Seeking your FNBS

I intended to complete this discussion about bike shops a week ago, but Fútbol interfered. This is the second World Cup to which I have given more than casual attention and it’s returned a favor with numerous outstanding matches and remarkable moments.

Championship athletic competition on a high level is always appealing. I can recall being captivated by Arnie hitching up his trousers as he took on Augusta National when I had no prior interest in golf. I try to not miss at least some part of The Masters. In July, of course, Tour de France will provide an even more compelling distraction so I need to finish the first half of the bike shop discussion now!

In the May edition of “Senior Times” I wrote about becoming a bike rider whether as someone resuming a long-ago activity or as something new for recreational and fitness reasons. I suggested that one of the best ways to acquire a suitable bike for the commencement of a two-wheeled journey is to visit a bike shops and talk to people who can assist in sorting through the wide variety of bikes now available; back in the 50s and 60s the selection was very limited in small-town America.

At my local Publix I was asked by someone who recognized me from the picture included among the Contributors whether there was a preferred bike shop in town, specifically, what was my FNBS (Friendly Neighborhood Bike Shop)? Choosing a shop to take care of your ride is highly subjective and that’s what I related to the man who asked the question.

The only way to find the right shop with the right bike, whether as newbie or redux, is to talk to the people inside their doors. As a prospective bicycle rider you should have answers to some relevant questions before setting out on a bike quest.

1.    How well do you ride?
2.    What do you want to accomplish?
3.    What kind of riding do you think you want to do?
4.    What’s your budget?

There’s one other thing you need to ask of yourself: How likely are you to stick with riding a bike if it turns out to be more difficult that you thought? If you have a personal history of plunging into something (buying all the equipment, taking all the classes, finding all the places) only to give it up and be left with regret and chose, pants, brushes and other useless but painful reminders of one more zealous obsession gone bad.

Riding a bike, even casually, requires regular physical effort. If you don’t try to develop fitness and skill the bike will be relegated to the back porch, yard or craigslist.

I wondered how bike shops (other than my FNBS) would deal with a Senior Citizen who wants to begin riding. At each of the first five shops I have visited, Bike Works, Gator Cycle, Schwinn Shop, Swift Cycle and Chain Reaction (There are four yet to be visited) the person or people to whom I spoke wanted to know the same basic information related the questions posed above. At none of the shops will you find someone pushing you toward a bike unsuited to your wants and needs. Instead, they may try to convince you that your wants exceed your needs (and abilities), but their goals were all about getting a good match.

Each shop sells one or more brands of bikes and every brand has a wide range of style options. For many older, wanna-be bike riders an upright, step-through frame bike is often the best first choice. Bikes that might have been called “girls’ bikes” in our long ago past are more properly called “open frame” and are not gender specific. They are wholly suitable for a new, older rider where swinging an aging leg over the back of a bike might exceed current physical ability.

Bike Works 2300 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608 352-225-3585

Only Bike Works did not have such as a step through model available on-site, though their primary brand, Giant, does make “Lifestyle/City” models in both step-through, open and traditional frames. Additionally, they also carry a line of Beach Cruisers from Phat Cycle and such bikes a popular with us old folk.

Tony of Bike Works responded to an email I sent asking if I had been accurate in my brief assessment of Bike Works. He said that not only have they added some bikes of the sort I had hoped to see, but that Giant had dropped the price of 30 of their most popular models by 20 to 30 percent. Additionally, they have developed several videos relevant to ordinary care and maintenance which could be useful to both new and regular riders. These are available on their website.

Gator Cycle 3321 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608 352-373-3962

Gator Cycle may be the most familiar name in G’ville and its leading brand, Trek, is one of the most well-known brands. When it comes to diverse styles, Trek makes just about everything, including entry level upright, city-type bikes, and Gator probably has some in stock. Another in-stock option that Gator offers is recumbent bikes which are suitable for someone with physical limitations. They’re beyond the scope of this brief treatment, but worth investigating.

Schwinn Shop 1225 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 352-374-2064

The Schwinn Shop’s bike lines include suitable “elder bikes.” Maybe more so than Trek, Schwinn is an iconic name. It is not the Schwinn of old, but neither are the Schwinns sold in bike shops the same as those sold in big box department stores.

A moment here about big box bike, those from Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart; they may not cost much, but they come with none of the assurance you get from a local bike shop if something fails, breaks or needs adjusting. Another moment . . . this time about craigslist; stolen bikes often find their way to craigslist and like big box bikes, repairs may require using a local bike shop. You also have even less recourse regarding failure, breakage and adjustments. Any bike acquired from other than a bike shop should be taken to a shop for a thorough examination. Failing brakes really suck.

Swift Cycle 607 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 352-226-8790

Swift, the new shop in town, despite its initial boutique appearance is as serious as other shops and has a diverse selection of styles in-stock. Breezer, one of their main brands, offers a line of “Town” bikes from which it’d be easy to find a suitable ride.

Chain Reaction Bike Shop 1630 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603 352-373-4052

The last shop in this group is Chain Reaction. Being across University Avenue from UF adds a significant positive to it a good place to look for your first venture into riding; used bikes. Like all the rest, Chain Reaction has a line of bikes (Jamis) from which you can find a suitable ride, but if money is an object a used bike might be a best option. Why Chain Reaction? Student turnover. Kids come and kids go and lots of their bikes go to Chain Reaction. The people there will let you know that their used bikes carry a year’s worth of service, as do their consignment bikes. Think of it like craigslist without a downside. Yeah, the price might be more, but the bike will likely be of higher quality and will last a lot longer. There’s also the practical value of being able to trade them a bike they know for a new one.

I hadn’t bothered to mention that each of the listed bike shops has at least one fulltime mechanic, but after you acquire a bike having a mechanic you trust becomes very important; chains wear out, wheels need to be made true and brakes need to be adjusted. Being able to get your bike serviced timely and competently matters and makes it the “customer service after the sale” that is most important.

You probably cannot find a bad bike shop in G’ville because there’s abundant competition. It’s like this; if you visit a bike shop looking for information and the people with whom you interact don’t make you feel comfortable, go somewhere else. When you see someone with a bike, talk to him or her about bikes and shops. Bike riders tend to be pretty passionate about riding and like to share information. The more people you talk to the more you will know. More people on two-wheels is a good thing.

When Do Reminders Become Memories?

"The Real Florida" is a term I hear often and, as with subjectivity, it means many things. For me it's a fascination with how people have dealt with natural Florida; it's flora, fauna and climate. There are many things nearby that speak of the way it "use ta be" and when I see them I take a picture. It might be part of my personal yearning for what "use ta be" when life was a little simpler, though, I guess assinations and wars labeled as conflicts aren't so simple.

A year ago I photographed an abandoned building, one that's familiar to anyone doing a lot of secondary and tertiary road riding. It had the look of a tobacco drying barn, but could have been used for something else. I'm neither a farmer nor a native so I don't know anything more about it than was captured in the images below.

Photographed November 29, 2012 Obvious and familiar to anyone traveling near archer on SW 143rd.

Photographed May 20, 2013 The passing a local landmark.

Photographed October 31, 2013 A reminder becoming a memory.

If you happen to be into old buildings and want a better image let me know.

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.

How Does Coffee Relate to Bicycles?

Maybe because I ride a bike and truly live locally that I find the idea of buying locally more relevant. It is especially uplifting and satisfying when locally produced stuff is competitively priced, but frugality and indulgence create conflict. I have resolved any conflicts regarding cheese, goat milk, soap, honey and herb plants. The quality of each of these locally produced products settles any discussion about value. Each is well worth their cost. That none are remarkably more (and sometimes less) than other more commercially available things makes it even better. Sometimes you have to do the math. Sometimes you have try the alternatives.

I met the namesake of Carmelo's Coffee one morning recently. He lives locally and was in my neighborhood grocery store (Publix) promoting his products. I bought a bag of his "House Roast, Delicious Blend" which he said contained a significant percentage of Central American beads. The cost was under $8 for a 12 ounce bag. It makes decent coffee that is certainly as satisfying to me as any other up-scale coffee.

I'll digress briefly about me and coffee. I enjoy it, but I don't drink much. A cup each morning is often all I consume. This fact alone makes the amount of money I spend on coffee pretty insignificant, so buying "better" coffee is not going to create a financial hardship. I lack the taste and qualities necessary to be a coffee connoisseur. I may appreciate the "full bodied fruitiness" of a coffee variety, but I wouldn't know how to detect and describe it. Lacking those abilities does not prevent me from recognizing that I do not care for Indonesian or African coffee and do like Central and South American.

The other thing about me and coffee is that it's "sweet and greasy," meaning I use both sugar and half and half. Some coffee aficionados insist that I drink coffee incorrectly. The roaster (and co-owner) at the San Francisco Coffee Roasting Company, many years ago, offered that anyone saying there is a right way to drink your cup of coffee is an effete intellectual snob. A bit harsh, but an attitude I have accepted.

After having several cups of Carmelo's I went looking for more information, especially related to his statement that he'd found people in suburban Cleveland to do the roasting. Cleveland, GA, isn't local to G'ville and Cleveland, OH, is almost foreign! Carmelo's Coffee is roasted and packaged by Generations Coffee Company who make private label coffee for numerous entities, so while Carmelo is local his coffee isn't.

There are two truly local coffee companies; Sweetwater and Tree City. Sweetwater still maintains there business locally, but their website says that legal issues will be resolved in Sumter County, Georgia. Doesn't make 'em Bulldogs, still . . . ? I haven't purchased any Sweetwater yet, but will when next I make it to Bo Diddley. Because Tree City is in Haile every Saturday I did buy a bag of their Mexican.

I like Tree City's coffee. Is it better than Carmelo's? Will it be better than Sweetwater's? Aside from liking how it tastes, it offers two significant advantages over Carmelo's and other single origin coffees. Most coffee producers have switched to "relative pounds." It's a common approach to manipulating prices. Ice cream did it a long time ago. When's the last time you actually purchased a half gallon of Breyer's? Tree City packages a pound (and so does Sweetwater) and sells it for $10, meaning it's cost no more than Carmelo's or other upscale brands. Adding to the extrinsic value of what they do is their paper bags!

So, here's what I say about this unscientific study of coffee. Tree City wins. It fulfills all my taste preferences, is made locally, maintains as green a foot print as is practical and is reasonably priced. I enjoyed conversing with Razia and will add Tree City to my regular stops on Saturdays. It's a multiple level win for me and I get to have one more neat thing to experience when I take my Saturday morning ride.

Racks and Hard Places; The Archer Road Tour, Butler Plaza Part 3

Parking a bike securely on either side of Archer Road is difficult and I guess the number of customers lost because an establishment doesn't have secure bike parking is minimal. Maybe it doesn't matter now, but . . .

"Paying less than $3.00 per gallon for gasoline may be automotive history for most Americans, like using 8-track tapes or going to a drive-in movie," says Bob Darbelnet, CEO of AAA. "The reality is that expensive gas is here to stay," he adds. Despite this long-running price trend, many Americans still find the current prices painful. According to a consumer index from AAA, nearly half of adults consider $3 per gallon expensive, and well over half deemed $3.50 per gallon to be too high. Americans do not idly complain about gas prices. Data show that as motorists spend more for fuel, they either alter their driving habits or make other lifestyle changes to offset the cost. AAA: Gas Has Been Over $3 a Gallon for 1,000 Days and Counting, MoneyNews.com

The influence and presence of Butler Plaza begins at the Archer Road interchange of I-75 and, like it not, the future of bikes in this part of G'ville as influenced by Butler's intended expansion will help to mold what happens in the rest of "Bicycle Magazine's" 16th Bike-Friendly City.

McDonald's
Much like its competition across the street, McDonald's is a seriously busy place because of its prime location by the Interstate. Drive-through is accomplished by circumnavigating  the building. The sunstantial bike racks are located at the rear of the building next to the drive-through lanes. This makes them slightly more secure, though it would be foolish to bet on someone passing noticing or responding to a theft in process.
The rack is used regularly, presumably by employees. The rack is not easily visible from seating inside the store.

Arby's, Dairy Queen and Exxon
Across SW 40th Boulevard from McDonald's is the combination Arby's/Dairy Queen/Exxon. This, too, is a busy location because of the one-stop option. Bike accomodation is similar to McDonald's with a U rack mounted next to the Arby's drive-through.
The rack makes the convenience store unusual because most have only rudimentary flyparking.

Gainesville Ale House
If you intend to engage in pub crawling by bike you'll have to trust to luck for your bike's security. Many of the Butler/Archer Road watering holes have no, minimal or inadequate bike security. The Ale House is typical.

Pollo Tropical
Pollo Tropical is the result of restaurant resurrection, but unlike some of the new construction bike security accommodation is limited.

Texas Roadhouse
The Roadhouse does not have its own bike rack, or even an abundance of flyparking, but you may be comfortable with the U racks near the RTS stop. They are out in the open but well out of your site inside the Roadhouse.

Pink Narcissus and Yogurtology
Maybe you won't be riding your bike to the stylish Pink Narcissus where you can indulge in Lilly Pilitzer designs, but, if you do you'll have a better place to secure your bike. Whether it was intentional or coincidental, this new construction provides better than usual security for bikes,. Much like Esplanade, racks are convenient, visible and sturdy.
You might stop at Yogurtology which is located directly behind Pink Narcissus where a substantial U rack is conveniently placed. You can easily enjoy something cold and not be so concerned about your ride.

Zaxby's
The rack at Zaxby's is near the front door and can be seen from inside the building. It's relatively high level of security is similar to those of the establishements across the street; Willy's, Wendy's and Chick-fil-a. Visibility and accessibility matter.

AT&T
They deserve a mention solely because of the secondary use to which they have applied their bike rack.

Panda Express
There's plenty of flyparking at the new Panda Express. Perhaps becasue the specialize in fast take-out they felt their fence would be sufficient for customers.
Out back, presumably for employees there's a sturdy U rack..

Chili's
There are only metal benches here. <sigh>

T. G. I. Friday's
Up front there's nothing but furniture.
Out back and unsuited for customers is the hired-help rack.

Olive Garden
Poles and signs offer limited security.

Tijuana Flats
The only bike rack for the entire building housing numerous businesses is located outside the entrance to Tijuana Flats. It is convenient and sturdy, but hedges and bushes compromise sight lines.

Taco Bell
There's adequate flyparking on the fence outside the entrance to Taco Bell, but no "official" place to secure your bike.

Chuy's
An adequate rack inadequately placed, except for the hired help, perhaps.

Lowe's
Hidden behind a banner is the bike rack at Lowe's and located near the west end commercial entrance. It's a busy location, but the ever-present banner creates a visibility problem.

Regal Cinema
Over there, obscure by bushes is the rack at Regal Cinema. Out of the way. Out of sight. Used mostly after dark. Pretty much a losing proposition.
The inevitable result if security is inadequate.

A Few Things I Saw While Riding Today

For most of my life I watched the world from the driver's seat of a car. For the past few years I have been seeing the world from my seat astride a bike. It's life at 12 MPH and one of the things that is easier to do is stop and see things even more closely.

I went riding in the countryside outside G'ville to day and here are some of the things I saw.

Embrace Safety . . . Release Fear

I lived in Atlanta metro for nearly 30 years and while living near Brookwood Station spent about 6 months without a car. I rode a 10 speed Puch about 3 miles to work following half a mile of Peachtree Road before passing through some appealing intown neighborhoods. While not wanting to sound like an authority on urban commuting I do have a keen appreciation for the dangers of riding a bike among two ton vehicles. Especially since the ride lasted only 6 months when I did a face plant on the side of a FedEx truck.

Stop me if you've heard this one . . . I was riding home about 3:30 and was n the middle lane of Peachtree Road anticipating a left turn when I did a face plant on the side of a FedEx truck when it shot unexpectantly across P'tree. The driver brakes to a stop and comes running to where I am sitting in the middle of Peachtree, bleeding, hurting and, literally, seeing stars. "I didn't see you," he says excitedly. I blink trying to clear my vision and find that shaking my head simulateously is a bad idea, but manage to reply, "I certainly hope not."

The point? In any close encounter with an automobile (or larger vehicle) the one on the bike will generally lose. So, it's important that we not enbrace any car as our friend. G'ville is a much easier place to ride than truly large urban areas, but being aware of potential danger makes riding anywhere more successful.

One of the important things about G'ville drivers is their awareness of bikes. That doesn't always translate to safer riding and an exchange of cordial greetings with drivers. Fortunately, G'ville does have a large portion of bike-friendly drivers who make concessions and smile or smile when I yield at an intersection.

There are also a lot bike-tolerant people, the ones who wait for an on-coming car then after it passes, swing out and make sure we are aware of their sacrafice by belching exhaust from their poorly tunes engine.

When you allow yourself to believe that the driver behind you is friendly or tolerant you take a step toward one of the sometimes fatal flaws or drivers; indifference. Too many drivers are indifferent to their responsibilities as drivers of potentially deadly weapons. I think they are at least as dangerous as someone who nakes an effort to do harm, mostly because indifference is unpredictable

A year or two ago (is that "back in the day?") regularly after work when I road west in the bike lane on Archer Road a SpUte (sport utility vehicle) would intentionally pass close to me so the driver's dog could bark as it passed. Most of the time I'd be startled and pissed, but at least he wasn't being indifferent. He was unlikely to hit me because the fun for him was scaring me, not hitting me. I can accept that passive level of dislike because he probably gets a big laugh from his buddies when he tells the story.

I work at not being complacent when I ride, kinda like when I owned an MG-B in the late 60s. I was so aware of the potential for something to malfunction that was probably a much better driver. We can't potect ourselves against all the idiots, but we can behave on our bikes as if our limbs depended on it. Doing what we can to stay out of trouble: be-seen lights; sidewalks where discretion is the better choice; using the backside of malls like Butler; bike trails and urban trails; alternatives offer us more control.

I work at being safe and aware, but for me part of the appeal is the challenge. I blame Colin Fletcher for making me want to walk the App Trail and it was REI where I bought the book and to which I have been a member since then (1972) and how I ended up accepting his attitude toward challenges. I wanted to kick and fight rather than surrender to aging.

But if you judge safety to be the paramount consideration in life you should never, under any circumstances, go on long hikes alone. Don’t take short hikes alone either—or, for that matter, go anywhere alone. And avoid at all costs such foolhardy activities as driving, falling in love, or inhaling air that is almost certainly riddled with deadly germs. . . . Never cross an intersection against a red light, even when you can see that all roads are clear for miles. And never, of course, explore the guts of an idea that seems as if it might threaten one of your more cherished beliefs. In your wisdom you will probably live to a ripe old age. But you may discover, just before you die, that you have been dead for a long, long time. —Colin Fletcher, The Complete Walker, 1968

I haven't quite reached the height suggested by one of his other notable statements, “Every walk of life falls under the Testicular Imperative: Either you have the world by them, or it has you.”

Ride like you give a damn and make nice to tolerant and indifferent drivers.

Archer Braid Trail and How To Support Grassroots Causes

If it seems to have become a constant topic here it's because the Archer Braid Trail is a significant step in a good direction. Much of the use of the Trail will be for recreation and that's a good thing. Our culture can use all the physical fitness options possible. The step that is most significant is the one that makes Archer more accessible to G'ville. It's not like dozens of people will suddenly give up their cars and begin commuting, but someone might. Or maybe a few will think about it. I am much more likely to visit Archer now than when having to contend with Archer Road was a significant deterent. I hear the Mexican Restaurant is worth visiting.

Here's a picture of the donation that the people (it's a family affair) of Monica's Cococastile Soap made to the June 15 Event in Archer. In part it is to support the bicycling community and in part to remind all of us that we still have the Hawthorne Trail which passes not far from the world headquarter of Monica's Cococastile Soap. I'd say do them a favor and visit one of their internet presences, but it'd be more important to you to visit them to do yourself a favor and order their stuff.

The basket is handmade from recycled plastic grocery sacks and is filled with 5 bars of handmade soaps: Bay Rum (my favorite!); Lemongrass; Eucalyptus/Lavender/Tea Tree; Rosemary/Peppermint; and Lavender. As Monica says, they are "refreshing, especially after a great ride on the Archer Braid Trail!"

On facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/solidshampoo

Their website:
http://www.soapmakermonica.com/

I ordered three Messenger Mirrors (MMs) yesterday and asked Bruce Kremer, the designer, maker, marketer and sales person if he'd be willing to throw a couple additional MMs in the envelope so I could add them to the two I was going to give to the Event and thereby be able to say more glowing things about him and MMs. I missed the statement on the web page that orders placed between June 6 and 15 would not be handled until he got back from a trip. Oops!

This morning, I received a message from Bruce and a refund for the three MMs I'd ordered. He told me he was on a trip, but had two MMs he was sending to me and I could use them as donations. Then he thanked me for allowing him to be a part of the activities! Come on, Bruce!

I have used Messenger Mirrors for a couple of years after being dissatisfied with everything else. They are light, durable, adjustable and inexpensive. While traveling on South Carolina's narrows, shoulderless roads last August I was able to keep track of every potential vehicle set to run me off the road. (Actually, no one even came close there or in Georgia or North Carolina.) Messenger Mirrors do nothing more than work and you can't say better than that.

Bruce has a minimalist website, but, like his Mirrors, it does all it needs to do.

You can read a review dating to 2009:
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2009/messenger-mirror-review/

And you can visit the website:
http://messengermirror.com

And read what I have already said about Messenger Mirror:
http://whatssomeoneyourage.blogspot.com/search/label/Messenger%20Mirror

Thanks to Monica and Bruce for supporting and being a part of practical solutions to difficult problems. Maybe real soap and mirrors aren't THE solution, but they damn sure are not a part of the problem and it's much better than the smoke and mirrors used by politicos.

Joining When You're Not a Joiner

Never been much of a "joiner." Joined the Army in 1965 rather than be Drafted. Not sure whether being Drafted would have been better. Survived and I guess that's the among the better things for which you could hope. Decided, recently, to join the National Bike Challenge as part of the feeling that I need to advocate bicycle riding. Don't like admitting that I have gotten into the competition part of it.

I've always been competitive, but mostly against myself. When I lived in Atlanta and ran alot back in the late 70s and early 80, when running was very much a part of my life experience, I knew I could not keep up with whippet slender real runners. I was a plodder, a sub 10 minute miler most of the time, but I could run for hours. I ran because it felt good. Thirty years later my knees reject the idea running while readily accepting the limited stress associated with sliding onto a B-17.

That competitive sense has been stirred by joining the National Bike Challenge. I joined to add my mileage to the team (Go Team!), the Gainesville Bicycle Society (Gainesville Cycling Club to use its proper name) to which membership gives me a 15% discount on parts and accessories at my FNBS. Now, I am drawn to the local and national rankings and like seeing that of the 22K plus people registered, I rank in the top 1500 or so. I tend to ignore the hundreds whose names appear but have logged no mileage.

It's a good deal for someone like me since every time I slide onto my Brooks or FrankenBrooks B-17 I garner 20 points plus 1 point per mile ridden. A single trip to Publix totals 20 + 3 and I make that trip three and four times a week. This is about the promotion of bicycles as a way to make the Earth a healthier place or, as the website suggests, "the power of the bicycle to build healthy people, healthy communities, and a healthy planet" (National Bike Challenge), so those of us who live the bicycle lifestyle might represent the "ground roots" of the Challenge.

Today I did a 20 something mile circuit that included the Archer Braid Tral and found that all but about one-quarter mile remains to be paved of the six or so miles. The support elements are in place at the Archer Trail Head; parking space, kiosk, sidewalk, and trail. All that remains is to pave over the tarred sand. About a dozen other riders were abroad on the Trail today and I expect it'll become a favorite of many G'ville riders.

One Tenth to Go

Rode to Archer this afternoon and found that the Trail is now complete to within about 1/10 mile of it's actual terminus. Work continues there and my guess is that upon completion of that project the last segment will become asphalt.

Until then everyone can ride the Trail and access the Archer end from the parking lot behind Sav-a-Lot. There is a fifty yard or so expanse of grass to traverse before getting on or off the Trail. The rest of the distance between Archer and G'ville is smooth and pleasant.

Everyday It's Getting Closer

OK, so it's not quite done and all the false alarms have been a pain, but paving has moved into the woods east of Archer and it is now possible to ride on smooth asphalt  between SW 154th Street, the access road to Jordan Glen School, and SW 91st. The short distance from the Trail to Archer Road using SW 154th Street is a minor inconvenience for anyone riding between G'ville and Archer and it will disappear soon.

Evidence that the project is nearing completion is the installation of tactile thermoplastic warning strips at all intersections.