A day in Phoenix: The athlete

9 months out of the year, Phoenix is an amazing place to be sporty. There’s hiking, biking, kayaking (sort of) usually under clear, blue skies.

Here’s a sample day in Phoenix for those who need to be outdoors. If you’re planning a trip, get a bike map of the city to get a feel for your routes.

7:30 a.m.
Get up early (I try not to do this, but I hear some people like it), and head to Echo Canyon and climb Camelback Mountain.

9 a.m.
Have a post-hike coffee and breakfast at La Grande Orange. If it’s a nice day, sit outside and read the paper.

10:30 a.m.
Drive to nearby Scottsdale and rent a bike at Bicycle Haus ($30 for 4 hours or $40 for 24 hours) and ride along the canal and Indian Bend Wash to Tempe.

12 p.m.
Lunch at veggie and carnivore-friendly Pita Jungle.

ALTERNATE ROUTES

1:30 p.m.
Either take your bike onto the lightrail and travel west to the Center Parkway and Washington station

OR

Ride your bike through Tempe, down Mill Avenue and do a little window shopping

OR

If you’re feeling super energetic, go to the Tempe Town Lakes park, rent a kayak and take a spin around the lake.

3 p.m.
Ride through Papago Park and then take the greenbelt back to Bicycle Haus.

4 p.m.
You’ve got to be exhausted. Why don’t you take a quick nap. After all, you’re on vacation.

6:30 p.m.
Designate a driver and head to Central Phoenix to enjoy a margarita and a giant burrito at Via De los Santos. Get a cheese crisp too, you’ve earned it!