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.
I’ve been remiss in keeping up with postings here while I resolved some
of the questions raised when I was asked about aging in Gainesville. A
moment of indignation turned into months of introspection because the
concept of aging isn’t the same as the reality. Eventually, something
of worth emerged and had been published in the May edition of "Senior
Times" magazine. There’s a link to the digital version on their home
page
(http://www.seniortimesmagazine.com/).
Free, analog versions of the magazine are widely available locally at
Publix and other locations.
An editorial observation about the piece in Senior Times; the images
are not mine. They are stock photos.
Unrelated news is the 2014 version of the National
Bike Challenge, sponsored by the League of
American Bicyclists. From May through September individuals record
their daily mileage. Affiliation with bike clubs, workplace and
community is recorded and, especially with bike clubs, competition
becomes fierce. Gainesville Cycling Club buried all competition last
year and is maintaining a firm grip on first place.
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.
One of the recurring activities of the Gainesville Cycling Club is the
annual ride during Veterans Day. The first stop of this year's Poker
Run was at Veteran's Park in advance of the Veterans Day activities.
Registration fees will be donated to Fisher House now under
construction at Randall VA Medical Center.
The event was well attended, the weather was fine and the riders added
a wide range of color options to the pre-event activities.
Below are some photos from the event. Clicking images will open a much
larger image.
The first arrivals.
And then the Peloton . . .
Being patient for a good cause.
Parking made simple!
Fashion sense, two-wheel style.
Preparing to roll.
On the road again.
And event is only as good as the people who help make it happen.
