Bicycle-friendly Oberlin all set for big weekend of cyclists

This coming weekend, Oberlin will be abuzz with activity including touring cyclists, groups, events and travel writers, not to mention the Oberlin Family Fun Fair will be going on at the same time. We often laud Oberlin for being such a bicycle friendly city. Here are a few scenes so you can see the spirit touring cyclists will encounter upon pedaling into this funky, eclectic college town. And don't forget, Saturday night bike-in movies on Tappan Square! This Sat. features Pee Wee's Big Adventure at dark!

Oberlin parks worker, Mike Ives installs new Back Roads and Beaches signage. The signs are designed to assist touring cyclists to get into Oberlin from the Back Roads and Beaches Route as well as from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Route, passing significant Underground Railroad places of interest such as Westwood Cemetery and the Underground Railroad sculpture. The spur route will also take cyclists by the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian House (Weltzheimer Johnson House), the Oberlin Heritage Center and into the center of town for dining, shopping, art galleries and performances. Download a printable Underground Railroad guide here.

Underground Railroad cyclists should also check out this blog entry about a local farm you will pass riding into town. Important note: cyclists that ride into town on SR 58 instead of following the Back Roads and Beaches into town will miss out on much of the most significant Underground Railroad history AND the most scenic, lightly traveled roads. You won't find avid local cyclists riding SR 58.

A few more Oberlin scenes:


Oberlin has several eateries that feature delicious local, organic, vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Of course, you won't have trouble finding a great burger and beer here either!


Yes, these are some of the many bike racks you'll find around Oberlin, courtesy of the City of Oberlin.


Is this "sculpture" the work of the Oberlin Bike Coop?


Where else can you get a salad, berries, candy and some hemp shoes all in one spot? Gibsons of course!


Cyclists following the Back Roads and Beaches spur signs will pedal by the Westwood Cemetery where there are gravesites of many former slaves, abolitionists and civil rights activists. This is also the spot for the Underground Railroad Monument dedicated to all the fugitive slaves who passed through Oberlin on their journey to freedom.

There are many other events and performances going on in Oberlin and around Back Roads and Beaches this weekend. Check out Main Street Oberlin's blog or the Visit Lorain County Calendar of Events for details.

Huntington Triathlon pics

Here are a few shots from the Huntington Triathlon yesterday. It was a well-organized event with great turnout and weather.

Women’s swim start.

There’s our logo on Jim’s shoulder - thanks Jim!


We spotted Lorain County triathlete Stori Miller rounding the bend to the finish. Congratulations Stori!

Scenes from last night’s MTB time trials at Findley State Park

Riders were having a blast last night at the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail time trials, hosted by the North Coast Mountain Bikers. What a cool group of people—all ages and skill levels just hanging out, eating brats and riding with perfect conditions! Join them again next Tuesday evening at 5:30pm.

Linda Miranda rides the course.
Linda had best time-women’s for the second week in a row.

Don Haradem is too fast to get a clear photo.

Don Haradem and Linda Miranda posted the best times and received Back Roads and Beaches gear for their efforts.

Another Tuesday, another time trial at the Thorn MTB trail

Come on out for the Thorn Mountain Bike trail, North Coast Mountain Bikers weekly time trials, Tuesday, July 20, 5:30–7:30pm. According to Nab, last week Chip Meek beat his record of 38.41 and Linda Miranda had the fastest time for women at 53.05. We hear all levels of riders, men, women and families are showing up and it’s no wonder. The Thorn trail keeps getting better and bigger each year. It’s a blast! We’ll be out there as well to get some photos to post up on our Facebook page and here on the blog.

Thanks to the riders who came out on last night’s group ride. It turned out to be a fast group of both roadies and triathletes. All agreed it was a great ride and want to ride regularly. Get your heart rate going and join them again next Thursday, July 23rd at 6pm. All are welcome—no pressure to hammer with these guys above. Ride meets at the Oberlin Recreation complex parking lot on Hamilton St., next to Splash Zone. (In front of the soccer fields). Click here for directions. The great part is, once you’re done with a great ride, you can grab a great burger (or vegan burger!) and beer afterward at the Feve.

Congratulations to rider Don Haradem, first rider to arrive and receive an awesome Back Roads and Beaches messenger bag. You never know what we might be giving away! For more information about the ride, call 440.984.5282.

Lodging for the 2009 Vermilion Harbor Triathlon

We hear from the Oberlin Inn that they will be offering a special rate to participants of the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon. From the Oberlin Inn:

“The Oberlin Inn is pleased to offer an $89 rate good for participants and guests of Vermilion Harbor Triathletes good for the nights of August 14, 15 and 16.

Guests will stay in beautiful Oberlin located on the Back Roads and Beaches bike route. While staying, check out a variety of green, organic, local and vegetarian eateries; Oberlin College campus, local Underground Railroad History, art galleries and museums. Work out and swim at the Splash Zone Recreation Complex and pool for a nominal fee.”

Call 440-775-1111 for reservations and mention the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon special rate.

Group training ride on BRaB

Come on out to get in some fast miles with triathlete Adam Kuncel on the Back Roads and Beaches route, this Thursday beginning at 6pm from the Oberlin Recreation Complex on Hamilton St. (right next to Splash Zone). This is a new group ride and will take in much of the course that will be used for the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon. Free! And, we will have giveaways for riders! All rider levels welcome.

Scenes from the Lakeview Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon

It was another gorgeous day in north central Ohio and perfect weather for the annual Lorain Sprint Tri/Duo. Here are a few scenes from today’s race at beautiful Lakeview Park and Beach in Lorain. First place overall men’s: Mark Durno with a time of 1:05:16, women’s Joanne Collins with a time of 1:14:56. Click here for complete final results.

Swim

Men’s swim start

Women’s swim start


Bike


Run

Brooks Butler, 2nd place overall finisher approaches the finish line.

Joanne Collins, women’s overall winner

Kimberly Vick and Jessica Steuk tackle the final hill and close in on the finish.

And a great massage to round out the day! Congratulations to all the dedicated athletes who made it out and completed an outstanding feat before most people are out of bed on a Sunday morning!

Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail Now Open!

The much anticipated, 27-mile waterway was finally dedicated on July 1st. The Water Trail, if you hadn’t heard already, extends from Vermilion downstream to Lake Erie, along the shoreline, and up the Black River to Elyria. These waters have always been open to public access for kayaks and canoes, but an official state Water Trail designation means signage, boat ramps, increased parking, maps, points of interest, the ever-important hazard warnings, and launch docks.

For fans of adventure sports in Lorain County, this is great news. Never before have the county’s waterways been so easy to utilize. And because the different segments of the Water-Trail are so diversified (it’s the only state designated water trail to combine rivers and open water) the fun is open to all different ages and experience levels. And it’s the perfect complement for the Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route. With little planning or effort, that day-long bike trip you’ve been planning can turn into weekend-long multi-sport adventure.

At the trail’s dedication, state and local officials talked about the unique value of a designated water route in a county like Lorain. Sean Logan, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, calls the Water Trail a gateway between the civilized and natural realms, a place where individuals can enjoy all the beauty and excitement that nature has to offer in a safe and fun environment. Chief Pat Dillon of the State’s Division of Watercraft, reported that Lorain’s on the cutting edge of a statewide movement—kayak and canoe use in Ohio’s lakes and rivers has increased by 34% since 2003, and kayaks and canoes represent 20% of all registered watercraft.

Chief Pat Dillon, State Division of Watercraft

But all this aside, what’s the best thing about the Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail?
It’s still free. Only now, with the added help of the Metro Parks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, enjoying the waterways and surrounding wildlife of Lorain County has never been easier.

For interested beginners, the Metro Parks are currently offering kayaking classes at Splash Zone in Oberlin.

Kayak rental is available on the Black River through Great Lakes Kayaking, and plans are pending for a similar service on the Vermilion River.