Pro tip: I quit hauling my bike up to the foothills and started riding the Bosque path instead
For about 4 years I was loading my bike on the rack and driving up toward the foothills every weekend, dealing with the traffic on Tramway and fighting for a spot in the lots. Then back in March a coworker said to just try the Bosque path from the Alameda bridge and I figured why not. Now I ride straight from my place near Old Town, hop on the trail, and do about 18 miles round trip without ever touching my car. The shade from the cottonwoods makes it way cooler in the afternoon, and I don't have that stressed feeling of watching my bike bounce around on the rack the whole drive home. I do miss the big climb sometimes, but honestly I'm riding 3 times as often now, so my legs are probably better off. I still can't figure out the best spot to cross over to the west side without dodging dog walkers. Where do you all get on the path, and is there a stretch I'm missing?