It turned out to be a great day for the Inland Trail Marathon and the Red Flannel. The sun came out late morning and hung around all day! You can find lots of photos from both events at the Back Roads and Beaches Facebook page.

Update on the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail

An update from Nab just in time for the weekend—The Thorn Trail is wet with leaves but ride-able and fun. Nab will be out there this weekend with his leaf blower to clear the entire 9+ mile trail. (note from blog editors: we think his arms might get sore so lend ’im a hand if you've got the time)

2009 Red Flannel Ride set for November 1

For many, the Lorain Wheelmen’s annual Red Flannel ride marks the end of the riding season—or just the beginning of the fall/winter cycling season. Set for November 1st, the ride typically brings out hundreds of cyclists to enjoy a scenic fall ride. The start-finish and registration is in Oberlin. Distances are 67 miles and 33 miles. Riders can depart beginning at 9am. There will be food served at stops along the way. Click here for more details and registration information.

Upcoming weekend full of cycling, arts, farmers markets and autumn delights

Activity around the Back Roads and Beaches route this weekend will be sure to please cyclists and tourists interested in arts, locally grown foods, architecture, performance, and entertainment for just about anyone. Fall colors are appearing in all their glory to form a gorgeous backdrop for a weekend of cycling, entertainment, great food and wine. There is a lot going on so make your plans now to stay for the weekend to catch it all! Here are a list of activities moving south to north around the route and assuming you’ll be starting your tour at Findley State Park in Wellington:

Findley State Park Fall Campout: Celebrate fall and create some great family memories. The park will have a craft show, games, trick or treating, hayrides and much more. Regular camping fees apply. Call 440-647-5749 for more information. Don’t forget your mountain bike to catch the Thorn Trail at Findley. It’s 10 miles of awesome single-track!

Thorn Trail in Autumn

When you pedal your way north on Back Roads and Beaches, make sure to stop at the Wellington Reservation and rent a paddle boat for free. This facility has spectacular fall color and the cleanest restrooms around!

Wellington Reservation in early autumn

Heading north toward Oberlin-take the new BRaB Oberlin spur route and you just might end up spending an entire day exploring here! But before you head into town, check out the Breuer Pottery Open House. The event is both Saturday and Sunday from noon–5pm. Enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres and desserts in this rustic, artsy setting located immediately to the left of the bike path leading into Oberlin. Once you leave Breuer Potter, follow the BRaB signs until you see the new BRaB spur route signs and follow those into town. Once you turn onto Morgan St., don't miss the Weltzheimer Johnson House on the left. You can tour this Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian house from 12–5pm this Sunday, October 4)

Other activities in Oberlin this weekend include:


The FAVA Gallery presents Claudia Berlinski & Sherry Bradshaw Searching for the Underground Sea, a collection of works on paper, in conjunction with Sherry Bradshaw’s Digging Beneath the Surface, an installation piece. The gallery is open this weekend, Saturday from 11am–5pm and Sunday 1–5pm.


Saturday, October 3 is also Oberlin Community Day and a great opportunity to explore the many organizations and businesses that make Oberlin such a special place. The historic Apollo Theater will be reopening after an exciting phase I renovation. The opening will be celebrated with a free showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at 10am on Saturday. Other Community Day activities include:

• 11:45am: Don Pease Bike Path dedication with music by the Oberlin High School Band. The bike path will be dedicated in honor of Congressman Don Pease at the Oberlin Depot, where the bike path meets Main St. (SR 58)

• 1–3pm: Explore Oberlin Bike Tour, win prizes for visiting Oberlin lites! Register at the flagpole at the corner of Tappan Square

• 1:30pm: OCircus Performance, Tappan Square

• 2–3pm: Free ice cream on Tappan Square

• 3–3:15pm: Bike tour prize drawing for tourists who visit a majority of sites and organizations.

• The Oberlin Heritage Center will also be offering a day of free family-friendly events such as guided tours, historic games and school house events.

Moving along through BRaB, outside of Oberlin... Matus Winery will be celebrating Octoberfest with a gourmet German meal on Saturday evening beginning at 5:30pm. Live entertainment will begin at 8pm. Or you can just stop out anything throughout the afternoon. Matus Winery loves cyclists!

Paper Moon Winery will be featuring a Jazz Quintet on Saturday from 4–7pm.

There are several great wineries all throughout the Back Roads and Beaches Route. All are quite bike-friendly. Click here for a full list.

Between Oberlin and Vermilion, just off the BRaB route, you’ll find a delightful, whimsical gallery open-house at Riverdog Gallery on Gore Orphanage Road. They are hosting their open house in tandem with Breuer Potter this Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Riverdog Gallery

Moving north toward Vermilion, you will notice Miller's Apple Hill is in full "pick your own apples" mode. This is a great time to pull over and experience fresh, just picked produce and cider, get a wagon ride and pick up some trail mix.

There are plenty of orchards and farmer’s markets along the route to stop and pick up some “natural energy”


These are only a few special events along the route this weekend. Make sure to check the website for lodging, dining and bike services along the route. See you out there!

2009 Vermilion Harbour Triathlon recap

It was a hot but otherwise beautiful day for the 2nd Vermilion Harbour Triathlon today. About 500 people showed up to compete in Sprint Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike. Overall winner for the Olympic Tri was Ross Hartley with a time of 2:02:25. Overall female was Andrea Myers with a time of 2:23:57. Complete results can be found at the HFP Website here. Adam Kuncel, wearing the Back Roads and Beaches logo, came in 12th overall with the impressive time of 2:19:30. Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in today’s race, including the 1st place Olympic distance team Back Roads and Beaches that consisted of Eileen Bringman (swim time 24:10), Don Haradem (bike time 1:11:25) and Graham Wellman (run time 39:40). Thanks also to Jim Galloway who represented BRaB and placed first in the 50–54 category.

Below are some scenes from today’s race. For more photos click here to Visit Lorain County’s Photostream

From left: Jim Galloway (placed first in the 50–54 category Olympic distance tri), Team BRaB: Don Haradem (bike), Eileen Bringman (swim), Graham Wellman (run)-first place Olympic team.

Findley State Triathlon recap

Scenes from today’s Findley State Park Triathlon, hosted by NCN racing. 1st overall was J. Hayes Calvert, 2nd, Jason Zangmeister. Click here for NCN’s race results, times and details.

Visit Lorain County Marketing and Communications Manager, Lynne Lisner and Findley State Park Director Brian Andrews were on hand to volunteer and assist NCN.

Triathlon News

Congratulations to Adam Kuncel who placed 2nd in 25–29 category at the Cleveland Triathlon. Adam’s overall time was 2:15. Left, Adam transitions from swim to bike; below, Adam receives his award. This Saturday, BRaB will be getting photos at the Findley Triathlon. Good luck to all racers! (photos courtesy of Adam Kuncel)

This week’s events around Back Roads and Beaches

Mountain bikers: Join the Tuesday evening time trials at Findley State Park sponsored by the North Coast Mountain Bikers. Time trials are from 5:30-7:30pm beginning at Findley's beach. All levels and ages of riders welcome! Directions to Findley State Park can be found here. Photos of the trail can be found here and map of the trail here.

Triathletes: This Saturday, August 8 is the 4th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon. Click here to pre-register. Here are some photos from last year's sprint triathlon at Findley.

Touring cyclists: There are many, many great events going on around the route this weekend including farmer's markets, winery events and more. On Saturday, Matus Winery will be having their first Corn Roast/Backyard Games with Corn Hole Tournament. Click here for more info and directions. Also on Saturday, Paper Moon Vineyards will be having live music from 4-7pm. Both wineries are just off the BRaB route and welcome cyclists.

Outdoor enthusiasts: The Lorain County Metro Parks has a large events calendar with many hiking, biking and kayaking events for all ages and levels. This Friday, "Bike for your health" at 9pm. Leave from the Splash Zone in Oberlin and ride the bike trail at night along with a Lorain County Metro Parks ranger from the bike patrol unit. For more events check out their webpage listings.

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!

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.

Triathlon and competitive events calendar

Here is a partial list of triathlons and other events that will take place in Lorain County, north central Ohio this summer. We’ll be out and about at some of these events to get some photos so check back for updates on events and results.

Sunday, June 21
6th Annual Park 2 Park Half Marathon & 5K
Location: French Creek Reservation, Sheffield, OH
Time: 7:00 A.M.
Half Marathon 13.1 miles or 5K Pre-Register Here

Sunday, June 28
4th Annual Columbia Station Half Marathon Run & Inline Skate
Location: Copopa Elementary School
14168 W. River Rd., Columbia Station, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: 13.1 Miles (for both races) Pre-Register Here

Sunday, July 12
23rd Annual Summer Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon
Location: Lakeview Park, Lorain, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: Triathlon 1/4-Mile Swim, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Run
Duathlon - 5K Run, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Run Pre-Register Here

Saturday, August 8
4th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon
Location: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.- 1/4-Mile Swim, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Trail Run
Duathlon - 5K Trail Run, 14-Mile Bike, 5K Trail Run Pre-Register Here

Vermilion Harbour Triathlon, Sunday, August 16

Sunday, August 23 7th Annual Lorain Sprint / International Triathlon
Location: Lakeview Park, Lorain, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: Sprint - 1/4-Mile Swim, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Run
International - 1.5K Swim, 22.8-Mile Bike, 10K Run Pre-Register Here

Saturday, September 19 2nd Annual Lorain County AIDS Task Force 10K Run/5K Walk
Location: Lorain County Community College
1005 Abbe Road North, Elyria, OH
10K Start Time: 9:00 A.M., 5K Start Time: 10:00 A.M.
Distance: 10K Run or 5K Walk Pre-Register Here

Sunday, October 4 2nd Annual Step Forward 5-Mile or 10-Mile Run or 5K Run/Walk
Location: Bur Oak Park, 1350 Ford Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035
Time: 9:00 A.M.
Distance: 5-Mile or 10-Mile Run or 5K Run/Walk Pre-Register Here

Sunday, November 1 6th Annual Inland Trail Marathon / Half Marathon & 5K
Location: Murray Ridge School, Elyria, OH
Distance: Marathon - 26.2 Miles Half Marathon - 13.1 Miles
Pre-Register Here