Shopping local, shopping active

 So, yes, the weather outside (at the moment) is a bit frightful. But for active folks who would rather be out logging in miles on the road, this is a great time to check off some items from holiday shopping lists. If you're like me, not crazy about the mall...you can spend some time shopping locally and staying true to a love of cycling and all things active. I mean... shopping can be a marathon of sorts right? Here are a few places around the Back Roads and Beaches route to shop for active and truly unique gifts and have a great afternoon doing it. I've tried to outline a few local shopping itineraries that include some other stops that make shopping fun and create a fun, festive afternoon or evening.

Near Avon Lake:

Las Cazuelas--Yum!

Marty's Cycle Center,  located at 453 Avon Belden Rd. in Avon Lake has lots of great cycling gifts. How about a gift certificate for a precision bike fitting? Look for the lighted bike out front. And located right around the corner from Marty's you can get your Mexican food fix at Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant.

When you're finished there, right down the way are John Christ and Klingshirn Wineries. Pick up some local vino for gifts while you sip some of the local varieties.

Strip Steakhouse, photo by Holly Miller

Not far from here you can also check out Old Avon Village which is decorated and reminiscent of a more old fashioned holiday. Old Avon Village features various boutiques and a bakery. There are also several great gourmet eateries here. Strip Steakhouse will be having a happy hour buffet from 3–6pm daily through Dec. 17. Check out the map below which includes some other possible stops for an Avon/Avon Lake itinerary:

Near Oberlin

Downtown Oberlin

 If you're an art lover or shopping for one, you won't leave Oberlin empty-handed. There are many galleries and gallery shops that have all sorts of unique and unusual items.

Uncommon Object

Uncommon Objects, Ginko Gallery and Riverdog are just a few. You can also find unique jewelry, home furnishings, imported African items and more. Don't forget Inspired. We featured them a few months ago in the blog. Another great opportunity to check-off gifts for hard-to-buy-for people on your list. If you're interested in local history and the Underground Railroad you can learn about them at the Oberlin Heritage Center. And when you're finished with your tour, stop in at the gift shop and pick up a book or two to share. While you are in the area, check out the progress of the Oberlin Gasholder Building Restoration. The Gasholder Building is the future home of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center and park and ride facility. It will be a wonderful service to visiting cyclists.

Future home of the Oberlin Underground
Railroad Center

If you're looking for active gifts or gear, try Swerve Bike Shop or Molnar Outdoor. Both locally owned shops have friendly staff willing to answer all your questions. 

When you're ready for a break and something to nibble on, I'd recommend the Oberlin Inn for a fancy, festive sit down meal, The Feve for a burger (beef or vegan) and a beer or Quick and Delicious for some down-home comfort food.

I've put together a map to make it easier to formulate your itinerary:



These are just a few suggestions in keeping with our active spirit and local theme. Hopefully you'll find exploring these local businesses and organizations as exciting and fun as we do. You'll find many other maps and suggestions by visiting the Visit Lorain County website.

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!

Arts, wine and events make great fall cycling itinerary in north central Ohio

Porch at Riverdog

We're back to our typical, beautiful October weather! The leaves are changing, the sun is shining (and promises to do so at LEAST through the weekend) and there are lots of great events for cyclists to take in. I would suggest grabbing some reservations for this weekend and plan a great cycling, arts, wine and cuisine-filled adventure around the Back Roads and Beaches Route. First off....lodging reservations.. Here are some great suggestions:

Riverdog Retreat. I took my first extensive visit to this property the other day with artists/owners T.P. Speer and Deborah Banyas. This property is spectacular! You might not want to leave the pristine, beautiful property to ride your bike! Terry and Deborah tell me they still have openings for this weekend if you act quickly. Riverdog is a hard property to describe. It has a high-end, artistic feel while still maintaining an ease and comfort that can only be found in nature. T.P. and Deborah have skillfully blended their artwork into the renovated buildings throughout the property. The entire property, wooded trails, art gallery and lodging facilities located throughout hold many, many whimsical, cheerful surprises around every corner. Their dogs are an absolute delight. Riverdog is located on Gore Orphanage Rd., right between Vermilion Valley Vineyards and Matus Winery on the west side of Lorain County. From here you can jump right onto the BRaB route. Here are a few more images from my visit:

Riverdog Gallery

Riverdog is full of little surprises around
every corner.

Rooms are spacious and have many personal
touches from the artist-owners

Down every hallway...
more whimsy and delight

Area for guests to relax

Other great options on and around the route include the Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast and The Oberlin Inn. The Oberlin Inn is right in the center of Oberlin. You can enjoy a fabulous meal there, or walk to many fine restaurants and shops steps from the hotel. The Hallauer House is a great choice for history buffs and those cycling Underground Railroad history. The owners have painstakingly developed beautiful gardens and an interior full of Civil War era history. I visited with them the other day as well and got some images from this charming property as well:

When you're not enjoying your lodging facilities, check out the many things there are to do this weekend at our wineries, art galleries, museums, shops and restaurants:

Right now at the FAVA Gallery in Oberlin: Untangling Threads: Women Artisands in Morocco's Rug Weaving Industry. This exhibit offers the viewer a glimpse into rural Moroccan life as it documents the life, culture and craft of female weavers. It specifically focuses on artisans from rural weaving communities in the Middle and High Atlas mountains. Anna Beeke and Alia Kate collaborated on this current exhibit. 

Untangling Threads at the FAVA Gallery, Oberlin

After you're finished at the exhibit, stop in at FAVA's gallery shop, Uncommon Objects, which is located just across the hall. This is the perfect place to find treasures for hard-to-please gift recipients. The shop has an assortment of paintings, prints, jewelry, pottery, glass, clothing etc. All from local artists. Walking through town, you'll find many more of these quaint, artistic shops as well. Ginko Gallery, Inspired, Ade's Place and Bead Paradise are just a few.

The Allen Art Museum in Oberlin is now open and better than ever, following a year and half renovation effort. The Allen (and all the other mentioned businesses) are very friendly and welcoming to cyclists! 

Wine

Don't forget about our wineries located on the route! Several have live entertainment and events this weekend. Starting south and moving north, on the west loop of the route:

Matus Winery: 

Friday: Relax and enjoy Rotuno's BBQ dinner at 5:30 followed by entertainment with Scott Stiert at 8pm. 

Saturday: Entertainment by The Killer Kings beginning at 8pm

Vermilion Valley Vineyards:

Friday: Enjoy wine and food with entertainment by Dann and Lilly

Saturday: Enjoy wine and food with entertainment by Ally & Co- folk, rock and country music. 

Paper Moon Vineyards:

Saturday: Paper Moon Octoberfest! German food and entertainment. Bratwurst, smoked sausage with sauerkraut, cabbage and noodles, German potato salad, red beets and strudel. Dinner from 5–8pm and live music by Bob Lawitske. Check the link for more details.

Multi-Sport

Kayaking from Lakeview Beach in Lorain, OH 

The temps are supposed to be in the 80s with sunny weather around BRaB. Still time to kayak the Vermilion-Lorain water trail. If you don't want to bring your own kayak you can rent at either West River Kayak (Vermilion River) or Great Lakes Kayaking on the Black River. 

If you also enjoy mountain biking, the Thorn Trail at Findley State Park is now in great shape! The rains have passed, the trail has dried so come on out and ride! The North Coast Mountain Bikers even blow the leaves off the trail to help you find your way!

These are only a few suggestions for a great October cycling weekend! Check out www.visitloraincounty.com for more planning tools, calendar of events, dining options and more. You can also call 800.334.1673 for personalized assistance to help you develop a customized itinerary. See you on the route! 

Pedal into Fall

We're pedaling into fall, not just out of summer. There are plenty of activities & outdoor fun to be enjoyed on the BRaB in any season! Autumn happens to be one of the most beautiful on the route.

Let’s ride into the weekend BRaB style! This weekend we'll visit some old favorites, see some new sites and make some new friends in and around the Oberlin area.
 

Matus Winery


  

Our glasses are always half full at Matus Winery and Vermilion Valley Vineyards. Both wineries, situated on different legs of Gore Orphanage Road, have fantastic wine offerings with their own unique services.

Matus has live entertainment beginning at 8pm Friday and Saturday nights and Janice's Cafe Stuffed Pork Chops served for dinner at 5:30pm on Friday, Sept. 30. A different restaurant's entree featured each Friday.



Vermilion Valley Vineyards 



Vermilion Valley also has live entertainment this Friday and Saturday beginning at 7pm. Their dinner menu is offered from 5-10pm. I recommend their homemade hummus served with the Trio Spread!

 

    

Riverdog Retreat

A must visit along the BRaB is Riverdog Retreat. It is truly that – a retreat. Discover its artful landscaping this Saturday and Sunday at their Open House. Explore the Retreat at your leisure and enjoy a complementary wine tasting featuring wines from the Vermilion Valley and elsewhere presented by Peter Badal, wine consultant at Heinen's. The property is also the home of Riverdog Studio/Gallery and is owned by artists Deborah Banyas and T.P. Speer who are also your hosts for Riverdog Retreat.

The leaves may be turning amber, but you can stay green on the Oberlin Green Energy Ohio Guided Tour. The tour begins this Saturday at 10am and showcases innovative uses of solar, energy efficiency, and other green energy technologies.

 Oberlin Green Energy Tour Sites:   

                                                

Burgess Residence, 47810 US Highway 20, 10-10:45am          

Oberlin Fire Department, 430 S. Main St., 11-11:55am

Oberlin Municipal Light & Power System, 289 S. Professor St.,
12-12:55pm

Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies, 122 Elm St., 1-1:55pm

Frantz Residence, 53 King St., 2-2:55pm

Trail Magic, 493 E College St, 3-4pm

 

Cowhaus Creamery - photo courtesy of Main Street Oberlin



New, on East College Street in Oberlin, we welcome Cowhaus Creamery to the BRaB! Stop by this weekend and welcome them to the route. Ice creams in the 'haus this weekend: Red Cedar Coffee which is an organic fair trade Columbian - specifically roasted for Cowhaus.

“Our ice creams are, pure and clean. We only use cream and milk from happy pasture-grazed cows and when available, we use 100% organic cream. Our ice creams are fresh. From the pasture, to our creamery in Elyria, to our dipping cabinets in Oberlin... and finally to your cone usually takes about 4 days. To keep it in perspective, most of the ice cream in grocery stores can be anywhere from at least 6 months to a year old.” – Cowhaus Creamery Facebook

Weltzheimer/Johnson House

Don’t miss the Frank Lloyd Tours on Sunday at the The Weltzheimer/Johnson House on Morgan Street, the First Usonian Home in Ohio. Hours are 12pm until 5pm. Guided tours begin on the hour until 4pm.

  

Hope this helped get your wheels spinning for the weekend ahead!

For more to see and do be sure to check the website for complete listings.