Bike, skate, jog on Scottsdale's path through the cactus - Arizona

Sunset, Dec, 1984

Bike, skate, jog on Scottsdale's path through the cactus

Through the center of residential Scottsdale, about 7 miles east of downtown Phoenix, runs a dip in the landscape that's a verdant chain of parks and lakes. It's also an innovative flood-control project. Now bicyclists, joggers, roller-skaters, and walkers can explore the greenbelt on 8 miles of paved, traffic-free path during the day or in cooler evening hours--the path is lighted all night.

Best starting point is the Indian School Park visitor center at 4201 N. Hayden Road; hours are 8 to 5 Mondays through Fridays. Here you'll find bike-path maps and a large model of Indian Bend Wash to help you plan your route.

Here are some places to rent bicycles and skates in Scottsdale, within 1 1/2 miles of the greenbelt:

Bicycle rentals

Airplane and Bicycle Works of Wilbur and Orville, 4400 N. Scottsdale Rd.; (602) 949-1978. Hours: 9 to 6 Mondays through Fridays, 9 to 5 Saturdays, 11 to 4 Sundays. Fee is $8 per day; children's bikes available. Cash, credit card, or driver's license required as deposit. A bicycle path leads directly from the store 1 1/2 miles to the greenbelt at Chaparral and Eldorado parks.

Bicycles of Scottsdale, 10392 N. Scottsdale Rd.; 998-2219. Hours: 9:30 to 6:30 Mondays through Fridays, 9 to 5 Saturdays. Fee for 10-speeds and off-road bikes is $10 per day. Refundable $100 deposit (check or credit card) is required.

The Bicycle Warehouse, 4420 Miller Rd.; 949-7106. Hours: 9 to 6 Mondays through Saturdays, 11 to 4 Sundays. Fee for 10-speeds is $4.50 per day. Cash, check, or credit card deposit is required.

Cherry Hill Bicycle Company, 10417 N. Scottsdale Rd.; 948-9280. Hours: 9 to 6 Mondays through Fridays, 9 to 5 Saturdays, noon to 5 Sundays. Fee for 3-speed men's bicycles and children's bikes is $4.50 per day. Refundable $5 cleaning fee.

The Wheelery, 8019 E. Roosevelt St.; 994-9149. Hours: 8 to 7 Mondays through Fridays, 9 to 5 Saturdays. Rentals include tandems ($5.50 per day), 10-speeds ($7.50), 3-speeds ($4.50), children's dirt bikes ($3.50), and a tri-wheeler with basket ($6.50).

Roller skates

Sidewalk Surfer, 7901 E. Thomas Rd.; 994-1017. Hours: 10 to 10 daily. Rental fee ranges from $2 for 1 hour to $10 for 24 hours. Driver's license or credit card is required as deposit.

Photo: Parents on wheels skate stroller along north end of greenbelt in sight of Mummy Mountain

Photo: Avoiding traffic on road overhead, cyclists cut through underpass to start lakeside ride