The other night, I dreamed I rode my bike from McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale to the 202 Freeway in Tempe. When I woke up the next morning, that’s exactly what I did.

The main north-south bike path in Scottsdale runs from about Shea Boulevard south to Tempe Town Lake.  I rode straight down to the freeway and when I got there, decided I might as well go all the way to the lake, since it was only a couple hundred more yards.

Riding under the freeway was interesting. The light was bouncing around, and it felt kind of like a cave, except for how bright it was and the noise overhead.

Just south of the underpass, the path turns west and runs along the lake, toward ASU. With temperatures well into the 100’s, just looking at this much water felt cooler.

Heading north, I took a few more pics to share. The Tempe portion of the path goes through a natural desert area and has a few lights near the freeway  underpass.

A mile or so north, you can see the back side of Big Surf Waterpark.

And in Scottsdale, the bike path runs through several parks, most with water. 

There’s a Frisbee golf course next to the path in South Scottsdale, and further north, you’ll find the Eldorado Skate Park.

Another view of the “2-lane” path, running along a public golf course.

And then a quick view of the lake at Chaparral Park.

The bike path is flat, except to and from the underpasses. With the newest underpass at Chaparral Road, it’s now possible to get from Indian Bend Road to Roosevelt without crossing any roads.

For a map of this Scottsdale bike path, you can view the Indian Bend Wash Shared-Use Path, and here’s more info on Biking in Scottsdale.

For an overview of bike paths and lanes in Metro Phoenix, see the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Bike Map 2008

Yelp reviews of the Scottsdale Green Belt

More about biking in Scottsdale:

• Getting Around Scottsdale on a Bike Might be Easier than You Think
• Earn a free bike in Scottsdale – really!
• Save some gas? Ride a bike.

Here’s one intersection you’ll want to avoid for the next ten days:

The intersection of Scottsdale and Camelback roads will be reduced to one lane in all directions starting Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Sept. 17. The restrictions are necessary to permit repaving of the intersection and to install new crosswalks. Motorists are advised to take extra care in this  area and expect longer travel times. Access to local businesses will be maintained at all times during this project.

The Goldwater loop to the west of Scottsdale Road is one option that will bypass this intersection, and should get you where you are going faster.

View Scottsdale and Camelback Roads in a larger map

The latest traffic restrictions in Scottsdale can be found at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/traffic/restrictions.

To sign up for traffic alerts (via email) from the City of Scottsdale, visit https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/listserve/

With all the rain we’ve had this week, and especially last night, Indian Bend Wash is flowing heavily and many of the street crossings are closed.

The major streets that are closed, all located between Scottsdale and Hayden (or Miller) Roads, include:

I also heard that McCormick Parkway is closed this morning, east of the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center.  (UPDATE: McCormick was opened up at 9:50 a.m.)

One of the roads missing from this list is Indian Bend! The new bridge is open, so traffic is flowing freely here connecting Scottsdale Road to the 101.

The City of Scottsdale has posted information about Road Closures, Storm Preparation, and Safety Tips for Traveling During Heavy Rain , as well as a more frequently updated Public Safety page.

You can also find regional and state travel information at az511.com.

This coming Sunday (1/17/2010) is going to be a big day for the 30,000 runners who descend on the Phoenix landscape for one of the biggest parties in Arizona.  My son couldn’t resist volunteering at one of the water stations with a bunch of his high schools friends. I’m thinking that I’ll be somewhere along the route with my camera in tow, being very glad that I prefer to run much shorter races!

If you aren’t running in the race, you will want to know a few things about getting around town.

The City of Scottsdale has provided the following traffic update:

Traffic restrictions on several major streets in Scottsdale will be in effect beginning at 6:30 a.m. and will last until early afternoon. Drivers are strongly encouraged to use the freeway system to maneuver around the marathon route.

Major streets affected include:

• Eastbound closure of Indian School Road from Scottsdale’s western boundary to Goldwater Boulevard
• Southbound closure of Goldwater south to its intersection with Scottsdale Road
• Complete closure of Main Street from Goldwater Boulevard to Marshall Way
• Complete closure of Marshall Way between Main Street and Goldwater Boulevard
• Southbound closure of Scottsdale Road from its intersection with Goldwater Boulevard (near Osborn Road) south to McDowell Road
• Eastbound closure of McDowell from Scottsdale Road east to Hayden Road
• Southbound closure of Hayden Road from McDowell south to the Tempe city line

On Sunday, you will also be able to get updates on current traffic condition via the state’s “511″ phone system.  Dial “511″, press the key for this event and hear the update.  You can also get information on the current Scottsdale traffic and parking conditions by calling the city’s information phone line: (480) 312-CITY.

For more details on the race course that travel from Phoenix to Scottsdale to Tempe, you can visit arizona.competitor.com, and check out the race course map.

Maricopa Regional Bike Map

Scottsdale Bike Map

The Scottsdale bike path that runs along Hayden Road from North to South Scottsdale is wide and fast.  It goes under and over main thoroughfares, with only a few intersections to cross.  Rolling through golf courses and green belt, it’s a pretty ride, too.  Now that our weather is cooling off, it’s a perfect time to get out, and even start thinking about riding your bike to work. 

My mind wandered a bit this morning.  I have a question for you? Is it possible to:

Show homes and buy real estate on a bike?

I’ve been reading about Realtors who show houses to their biking clients on their preferred mode of transportation.  Interesting to consider.  What do you think?  I’d certainly be game to try! 

Here are a few Realtors mixing real estate and biking around the U.S. and Canada:

• Realtors peddle real estate to bike-happy clients 
• Specializing in homes for cyclists & alt commuters! - Portland, Oregon
• Pedal to Properties – Boulder, Colorado
• A lifestyle shift – riding a bike – Charlotte, North Carolina
• Buy a Home on a Bike (Denver) - Denver, Colorado
• Realtors on Bikes: A New Movement in Chicago? 
• Bicycle Real Estate Agents Directory (Canada)

(Realtors, if I missed you this list, just let me know and I’ll update.)

From ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation):

The following closures or restrictions are scheduled along Valley freeways this weekend:

• Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Chaparral and McKellips roads from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (August 18) for HOV (carpool) lane construction.

  DETOUR: Drivers are strongly encouraged to use State Route 51 and local streets as alternate routes.

• Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Shea Boulevard and Hayden Road from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (August 18) for HOV (carpool) lane construction.

  DETOUR: Consider alternate routes. Be prepared to slow down and merge safely in the work zone

Project benefit: ADOT is constructing 15 miles of carpool lanes from Princess Drive to Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The eight-mile section from Via de Ventura to Loop 202 is scheduled to open this fall. The remainder of the project will open in spring 2009. 

For a complete listing of freeway and highway closures or restrictions across Arizona visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at www.az511.com  or call 5-1-1.

The northbound lanes of the Loop 101 Freeway will be completely closed between the Loop 202 Freeway and Chaparral Road from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11. 

 Adapted: Original photo credit: Seth W.

Suggested detours include:

• Northbound traffic will take the Loop 202 east to Alma School Road and head north to McDowell Road. From McDowell, traffic will be routed westward to Pima Road where it will head north to Chaparral and return to the Loop 101.
• Northbound traffic can also exit at Rio Salado Drive and head west to Hayden Road. From there it will head north to Chaparral and return to the freeway.

In addition, the center and left southbound lanes of the Loop 101 Freeway will be closed between the Pima/Princess interchange and Shea Boulevard from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug 9, through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug 11. The right lane and all ramps will remain open.

More information on the Arizona Department of Transportation and Valley freeway projects is available at: http://www.azdot.gov/index.asp