It sounded like an assignment most reporters would jump at — spend a glorious summer day outdoors, checking out the sights and sounds of Winnipeg.

There was just one catch: it would have to be done by bicycle. As an avid cyclist, I practically leapt at the opportunity. I had been itching to check out the city’s growing network of active-transportation trails for some time. The fact that I could do it on company time — and with my boss’s blessing — made it an even more appealing proposition.

The pathway along Bishop Grandin Boulevard provided a safe route and picturesque scenery.

• • •

My first order of business is choosing a destination for my ride and determining a route. I live in the West End and regularly bike to Assiniboine Park, The Forks, Point Douglas and St. Boniface with my partner, Carol. I determine I want to check out a different part of town this time.

I decide on River Park South for several reasons: I’ve never ridden there by bike before; I’ll pass through three neighbourhoods serviced by three different Canstar community newspapers (the Metro, Sou’wester and Lance); and I have a cousin who lives in the area who I can call in case I run into any trouble (literally or figuratively) while en route to his place.

Plotting my route turns out to be more trouble than I expected. I had hoped to use the city’s website.

Unfortunately, the map is so large, it made planning a route online difficult. I ultimately visit a cycling shop to pick up a printed version of the map.

Thankfully the map is easily understandable. A legend in the bottom left corner shows me all of the different types of paths available — paved and unpaved multi-use paths, painted bike lanes, shoulder bikeways — as well as the amount of traffic on roads where there are no bike paths.

• • •

The Tuesday morning of my ride arrives. I awake at about 7 a.m., jump in the shower and quickly get dressed.

I check out the day’s forecast one last time. It’s 19 C as I prepare to leave my house with a high of 27 C and moderate winds forecast for later in the day.

• • •

My journey begins by taking the train bridge over Portage Avenue to Academy Road. From there I journey down Lindsay Street to Taylor Avenue where I get onto an active-transportation trail.

By 9:15 I have made it to Waverley Street near McGillivray Boulevard. So far, so good, I think. The only challenge at this point is avoiding the goose droppings my fine feathered friends had left behind.

• • •

I hit my first figurative bump in the road around 10 a.m. I had misread the city’s cycling map and discover there is no paved path along Waverley between McGillivray and Bishop Grandin Boulevard.

I can either detour up McGillivray to Kenaston Boulevard and then Bishop Grandin or press on along Waverley. I decide to take the most direct route and carry on.

• • •

A short time later I arrive on the Bishop Grandin Greenway. My initial reaction: Wow. I had read about it and driven by it numerous times, but it isn’t until I was actually on the path that I realize what a hidden gem it is.

• • •

My idyllic reverie is interrupted a short time later as I approach Pembina Highway. The pathway comes to a sudden stop just below the Pembina overpass and I can’t find an alternate route.

Thankfully, I spot a fellow cyclist who points out a shortcut across Pembina that allows me to continue on along the Greenway. I can’t remember the guy’s name but he has my eternal gratitude.

• • •

Around 11 a.m. I reach St. Vital Centre and turn onto another paved pathway along Dakota Street.

I decide to take a short break when I spot a mother and her three kids passing in the other direction. I’m curious to hear what she has to say about the pathway.

"It’s great," says Sally Dunston. "We can ride our bikes up and down here and the kids don’t have to ride on the road. It’s a lot safer for us. We use it to go to school, the library, the community club."

That conversation gets me thinking about some recent statistics. A total of 29 Winnipeggers have died on city streets in car crashes in the past 18 months, 18 of them either pedestrians or cyclists.

The millions of dollars spent on active transportation suddenly seems like a sound investment.

• • •

Twenty minutes later I pull into the driveway of my cousin’s River Park South home. After consuming copious amounts of water and enjoying a much-needed lunch (thanks, cuz!), I begin my journey home.

I pray that I’ll have the wind at my back. Alas, my prayers are not answered. The wind is gusting up to 37 km/h and the temperature is now hovering around 27 C according to my phone app. It’s going to be a long ride.

• • •

Despite a wind that occasionally makes me feel like I’m being pushed backwards, the ride home is mostly uneventful. Many of the pedestrians and cyclists I pass along Bishop Grandin smile or wave at me. I’m not sure if they’re just being friendly or grateful that they have the wind at their backs.

• • •

It’s about 3:30 p.m. and my legs are starting to feel like limp spaghetti. Still, I’m encouraged by the fact that I seem to be travelling nearly as fast as the traffic on Kenaston.

• • •

I pull up to my driveway at about 4:05 p.m. and home has never looked so good. I head indoors, peel off my sweat-soaked clothes and jump in the shower.

Later that I evening I check out Google Maps to see how many kilometres I logged during my cross-city trek. Google indicates I travelled about 45 km, although with a couple of detours I estimate the total to be close to 50.

While I’m among the first to complain about property taxes and the state of our roads, I have to give the city some credit for developing an active-transportation network. I was always envious of the trails in other cities when I visited them. I’m grateful that we now have some of our own.

Hopefully our network will continue to grow — and I will see even more passersby the next time I decide to swap four wheels for two.