I think it's safe to say that trail mix is the mainstay outdoor activity fuel. But if you're like me and don't get down with peanuts & raisins, eating classic GORP (Good Ol' Peanuts & Raisins) is hardly a good reward for all the efforts of hauling yourself up hills. So I like to mix it up and try new combinations of hand held edibles.  Enter my latest snack triumph - Banana Split Trail Mix!   It's the perfect balance of crunchy/chewy and just the right amount of light 'n sweet. The dehydrated strawberries add an element of surprise while the tiny popped sorghum is the perfect palm sized puff.  If you can't track down the sorghum, feel free to substitute puffed rice cereal.

The only other thing to remember with this one is that it's important to keep it under wraps. A baggy or lidded jar will do the trick. Left out in the open it will lose it's crisp crunch, which is one it's best features. 

So get mixin' and let us know what you think!

Banana Split Trail Mix

3 cups popped sorghum (butter or sea salt)
1 1/4 cups banana chip bits
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup dehydrated strawberry bits (dehydrated cherries would also work)
3/4 cup of dark chocolate chips

Mix together in a bowl and store in air-tight containers.

AND if you live in San Francisco, swing by the Alite Outpost (2505 Mariposa St.) this Saturday, May 18th, from 12-4pm for our Trail Mix DIY Event, where folks can make a small batch of their own favorite Trail Mix. We'll provide the ingredients! (and the beer!)

Author Paige Russell was made in Canada, where she developed her love for both experimental cooking and the great outdoors. A San Francisco resident since 2011, Paige is a proud Alite staff member and a strong believer in the motivating power of a tasty snack.

Bike to Work Day goes down on Thursday, May 9th.  It is a day when tens of thousands of people will hop on a bike and pedal their way to the office.  If you live in San Francisco, its kind of a big deal... the SF Bicycle Coalition hosts "Energizing Stations" around the city to promote and reward our city's workers on two wheels.  It is a fantastic way to remind the world that there are methods of transportation that don't require a trip to the pump AND that let you enjoy some fresh air before you disappear into the cubeland black hole!

To raise awareness for Bike to Work Day, Alite will give away FIVE free Alite backpacks...we will announce a new winner each day next week!

TO ENTER THE BIKE TO WORK PHOTO CONTEST:

1. Simply snap a photo of you wearing work clothes and standing with (or riding) your bike. (The "set timer" function on your camera will come in handy here!)  Make it a fun shot! 

2. Send the photo to biketowork@alitedesigns.com OR post it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, mention @alitedesigns and include #biketowork for a chance to win! 

We will choose a new winner each day next week beginning Monday, May 6th and post our favorite pictures to the Alite Designs facebook site!

(And don't forget, all Alite commuter packs will be on sale for 35% off through May 9th...  Check it out here.)

Here are a few Bike to Work photos from the Alite office...  Can't wait to see yours!

In celebration of spring, Alite has teamed up again with the wonderful folks at Weekend Sherpa to put together a few posts on easy day hikes in the surrounding Bay Area! Read on, and get outside...!

Heron's Hotspot

Some real movers and shakers have swooped in on San Francisco’s southern industrial-chic waterfront thanks to the creative work and advocacy of the Golden Gate Audubon Society and other environmental groups. Heron’s Head Park has 24 acres of salt marsh and bayside beach favored by over 100 bird species. Tranquil trails here meander among rehabilitated and protected marshland that’s essential for bird nesting, resting, and feeding. Get up close to the shorebirds with an easy stroll along the park’s primary pathway—a long spit of land jutting out into the bay. Read more and get directions...

And for you newbie (and perhaps directionally challenged) hikers, a few hiking tips from Alite...

Tip #1: Make note of signs and landmarks - As you’re following your hiking trail, make note of signs and important landmarks that you pass. You don’t need to be a court room stenographer here, but if you ever make a turn, make a mental or physical note of that turn. Always look for a marker that will remind you of the turn upon your return.

Tip #2: Bring a flash light or other light source - One mistake that’s often made by new hikers is that they don’t accurately judge how long it will take to complete a hike. Thus, the sun can began to descend before new hikers have made it to the end of the trail.

More from Weekend Sherpa:

If you'd like more tips on finding the best hikes, bike rides, beaches, water adventures, overnight escapes, wineries, and more, sign up for Weekend Sherpa’s free weekly email about getting outdoors in California!