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.

Racks and Hard Places; The Archer Road Tour, Butler Plaza Part 2

Butler Plaza is a focal point for activity in Gainesville whether you're driving, riding or on foot. For riders security accomodations are less than ideal, but the recent remodeling and upgrading of a portion of Butler has changed that significantly.

The Esplanade at Butler Plaza has actually recognized bicycle riders as potential customers with highly visible U racks spaced regularly along the remodeled store fronts. There are even some suitable flyparking options associated with handicapped access points where bikes could be secured without being obstacles.

McAlisters Deli

Miya Sushi

Flyparking near Ada's, Falafel King and Cici's

I'm sure Publix has good reason for keeping a second store in operation in very close proximity to the one which replaced Albertson's on the west end of Butler Plaza. It was once rumored that it was to become one of their special products stores specializing in natural foods. Nonetheless, special store or not, it's more convenient to local mass transit stops as routes 1, 12, 62 and 75 all stop nearby. Common to Publix are bike racks at both entrances. Unlike those at the former Albertson's these are U racks set in concrete. Both are readily visible with the one outside the east entrance being visible to the ATM security camera, a coincidental and fortunate arrangement.

Publix, west entrance

Publix, east entrance

Crossing SW 35th Blvd which separates Butler Plaza East from The Esplanade brings you to the area dominated by Walmart. Here, also, is the Tax Collector's office and Tag Agency, Firehouse Subs, Bonefish Grill and other business on the west side of Walmart. On the east side of Walmart are Payless, Outback, the GameStop and additional businesses. All of this vast area is served by two bicycle racks. One is located well away and not visible from the main entrance to Walmart.

Walmart

GameStop

Outside GameStop is the second rack. Both are inadequate and only the one at GameStop is readily visible and then only from that establishment.

Should better security accomodations be expected at Butler Plaza? Subjectively, yes. Objectively, yes. The changes made to The Esplanade section of Butler demonstrates the viability of peaceful coexistence.

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.

Looking Back

A year ago I was two days from commencing my first (and so far, only) tour. I set off on August 7 and had to answer numerous questions regarding my sanity for doing something so strenuous in the heat of summer. I was confident of my conditioning and ability to remain hydrated after more than thirty years living in the south. There were numerous other things that challenged me more than heat.

I mention this now as an explanation for my meager postings recently. I have been working at putting my experience into an understandable format for anyone else considering setting off on a bicycle adventure. The most difficult thing about the pre-trip events was finding relevant and useable information. There's plenty of information, but so much of it is aimed at people with greater personal resources and experience. I was approaching my ride from the most basic of places. I needed a bike and equipment and an understanding of how to deal with . . . well . . . everything.

My journey from ignorance to novice knowledge was, in its own way, as exciting and frustrating as riding, but it was definitely a necessary part of the whole experience. I never imagined that there could be such heated and sometimes profane arguments about saddle choice or tires!

I am nearing the end of this post-ride assessment and will begin putting some of the information here so others can benefit from my experience of successes and frustrations. Maybe it'll help some would-be tourists to make bike choices, for instance, that will please them as much as my Safari pleases me.

If you're a regular here, thanks for being patient. If you're just passin' through check back occasionally.

Another Tour Through France

Until recently it was impossible to follow the Tour de France, but with Lance Armstrong's success American TV began to acknowledge the international appeal of Grand Tours. I'd been interested in the Tour long before I knew much about it, especially when Greg LeMond became known in the pages of "Sports Illustrated."

I can't dislike the Tour because of recent scandals, but I can hope that the cheating and related scandals become part of history and that today's riders rely on their training and effort rather than performance enhancing drugs (PED). For me, it isn't some kind of sports fantasy where I imagine climbing Alpe d’Huez. Neither I not most other people could do what riders do in the Tour even if we used PEDs! There was a time many, many years ago when I entertained the idea that I could play baseball on a relatively high level, but Vietnam got in the way and damaged knees would have ended that quest anyhow. For me The Tour is simply one of those sporting events that I like to watch.

Having both the Tour and the exceptional ending to The Open on the same weekend was outstanding. Sometimes the right person wins. Sometimes the way the event ends is special. Sometimes there is a particularly compelling moment. I am an inveterate jock who likes the passion and emotion of competition and on a personal level I find that challenging myself is more than enough nowadays. With the Tour out of the way I can use those several hours of daily viewing time to do other stuff . . . like personal challenges, maybe.

Where have I been? Why? Miss me?

Spent too many days enveloped in unrelenting purposelessness. At irregular intervals I recognize another uncomfortable inevitability of aging which always pushes me into a doldrums. Usually it's the consequence of finding something new I cannot do as well any more. It can also be related to having to accept that I lack the time for something I'd hoped to do. At these times is when the words form a song ring truest. "Everybody needs somebody, sometime." Thanks to somebody and a something for having helped pull me back from a self imposed brink.

The National Bike Challenge routinely motivates me to ride more than just to the grocery and back. Riding is always a good way to take time to contemplate and process, but, ofttimes, inertia must be overcome. The Gainesville Cycling Club maintains a substantial lead over other 1000+ teams currently logging miles. I manage to hang onto a place in the high 900s to mid-1000 of the 20000+ riders. As I mentioned in May the Challenge appeals to my competitive nature and I enjoy contributing to the team effort.

The Challenge continues through September.

G'ville at 12 MPH (feelin' groovy)

“The 59th Street Bridge Song “ by Simon and Garfunkel could be the theme song for a bicycle lifestyle. “Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last. Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy.” There are so many things that would otherwise slip past if I was traveling at the posted speed. Accepting the slower pace is part of a process requiring that you anticipate some things and let go of others. It’s not solely about slowing forward progress, but that’s the first step. Aboard a carbon fiber road bike I would be much less aware of the simple things because the reason for spending all that money is to go faster, an obvious conflict.

Several places and things have converged recently. Here they are.

Across Archer Road from the 91st Street end of ABT are those Produce People. They’ve been there for “six or seven years” and in the produce business for “about 20 years.” Every Saturday and Sunday they set up their gear and present a nice selection of locally acquired produce. If it isn’t good they don’t sell it, so the selection is more seasonally limited than the nearby Publix. Recently, I bought a watermelon. It was damn good. I also have to thank my Travoy for making such a purchase possible! The tomatoes I also purchased were not as pretty as the ones available at Publix either, but they were also not treated with “supplemental ethylene to hasten ripening within a lot.” (http://nwrec.hort.oregonstate.edu/tomato.html) The result? They were damn good too!

At 12 MPH it’s much easier to stop and chat and learn something about such places and discover that when not on the southwest side of G’ville they ply their trade on the east side of town leaving G’ville for Hawthorne.

Even though much of the resistance to creation of a portion of ABT came from within the Haile Plantation community, Haile Village is pretty much bike friendly so visiting the Saturday Morning Farmers’ Market is a regular thing. It can be a bit too tony at times, but many of the things available there are well worth getting.


I discovered the fine people of Cypress Point Creamery a few weeks ago and have kept some of their cheese as my “table cheese of choice.” Their cheeses are made from nothing but Jersey milk (no, not New Jersey) and the results are worth the effort to go each weekend and select something. Their Loblolly (a Tomme) is wonderful!

Nearby are the folks from Caprihaven Dairy Goat Products. They weren’t of particular interest until I realized I could buy goat milk from them. Might not be a revelation to anyone else, but it was a voilà moment for me. Why? The reason(s) follow.

Ingredients:
1 pound flour (1/2 and 1/2 unbleached bread and whole wheat. Measuring by weight is the only way I can handle bread making)
2 Tablespoons chilled butter cut into pieces
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup goat milk
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup liquid sweetener (Have been using Agave nectar, but honey and other liquids will also work, though taste will vary)
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast.


Yep, bread, and I have decided that it is the goat milk that makes the stuff so good. Now, I will be buying my goat milk in a Mason jar. If anyone needs the whole description for how to make the bread, lemme know in the Comments and I’ll give you my process.

Three Things About ABT and Other Thoughts

One.
Perhaps the most obvious result of the Grand Opening of Archer Braid Trail (ABT) was the numerous bikes given away at the failed raffle. Failed? Uh huh. By definition, a raffle requires that chances be purchased, but the incredible generosity of the bicycle community and those who support bicycling made bikes and a bunch (that's the only word that adequately defines how much there was) of stuff available to be given away because this event was about being joyful and sharing something special.

Two.
Another ancillary result of the Grand Opening was the appearance of many bikes which hadn't seen the bright of day since being tucked away out of sight somewhere. Many had rusted chains, brakes that squealed more than stopped and tires showing cracks and needing air. Didn't matter. Archer was celebrating its special mile and a half of wooded, rolling trail and people wanted to be a part of it and use it.

Three.
The other thing of special interest is that all those newly acquired bikes and the recently revived ones can now benefit from a bike shop! Chain Reaction Bike Shop, which serves the needs of UF students across the street from campus on University, is working on an arrangement with Archer's Ace Hardware to permit drop-off service for repairs. How cool is that?! So, y'all with your raggedy chains or brakes that don't work, well, you'll find real quickly that repairing a bike costs much less than repairing your car. And those who received the raffle bikes . . . when you need service you have a way to get it done more conveniently. Chain Reaction isn't my FNBS, but if I lived in Archer there's a good chance it would be and based on this kind of reponse to a community they deserve the designation of FNBS!

Archer's a nice place to ride. There're things to see and people seem pleased to see riders . . . they wave and that's a good sign. Many of the roads around Archer are well known to recreational and competitive riders and with ABT it is much more pleasant getting to and using them. Seems like a good place for all of this common folk bicycle riding to grow and for "serious" riders to go. Be nice if Archer could become a focal point of bicycle activity. Maybe that bicycle themed pub I imagine can happen there! Let's see . . . ride down the trail then return for a specialty burger and onion rings, an adult beverage or a milk shake. Need those carbs!

Archer Braid Trail, Grand Opening, June 15, 2013

The Archer Braid Trail Grand Opening happened and it was probably exactly the kind of event it should have been. It was like a carnival, but where all the games were rigged so everybody won something. Ultimately, it was about families and kids and the common folk of Archer who'd be the most frequent and daily users of the first mile and a half.

There were speakers who kept their comments brief and relevant. And there was music, at least until the raffle started. There wasn't any money needed for the raffle. If you were there you could have a ticket. The number of generous donations was staggering; bikes and lights and locks to tune-ups and and flat repairs kits and soap. And there were the helmets. More than a hundred helmets were fitted and given to anyone who took the time to stand in line to get one. Adults waited patiently and without complaint as kids moved to the head of the line then smiled just as broadly when their turn came and they received their spiffy new bicycle helmet

Lots of riders came to the event and stood out in their bright garb, but the Grand Opening was much more about the basic, grassroots appeal of bicycles and Archer was probably the perfect place for it to happen.

It took a good imagination to see what the Trailhead would become.

Grass and asphalt and people at the completed Trailhead.

The Gainesville Cycling Club was at the center of making the event work.

Chain Reaction Bike Shop, Santa Fe College, Chamber of Commerce and the Alachua Sheriff's department werre on hand to share information and join the fun.

Can you say Helmets?

Receiving your first helmet, having it fit properly AND remaining stylishly coordinated is serious stuff!

"Number 42056!" "Number 42038!" "Number 42089!" No matter how long it takes and no matter how tedious it becomes, giving things away just feels good.

And it was about the bikes and the kids and people being glad to share a morning in the sun.

It's all black and cool AND I have a helmet!

It goes wherever I want it to go.

Sometimes, "cool" is a state of mind.

Sometimes "cool" is your state of mind.

There's this thing known as style.

Bikes come in all sizes and are fit for fun for everyone.

Care to define "cute"?

She came to the Grand Opening and went home with a spiffy Schwinn, a new helmet and a big grin.

Getting a good start on a lifelong activity.

Pleanty of room for skaters, too.

Every Bit of Support Helps

Sometimes it's just a matter of telling people why riding is important for them to offer support and encouragement. Happens at the grocery store when I'm wheeling my Travoy through the aisles and someone inquires about it and I point out that not only is it convenient for shopping, but that its real purpose is to fasten behind my bike and take all those groceries home. Similarly, when I spoke to the CEO of the local YMCA today and told him of the ABT Grand Opening and asked if it'd be ok if people used the parking area at the Y's field on Archer Road near 91st. He wasn't aware of the event but was fully supportive of effort to promote more bicycling. He also gave permission to use the grassy parking area north of the athletic fields. Anyone choosing to park there should be respectful of the adjoining Celebration Methodist Church's parking. While it is common to see cars with bike racks parked in their large paved parking area, they have not given specific permission.