sustantial Get A Whey

At $3.50 they might seem pricey compared to national name-brand products (they pack almost 30 grams of carbs) but they're made locally and are competitive in quality, so I will make sure to have some aboard on my next multi-hour ride.
More information can be found on Get A Whey's facebook page or website and they can be purchased every Saturday at the Haile Village Farmers' Market.