Sandy is Gone-Sun Returns for Weekend Events

Just in time for the weekend....we are all set for the sun to resurface and stick around awhile! Now that Sandy has rumbled out of here, it looks like a great weather weekend is in store.

Which is great news for everyone planning to ride the Red Flannel or run the North Coast Inland Trail Marathon. Two annual events that bring hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts each year. The Red Flannel offers a 37-mile and 67-mile option for riders and is hosted each year by the Lorain Wheelmen Bicycle Club. The ride will begin and end at the Oberlin Community Services Center beginning at 9am. Registration is $20 and includes snack stops, maps and sag service. The ride has become a statewide favorite. Some riders look at it as their last ride of the year while others view it as the start of a new season and a good way to get their cold-weather gear out. Any way you look at it, it’s a blast!

The 7th Annual Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon and 5k is a USAT-certified Boston qualifier. The race benefits the Murray Ridge Center. 43 degrees and sunny looks like some pretty good running weather!

If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, there are plenty of events, exhibits, performances and winery activities going on. Not to mention dozens of great restaurants offering up plenty of delicious fuel for your adventure! Click here to plan the rest of your weekend and optimize all the great weather in store. If you are in need of some warm gear when you get here, Swerve Bike Shop and Molnar Outdoor are both close to the starting line of both events.

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!

Sure signs of spring!

All the rain we’ve had lately has really served to green things up. Spring is here and our weather is steadily getting warmer. This will kick-start a healthy and active season:

Run

Saturday, April 23, 2011: Oberlin Earth Day 5k Run. Celebrating the 38th year! Run start is 10am at the Memorial Arch, Professor St (on Tappan Square). First 100 registrants get a free tshirt. For information, contact the City of Oberlin Recreation Department at 440.775.7254 or email recreation@cityofoberlin.com

Bike
The Lorain Wheelmen have a full calendar of rides scheduled. For more information and to join the club, click here.
 
Eat

Friday, April 29, 2011: Optimal Health on Raw Foods. Dr. John Felder from Australia to speak. Light snacks will be provided.  6:30pm at the Wayside Wellness at Our Lady of the Wayside, 38135 Colorado Ave., Avon, OH. For more information, contact John MacDonald at 440.458.5551


Sunday, May 1, 2011: The Path to Raw Food. 2–4pm. Guest speaker Joseph Maiville will talk about his health walk at the Raw Living Foods Potluck. Oberlin Public Library Community Room, 65 S. Main St., Oberlin. Bring plant-based raw living foods. Bring your own plates, cups, eating utensils, and serving utensil. Don't forget to stop by Yesterdays Ice Cream Shop for your raw, vegan desserts and snacks while you’re in town. 

Red Flannel Bike Ride set for Sunday, November 7, 2010

The 35th annual Red Flannel Metric Century (67 mi) and half-metric (33 mi) will depart this Sunday from the Oberlin Community Service Center (map) at 9am. The ride is presented by the Lorain Wheelmen. For many, this ride is the traditional end-of-season ride before cleaning up and storing the bike for the winter. For others, it's only the beginning of the fall/winter riding season.

The ride usually brings out hundreds of riders of all levels to ride the scenic course and enjoy the great homemade foods. Cost is $20 and can be paid at the start of the ride. The first 350 riders get a commemorative bottle. You'll find hearty food along the way like black bean soup and chili. Sag wagon and repair service will be available for the ride. Click here for a list of local accommodations. Make a weekend out of it and attend a local performance or art gallery. There will be plenty going on. And don’t forget all the great local cuisine that’s available to hungry participants after the ride! Check out the ride website for more info. The Lorain Wheelmen are a great group of people and are contributors to the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route!

Upcoming Multi-Sport events in north central Ohio

Red Flannel Bike Ride

Bike Rides 
August 1
Roast Your Buns
Hosted by the Lorain Wheelmen
Beginning in Oberlin
30 and 70 mile routes through scenic landscape

November 7
Red Flannel
Hosted by the Lorain Wheelmen
Traditional end-of-the-season ride. 33 mile and 67 mile rides beginning and ending in Oberlin

Vermilion Harbor Triathlon

Triathlons/Duathlons
Saturday, August 7 8am
Findley Lake Triathlon
Findley State Park, Wellington, OH

Saturday, August 14 8am
Girls Tri Too
Women only triathlon- 250 yard swim, 7 mile bike, 2 mile run
Great for the first timer or those wanting a non competitive environment.

Sunday, August 15 8am
Vermilion Harbour Triathlon and Duathlon
Downtown Vermilion

Sunday, August 22 8am
Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon/Duathlon
Lakeview Park, Lorain

Thorn Mountain Bike Trail

Mountain Biking
Thorn MTB Time Trials
Every Tuesday evening between 5:30–7:30 through August 15, for $5 you can be timed for two individual laps. Best four total times out of a possible seven. Prizes for series winners. For questions on the series, call Nab at 216.214.5445

Run/Walk
August 8, 9am
Morning Journal Jog
Black River Landing
421 Black River Lane, Lorain
5k run, 3k walk

Saturday, August 14
North Ridgeville Lions Club 10k, 5k and 1 mile fun run
The Wilcox School
34580 Bainbridge Rd.
North Ridgeville, 44039 Ohio

October 24, 8am
6th Annual Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon/5k
Murray Ridge School, Elyria

For information on north central Ohio lodging and other recreation while in the area, check the Visit Lorain County website. And check out the travel deals section for bargains and specials.

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.

This coming weekend-season's events begin

This weekend is kind of like the unofficial start of our outdoor events season. This Saturday, April 18th in Oberlin is the annual 5k Earth Day run. The weather forecast for this looks superb! The run will start and finish on Tappan Square at 10am. Entry fee is $10 per person and the first 75 registrants will receive a t-shirt. For more information, contact the Oberlin Recreation Dept. at 440.775.7254. Here is a link from last year's Earth Day in Oberlin.

The Lorain Wheelmen’s annual tradition to begin the cycling season-Afrost is Sunday, April 19 and begin at 9am. For details check out the Wheelmen’s Afrost Page. The weather this week looks to be great for an early spring ride. Updated Back Roads and Beaches maps are available and can be obtained here and online maps here. See you out there!

Time to plan for 2009 North Central Ohio Adventure

Kayaking on the Vermilion River. Photo courtesy of Shawn Newsome. Shawn is the owner of a new campground along the river—Vermilion River Cliffs Marina. (website coming soon)

It's that time of year again. Spring! We're starting to see cyclists and kayakers out and about on our rivers and back roads. Now that the weather is more cooperative we want to give you some tools to plan your visit. First off, a few upcoming events around Back Roads and Beaches:

Kayaking:
Sunday, March 29 will be the annual Keel-haulers Vermilion River Race. Check out the website for information including rules, maps and start times. The Keel-haulers is an organization headquartered in Northeast Ohio with 400 families that share an interest in outdoors and all kinds of boating including whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting and racing.

Run
Oberlin’s 5K Earth Day run will start and finish on Tappan Square on Saturday, April 18 at 10am. Entry fee is $10 per person and the first 75 registrants will receive a t-shirt. For more information, contact the Oberlin Recreation Dept. at 440.775.7254.

Cycling
Seems like it hasn’t been that long since the Lorain Wheelmen’s traditional end of season ride-the Red Flannel that capped off a great 2008 cycling season. Now, it’s time for the Wheelmen’s annual tradition to begin the cycling season-Afrost. The ride will be Sunday, April 19 and begin at 9am. For details check out the Wheelmen’s Afrost Page. The weather this week looks to be great for an early spring ride. Updated Back Roads and Beaches maps are available and can be obtained here and online maps here. See you out there!

It’s that Red Flannel Time of Year Again!

2007 Red Flannel

No matter what the weather, the annual Lorain Wheelmen Red Flannel bike ride ends up being great. It’s a harbinger of things to come. Hardy cycling die-hards see it as a chance to get out their winter gear for the next few months of brisk winter cycling. Others look at it as a ceremonial, last-ride-of-the-year, afterward, carefully cleaning up and storing their bikes until spring. Either way you look at it, it brings out a ton of cyclists from all over the region to either celebrate waning good weather or to soldier through — and later brag about — sometimes unpredictable fall weather. The weekend is looking good weather-wise, but it’s still a bit early to tell. But, whatever it may be don’t let the weather stop you! It’s all part of the fun and adventure!

One cyclist who wont be putting his bike away is Charlie Young of Elyria. We’ve noted Charlie here before. We hear rumors that he is hovering around the 12,000 mile mark for 2008! And it’s a good bet you’ll see him at the Red Flannel.

The ride is this Sunday, November 2nd, beginning at the Oberlin Community Center. And it’s also time to turn your clocks BACK, so don’t sweat the early hour! Come on out! And when you’re done, spend some time hanging out in Oberlin. You’ll see many downtown businesses with green stickers in their windows that read “We Love Cyclists” so, show them some love too!


(above) Charlie Young keeps pedaling.

A sunny summer Sunday along BRaB

Lorain Wheelmen had their annual “Roast your Buns” ride today.

Above, participating riders arrive back to Oberlin.

Roller bladers enjoy the Lorain County Metroparks’ North Coast Inland Trail



Historic Marker at Kipton Community Park marks the site of the Great Kipton Train Wreck.


View from Baird Road along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.

Click here for more scenic photos along Back Roads and Beaches.

Afrost-Won't be so frosty!

Don't forget: Sunday, April 20, 2008, 9am: Afrost. Sponsored by the Lorain Wheelmen. The ride will depart the Nordson Depot, Franklin St., in Amherst. There will be routes of 25, 50 and 64 miles. Registration will be from 8–9:30am. What a great way to get inspired and get an early kick-start to the season if you haven't already!

Spring!

OK, well... maybe it's still a couple days away but the snow is melting and I've seen a few hearty souls bundled up and pedaling like mad (or like a mad cyclist playing catch-up!) on Lorain County's roads. I actually saw two people in Oberlin riding in the midst of the snowstorm we had a couple weeks ago too. This time of year, it's obvious cyclists feel the call of spring because we start to see tuned-up bikes out once again, despite the dwindling snow piles that are melting on the sides of the road. And why not? After all, this year is a big year for cycling and cycling events in Lorain County. Got to get mind, body and bike in shape, despite the weather! Only one month until the unofficial “season opener” ride, Afrost. Sponsored by the Lorain Wheelmen, this year's Ohio Spring Tour will begin on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 9am. The ride will depart the Nordson Depot, Franklin St., in Amherst. There will be routes of 25, 50 and 64 miles. Registration will be from 8–9:30am. What a great way to get inspired and get an early kick-start to the season!

We have some great state-wide events coming to Lorain County this year as well. As we've previously reported, GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure) will be coming and utilizing part of the southern Back Roads and Beaches route. GOBA is still taking registrations and will begin in Wellington on June 14. One exciting development is that the GOBA planners are organizing what they hope to be the world record for the largest bicycle parade in the world. On, Saturday, June 14 there will be a traditional bicycle parade and costume contest that will begin at the Lorain County Fairgrounds. Even if you aren't participating in the week-long ride, you can participate in an awesome parade and maybe be part of the Guinness Book of World Records. A great way to get kids involved and interested in cycling!

XOBA, not to be confused with GOBA, will also be visiting this summer. Taking a cue from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Cycling Tour that began last year, XOBA has chosen to explore part of the intense and riveting Underground Railroad Route. They will be exploring the Underground Railroad in one of the only ways to truly experience it in an outdoor-only fashion. Although no-one in this day and age can truly know what a fugitive slave experienced; traveling the Underground Railroad by bike does bring a rider closer to the experience by being outdoors and relying completely on muscles and resolve to reach the destination. XOBA will depart Maysville, Kentucky on July 19th and arrive in Oberlin, on July 25.

Even if you can't do a week-long tour, there are still many great events coming up. Keep checking this blog for info throughout spring and summer. We'll provide info on upcoming triathlons and events like the Dog Days Wine Tour on August 16 and the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon on August 17. These are just a sampling of upcoming outdoor events in Lorain County. We'll be reporting on the events and the great things going on in and around the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route!

Beautiful, crisp, autumn day greets riders and runners

This morning found Oberlin to be packed with cyclists, marathon runners and well-wishers. Hundreds of cyclists came to ride the Red Flannel, the annual fall invitational sponsored by the Lorain Wheelmen and run the Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon & 5k Run/Walk. Red Flannel riders chose from either a 33 mile or 67 mile course. Part of the course was along the Back Roads and Beaches route, then headed west to Milan and Wakeman. Riders stopped at Mill Hollow, a Lorain County Metro Park and BRaB sponsor. Everyone seemed to be having a great time making the most of the awesome fall colors and cool weather. Below are some scenes from today's activity. Click here for more Red Flannel and marathon shots.

At left: Lorain Wheelmen register over 300 riders and pass out Lorain County Visitors Bureau bags, Back Roads and Beaches info and water bottles. Below: Riders wait to take off, scenes from the route, marathon runners and cyclists share the path. Click here for more photos of today's events.

Upcoming fall rides, races, walks, events

Sunday, November 4, the Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon & 5k Run/Walk will take place starting at Murray Ridge School, 9750 Murray Ridge Rd., in Elyria. Proceeds from this race will benefit the Murray Ridge Levy Committee.

Also on November 4th, the Lorain Wheelmen will be hosting their annual Red Flannel Bike Ride (see below).

Lorain Wheelmen love Ohio cycling

While out checking for fall photo ops on the route, I came across a group of Lorain Wheelmen on one of their weekly rides. Ron Cicerchi (left), Arthur Petro (center) and Pete Paslawski (right) were out getting in a quick 25-miler before sunset. The Lorain Wheelmen are getting ready for their biggest invitational ride of the year, the Red Flannel. Typically hundreds of cyclists ride what has become the traditional end of season ride for many. This year's ride will be held on November 4. The ride can be done as either a metric century (67 miles) or half century (33 miles). The start and ending point will be the Oberlin Community Center.

Locals looking for people to ride with might want to check out the Lorain Wheelmen. Members are of all ages and riding ability and the Wheelmen's calendar features a variety of rides, locally and all over Ohio.

Have you ridden the Red Flannel? Please post your comments and experiences here.

Lorain Wheelmen tackle the hills along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.

Roast Your Buns

Photo by Rona Proudfoot


August is a busy time for cyclists and athletes in Lorain County. The following are scheduled events:

August 5: Local cycling club, the Lorain Wheelmen will be hosting their annual "Roast Your Buns" invitational. The 70-mile ride is free and open to the public.

August 5: NCN Racing will be hosting the 2nd Annual Findley Lake Sprint/International Triathlon at Findley State Park. Events will be swimming, biking and trail running.

August 11: Local cycling club, the Silver Wheels will be hosting a Dog Days Wine Tour.

August 26: NCN Racing will host the 5th Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon at Lakeview Park in Lorain.

If you have an event that involves cycling, running, kayaking or swimming in Lorain County, please feel free to add it here.