One of my favorite parts about living in Savannah is how easy it is to ride a bike here. Between the city’s ever-expanding bike infrastructure and the rich outdoor culture that comes along with it, hopping on two wheels has quickly become my preferred way to show friends around the place I call home. For cyclists in particular, the beauty of Savannah extends much further than the city’s downtown district.

Recently, a friend came to visit, and I was eager to take a scenic ride with them along the Truman Linear Trail (TLT). This moss-draped passageway is one phase of a long-term project geared to make Savannah more bike-friendly and is a favorite among local walkers, runners, and cyclists alike. The TLT reaches all the way to Lake Mayer, a low-key haven for walking, biking, fishing, skateboarding, and even kayaking. With at least half of the route on pedestrian-only pathways, it’s a great route for riders who prefer to avoid cars on their adventures.

Getting to the TLT is easy no matter where in Savannah you’re starting from. From Savannah on Wheels’s Forsyth Park location, it’s a roundtrip ride of approximately 16 miles, which makes it a great option for those looking to get a little bit of a workout or extended ride into their sightseeing trip.

Even better is that the route is entirely on smooth, yet variable terrain ranging from city streets to well-maintained wooden boardwalks and paved pedestrian paths. The TLT is also a perfect choice for those interested in taking a mid-ride lunch break; pack your picnic and enjoy it lakeside when you reach Lake Mayer. (Just be careful that the park’s plentiful duck population doesn’t get a nibble of your sandwich.)

Another highlight of this route is that it takes riders through less-trafficked, yet still unique, Savannah neighborhoods of Parkside and Ardsley Park, where architecture lovers can enjoy the diverse and beautiful homes along Washington Ave. On your way back up to the bike shop, check out Daffin Park, which features a large green space, dog park, rows of majestic Live Oak trees, and historic Grayson Stadium, home of Savannah’s minor league baseball team, the Savannah Bananas.