Red Flannel 2011

It's that time of year again...time to start planning for the annual Red Flannel ride! This year will mark the 36th time the Lorain Wheelmen welcome hundreds of cyclists from all over. Some consider this their end-of-the-season swan-song. For others, it's just a chance to get out all their cold weather gear. Although many times the weather is so good, you may not need to bundle up!

The Red Flannel will take place Sunday, November 6, 2011. The ride departs from the Oberlin Community Service Center in Oberlin at 9am. The Center will also be the finishing area for the ride. Riders can complete their choice of the 33 mile or 67 mile routes. Advance registration is $15 and will be accepted until October 29. After that, the cost will be $20. This fee includes map and three snack stops.

To register, or for more information, check the event web page. This is a great ride for all levels of riders! Hope to see you out there!

2011 Lorain Lakeview Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon Recap

Check out the Back Roads and Beaches Facebook Page for a full catalog of Tri/Du photos from Sunday’s race.

Sunday was the perfect morning for a triathlon/duathlon on Lake Erie. Although it was hot, it was in the 70s and the Lake was calm for the 25th annual Lakeview Tri/Du Sprint. Well over 200 people participated.

Early results read as follows (final results can be found at the NCN Racing website here):

Top three triathlon (overall) finishers:
1. Brooks Butler
2. Ian Sly
3. Scott Mazon

Brooks Butler

Top three women (overall) finishers:
1. Kristen Kovach
2. Hallie Sly
3. Sheri Branum

Jim Galloway

Congratulations and a big thank you to Back Roads and Beaches Tri racer, Jim Galloway who placed 17th overall and 2nd in his age category!







Top three duathlon finishers:

1. Mark Waldecki
2. Chris Latkovich
3. Mike Zizan

Top womens duathlon finishers:
1. Nancy Desmond
2. Joanna Brell
3. Laurie Perduyn

Check out the Back Roads and Beaches Facebook Page for a full catalog of Tri/Du photos from Sunday’s race. Didn’t win a medal? Here’s your chance to win! “Like” the page, find a photo of yourself, competing and tag it. First person to tag themselves will win a free entry to the Back Roads and Beaches 5K Run, Wine and Dine on August 20. Next two,  $10 gift certificates to the Moosehead Grill in Amherst and the following three after that will win Back Roads and Beaches t-shirts.

Multisport Competition is Gearing Up

Summer is in full swing and with it, a calendar of north central Ohio multisport events. Many with the scenic backdrop of Lake Erie. Kick-start your summer with some friendly competition. Read on for event details.

Triathlon Information

NCN Racing is continuing the Rat Race Series starting this weekend. The Rat Race Series started in March and continues thru November.  It features running, cycling, and swimming events in eleven races. June 19, NCN Racing will be hosting the 8^th Annual Park 2 Park Half Marathon and 5K, it will be held at the French Creek Reservation in Sheffield. For event registration and information click here.  On July 10th the 25th Annual Summer Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon will be held at Lakeview Park in Lorain. The Triathlon will include a 1/4 mile swim in Lake Erie followed by a 14.3 mile bike and 5K run. For event registration click here. Following in August will be the 6th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon and Duathlon. Starting at 8am on August 6th, the course will feature a 1/4 mile swim in Findley Lake, a 16 mile bike course, and a 5K run through Findley State Park. Click here for Findley Lake Tri registration. End August with the 9th Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon taking place on the 21st at 8am. The event will be held at Lakeview Park with a rewarding view of Lake Erie during the course. Click here for event registration.

HFP Racing is bringing their Wheelie Fun Triathlon and Duathlon Series to the beautiful harbor town of Vermilion. The Vermilion Harbour Triathlon will be held on Sunday August 14th at 7am. The course features a near shore Lake Erie swim, hilly bike ride along the Back Roads and Beaches route and run through the charming downtown Vermilion area. Finish along its breathtaking shoreline of Lake Erie. For registration and additional information click here.

331 Racing is adding adrenaline to the mix of events with the NEO Power Series starting this June. This cross country cycling race series is a test of true dedication and passion. Composed of six stages and featuring many different levels of competition, 331 Racing is looking for all ages to participate. On August 7^th, stage three moves to the north central Ohio area for the Thorn Time Trail. Taking place at Findley State Park just South of Wellington, the course is a nine mile loop traveling through mature wooded areas and past Findley Lake. The course features technical climbs, winding flats, and a unique coaster section all focused on pushing boundaries. For all NEO Power Series details click here. For Thorn Time Trail registration click here.

Don’t forget, the Back Roads and Beaches 5K Wine and Dine registration is now open. The run is set for Saturday, August 20, 2011, 5pm start. Registration will be open at 3:30pm. Start/Finish is at the Oberlin Inn, 7 North Main St., Oberlin, OH. The course runs through the funky little City of Oberlin, home to Oberlin College. Oberlin is unique in its ties to the Underground Railroad. This is a bicycle-friendly community that loves visitors. Enjoy Oberlin and this unique course followed by taste from local vineyards, local foods and live entertainment on the patio of the Oberlin Inn.

Paddle

Feel like adding a paddle to your multisport weekend?  Click here for Lorain County kayaking locations, times, rentals, and other information, or plan for the Black River Kayak-A-Thon on July 3^rd. 

Combine your multisport event with great lodging, wining and dining and make it a weekend. Check local lodging and dining listings and information.

Good luck hope to see you out competing around Back Roads and Beaches!

Thorn Mountain Bike Trail-Findley State Park Conditions

June 3, 2011

Ride on Thorn MTBrs! According to Nab, the back section is too wet to ride yet, but there are at least 7 miles of good riding there. Nab's been out working on the trail and he says there are some soft spots but nothing major to hinder your ride. See you out there!

Back Roads and Beaches Picks up the Paddle

Lake Erie kayaking off Lorain

Kayakers searching for fresh water and a scenic view will find Lake Erie a perfect stop on their path to fun this summer. The season for kayaking has begun here in north central Ohio. Nestled in the north central shoreline of Ohio, Lorain County is home to some of the most scenic areas surrounding Lake Erie. Starting in Vermilion and heading across the Erie Coast in Lorain to the Elyria Black River Reservation, the waterways provide a great outdoor adventure. With summer almost here, check out the following information to get your paddle going!

The Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail starts in the quaint historic downtown of Vermilion. But you can put-in at any of the public access points along the way. The trail is 27 miles long and offers both river and open water travel along the Lake Erie shore. The trail starts beside the shale cliffs of the Vermilion River at the Vermilion River Reservation in Brownhelm Township. It continues its path along the river and exits into Lake Erie in Vermilion. You can then follow the Erie shore line east to the mouth of the Black River, close to downtown Lorain, to conclude your journey.  Along with a lively waterway, the trail also includes hiking and biking opportunities within the Lorain County Metro Parks. You can also make a stop at historical and cultural landmarks the course offers including the Lakeview Rose Garden, Black River Historical Society, and the Lorain Lighthouse.

Birding along the Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail and at
Findley State Park is spectacular.

Need help along the way? The Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail offers many different service locations for kayakers in need.  Rentals, shuttles, and information can be found at almost all of our listed locations.

Kayak Rental

Grumpy’s Riverside located on 14^th and Broadway in Lorain is getting their kayaks ready with pricing starting at $15 an hour for a single and $25 an hour for a double. Grumpy’s will provide shuttling upon a call in advance request. They will shuttle personal and rental kayaks, prices vary based on need.  Grumpy’s Riverside is open Monday thru Sunday 8am to 6pm. You can contact them at 440-244-5370.

West River Kayak and Canoe is a new addition to our list of kayaking headquarters. Located at Captain's Corner Marina on the corner of Liberty Avenue and West River Road in Vermilion, West
River provides rentals of kayaks, canoes, and bikes. Kayak prices start at $12 an hour and $35 for all day use. Their location at 655 West River Road is open for operation Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. 

Findley State Park

Another great scenic trip which serves as an alternative to Lake Erie is Findley State Park in Wellington.  Offering a 93-acre lake and 2-man kayak, canoes, and rowboat rentals, Findley makes a great addition to your summer to-do list. For rental rates and operating times contact Findley State Park at 440-647-2870.

Get out and start summer this Memorial Day weekend with a scenic paddle on Lake Erie. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Black River Kayak-A-Thon happening July 3!  For information on public access to Lake Erie, check out the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Public Access Guide. You can get a copy of the guide at Visit Lorain County’s Visitor Information Center when you are here in this area. 

Back Roads and Beaches 5K Run, Wine and Dine Registration Open

The Back Roads and Beaches, 5K registration is now open. The run is to be held Saturday, August 20, 2011. Start/Finish is at the Oberlin Inn, 7 North Main St., Oberlin, OH. Start time is 5pm (registration opens at 3:30pm). The course runs through the funky little City of Oberlin, home to Oberlin College. Oberlin is unique in its ties to the Underground Railroad. This is a bicycle friendly community that loves visitors.

Bring your bike and/or kayak and make it a multi-sport weekend. Stay at the Oberlin Inn and bike the Back Roads and Beaches Route, mountain bike the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail at Findley State Park or kayak the Vermilion to Lorain water trail.

Following the race, there will be local food and wine and entertainment outside the Oberlin Inn. Click here for details and link to online registration.

Oberlin Earth Day Run 2011

Lisa Shomo (257) and Oberlin City Council President Ken Sloane (263) happily cross the finish line at the Oberlin Earth Day Run. Usually Lisa and Ken are on their bikes.

 It turned out to be a beautiful day for the 2011 Oberlin Earth Day 5k Run. And it was a record turnout, according to race organizers. Check out our Facebook page for an album of photos of the day. Did you run? Don’t forget to tag yourself!

Sure signs of spring!

All the rain we’ve had lately has really served to green things up. Spring is here and our weather is steadily getting warmer. This will kick-start a healthy and active season:

Run

Saturday, April 23, 2011: Oberlin Earth Day 5k Run. Celebrating the 38th year! Run start is 10am at the Memorial Arch, Professor St (on Tappan Square). First 100 registrants get a free tshirt. For information, contact the City of Oberlin Recreation Department at 440.775.7254 or email recreation@cityofoberlin.com

Bike
The Lorain Wheelmen have a full calendar of rides scheduled. For more information and to join the club, click here.
 
Eat

Friday, April 29, 2011: Optimal Health on Raw Foods. Dr. John Felder from Australia to speak. Light snacks will be provided.  6:30pm at the Wayside Wellness at Our Lady of the Wayside, 38135 Colorado Ave., Avon, OH. For more information, contact John MacDonald at 440.458.5551


Sunday, May 1, 2011: The Path to Raw Food. 2–4pm. Guest speaker Joseph Maiville will talk about his health walk at the Raw Living Foods Potluck. Oberlin Public Library Community Room, 65 S. Main St., Oberlin. Bring plant-based raw living foods. Bring your own plates, cups, eating utensils, and serving utensil. Don't forget to stop by Yesterdays Ice Cream Shop for your raw, vegan desserts and snacks while you’re in town. 

Adventure Weekend—Mountain Bike Ice Racing and More

No such thing as “post-holiday blues” this weekend. Embrace the winter and embark on an adventure weekend!

A truly original winter blast!
The North Coast Mountain Bikers have developed a cross country, mountain bike, ice course on Findley Lake at Findley State Park in Wellington, OH. (check out map below for directions) Racing will be Saturday evening, beginning at 6:30pm. Course will be lit by lantern—very magical and cool! According to the NCMTB club, these are the only ice races in Ohio. Details: Two classes-studded and non studded tires. (Nab says studded is much more fun, btw). There will be a bonfire and hot chocolate. $10 donation. This is a laid-back fun event with lots of friendly folks so come on out and join them.

Make it a winter weekend getaway by including snow shoeing and/or cross country skiing to the mix. Findley State Park is a great place to enjoy either. You can also combine a visit to some of our local wineries and great local restaurants. Several great lodging options are within a 20 minute drive of Findley State Park. The Oberlin Inn is currently offering a winter escape package which includes one night accommodations and breakfast for 2 for $110 (inclusive of all taxes and gratuity). The Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast is also just up the road a bit and offers a warm welcome to cyclists. A little further north, in the charming town of Amherst is 5 Corners Bed and Breakfast. Here you can book one of several packages that can include massage and/or a wine getaway. 5 Corners is also offering a special package for this Friday and Saturday nights only: $89 plus a complimentary bottle of champagne or sparkling juice. (sounds like a great way to top off an exciting evening of ice racing!) Just mention the keyword “bike” when booking.

Check out all the other great winter events taking place this weekend to round out your weekend. Indoors and out, you'll find a great adventure.


View Thorn Mountain Bike Trail at Findley State Park in a larger map