Wal-Mart: 4.5 miles one-way
One thing I always wanted was an active lifestyle. Tennis, boating, biking, hiking, didn’t matter, I just wanted enough time in my day/week/month to fit it in. For the last three years or so I’ve been running about three times a week. However, about a month ago severe knee pain caused me to trade running for biking.
Biking Goose Creek has given me a whole new appreciation for this great city. I love that I can get from one end of it to the other on my bike. Already I’ve discovered and become intimate with the many trails in Goose Creek – trails I’ve known about for years but never experienced because they weren’t right by my house.
City Hall: 4.5 miles one-way
These are a few of the routes I’ve taken recently. I always start at what I consider the heart of Goose Creek, which is where Highways 52 and 176 meet. One route is to Wal-Mart, one is to City Hall, one goes to Stratford High School, and the other is just a loop. Most of them are 9-10 miles roundtrip; the Stratford one is a little longer.
Riding to Wal-Mart is a straight shot. There are a couple gradual inclines and declines, but for the most part you can put your head down and plow through it without much thought. There’s a sidewalk by the road or you can jump on the Crowfield trail for part of it, which will keep you out of the sun.
Stratford: 12.5 miles round-trip
When I go to City Hall I take a little jog down 176 to Central so I can catch the trail on 52. I believe the trail starts at Sewee Dr. and 52. This trail is the widest and smoothest in Goose Creek. It’s also the newest. Eventually the trail is supposed to circle the lake behind City Hall. That will be nice.
The Stratford ride is 12.5 miles roundtrip. It’s a nice ride because a lot of it is on the Crowfield trails, which means it’s shaded. It runs alongside the lake at times, which is pretty when the steam is rising in the morning. This route also has a couple of challenging hills. The other three routes are pretty flat.
The Loop: 10 miles
The loop is great because it provides the most variety. Some parts of it are sidewalk; some parts are on the Crowfield trails. This route always makes me feel like I’ve covered a lot of ground.
Each route provides 40-60 minutes of constant cardio, but they’re not overly strenuous. There are very few stops for traffic lights. Try one and let me know what you think.
