Upcoming fall rides, races, walks, events

Sunday, November 4, the Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon & 5k Run/Walk will take place starting at Murray Ridge School, 9750 Murray Ridge Rd., in Elyria. Proceeds from this race will benefit the Murray Ridge Levy Committee.

Also on November 4th, the Lorain Wheelmen will be hosting their annual Red Flannel Bike Ride (see below).

Fall Folaige Update

The leaves are peaking here in Lorain County. Here are some views of the Back Roads and Beaches route from October 25.

Fall mountain biking at Findley State Park

Neil Baker and Jim Stedman from Wadsworth, Ohio traveled to Findley State Park in Wellington today to ride the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail. The weather and trail conditions are ideal for mountain biking. Fall colors still have a few weeks yet to peak.

Lorain Wheelmen love Ohio cycling

While out checking for fall photo ops on the route, I came across a group of Lorain Wheelmen on one of their weekly rides. Ron Cicerchi (left), Arthur Petro (center) and Pete Paslawski (right) were out getting in a quick 25-miler before sunset. The Lorain Wheelmen are getting ready for their biggest invitational ride of the year, the Red Flannel. Typically hundreds of cyclists ride what has become the traditional end of season ride for many. This year's ride will be held on November 4. The ride can be done as either a metric century (67 miles) or half century (33 miles). The start and ending point will be the Oberlin Community Center.

Locals looking for people to ride with might want to check out the Lorain Wheelmen. Members are of all ages and riding ability and the Wheelmen's calendar features a variety of rides, locally and all over Ohio.

Have you ridden the Red Flannel? Please post your comments and experiences here.

Lorain Wheelmen tackle the hills along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.

Where's Charlie?

Here's a familiar face along Back Roads and Beaches. Avid cyclist Charlie Young, from Elyria, has ridden 11,683 Ohio miles so far for 2007. (This doesn't count all the miles he does on his indoor trainer when the weather isn't suitable to go out) So it's a good chance you'll spot him out on the route.

Charlie is closing in on his last year's total of over 15,000 miles. He does it just for a sheer love of cycling. Great job! I wonder how many tires he goes through in a year?!

Back Roads and Beaches Bike route spectacular autumn weekend

Not only is there a weekend full of art, architecture and bikes (see post below) but we've learned that there will also be a firewalk this Saturday evening, October 6th, at Common Ground: The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal. Common Ground is located on Baird Rd. in the northwest part of the route.

The weather report is predicting temps to be in the 80s this weekend, and with the leaves continuing to turn brilliant reds and golds, this is the perfect time to bring your bike for a visit and a trip into rich art, culture, history and transformational experience.

Make plans to spend the weekend here, pedaling the route and visiting the gallery open houses and architecture tours. You can find bicycle-friendly lodging information here. If you'd like a map based guide of where to stay, click here. As you mouse over the icons, information on lodging and services will pop up.

photo: Cyclist on Baird Rd. in front of Common Ground.