Fixing ABT through Haile

Alachua County patched the numerous cracks on ABT where it parallels Haile Blvd. It has been suggested that problems with the clay base caused the problem. Perhaps the warranty from Hipp on their paving was limited to 90 days?

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

Wiles Elementary

Fine With Me Dining at Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill

Riding a bike is not necessarily about how fast or how far. Sometimes it’s about where you end up and during the recent Coffeeneuring Challenge (4th Annual) I ended up at Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill (LRNG), a place I’d visited in a previous incarnation. The coffee was good and the atmosphere was inviting; I knew I had to return and learn whether the food was equally pleasant.

I planned my visit to fit within LRNG’s Happy Hour window which is daily from 3 to 6 pm and for a day when sitting outside would be comfortable.  So, a few days after my previous chilly morning visit I returned when it was upper 70s and sitting outside was not only possible but pretty much required.
Because my tastes are simple I ordered some things I could understand; potato skins and beer. Because it was Happy Hour I sampled two on-tap brews; Brooklyn Lager and later, Sweetwater 420 Pale Ale. The potato skins were a very satisfactory finger food with more than adequate potato and the skins were tender rather than crisp, tough or chewy. There was neither too much, nor too little cheese and enough bits of bacon to add texture.


An hour spent with a couple of beers, a quartet of potato skins, attentive but not overbearing service and delightful weather was about as much as anyone could ask for from any eatery and LRNG delivered. Park your car at Kanapaha Park and ride the 2.5 miles to Haile Village and the Archer Braid Trail extension, indulge at LRNG then work some of it off on the return trip.

Convergence: ABT, Haile Village and the 4th Annual Coffeeneruing Challenge

After years of debate, misinformation and misbehavior the extension of Archer Braid Trail (ABT) became a reality and making Haile Plantation’s Village easily accessible from Kanapaha Park.

ABT and Haile Blvd.

The Village is an integral and extremely under used part of New Urbanist Haile Plantation.. On Saturday I combined the extension’s Grand Opening Celebration, my fifth stop in the 4th Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge and my regular visit to the weekly Farmers’ Market.

Fewer riders appeared at this event than at the Grand Opening of the first six miles in June ‘13 becasue of the unseasonable weather, but those who did were dressed for the sunny, chilly, windy November morning. Adding to the small gathering, though, were curious patrons of the Farmers’ Market drawn by the music of Weeds of Eden.

Weeds or Eden “We play original bio-regional music, folk and rock standards, Celtic tunes, and filthy pirate songs.”  See facebook site

It turned into a friendly, busy get together. Of special note, though, is the courtesy of Gordy and his Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill staff who provided an assortment of finger-edibles, bottled water and congeniality.

Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill

Months ago I wrote a brief review of eateries in Haile’s Village, but focused on bike security. Four U-racks easily visible from inside make security a nonissue, though the cobbles into which the racks are secured make footing a mite awkward.

Bike security at Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill

When the opening event was announced I knew I’d make Limerock one of my stops on the Coffeeneuring Challenge for two additional reasons; I’d be in the Village for the regular Saturday Farmers' Market and Limerock serves Flagship Coffee (formerly known as Tree City). If the weather had been less blustery I would have settled outside to observe the goings-on, but had I done that I’d’ve missed the energetic and friendly staff and the comfortable Neighborhood Grill environment.

Flagship Coffee at Limerock Road

I’d visited the establishment in its previous iteration, but had no knowledge of the current state of is comestibles. As a place to hangout and enjoy some conversation it’d be hard to beat; comfortable seats at the bar, large windows with a pleasant view of Haile’s Square and a place to enjoy the Gators on a couple of large screen TVs (and Happy Hour when the Gators are on the road). Unlike many “sports bars” Limerock maintains its pub style without forgetting how to offer a family friendly, part-of-the-neighborhood enviornment.

Bright and Welcoming Limerock Road

The coffee was good. The service and accessibility of the serving staff was exceptional. Now it’s past time for me to see what they can do with their food. For the rest of you; leave your car at Kanapaha Park, follow the Trail, visit the Farmers' Market and go see Gordy.

Limerock's specials

GCC Member? Visit The Village (or downtown) and Get A Deal

As a response to the completion of Archer Braid Trail’s extension through Haile Plantation one of the regular vendors at the Saturday morning Farmers' Market has created a product with bicycle riders (Gainesville Cycling Club members in particular) in mind and is encouraging them to visit the Village.

I have never been much of a fan of mustard, except for when I was a kid and went to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore where all hot dogs came with bright yellow mustard. As my tastes have become moderately more sophisticated I have appreciated the more robust flavors of what might be called "real mustard". I may never become a dipper and use a jar of mustard like hummus or guacamole, but I have learned that mustard . . . some mustards . . . deserve a place in my kitchen.

Nana Pat’s Goodies is one of the vendors at the Market who has embraced the idea that people on bikes is good for the Farmers’ Market.


Nana Pat makes both sweet and savory things, but it is her mustard that matters here. Her newest addition to the line of savories is Fat Tire Special, which uses, can you guess, New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber Ale as its base. That, alone, would be reason enough to visit Haile Village on Saturday or Union Street on Wednesday, BUT . . . are you ready? . . . GCC members get a discount. A check of Nana Pat’s website blog says it all; she doesn’t commonly offer deals. What’s the deal? Fifty cents off the usual $7 large jar or two small jars (usually $4 each) for the price of a large one, should you want to share the joy. The blog posting also says that this is a limited time product, but I bet demand would win out.


Anyone wanting a seriously good taste treat and wanting to buy locally should try Nana Pat’s stuff. For those of you who like to favor things on facebook and encourage others to treat themselves to something worthwhile, you can do it there, too.

Even if none of the regular merchants in The Village see the marketing value of encouraging the use of ABT, at least one Saturday morning vendor does.

National Bike Challenge and Coffeeneuring

The National Bike Challenge and Falling Over
This year’s National Bike Challenge gave me the same kick in the saddle as last year’s. My goal was an average of twenty miles a day and I was doing pretty well until I fell over kinda like Arte Johnson and his tricycle on “Laugh-In”; a 3 mph moment of carelessness. Landed on my hip, the same one that’d been repaired with titanium rods to hold the ball on the neck of my femur. Wasn’t nearly as much pain as there was blood from elbow, knee and finger, so I finished the remaining 16 miles. Later there was plenty of pain and I didn’t (probably couldn’t) ride the next day or Saturday, managed a cautious few miles thereafter, returning to the scene of the fall a week later.

During the Challenge, Archer Braid Trail through Haile Plantation progressed from construction site to completion. When I was able to resume riding it was very nice to cruise cautiously on the very smooth asphalt and over the numerous transition points. I missed my Saturday morning visit to the Farmers’ Market, but will enjoy it even more now, despite the missing piece of asphalt at Kimball Wiles Elementary School.

What About After the National Bike Challenge
So, how will I fill the hole left by no longer being able to compete for a year’s supply of toilet paper (yes, one of the monthly prizes)? Along comes Mary G. and her blog; chasing mailboxes. Commencing on October 4 is the Fourth Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge; 7 Cups (of coffee) in 7 Weeks (Saturdays and Sundays only). Say what?

The basics are this; visit one place where you drink coffee, document it, do that each of the seven weekends and submit your completed “challenge” at the end. Prizes? Yeah, some, I guess.

• Difficult? Not really? Potentially a good way to discover your own back yard, so to speak.
• Rules? Yeah and you can read ‘em here.
• I’ve already planned my first several weekends; Tree City at the Haile Village Farmers’ Market, Limerock Road and patticakes (not open Sundays) also in Haile Village, Barnie’s on lower Tower Road and undoubtedly the Starbucks at Butler.

Look at chasing mailboxes and enjoy Mary’s whimsical perspective, except when she’s serious. Maybe Gainesville and GCC will turn in another stellar performance.

Some questions about ABT through Haile Plantation?

Raise your hand if you know the answer . . . 

1.Is ABT through Haile Plantation finished?
 Paving has been completed and all transitions within Haile have been excavated and concrete has been poured. All that remains is installation of bricks to form the necessary detectable warnings. Transitions along Tower Road have been surveyed.

2. When will the section of sidewalk be removed and asphalt applied in front of Kimbell Wiles Elementary School?

 The sidewalk will not be replaced. 

3. Why not?
 The county school system would not permit it. 

4. So, that's it?
 Yep. 

The newly paved trail adds about 2.8 miles (less the .2 miles of sidewalk in front of Kimball Wiles) to the already well used 6.2 miles of Archer Braid Trail. It makes Haile Village readily accessible by bike or on foot from Kanapaha Park (about 3 miles) and provides a relatively easy 18 mile trip from the Park to Archer and back.

Hipp Construction did a fine job with ABT through Haile. By week's end all construction should be completed and clean-up and final touches well underway. If you haven't ridden or walked the new section of ABT you ought to.

Three Weeks

The end is nigh; paving of the portions of ABT along SW 41st Place (Kanapaha Park) and Tower Road will begin next week along with the remaining section at Haile’s Equestrian facility. Predicted time for completion of the entire project is three weeks. This will include excavation and paving of the short section at Kimball Wiles Elementary School where ABT crosses Tower Road. Transition points at all intersections are marked and final work on drainage and landscaping has begun.

Is a Grand Opening being planned for this section of ABT? Linking ABT through Haile with activities in Haile Village seems obvious irrespective of the resistance by many Haile residents. Rather than being an unwanted eyesore, Hipp Construction has done a fine job of mating ABT to Haile Boulevard as it enters the Plantation and 91st Streets more aggressive and direct approach.

Getting to the Saturday Farmers’ Market from Kanapaha Park will be a pleasant ride and one that can be made safely by families. Several vendors at the Market who make delectable consumables are working on bicycle related items and might be encouraged to offer discounts or deals to people arriving by bike!

41st Place and Tower Road; Entrance to Kanapaha Park

41st Place at Kanapaha Park

Tower Road ready to be paved

Progress on ABT

Archer Braid Trail (ABT) through Haile Plantation continues its steady, if sometimes too slow, progress. Paving equipment has been moved to the section of unpaved trail passing Haile’s Equestrian Center suggesting that there’ll soon be asphalt from Archer Road at 91st to Haile Blvd at Tower.

The next significant and very obvious work is happening on Tower Road where the sidewalk on the eastern side of Tower has been removed and will be replaced as part of ABT. Significant work is being done to the crossing and transitions at the Kimball Wiles Elementary School intersection. Concurrently, paving of the new multiuse path is nearing completion from Archer Road to Kanapaha Middle School. It will eventually extend to join ABT at Kimball Wiles.

ABT at Tower Road

Tower Road at Kimball Wiles Elementary School

Haile Blvd at Tower Rd.

The section of Trail paralleling Haile Blvd is already being used by riders, walkers, strollers, and even skaters. I know I’m biased, but I think the Trail enhances the ride along Haile Blvd toward the Village. Making Haile Village more accessible can’t be a bad thing, especially on Saturday mornings for the Farmers’ Market.

Haile Blvd.

More progress on ABT through Haile

Work has begun on the points of transition at intersections along ABT through Haile.

Gainesville, we have asphalt!

Paving of the 91st Street section of Archer Braid Trail through Haile Plantation began today and by 1700 (5:00 pm) was nearing completion. Final preparation has also been done on most of the Trail paralleling Haile Blvd (SW 45th Blvd) and preliminary grading completed along the section passing by Haile Equestrian Center.
Looking north on SW 91st Blvd from Archer Road.

Construction at intersection transition points along the entire route and at the intersection at SW 91st Street and Haile Blvd. is underway.


Intersection of Haile Blvd with SW 91st  Street

Paving WILL begin!

Paving equipment is ready and sod has been placed along SW 91st Street. Curbing has been removed at each of the intersections along SW 46th Blvd. except for the intersection at SW 81st Terrace west of Haile Equestrian Center. The section from SW 81st Terrace to Tower Road will be paved when grading over recently installed drainage is completed.

And Maybe Next Week!

Last week Bob's Barricades appeared along SW 41st Place announcing the next big step toward completion of Archer Braid Trail. Excavation for the section of ABT that will run from Tower Road to GRU's Water Reclamation Facility has begun.
When the entire project is completed Kanapaha Park will be a natural starting point for family rides to Haile Village.

ABT has become an integral part of Gainesville's bicycling community. The wooded 1.5 miles beginning at the trail head in Archer has been embraced by its citizens and it is common to see families strolling, skating and riding along that section.

The real news, though, is that paving may begin next week and will encompass all of SW 91st Street to SW 46th Blvd. and much of SW 46th Blvd. as far as the short section passing in front of Haile's Equestrian Center. The final piece of the Trail has not yet been started; parallel to Tower Road from SW 46th Blvd. to SW 41st Place.

Archer Braid Trail through Haile update

"Sometime in July" is still the anticipated completion of  Archer Braid Trail's extension through Haile Plantation. Construction was hindered by problems with "drainage and clay" but is moving more smoothly now. Only one native has been restless during the construction assuring the workers each morning as she drives by that they are Number One. This is in dramatic contrast to the brouhaha which accompanied ABT's planning stages.

Construction of the section of the Trail paralleling Tower Road is unlikely to be completed "sometime in July" but there is increasing evidence of preliminary engineering work being done with the appearance of stakes identifying the location of the Trail as it passes Kanapaha Park.

"Sometime in July"

Work continues on the Haile Plantation extension of Archer Braid Trail, but the project is behind schedule with completion anticipated "sometime in July." Some of the heaviest excavation has taken place along sections of SW 91st Street where much of the activity has been centered recently.

Archer Braid Trail is Growing

If you haven't ventured down Tower Road recently you might not be aware that ABT is coming.

Archer Braid Trail makes Haile Village more accessible

Getting to Haile Village is a three mile ride mostly on the paved path winding its way through the Plantation’s neighborhoods and I do it boldly, despite the warn sign telling me the path is a benefit for residents and guests, only. I figure the Farmers’ Market in the Village is an open invitation.

When the current extension to Archer Braid Trail is completed access to the Village will be dramatically easier as will the ride to Archer. Memorial Park will be a fine alternative to using the YMCA parking area on Archer Road and the new section will add an additional couple of miles.

Haile meets ABT

Ninety-first Terrace is the Main Street of the Village; it’s where the Market appears on Saturdays and where much of the Village’s other “content” is located. With improved access provided by ABT it makes the eateries located there much more convenient destinations for anyone wanting to venture out on a bike. It’ll be possible to ride to Haile, indulge in snacks, a meal or just dessert and work some of the calories off getting back to the Park.
Haile Village may not be specifically bicycle friendly, but traffic is seldom a problem, amenities are easily accessible and there are widely spaced racks and abundant flyparking options. After the Market the most relevant amenity I might consider using me is dining, though it’s been a long time since I have availed myself of the opportunities.

Haile Village Bistro is a starting point for many Gainesville Cycling Club (GCC) rides so you can assume they are friendly or tolerant of bicycle riders. They’re open daily at 0700 offering light breakfast and complete lunch and dinner entrees until 11pm weekdays and 1AM on Saturday and Sunday. Their menu runs from deli sandwiches to Middle Eastern inspired Kabobs. English Pub food is also on the menu, but in my opinion it should only be ordered in the attached Queen’s Arms Pub; Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Bangers and Mash have always been very good. Fish and Chips’ll cost you $12 and will be worth the price.

Queen's Arms Pub

Haile Village Bistro

There is a rack across the street from the Pub and a wrought iron fence around the outdoor seating of the Bistro. Neither is the ideal way to accommodate bikes, but both serve the purpose and unless the weather is oppressively hot or unpleasantly cool, outdoor seating is a good thing.


Sisters is no longer open for dining. It is catering only. Alas.

patticakes is a confection destination but not nearly as bicycle friendly as it oughta be. With an abundance of carbohydrates available it’s a great place to indulge in extremes. Haven’t visited since soon after they opened so I’ve no idea how much a designer cupcake goes for. I do recollect that whatever I paid was justified by the taste.
Only flyparking is available using various trees and signs, but this is less than ideal.


Cacciatore is an oddity. It’s a catering company that makes pizza and other typical pizzeria fare from 5pm to 9 mp on Thursdays and Fridays. Its prices are competitive and reviews suggest they make good stuff. It fits outside the general idea of bicycle friendly. Maybe I’ll stop by for a piece some evening and have more to say about it. I'll even add a picture when i do.


Limerock Road used to be something else and it was something else when I ate there. Billed as “the Neighborhood Grill you’ve been searching for” it may be just hat, preposition notwithstanding. Like any good Neighborhood Grill in the Home of the gators, it offers Happy Hour whenever the Gators play. It’s not clear whether that is just football or includes lacrosse, softball, basketball, et cetera. The lunch menu shows a host of handheld Grill-type options for lunch and more worldly items for dinner. Lunch will cost about $10 and for dinner you’ll need more than $10 and less than $20 for a meal.
Limerock has an adequate bike rack and there are numerous flyparking options should the rack be full.


South Garden and Limerock Road are in the same nook at the North end of the Village. South Garden offers typical items at competitive prices. As with Cacciatore, I’ll ride by some afternoon and taste what they offer. They’re open Tuesday through Friday for lunch (11am – 2pm) and dinner (5pm – 8:30pm) and for dinner only; Monday, Saturday and Sunday (5pm – 8:30pm).
Adequate flyparking is available and Limerock’s rack is nearby.

With parking available at Memorial Park, ABT should become more heavily used than it is already and the possibility of a stop in Haile Village makes it even more appealing.

Archer Braid Trail Construction

Work on the next section of the Archer Braid Trail has commenced in ernest. Utility work at the entrance to Kanapaha Park on Tower Road was extensive, but has been completed.
Ground has been well broken where the Haile portion of the Trail meets Archer Road.

Archer Braid Trail prepares to meet Haile Plantation

It appears that utility work has advanced for the extension of Archer Braid Trail from its current terminus at SW 91st Street to the eastern end of SW 41st Place where a large spool of wire is awaiting use. Trees were cut several weeks ago and excavation markings have been place on the south side of 41st Place where it meets Tower Road.

East to the end of SW 41st Place near Chapman's Pond, GRU's Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility and UF's TREEO Center.

SW41st Place at Tower Road across from Kanapaha Park.

It will be very interesting to see the solution for ABT crossing Archer Road.

ABT west to Archer.

Paved trail from SW 91st end of current ABT to SW 75th Terrace, paralleling Archer Road.

More Things Seen While Riding

After a hiatus of a few weeks . . .

A recent addition to the ABT Trailhead kiosk is a small anouncement. Everyone using ABT should give support and thanks to the  4H Archer Trailblazers who are adding Litter Pickup to their community serivce project list.

Click picture to see larger image of 4H sign.

Ever wonder what the railroad equivalent of a ground crew is? Looks like it's this Flail Mower that relies on chain flails on the business end of its boom to beat grass and brush into submission.


With Trek entering the transport bike market with its longtail Transport there may be more human powered, urban utility vehicles around soon. Some people have already invested in cargo bikes. This bakfiet (Box Bike) from Clever Cycles (clevercycles.com) is dressed in the right seasonal color.

Bikes are much more than just recreational vehicles. Anyone who makes an effort to replace automobile mileage with time aboard a bicycle does as much for the world as for his or her physical condition.

Few real hills, good weather . . . Go ahead, bike my day.