Pleasant pedaling along area trails

While serious cyclists take to the open road, the non-Lycra crowd might consider a ride on any of these bike paths.

Published online on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

1. WOODWARD PARK
Location: Friant Road and Audubon Drive
Length: Variable

Traffic: Leave the pavement behind to find a vast network of footpaths and dirt roads; trails shared among pedestrians, joggers and cyclists

Scenery: Green grass, ponds and rolling hills

2. MACMICHAEL TRAIL

Location: Between Woodward Park and the San Joaquin River

Length: 2-mile loop

Traffic: Pedestrians, joggers and cyclists share a wide dirt path; area is also popular with dog owners

Scenery: The former Jensen River Ranch is filled with native oaks, shrubs and grasses; segment of trail runs alongside the river, within earshot of Highway 41

3. EATON TRAIL

Location: Parallels Friant Road from Woodward Park to the Coke Hallowell River Center

Length: 5 miles

Traffic: Smooth pavement is shared by cyclists, joggers, skaters and stroller-pushing mommies; heavier on weekends and evenings

Scenery: Sweeping views of the San Joaquin River basin, gravel-mining ponds and bluffs

4. WOODWARD LAKE

Location: From Audubon Drive, go north on Friant Road to Lakeview Drive and make a right

Length: 2.2-mile loop

Traffic: Residential area is moderately busy with pedestrians and cyclists, especially during the early evening

Scenery: Some of the most well-kept lawns and gardens in Fresno; lake is pretty to look at, but nonresidents get no access

5. SUGAR PINE TRAIL

Location: From Nees Avenue across from the River Park Shopping Center, it shoots northeast to Shepherd Avenue and then east to Willow Avenue

Length: 4.5 miles

Traffic: Trail crosses numerous road and shopping mall entrances, meaning frequent encounters with cars

Scenery: Corridor between Audubon and Shepherd is nice, but after that it's basically a residential bike lane

6. CLOVIS OLD TOWN TRAIL

Location: Parallels Clovis Avenue

from near Dakota Avenue northward to Old Town Clovis, then heads northwest under Highway 168 to just beyond Willow and Nees Avenues

Length: 6 miles

Traffic: Former railway gets heavy use from cyclists, joggers and pedestrians on weekends; underpasses north of Sierra Avenue reduce car interaction

Scenery: Gritty and industrial south of Old Town Clovis, then gets prettier farther north through residential areas

7. DRY CREEK TRAIL

Location: Leaves Clovis Old Town Trail from just north of Herndon Avenue and follows Dry Creek northeast to Shepherd and Sunnyside avenues

Length: 2.5 miles

Traffic: Relatively light, considering it bisects several housing developments; crossing Alluvial and Nees avenues can be a pain

Scenery: Hands-down the prettiest bike path in town thanks to combination of flowing creek, waterfowl-filled ponding basin and numerous shady trees

8. KEARNEY PARK

Location: From downtown, follow Fresno Street for 1 mile to Kearney Boulevard. Turn right and continue 6 miles to park

Length: 1.5-mile loop and 4.5-mile bike path along Kearney Boulevard heading east

Traffic: Park roads are nearly empty, even on weekends; vehicle traffic on Kearney Boulevard is surprisingly light, too

Scenery: Picturesque country setting; park boasts an impressive collection of mature trees, and palm-lined Kearney Boulevard is a delight

Find your peloton

A list of Fresno-area cycling clubs and amateur race teams:

CLUBS

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA OFF-ROAD CYCLISTS

Web site: www.ccorc.com

FRESNO CYCLING CLUB

Web site: www.fresnocycling.com

PARKER'S TEAM

Web site: www.cvcca.org

TEAM IN TRAINING

Web site: www.teamintraining.org/cca

RACE TEAMS

CENTRAL VALLEY CYCLING

Web site: www.cvcycling.org

SIERRA PACIFIC RACING

Web site: www.norcalracing.blogspot.com

SOUTHERN SIERRA CYCLISTS

Web site: www.sscbike.org

VAPOR RACING

Web site: www.vaporvelo.com