Running and Biking: Staying Fit Outside at the Manchester Grand Hyatt

The Manchester Grand Hyatt, in San Diego, takes advantage of the wonderful southern California climate, with a jogging/biking map supplied by the concierge. Steps form the hotel, you can run along the sea wall, and though you can't bike through the adjacent Seaport, Village, you can cycle on traffic-free bicycle paths, or take the ferry over to Coronado for miles of bicycle paths.

The Grand Hyatt offers bicycle rentals for $10 an hour - $30 for a full day. These are bicycles for flat, leisurely biking, which is what you'll find along the water, whether in San Diego or Coronado.

And even riding one of these bikes, you can burn enough calories to make up for the Tower 10 IPA you might have had the night before. San Diego has so many craft brewers that it is hard to imagine staying sober long here.

But you will want to go easy on the beer. You have miles to run, bike, or power walk.

Bermuda Rails to Trails

On Earth Day, creative reuse is on my mind. I love the High Line, in New York City which turned an abandoned rail trail into an elevated park.

And last weekend, I ran on the Bermuda Railway Trail, a walking, running and occasional biking path in Bermuda.

Bermuda’s short-lived railway cut through the heart of the island, and from the trail, you can see parts of Bermuda that are off the tourist track. I peeked into gardens and backyards and saw a lot of chickens and crazy wild nasturtiums. The leaves of some of those nasturtiums were bigger than my hand.

The Railway Trail is a work in progress; on parts, you have to watch out for cars, and if you are biking, you might have to carry your bicycle over trestles or up stairs. For a few miles around Hamilton, Bermuda’s main town, the railway abruptly ends.

But I was staying at the Fairmont Southampton, which has a railway entrance on its property.

Be sure to bring water; there are no facilities on the trail. 

On my 50 minute run, I encountered true solitude (except for the chickens). Most the section I ran was inaccessible to cars, and on the section that allowed cars, only one passed me. I saw no people.

Note: I was a guest of the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

Fitness Challenge: JCC in Manhattan

The JCC on the Upper West Side has facilities for the whole family, from a nursery school to programs for seniors. While this all in one approach can sometimes shortchange areas, the fitness center is state of the art. There is a huge pool, two gyms, and classes galore. About the only negative is the slow elevator, so if you use the locker rooms, on the 5th floor, you might need to run up and down the stairs. But think of it as the start of your aerobic workout. The locker rooms are spotless and loaded with thick, soft towels, lotions and soaps, and cotton balls and Q-tips (though why do you have to ask for a tampon?). I took a spin class, which comes with free cycling shoes, and nice bikes where you can keep track of your calories and RPMs. There are also classes in yoga, martial arts, strength and conditioning and Zumba. Pre and post natal classes, teen fitness classes and senior classes address the needs of the whole family: a rooftop playground helps kids keep active.

Fitness Challenge: Day 90

Lance Armstrong may not be the best role model for children, but he has created a cool community in Austin at his bike store, Mellow Johnny's. You can buy bicycles and accessories here, fuel up at the Juan Pelota Café, and rent bikes if you are vacationing in Austin.

Although the temperature topped 100 on our recent family vacation to Austin, we spent a few hours biking the mostly shaded Barton Creek Greenbelt, a flat trail which had hard packed soil and rocky parts. We biked around Zilker park, with a public pool, Barton Springs. We didn't have bathing suits, so we stayed in the free creek area, where locals and their dogs frolicked in the water.

Mellow Johnny's provides free water bottle with rentals, and a water fountain in the store has a drinking fountain (there are also showers for commuters, a nice touch). But the trail also had frequent drinking fountains, and coolers filled with ice water.

Still, it was so hot that we returned our bikes and headed to the rooftop pool at the Omni.

Fitness Challenge: Day 85

A rose is a rose is a rose. But SoulCycle studios are not all alike.

I took a class at Soul Tribeca, which was no easy feat. With construction closing streets everywhere, I had to walk about 15 minutes out of my way just to reach the studio, which is in the same building as a Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble and Bed, Bath & Beyond. You can feed body and soul all in one location.

Unlike the Union Square SoulCycle, this one was not crowded; in fact, the class I took had mostly empty bikes. And while the bikes were crammed in, they weren't quite as claustrophobic.

The class featured the same full-body, high intensity cardio workout, but the music was not ear-splittingly loud. The changing room had the same amenities, plus face wash and organic body lotion, nice touches (and probably purchased from the adjacent Whole Foods). And there were 4 flavors of gum for getting rid of that post work out dry mouth.

Fitness Challenge: Day 84

Having been a spin devotee for years, I finally reached the Holy Grail, SoulCycle. I had won a few free rides a long time ago, then lost my voucher, so I held it against the place.

I can see why people are addicted to SoulCycle. The high energy boutique studio gives you a full body workout in 45 minutes. I usually think the crunches on a bike are pointless, but when you do them for most of the class, followed by weights, you feel exhausted everywhere. In a good way.

SoulCycle requires you to wear bike shoes (free for the first class, $3 rental after). The advantage is you don't have to lug sneakers. But the disadvantage is it reminds you of bowling.

The place is definitely quirky. Hair bands and earplugs are thoughtfully provided. But lowering the music would actually be better for your ears.

The women's changing room had lots of amenities, from 2 kinds of tampons to razors and deodorant. But the studio is so crowded that it is impossible to actually use anything after a class. There was a huge line for the showers, and nowhere to change. Lockers are co-ed, so floor space in the tiny changing room is at a premium.

Just like in the class. More bikes than you would think possible are wedged in. When I crunched, my elbows knocked into the women next to me. When we put the weights behind us, I hit the bike behind me.

Yet an assistant came over to me before class to set my bike up, then emailed me the specs for my next class. As soon as class ended, cleaners returned the studio to its spotless state.

In the end, SoulCycle is a bit like working out on a rush hour subway. You complain about it, but you do it anyway.

Fitness Challenge: Day 82

My fitness plan for Martha’s Vineyard was to run and bike daily, but Mother Nature had other ideas. It poured one day, so we headed over to the Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa in Vineyard Haven.

There were lots of small rooms her, one filled with cardio machines, (with their own televisions) one with free weights and another with weight machines.

A lounge overlooking the indoor tennis courts also had cardio machines so you could watch the action below while you exercised.
I spent most of my time in the personal trainer room, open to anyone, where the bosu balls were. I also took the cardio combo class, a high energy, easy to follow cardio workout.
T
he gym had soft towels, clean locker rooms and a very mellow feel.

Spain Vacation

Whether you are looking for an active family vacation, a sightseeing tour or a relaxing beach vacation – or all 3 – Spain is the place.

Spaniards also enjoy a healthy sports culture. Soccer rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona and native tennis player Rafael Nadal have elevated the status of Spanish spectator sports.

Since the Spanish weather
can usually be counted on to be sunny and dry, one way to see the countryside is by a cycling tour. Keep in mind that summer is very hot though; you might want to avoid summer for the most active vacations.

But if you are traveling to Spain in summer, the Spanish weather is conducive to hitting the beach. And if you are in Barcelona, you can get a dose of culture and sand.

Fitness Challenge: Day 81

It is easy to stay fit on a beach vacation. Just walking on the sand is more difficult than a regular walk, and if you run on the beach, you work even harder.

If, like me, you don't swim, you can run in the waves, rent a kayak or bike. Or all of the above.

We biked a lot around Martha's Vineyard, to justify the bike schlep. We have to put a bike rack on our rental car, and pay extra for bikes on the ferry, all to enjoy the flat, paved Martha's Vineyard bike paths.

It was worth it.

The wide paths can easily accommodate 3 across, so if you are riding with your family, you can stay together - and let someone going the other way pass.

Drivers on the island were almost universally respectful. Only one driver, on a cell phone, pulled out without looking to cross the path. But there was plenty of room and we felt very safe.

Calgary Real Estate

Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, was the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics and
like other former Olympic venues, became a much bigger tourist destination after hosting the Olympics. Canada Olympic Park offers downhill and cross country skiing, luge and bobsled rides, and mountain bike rides in summer.

The city also attracts American retirees looking to stretch their retirement money. It is also a good place for second home buyers, particularly those who enjoy active vacations.

Calgary real estate offers value to American buyers, with a favorable exchange rate and a lot of inventory.

Calgary Realtors can help you negotiate an international purchase. One Calgary Realtor stays up to date with a blog, and provides clients with an iPad to take notes while house hunting.

Fitness Challenge: Day 12

Spin class became an addiction for me, though in god weather, nothing beats a bike ride.
But when you bike in NYC, you take your life in your hands. I try to stick to bike lanes, but even in so-called protected lanes, cabs pull over and cut you off, people open car doors, runners knock into you.

So I try spin at 24 Hour Fitness. Beside the safety factor, there is also usually inspiring music (Raise Your Glass) and heavy-duty air conditioning. This studio is meat locker room cold, but the music stinks.

The instructor is also a bit nutty, babbling about her weekend plans and how we need to step up our workout.

I find myself staring at the digital clock, counting down till the class ends.

But I burn a ton of calories.

Fitness Challenge: Day 10

The thing about a 40 mile bike ride - on a folding bike - is that you don't want to get back on a bike the next day. We had planned to ride from Northampton to Amherst, MA, on a rail trail, an easy 20 mile round trip.

But after riding an extra mountainous, extremely hot 30 miles, we don't want to sit on those uncomfortable bike seats again.

And the temperature is still hovering near 100.

We opt, instead, to hike on trails near Smith College.

It's still hot. But we are rewarded at the end with great vegetarian food.

Fitness Challenge: Day 9

Our 20 or so mile bike ride turns into a 45 or 50 mile trudge, when we ride folding bikes through the Vermont and New Hampshire mountains.

We are visiting camp, and our route takes us from the other side of the mountain. To an unmarked road that we miss, and ride 5 or so miles past. Once in town, we get directions back and someone notes that the sign fell down years ago.

There is a hand-lettered sign, on the ground, that we couldn't see as we sped by.

Going back, no excuse, we just get lost. And run out of water.

Still a heat alert. After an hour or overheated riding, we are back where we started. Then we have another 10 miles to ride.

Our post-ride Smuttynose is possibly the best beer ever.

Fitness Challenge: Day 5

Stolen bikes don't stop the fitness obsessed. My stolen bike was my folding bike, a bike I got so I could ride in a skirt. I still have my mountain bike, which my husband can ride (it's a man's bike) so I borrow my neighbor's bicycle and we ride 38 miles (round trip) to the beach.

We also sign up for the NY Century Bike Tour in September, an annual bike ride around the city that we've done in the past with our kids. There is a family friendly 35 mile option, and realistic 55 and 75 mile rides. The 100 mile ride just starts too early.

Fitness Challenge: Day 4

New York City throws in a roadblock to the fitness quest. We live near the controversial new two-way bike lane, which I support. I like to ride the Prospect Park bike lane to show my support.

So, before riding our bikes to meet friends at the High Line, my husband and I ride the new bike lane to the farmer's market. Then we stop at home for bananas and lock our bikes outside. When we return, 10 minutes later, our bikes are gone.

Our Kryponite lock lies sliced in our front garden.

So, just a 3 mile bike ride, followed by walking 10 miles with our friends.

Fitness Challenge: Day 3

Friday July 15 is a gorgeous day, one I would ordinarily spend inside, sweating during Spin. With no gym membership, I take out my bike for a few loops of Prospect Park. I spend an hour in the gorgeous weather, working just as hard and singing Pink's "Raise Your Glass" while I cycle.

No headphones, though, since the park loop is crowded with runners, walkers, Spandex-clad cyclists and the occasional car (the loop is officially closed to cars during certain hours, but some cars always slip through.

No worries: I am alert, energized and enjoying a full cardio workout.

Family at Play: Kids on Bikes

Biking has been one of my favorite activities since I was a child. When I was a teen, I went on bike trips with American Youth Hostels, and even when I had a car at college, I used a bicycle to explore St. Louis. It seemed natural that when my husband and I bought our second brownstone, we built a closet specifically for our bikes.

Like many kids, our girls played soccer, and the fields were a couple of miles from our house. We used to drive over, but the extremely limited parking meant we could circle the fields for half an hour, with one kid missing practice and the others growing bored. We told the kids, “if you want to play soccer, you have to ride to the field.”

This turned a couple of hours at soccer into a day-long adventure. In our first house, we stored 2 bikes in the cellar, 2 on the ground floor, and the third up the stoop. Just getting all the bikes out took 45 minutes. And when the kids were younger, they rode very slowly.

But as their skill level and confidence grew, so did their speed. Our youngest daughter, now 13, rides a 35 mile round trip to the beach with no complaint, and she went on a bike trip with camp, New Hampshire to Maine, biking 45 miles a day.

Our middle daughter, now in college, often rode her bicycle from Brooklyn to the Upper West Side for high school. She was a competitive soccer player, so she didn’t ride when she had soccer practice, but we rode our bikes to her games.

Family vacations have included Backroads bike trips in Denmark and Italy, and shorter bike trips as part of a family trip. We have ridden bike trails in Northampton, MA, Jim Thorpe, PA, and Cincinnati, OH. We rode bikes over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and through Mayan ruins in Mexico.

We were trying to decide what to do to celebrate Nickelodeon's 8th Annual Worldwide Day of Play this weekend, but the 13 year old has practice for the Ultimate team. So we will go on a own bike ride without her.

Our kids all played varsity sports, from track to soccer to Ultimate, they ski, they swim, they hike and rock climb. But they go their start on tiny bicycles with training wheels. Get your family started on exercise today.