Students ride bikes all the time through campus as a means to get to class quicker, but rarely ride around for pleasure and exercise.

People may not be familiar with the many trails located within 20 miles, aware that biking is effective exercise for the whole body or how much fun they could have if they just rode around for pleasure.

Bowling Green resident Leah Fisher tries to ride her bike at least once a week. Not only does it keep her in shape, but it gives her an opportunity to really explore nature.

“Exercise is a nice bonus to riding my bike, but I mainly do it because I enjoy the weather and the scenery,” Fisher said. “It slows me down and I really get a chance to look at my surroundings, as opposed to when I’m driving a car or running. When I bike, I pay more attention to what’s around me and I’m able to appreciate everything.”

Fisher doesn’t describe herself as an expert biker who is looking to ride around on all of the trails. However, if one is looking to bike on a trail, there is a long path located right here in the city.

Slippery Elm Trail is a 13.5 mile long bike trail in Bowling Green that is perfect for avid cyclists, families or for those like Fisher who just want to ride for pleasure.

Interpersonal communications major Scott Gartman often goes on short rides at the Slippery Elm Trail.

“A lot of trails in the Cleveland area are always packed with tons of people,” he said. “The cool thing about Slippery Elm is not many people are on it.”

Other places he rides include River Road towards Perrysburg and Maumee or the other direction out towards Napoleon. He also bikes to Oak Openings Metropark near Toledo in Swanton on a bike path called Wabash Cannonball Trail.

Gartman bikes five to six days a week for 30-55 miles. He describes the feeling he gets when he rides as similar to a runners high.

“It just makes me feel good,” he said. “It’s really good exercise and it’s a good stress reliever. You burn about 40 calories per mile and if you do 50 miles it’s 2,000 calories right there. I also don’t think about classes or any of the stress going on around me. When everyone was a kid they would ride bikes to feel free. It clears my mind and makes me feel relaxed.”

Riding a bike may seem like a spring or summer activity, but Gartman tries to ride it out and bike in the winter also.

“I try as hard as I can to bike in the winter,” he said. “I’m a freeze baby, but I put on a winter hat, gloves and leg and arm warmers and try to tough it out for about 25 miles.”

He tries to ride his bike until it gets down to about 30 degrees.

Dedicated bikers like Gartman and casual bikers like Fisher are not only getting good exercise from their hobby, but are having fun while doing it.

Check out Slippery Elm Trail located off of West Gypsy Lane Road near Wal-Mart.