A few of local places to bike, run and walk

Yes, it's hot, humid, and a thunderstorm can pop up anytime, but there's lots of daylight this time of year so there are many hours to spend outdoors. For cyclists, runners and walkers, here's a reminder of a few places that are local favorites:

McGregor Boulevard is one of our area's most popular running and walking routes because of its relatively calmed traffic and the shade provided by the many mature trees and royal palms. On the north end is downtown Fort Myers, where there's excellent riverfront running along Edwards Street and through Centennial Park. Should you continue east on Palm Beach Boulevard, you'll experience Dean Park's historic neighborhood and eventually the east riverside area where the riverfront prevails. Going south along McGregor are many neighborhoods that offer shaded roads and sidewalks, some with a view of the Caloosahatchee River.

Cyclists don't fare as well as pedestrians on McGregor for a number of reasons: there are no on-road features; between Colonial and downtown there are medians that create major problems for cyclists; safe passing opportunities are sporadic; and the sidepath is a narrow 5-foot sidewalk that's not well suited for anyone on a bike other than those who are just putzing along. You can, however, venture into the adjacent neighborhoods and take parallel roads wherever possible, coming out to McGregor only when necessary to cross a bridge or otherwise get to the next neighborhood. On the southwesternmost end of McGregor there are no sidepaths but paved shoulders take you from the intersection with Summerlin Road onto and across the Sanibel Causeway.

John Yarbrough Park (www.leeparks. org), formerly known as Ten Mile Canal Linear Park, stretches about five miles from Six Mile Cypress Parkway to Colonial Boulevard and has excellent signage, plenty of shelters and benches, and a circuit exercise course. Adjacent to most of the paved trail, on the other side of the canal, is an unpaved path that is usually maintained well enough to run or walk but in places is a bit sandy, making it difficult to cycle or even run during dry season (not a problem this time of year). Crossing intersecting streets — some being busy multi-lane highways — can be challenging, but users are assisted by crosswalks, flashing lights, and even a pedestrian signal on Daniels Parkway.

North Colonial Linear Park (www. cityftmyers.com/Departments/Public- Works/Divisions/Parks), is a three-mile paved trail just north of Winkler Avenue, with Metro Parkway on the west end and Ortiz Avenue at the east terminus. It's more Spartan but boasts Trailhead Park at the linear park's intersection with Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard. This relatively new facility has additional trails;

an outdoor exercise

course that's more like something one would find in a gym; children's play area; restrooms; and shelters. At the east end, the Calusa Nature Center (www.calusanature.com) has almost three miles of unpaved trail and boardwalk, most covered by lush canopy. Bikes are not permitted and there's a fee for non-members.

Caloosahatchee Regional Park (www.leeparks.org) in Alva isn't nearly as central to Fort Myers as the others are, but is arguably the best place in Lee County to trial run, hike or bike off-road. Here you'll find four miles of hiking trails that run through different environments, including along the river and on boardwalks. Ten miles of well-designed and maintained single-track bicycling trails on the park's north side complete the experience. In the wet season, you may find some of the trails impassable, but even if they are, it's worth the trip.

BikeWalkLee News

The new six-year federal transportation bill is beginning to take shape and those communities that embrace the concepts will likely reap significant benefits in terms of funding (not to mention what results when those concepts are implemented). Darla Letourneau of BikeWalkLee, who has extensive background in federal policy analysis, has dissected the initial bill and has concluded as much. Visit www.bikewalklee. org to read her analysis.

Until next time, I'll look for you on the roads and trails.

Dan Moser is a league cycling instructor/ trainer and a former bike/ped coordinator who cycles regularly for transportation, recreation, and fitness. He may be contacted at moserdeleon@juno.com or 334-6417.

Upcoming Events

Firecracker 5K, Saturday, July 4, Pippin's Restaurant, Naples, www.gcrunner.org For details on these and other running events, check with the Fort Myers Track Club (www. ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Runners (www.3drunners.org). For Naples running information, visit Gulf Coast Runners' site (www. gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com.

>>Cycling:

Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club at www. caloosariders.com, Florida Mudcutters at www. mudcutters.org, Naples Pathways Coalition at www.naplespathways.org and Naples Velo at www.naplesvelo.com for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida Bicycle Association (www.floridabicycle. org) is your source for statewide happenings.