Spin Through Underground Railroad History with Adventure Cycling Association

The cycling-friendly city of Oberlin has the pleasure of hosting Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, the largest membership cycling organization in North America, for a media event on Saturday, February 25th, 11–12:30 at Swerve Bike Shop (23 S. Main St., Oberlin). Jim will be in Oberlin to promote the organizations new cycling route, the Underground Railroad Detroit Alternate. Cycling enthusiasts are encouraged to attend this free event. Interested cyclists and supporters can RSVP by emailing info@adventurecycling.org.

(the following info provided by our friends at Adventure Cycling Association)

The new 518-mile Detroit Alternate will guide touring cyclists through important communities and landmarks in the Underground Railroad’s history from Oberlin, Ohio, to Owen Sound, Ontario. The original route — a 2,000-mile route between Mobile, Alabama, and Owen Sound — was developed under a partnership between Adventure Cycling and the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh.

Some Lorain County points of interest highlighted in the route:

• Back Roads and Beaches Multisport Route: 100-plus miles of low-traffic, scenic cycling routes through the heart of Underground Railroad history. The route includes options for riders of all levels and ages and BRAB provides information on bike rentals dining, parking, sample itineraries and local history and culture to make the trip enjoyable. Included are the Westwood Cemetery on Morgan St — a NPS Network to Freedom member — and Martin Luther King Jr. Park, where monuments stand to the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue and the Oberlin residents who participated in John Brown's raid

• Oberlin Heritage Center -- Showcases the abolitionist and Underground Railroad history of the community. Guided and self-guided walking and biking tours available. Includes tours of the Monroe House, Jewett House and Little Red Schoolhouse which tell the story of this community from 1833-1930.

• Downtown Oberlin -- A historic district full of beautifully-preserved homes and businesses, many with direct links to the Underground Railroad.

• First Church in Oberlin -- Built in 1842, this church served as the meeting place for the Oberlin Anit-Slavery Society and was the site of the memorial service for John Copeland and Sheilds Green who were hanged for their pariticpatio in John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. Call 440-721-9790 for tour.

• Oberlin College was the first college in the United States to regularly admit African American students (1835) and is also the oldest continuously operating coeducational institution. Learn the history of this college dedicated to equality in education based upon Christian values.

Who is ready to take a spin through history with Adventure Cycling on the UGRR Detroit Alternate?

Be sure to come to Swerve Bike Shop on Feb 25th to support cycling and the history of the Underground Railroad!

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.

Lorain County Heritage wins national Adventure Cycling award for Back Roads and Beaches

The Adventure Cycling Association has awarded its 2008 Pacesetter Award to Lorain County Heritage. The award recognizes that, in forming Back Roads and Beaches, Lorain County Heritage has placed cycling at the forefront of the mission, and works aggressively to expand the message that cycling is important to the health, environment, and tourism of the state of Ohio.

According to the Adventure Cycling website, this national award recognizes individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations which have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, dedication, and service to the advancement of Adventure Cycling’s mission of inspiring others to travel by bicycle.

The Award is named in honor of Charlie Pace from Columbus, Ohio, who has devoted over 40 years to creating and supporting bicycle travel opportunities. He was a key promoter and supporter for both the Tour of Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) and Adventure Cycling Association. He has devoted his life to creating opportunities for people to get on their bikes and have fun.

Adventure Cycling is a 44,500 member nonprofit organizations whose mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fitness, fun and self-discovery. Adventure Cycling Route Network has one of the largest route networks in the world with more than 38,158 miles. The organization’s headquarters is in Missoula, Montana. Two Adventure Cycling Routes travel through Lorain County. The Underground Railroad Route and the Northern Tier.

Lorain County Heritage is the nonprofit arm of the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.

Pedaling through the past — bright futures ahead

Bronx Lab students pose in front of Passage to Freedom kiosk in Oberlin

Yesterday, seven Bronx Lab students and their guides arrived in Oberlin as part of their 250-mile “Health and History” cycling journey through Ohio’s Underground Railroad. The goal was to provide students the opportunity to experience the joy and beauty of bicycling along with a glimpse into Underground Railroad history. The students were provided bikes by the Jamis Bike Company and rode Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad route. The trip is a project conceived by trip leader, Sarah Eustis of the Bronx Lab School. Oberlin marked the end of the students’ journey. The students have been training since March, exercising and eating healthy to prepare for the effort. Congratulations to all! Click here for photos and journals of their trip.

Trip leader Sarah Eustis trains with her students in the Bronx to prepare for their cycling journey. Bronx Lab photo

This evening on BRaB-Underground Railroad Ties

Riding the BRaB route this evening near Oberlin, we found the setting sun was casting a warm glow on this old barn.

Turns out, after talking to the current owner, it is so much more than just an old barn. It happens to be the former farmstead of Hiram Pease, who, according to Oberlin College’s website was the brother of Peter Pindar Pease. Hiram was a colorful and interesting historical Oberlin figure who owned a carraige shop in Oberlin.


Hiram and Lydia Pease paintings: Oberlin College


But what will be of special interest—especially to cyclists following Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad Tour who will pass by this property—is that the property was eventually sold to the Copeland family whose father was a freed slave that came to Oberlin because of its anti-slavery resolve and whose son, John Copeland Jr. was hanged for his participation in the raid on Harper’s Ferry.

From Lorain County Visitors Bureau Trail to Freedom brochure

Click here for a fascinating look into the history of this property and it’s ties to some of Oberlin’s most notable Underground Railroad figures. The property is located just beyond the corner of W. Hamilton and Pyle Road right outside Oberlin. It is privately owned.

Summer Fun!

Lakeview Beach photo by Holly Miller-McGuire

The weather is really heating up in North Central Ohio. Cyclists are out on the BRaB route and we’re starting to see many groups coming through to explore the Underground Railroad, the arts and local culture while enjoying the scenic cycling route. Here are a few great upcoming events along the route this week:

Saturday, June 7: Lakeview Park, Lorain, 12–4pm. Food, games, crafts and a steel drum band concert. 440.458.5121 www.loraincountymetroparks.com

Saturday, June 7: Oberlin’s Farmers Market, located next to City Hall, Oberlin, 9am–1pm. Locally grown and prepared foods. 440-775-2423 | www.oberlin.org

See below for more ongoing events, exhibits and gallery events.

Back Roads and Beaches welcomes Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Riders

Six cyclists from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad route will be rolling into Oberlin for the weekend to experience Oberlin's rich Underground Railroad history. While here, they'll check out the BRaB route and hopefully get to meet some of our local cyclists. They are making their way to Canada. If you see them out on the route, make sure you give them a big welcome!