greenways

At Joe’s Cycles, look for croques monsieurs, baguettes, and croissants come Tour de France time in July, but when the Vuelta a España rolls around in August, he’s all about the Spanish bocadillo.

Formerly known as the Zionsville Rail Trail, the Big-4 Rail Trail, a greenway through the heart of the northwestern suburb, is a favorite of children and parents, at the center of a sprawling system that spans Boone County.

“The soft surface is a welcome deviation from pounding the pavement,” says Fox 59’s Larra Overton, a former college track athlete. “Especially when training for longer distances like the Monumental Marathon, extended trails with a variety of terrain and scenery are crucial.”

“I wish I could show my friends how cool this ride is,” says downtown attorney and bike commuter Jay Church. “The entire length is in the city, but offers a quiet, natural experience. Traffic moves fast on Fall Creek Parkway, but otherwise you wouldn’t know you’re in a dense urban environment.”