Dust off your bike and start pedaling

It's Bike Walk Week in Minnesota so here's a chance to change your habits even for a day or two. Red Wing has plenty of places that are accessible, safe, and beautiful. Try this list of Top 10 things to walk and bike more around town.

• Bike or walk to work this week.

If you live too far, drive half the way and bike or walk the rest. Remember bike routes such as Bench Street Trail, Tyler Road Trail, Highway 61 Trail, Flower Valley Trail, Hay Creek Trail, and Featherstone Trail.

See the accompanying map and more at www.livehealthyredwing.org. Click "Walk & Bike."

• Participate in Red Wing's First Community Bike Ride this Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m. from the YMCA.

It's free and open to the public; no registration is required. Two routes are available. A flat, family-friendly 10-mile ride will travel Riverfront Trail (Levee Road) to Hay Creek Trail and Pioneer-Goodhue Trail, then back. A moderately challenging 9-mile ride will include Highway 58, Pioneer Road, Hay Creek Trail, and Riverfront Trail. For more information, call David Anderson at the Y at 651-388-4724.

• Park downtown and do errands by bike or on foot.

Numerous banks, shops, pharmacies, and grocery stores, along with the library, farmers' market, and dry cleaners are all within walking distance of each other. Need to carry items? Just bring a backpack or large canvas bag. You'll find 15 black bike racks along downtown's sidewalks.

• Walk or bike on your lunch break.

Most Red Wing work places have access to great sidewalks, paths, or nature trails. Upper and lower Burnside area workers can use the Cannon Valley Trail, Highway 61 Trail, Tyler Road Trail, or the route around A.P. Anderson Park. Featherstone Road and Tile Drive employees can take the Featherstone Trail/Hay Creek Trail. Those east of town can use Sorin's Bluff trails from the Mississippi Golf Links parking lot or the end of Wilkinson Street.

• Find a view.

Downtown is a short walk from a few favorite view walks.

1) Walk to the corner of Seventh and Bluff Streets, then turn south and walk one block to the foot of Sorin's Bluff. Boy Scouts have revamped this gorgeous "Cow Path Trail" that leads up Sorin's Bluff and overlooks Barn Bluff.

2) Walk down East Fifth Street under Highway 61 until you reach the Barn Bluff entrance. Choose from a leisurely prairie path or a steeper wooded walk.

3) Walk Fourth Street until you reach the Historical Society's path, with steps that start on Fourth Street one block west of Pine. At the top you'll see a stunning view of the city, river valley, and Barn Bluff.

• Bike or walk Cannon Valley Trail for pleasure, work, or errands.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic trail that's used by thousands every year. Cannon Valley Trail is also a great route for walking or biking to Target, the Red Wing Mall, Red Wing Shoe Plant 2, Riedell, and numerous other places where people shop and work. From upper Burnside, just take the Highway 61 trail to A.P. Anderson Park and access the trail from there.

• Use Levee Road between downtown and the trails.

Levee Road now features "Share the Road" signs and street markings that alert drivers to bicyclists. You'll also see mileage signs that tell bicyclists how far the nearest trails are. This pretty route along the boat• houses and Bay Point is enjoyable to walk or bike-just watch for the grain trucks that still frequently use this street.

• Walk Oakwood Cemetery.

If you're looking for one of the most breathtaking places in the city with expansive overlooks, old, gnarled oaks, and smooth, wide paths, this is for you. Either drive to the top of the bluff from the east end of East Avenue or the north end of Cherry Street. Or, look to the left of the East Avenue entrance's chapel and you'll find a hiking path that leads up to the top; a stone bench offers a place to sit two-thirds of the way up.

• Ask a spouse, friend, neighbor, or child to walk or bike after dinner.

You don't need to drive to a specific destination. Just head out your front door and walk around the neighborhood. Go one step further and commit to walking every day for two weeks. You may enjoy it enough to make it a habit.

Go to Live Healthy Red Wing's web site for trail maps and amenities. Click "Walk & Bike" then "Trail and Route Maps" or "Trail Amenities." Over the summer Live Healthy Red Wing will be asking people who like walking their neighborhoods and/or nature trails to take part in a grassroots effort to make our city and bluffs more walkable and bikeable for everyone. To get involved, call 651-388-3241.

Tags: lifestyle, health