The weather in Buffalo Niagara is typically unpredictable in the springtime months. One minute it is unseasonably hot, and the next we are dragging our potted plants back indoors and kicking ourselves for prematurely storing away our winter gear. Add to this the amount of rainfall we get, and finding time for outdoor activities becomes rather tricky. While we wait for Mother Nature to get her act together, now is the perfect time to map out routes for late-spring and early summer bike rides!

Lucky for us, scenic bike trails in Buffalo Niagara are plentiful, giving us the opportunity to safely stretch our legs, spend time with loved ones, and get outside to enjoy the beauty of the season in our region that is filled with natural scenic beauty of all kinds.

For a shorter ride, the Independent Health Wellness Trail runs along the Outer Harbor for a 3-mile stretch, offering a quiet retreat from busy city life and captivating views of Lake Erie. The trail begins at Wilkeson Pointe and ends at Lakeside Bike Park, which features 3 mountain bike trails, a pump track, a skills loop, and a track for small children. Cyclists young and old will have a blast looping over and under bridges, snaking around turns, flying over hills, and kicking up dust. Bike rentals are available should you need them.

If you are interested in a longer ride, the Shoreline Trail will take you 21.7 miles along the coast, beginning south of Union Canal and ending in Tonawanda. The entire trail is paved and peppered with restrooms, drinking water, and picnic areas. In addition to breathtaking views of the waterfront, you will enjoy an exploration of a more industrial area. Where the route parallels the I-190, there is protective fencing and a wide median. At the end of the route, if you still have energy left, you can hop onto two more trails- the Two Mile Creek Greenway and the Tonawanda Rails to Trails.

Students at the University at Buffalo will especially enjoy the Ellicott Creek Trailway, which runs around the eastern side of North Campus for a total of 6.9 miles. The path begins at Audubon Town Park on North Forest Road and ends at Niagara Falls Boulevard. If you live on campus, you can jump on the path at the trailhead near Alix Rice Peace Park Skatepark.

Railroad enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that our region has several bike paths that run along historic and active tracks. Cheektowaga Historic Rails to Trails will take you 1.5 miles along the former Lehigh Railroad. Along the way you will find several access points as well as a recreational park with playground equipment and a soccer field.

Another path worth noting is the North Buffalo Rails to Trails, a 0.65-mile ride through the University Heights beginning at LaSalle Metro Rail Station and providing access to Shoshone Park, where visitors will find a pool, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground. The trail ends with a connection to Tonawanda Rails to Trails, a 4.7-mile adventure along the former route of the Erie Lackawanna Railway.

Shorter routes are best for little legs. If you have younger children, then check out the Lehigh Memorial Trail. This lovely suburban path begins at the Williamsville Depot, where an antique diesel locomotive resides, and travels southeast for about 0.71 miles. The paved trail is decorated with gorgeous floral trees, including lilacs, magnolias, flowering crabs, a weeping ivory snow crabapple, and cherry blossoms. When the kids get bored, they can visit the playground next door or kick a soccer ball around at South Long Park.

While visiting the suburbs, cyclists can also take advantage of the Clarence Pathways, which run from Transit Road to Cedar Street for a total of 17.9 miles. Formerly the routes of two rival railroads, this system includes 5 separate trails:

• West Shore Trail
• Newstead Akron Bike Path
• Peanut Line Trail
• Waterford Trail
• Spaulding Green Trail

Along the way, cyclists will enjoy quiet woods, pavement, signs and maps. There is also an adorable retro playground featuring a mix of original and newer equipment, a pond with a huge fountain, and a picnic area.