I hate going to the gym. From what I gander, many of those around me share my sentiments, but sure enough plenty others have the willpower to include trips to the gym as part of their weekly routine. Kudos to them, but I prefer to take my workouts to streets, trails and parks this great city has to offer.

I've really enjoyed exploring the Walk Score application that Eugene first reported last week (whose algorithm has been updated in the last week as my score has jumped from 76 to 88), but I've found a new Google Maps API that's turning my crank. It's called Map My Run.

Now I'm no runner, but this website is great for mapping my walking and cycling excursions within the city. I've mapped my commute to work (4km round trip), including how long it takes me each day and whether I walk or bike. MapMyRun then tells me what my average speed was and how many calories I burned. Surprisingly, by walking to work I burn about as many calories as if I biked. The bike routes that I take most often are along the Martin Goodman Trail to either Humber Bay Park or the Leslie Street Spit.

My favourite part of the site is looking at routes that other members of the site have created so I can plan my next bike workout. There's a map of the Don Valley Trails (20 km), a tour through the Beltline Trail (20km -- planning to do this one next!), or one called Fun MTB Route for the mountain bikers out there (28km). If you're really hard core you can check out the Waterfront Trail to Niagara. It's a cool 153 km, each way!

What's your favourite bike/running route?

Top photo: "__?_I_?__" by blogTO Flickr pooler DanielN

Sustainable City is a weekly column that explores current events and environmental issues in Toronto that impact the health and well being of urban city dwellers.