CHOOSING A BIKE: Cincinnati Cycle Club president Paul Patterson said there are three main bikes - mountain, hybrid and road bikes. Mountain bikes are suited for dirt roads and non-pavement trails, whereas road bikes, which are ideal for pavement, make pedaling easier compared to heavier mountain bikes. Hybrids are a combination of several styles and are ideal for leisure riders or commuters.

Buying from a specialty shop is probably a better investment than purchasing from a department store.

"You can get into cycling for $500 very easily," Patterson said.

LITTLE MIAMI SCENIC RIVER BIKEWAY: The 68 paved miles of the Little Miami State Park from Milford to Springfield are a peaceful means of exercise. Visit areas of Fort Ancient State Memorial Park, Mathers Mill, Caesar Creek State Nature Preserve and State Park, Spring Valley Wildlife Area, Glen Helen and John Bryan State Park. Rent bikes, skates and pull-behinds at Loveland Bike & Skate Rental (683-0468), or bring your own.

EAST FORK MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL: Built by Queen City Wheels, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and local sponsorships, the trail covers 5 miles in Clermont County. Pick up the trail west of the East Fork Park's entrance on State Route 125.

HAMILTON COUNTY PARKS: Visit paved biking and inline skating trails at the Hamilton County Parks: Francis

RecreAcres (1 mile), the Shaker Trace Trail in Miami Whitewater Forest (9 miles), Sharon Woods (2.6 miles) and Winton Woods (1.7 miles).

CITY OF CINCINNATI TRAILS: Lunken Playfield's 5-mile loop is perfect for runners, bikers and walkers. The course is free for those with bikes. One can rent a bike at the Ahlering Building; cost is $5 an hour. Call 321-6500.

CLUBS AND RESOURCES:

• Cincinnati Cycle Club (www.cincinnaticycleclub.org)

• Cycle Dots (www.cycledots.com)

• Queen City Wheels (www.qcw.org)

• Revolution Spinning (www.revolution-fitness.com)

• Campus Cyclery (www.campuscyclery.com)

• UC cycling team (www.cincinnaticycling.com)

• Biowheels (www.biowheels.com)

• MTB Cincy (www.mtbcincy.org) .

TOUR DE LOVELAND: Cyclists of all ages are welcome to this annual event, held on 120 W. Loveland Ave. in Loveland, from 2-6 p.m. July 11. Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to register for free, age-appropriate fun rides to benefit CancerFree kids, and participants receive a T-shirt, water bottle, medal and nutrition and safety information. A parent must be present during the ride, and helmets are mandatory.

Winners of Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic races for two age groups (10-14 and 15-18) will advance to regional competition. Entrants in men's category III-IV-V races and women's category I-V races will compete for $750 purses. Riders can register at www.active.com or call John Baumeister at (614) 529-4268.

CROSS-STATE CYCLING: Sharon Todd, Bicycling/Pedestrian Program Manager with the Ohio Department of Transportation, said there are several long-distance state routes for cyclists to enjoy. Route A, which is 239 miles, travels Ohio's west side from Cincinnati to Toledo. Route B (240 miles) connects Cincinnati to Marietta, and Route C (294 miles) connects Cincinnati to Cleveland.

HOT SPOT: According to cycling veteran Corey Green, one of the fun spots in Cincinnati is Cunningham Hill in Indian Hill. Green said the steep hill is known for its 55 mph descent.