Another beautiful day paddling on the Black River

With blue skies, abundant sunshine and the Lorain International Festival along Lake Erie today, I thought it would be a great day to rent kayaks and take my ten-year old daughter kayaking on the Black River from Lorain, OH. Here are a few scenes from the (rented from Great Lakes Kayaking) kayak.

Note to cyclists who were diverted over the Henderson Bridge last year: YES this is the Berry Bridge and YES it is OPEN! Cyclists riding along SR6 portion of the Back Roads and Beaches Route.

I just can’t take enough pictures of these herons although to really take a good picture of these elusive and camera-shy birds, you have to have a really good lens, good camera and a lot of photography skills. Click here for a better example of a great blue heron on the Black River. There are so many birds on the Black River that I never see anywhere else, and they always thrill me when I see them.

The Pride of Lorain taking passengers on a Black River Nature Tour.

Paddling south toward Henderson Bridge.

There are ALWAYS people fishing for smallmouth bass along the Black River.

Findley State Park mountain biking time trials

Every Tuesday, July 7 through August 17 mountain bikers can come out to the Thorn Trail between 5:30–7:30pm at Findley State Park for "time trails." For $5 riders can see how they stack up against some of the fastest racers in Ohio or just against their riding buddies. $5 covers two individual laps. Classes will include expert, sport, beginner and women. Records will be kept throughout the weeks. Prizes will be awarded to class winners based on best four times out of possible seven. Helmets are required. For more information, call Nab at 216.214.5445.

Directions to Findley State Park can be found here. Photos of the trail can be found here and map of the trail here.

Update on current Thorn Trail Conditions: June 25, 2009
Back portion still wet. Use short loop to avoid the back if you don't like mud.

Oberlin Bike Co-op

The Oberlin Bike Co-op is a cooperatively owned bicycle repair, rental, and education center located in Oberlin, OH. Students and community members volunteer their time and bicycle expertise to ensure that Oberlin maintains its reputation as one of the most bike-friendly communities around. The Co-op is situated in the back of the college's Keep Cottage on Main St. just across from the Oberlin Middle School.


The real value of the Co-op is the service it provides to its own community. When students leave Oberlin for the summer, a large number of bikes are inevitably left behind all over campus. Instead of throwing them out, or sending them off to be melted down and recycled, the Co-op effectively "reCycles" the bikes back into the community by renting refurbished bikes and helping others build their own with used parts.

The Co-op is staffed by knowledgable individuals ready to answer your questions or just talk shop, but the Co-op is so much more than a repair center. Those interested can join the Co-op, learn about bike maintenance, give back to the community, and build their very own bike! No experience necessary.

The Co-op is not-for-profit. Its only goals are to get as many bikes out into the community as possible, and to help educate the community about the personal rewards of biking and bike maintenence.

As a reader of the Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport route blog probably knows, bikes are an awesome tool for teaching self-sufficiency, sustainability, and personal empowerment to kids. Anyone at all familiar with the Co-op knows that it's really just as much about community outreach as it is about bikes. Aside from the regular repair and education services, the co-op is featuring some special events this summer:

Ride on out to Tappan Square after sundown (10 PM) for Saturday's Bike-In-Movie. Kid-friendly movies are projected on a big screen every week. Last Week: Empire Records.

Sign the kids up for the Co-op's week-long Bikes & Kids Camp. Learn about biking and bike maintenance and, of course, have a ton of fun doing it. Camp will be the last week in July (27th-31st). Be sure to call soon and let them know you're interested.

For more information on these events, call the Co-op at (440) 775-5351.

Check out this video tour:
Summer Hours
1 PM to 4 PM, Sun thru Fri
5 PM to 8 PM, Mon thru Thurs
7 PM to 10 PM, Sun
So remember, if you're out on the Back Roads and Beaches route and you pop a tire, need a quick brake adjustment, or just feel like talking bikes with some friendly, like-minded folks, stop on by. And if you happen to be an avid cyclist with some spare parts lying around, put them to great use by donating to the Co-op (if they aren't open, just leave them in the concrete pit).
Location: Behind Keep Cottage (large brick house across from Oberlin Middle School), 154 Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074 Mailing Address: Wilder Hall Box 25, 135 W. Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074 bikecoop@oberlin.edu

Thorn Mountain Bike Trail Conditions

The Thorn Trail didn't get as much rain as predicted so it's good to go, according to Nab. There is now a shorter loop so riders have a 6.5 mile option. It bypasses the back section and is also a great alternative when the back is muddy. Currently the back IS muddy in some spots but rideable for most.

Watch for the new banner that greets you in the parking lot!

Juneteenth Festival, June 12-13

On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown and his eighteen men stormed Harpers Ferry in a heroic attempt to instigate armed slave revolt throughout the region. Brown and his men occupied the arsenal for a day and a half before the arrival of federal troops under the command of Robert E. Lee. The ensuing battle left eleven dead, including Oberlin resident Lewis Sheridan Leary. Among those captured were John A. Copeland and Shields Green, also Oberlin residents. Copeland and Green, like John Brown himself, were convicted and executed for treason two months later. While the raid may have failed to spur widespread slave revolt, the sacrifices of Brown and his men did succeed in setting a lofty and valorous example for the abolitionist movement, while also prodding the nation that much closer to confrontation over the issue of slavery.

Looking for an exciting stop along the Back Roads and Beaches route? Come to Tappan Square in Oberlin for the annual Juneteenth celebration to help commemorate the sacrifices of John Brown and the three Oberlin men who fought beside him during the historic 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

Lewis Sheridan Leary

Learn more about Harper’s Ferry, as well as the life of Abraham Lincoln and Oberlin’s important role in the abolitionist cause through presentations and guided tours around town. Peruse the various vendors and exhibitions and enjoy music, children’s activities, contests, and historical reenactments in beautiful Tappan Square.



All events are free and open to the public. A schedule of events and more information can be found at www.juneteenthoberlin.com.


And while in Oberlin, enjoy one of Agave’s huge burritos, a delicious meal at Black River Café (vegetarian and vegan options available), or stock up on your fresh foods at the Oberlin Farmer’s Market (June 12th). Check out the latest FAVA exhibit, “facets: 14 Artists Working in Glass” at the New Union Center for the Arts, or take the kids to Splash Zone for a refreshing and relaxing dip in the pool.

When you’re ready to jump back on the bike, head out of Oberlin along the Back Roads and Beaches route to view hot air balloons at the Wellington BalloonFest (June 13th) or browse Wellington’s Village Wide Sidewalk & Yard Sales (June 12th-13th). Swap the bike for some hiking boots and hit the trails in Findley State Park. Enjoy a well-earned respite at one of the multiple wineries along the route, or simply spend some time on the gorgeous beaches of Lake Erie.