Get your legs pumping at Findley State Park!

With the warm weather in full force, our anxious legs can’t wait to hop on a bike and ride off into the sunshine! So what better place to get those legs pumping than at Findley State Park on Route 58 in Wellington? I recently took my first ever venture out to Findley, and learned that the breathtaking 838 acres holds something for everyone.

I have always heard the rumors of the beautiful camping sites, beach, and stunning views of Findley, but did you know that it is also home to a renowned mountain bike trail? Off one of the many hiking trails, the sun pokes through the trees and illuminates a lush green forest with a small trail, marked by a friendly sign reading “Thorn Mountain Bike Trail”. But don’t let the tweeting birds and surrounding wildflowers fool you, the Thorn is one wild ride.

A twisting 9 miles of single loop track through heavy woods, the Thorn offers terrain that is both challenging and exciting.  Climb steep hills, round 180* turns, and face obstacles like log rides and even teeter-totters! Sounds fun, right? You’ll also be looping around their lake, and taking in all the beauty that the state park has to offer.

Feeling like taking a more relaxing route first? Not a problem. With 7 other bike trails, and amenities like Frisbee golf, canoeing, and fishing, Findley’s got you covered. You can even pick a day to engage one of the naturalist programs that they offer, including fishing, crafts and even archery!

Every day is a great day to visit Findley State Park, but the one I picked was extra special. The Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was visiting on the same day, and announced his future efforts with Findley to work on some of the campsites and amenities there. Get a whiff of fresh air, and keep an eye out for the improvements at Findley State Park!

~Madalynne

Multisport Competition is Gearing Up

Summer is in full swing and with it, a calendar of north central Ohio multisport events. Many with the scenic backdrop of Lake Erie. Kick-start your summer with some friendly competition. Read on for event details.

Triathlon Information

NCN Racing is continuing the Rat Race Series starting this weekend. The Rat Race Series started in March and continues thru November.  It features running, cycling, and swimming events in eleven races. June 19, NCN Racing will be hosting the 8^th Annual Park 2 Park Half Marathon and 5K, it will be held at the French Creek Reservation in Sheffield. For event registration and information click here.  On July 10th the 25th Annual Summer Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon will be held at Lakeview Park in Lorain. The Triathlon will include a 1/4 mile swim in Lake Erie followed by a 14.3 mile bike and 5K run. For event registration click here. Following in August will be the 6th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon and Duathlon. Starting at 8am on August 6th, the course will feature a 1/4 mile swim in Findley Lake, a 16 mile bike course, and a 5K run through Findley State Park. Click here for Findley Lake Tri registration. End August with the 9th Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon taking place on the 21st at 8am. The event will be held at Lakeview Park with a rewarding view of Lake Erie during the course. Click here for event registration.

HFP Racing is bringing their Wheelie Fun Triathlon and Duathlon Series to the beautiful harbor town of Vermilion. The Vermilion Harbour Triathlon will be held on Sunday August 14th at 7am. The course features a near shore Lake Erie swim, hilly bike ride along the Back Roads and Beaches route and run through the charming downtown Vermilion area. Finish along its breathtaking shoreline of Lake Erie. For registration and additional information click here.

331 Racing is adding adrenaline to the mix of events with the NEO Power Series starting this June. This cross country cycling race series is a test of true dedication and passion. Composed of six stages and featuring many different levels of competition, 331 Racing is looking for all ages to participate. On August 7^th, stage three moves to the north central Ohio area for the Thorn Time Trail. Taking place at Findley State Park just South of Wellington, the course is a nine mile loop traveling through mature wooded areas and past Findley Lake. The course features technical climbs, winding flats, and a unique coaster section all focused on pushing boundaries. For all NEO Power Series details click here. For Thorn Time Trail registration click here.

Don’t forget, the Back Roads and Beaches 5K Wine and Dine registration is now open. The run is set for Saturday, August 20, 2011, 5pm start. Registration will be open at 3:30pm. Start/Finish is at the Oberlin Inn, 7 North Main St., Oberlin, OH. The course runs through the funky little City of Oberlin, home to Oberlin College. Oberlin is unique in its ties to the Underground Railroad. This is a bicycle-friendly community that loves visitors. Enjoy Oberlin and this unique course followed by taste from local vineyards, local foods and live entertainment on the patio of the Oberlin Inn.

Paddle

Feel like adding a paddle to your multisport weekend?  Click here for Lorain County kayaking locations, times, rentals, and other information, or plan for the Black River Kayak-A-Thon on July 3^rd. 

Combine your multisport event with great lodging, wining and dining and make it a weekend. Check local lodging and dining listings and information.

Good luck hope to see you out competing around Back Roads and Beaches!

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!

Cultural REcyclists roll into Oberlin

A group of cyclists called the Cultural REcyclists rolled into Oberlin today to spread their message of community building and sustainability. Check out their website and blog to track their progress and read about their message. They’re a great bunch of college students who began in Delaware and will finish in San Francisco at the end of their journey. If you see them on the road, stop and say hi!

Helping people get back up on two wheels

After acquiring his dream sports car— Bryce Rapp took a look at his life and decided he was finished living life accumulating possessions and wealth. He and his wife decided to give away their money, literally throw open the doors of his self-described suburban “McMansion” and freely distribute their belongings to anyone in need. No questions asked. He compared his complicated and extravagant life of five years ago to the simple life he lives now, “you wouldn’t believe the difference,” he remarked.

Charting his family’s course, Bryce depended solely on his faith and will to serve other people in need. Inspired by an initial donation of a handful of bikes to a homeless shelter, Bryce quickly realized he would now spend his time serving others through bikes. The family of seven moved from their pricey mansion into a rented farmhouse just outside Oberlin on SR 511. I found Bryce after being curious about a hand-made sign in front of the house that reads “Free bike tuneUps while U wait.” I wondered why someone would want  tune up stranger’s bikes for free. Turns out, Bryce wants any needy person (whether needy because of a lack of financial resources or by unfortunate mechanical breakdown while in the area) to have a means to get them back up on two wheels.

After calling Bryce to get the story I made arrangements to come out and see his operation. His story is actually very simple. He doesn’t ask for anything. He just wants anyone who cannot afford a bike to have one. So he collects bikes and pieces of bikes that are either donated or thrown into the trash, fixes them up and gives them away. He trusts that people will not use him as a way to circumvent the costs of a bike shop. In fact, he stresses that his purpose is not to be a bike shop or take business from shop owners.

Bryce’s bike operation can be found just off the Back Roads and Beaches route about a half-mile west of Pyle Rd on SR 511. He is very friendly and welcoming to those who are curious about his mission and his infectious enthusiasm is quite inspiring. He and his wife are also triathletes and enjoy cycling. Traveling cyclists can stop by, borrow some tools or fill a water bottle. I’m sure, as I did, you’ll leave with a smile on your face.

Links to other coverage of Bryce’s Bike Point Ministries:
Bike Point Ministries helping others one bike at a time
Man’s bike stolen twice in less than a year

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.

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.

Two new wineries make six on Back Roads and Beaches route

The great thing about the Back Roads and Beaches bike and multi-sport route is there is something for everyone—bike tourists, hammer heads, kayakers, runners and a mix of all. BRaB now has a total of six wineries on and just nearby the route. Paper Moon Winery is a delightful new winery that opened its doors a couple weeks ago. The best way to reach Paper Moon from BRaB is to take Darrow Rd. west, off the main BRaB route. When you reach SR 60, turn right. Remember that SR 60 is a state route and can be busy, even on this small stretch. Vermilion Valley Vineyards is a soon-to-be-open winery that is located on Gore Orphanage Rd. in the Henrietta Township area of the Route, just south of SR 113. Click here to follow their progress toward opening.

These two wineries are an addition to four great wineries already on the Back Roads and Beaches route. Just off the western portion of the route is Matus Winery on Gore Orphanage Rd., just south of SR 20. In the middle of the route, you'll find Single Tree Winery on Baumhart Rt., about a half mile south of Garfield. And in the eastern portion of the route, just off SR 6 in Avon Lake you'll find our Klingshirn and Christ Wineries. For more information on other activities including history, architecture, kayaking, running trails, mountain biking and healthy, organic meal stops, click here.

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!

Bike the Vote

Seen in Oberlin this evening. Looks like a ride tomorrow morning, Nov. 1, 9am beginning at the Oberlin Bike Co-Op. 25-miler to early voting location.

Glorious Autumn Ohio Cycling this Weekend!

This weekend’s summer-like temps combined with the colorful autumn landscape make it a spectacular weekend to pedal through North Central Ohio. Click here for this weekend’s events.

Gears, Galleries and Grapes!

A Weekend of Adventure and the Arts

Riverdog Gallery

Being that it is the first day of autumn, we find it fitting to start planning some fabulous fall rides. The BRaB route has spectacular fall scenery and on October 4–5 you can pedal between some great gallery open houses, architectural walks, events and wineries. Below is a list of places to hit. For lodging options, click here. For a downloadable Back Roads and Beaches map customized for the following events, click here.

Breuer Pottery Studio and Gallery Open House, Saturday and Sunday, October 4–5, noon–5pm. Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts in a relaxed country setting.
47361 West Hamilton Rd., Oberlin

Riverdog Studio/Gallery Open House, Saturday and Sunday, October 4–5, noon–5pm. 13818 Gore Orphanage Road, Wakeman

A Mild Obsession, Donna Drozda - Paintings and Lynne Lofton - Ceramics
FAVA Gallery, September 14 through October 24, 2008
Open Saturday 11am–5pm and Sunday 1–5pm

Modern and Contemporary Art
Allen Memorial Art Museum
Important American and European paintings, sculpture, and works on paper - ranging from Claude Monet's Wisteria to a newly acquired sculpture, The Fin Within, by the inventive and provocative sculptor Tim Hawkinson - will be on view in the Ellen Johnson Gallery during the 2008-09 academic year. Other highlights from the Allen Memorial Art Museum's strong modern and contemporary holdings include works by John Bock, Chakaia Booker, Sam Gilliam, Elizabeth Murray, Gerhard Ritcher, Cindy Sherman, and Richard Serra.The Museum is free and open to the public.
Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Corner of Main and Lorain Sts., Oberlin

Aux Barricades! French Protest Posters from '68
Allen Memorial Art Museum
Art incited action when, in May 1968, student and worker uprisings calling for social and economic reform led to pitched street battles and caused a general strike that paralyzed France. Innovative posters with snappy slogans and stark layouts created by the demonstrators were put up around Paris and the provinces.
The Museum is free and open to the public.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5:00 p.m., Sunday, 1-5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Corner of Main and Lorain Sts., Oberlin

Tours of the Weltzheimer-Johnson House

October 5, 12–5pm. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's first Usonian house in Ohio. Special focus tour available on last Saturday of each month. Admission: $5.00

Oberlin City/College 175th Anniversary Event, October 3–4
Celebration honoring joint founding of the City of Oberlin and Oberlin College in 1833.

Join the entire Oberlin community for a celebration of the 175th anniversary of the joint founding of the College and city. A range of family friendly events will take place on Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4 in the city and on the campus to signal, in part, a history of collaboration and shared interest in community building, education, service, and the arts.

Among the highlights of the two-day event is the 175th Anniversary Celebratory Concert featuring the Oberlin College Conservatory Orchestra. The free concert begins at 8 p.m., Friday, October 3, in Finney Chapel.

On Saturday, October 4, bring the family and join friends and neighbors from 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Tappan Square for a free catered community lunch. In addition, hear performances by the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO), the Community Music School, and the Oberlin Taiko Group. The program also will include presentations by students of Eastwood, Prospect, Langston, and the Oberlin High School. Activities for children will be provided by Oberlin Shansi and FAVA.

Other events throughout the day will include an Oberlin College football game, guided tours of historical landmarks in the city, activities at the Oberlin Heritage Center, and more.

Details: Contact Leah Gage '08, project manager, 440-775-8474 or send e-mail to gage.leah@gmail.com.

Oberlin Farmers Market, October 4, 9am–1pm. Locally grown and prepared foods, organic coffee and fair trade items.

The Cleveland Orchestra, October 5, Finney Chapel, 3pm
One of the world's greatest orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra returns to Oberlin to open this year's season with a lively performance conducted by music director Franz Welser-Most. Continuing the longstanding tradition, this concert marks the 207th appearance of the Cleveland Orchestras on Oberlin's Artist Recital Series.

Events and live entertainment at

Matus Winery 15674 Gore Orphanage Road - Wakeman, OH and

Single Tree Winery, 12488 Baumhart Rd., Amherst, OH

150th Anniversary of the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue Celebration

Wellington-Oberlin fugitive slave rescuers at the jail

This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue that was said to have raised consciousness nationwide regarding the anti-slavery movement and earning Oberlin the recent title , “The town that started the Civil War.”

In 1858, John Price, a fugitive slave living in Oberlin, was tricked into the hands of four slave catchers. He was secretly driven down a country road, toward Wellington, a small town south of Oberlin where the slave catchers intended to put Price on a train headed back to Kentucky. However, halfway there they were spotted by two Oberlin men.

American House Hotel, Wellington (courtesy: Oberlin College Archives)

After spreading the word of the capture, a group of men rushed down to Wellington to the American House Hotel where Price’s captors were now holding him. A crowd from Wellington and Oberlin stormed the hotel and freed Price. The rescuers immediately rushed him back to Oberlin. For several days Price hid at the home of Oberlin College Professor James Harris Fairchild until he could reach Canada safely. Thirty-seven rescuers were indicted for their roles in the rescue and twenty spent time in jail. The event caught international attention, contributing to an increased awareness of the abolitionist cause.

Among the group were freed slaves, fugitive slaves, students, townspeople, farmers and businessmen. It was a group that ignored their differences and untied in the cause for freedom. Differences that separated so many in the south. Their legacy of freedom and pride lives on today as Lorain County enjoys and maintains the cultural diversity it is so famous for.

The Back Roads and Beaches Route gets many Underground Railroad Cyclists that pass through Wellington and Oberlin. This is a great weekend to be here to celebrate and reflect on the Underground Railroad. Click here for more information on cycling and the Underground Railroad around BRaB. Click here for a list of this weekend’s anniversary events in Oberlin. Click here for more detail and photos of the rescue from the Oberlin Heritage Center.

Findley Lake Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon photos

The rain stopped right before the start of the 2008 Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon (results) today. With a wet but scenic course, participants enjoyed the calm lake and scenic trail run for a late summer race that serves as Lorain County’s final triathlon of the year. Although we still have some great running and biking events that will take us through November, this will do it for 2008 triathlons. So, without further ado, here are a few photos from today’s event...

2nd, 3rd and 4th out of the water

Women Swim Start


1st female out of the water—Julia Lorraine Rossi

First overall finisher
We thought it fitting to post a photo of Dave Garrett’s backside for this last race of the Lorain County triathlon season. (not only because it’s the end of the season but this photo might be a training motivator for others during the cold winter months.) He is so fun to watch racing, we hope he comes back to Lorain County to wow us during the 2009 season.

Go girl! Women’s 1st overall—Julia Lorraine Rossi

Another Beautiful Labor Day Weekend in Store

Clearly, Summer isn’t ready to give in yet! This weekend looks to be another spectacular opportunity to get outdoors. Whether you want to spend the weekend training for next week’s Findley Lake Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon or you want to spend it touring on your bike or kayak, here’s your opportunity. With a host of great art exhibits and galleries , museums, events and farmer’s markets, you surely won’t be at a loss for stops.


We’ll be out this weekend with our cameras looking for Findley State Park mountain bikers, kayakers and the BRaB road riders so you might see us pointing a camera at you.

Lorain International Triathlon 2008 Pics and Recap

Yesterday was the annual Lorain International Triathlon at beautiful Lakeview Park. Although it was a very hot day, the skies were just cloudy enough to keep participants cool in the early morning hours.

Women take off for swim leg of sprint distance triathlon.

Sprint distance swimmers exit the water at Lakeview Park.



International distance men and women head into Lake Erie for their 1.5k swim.

Patty Banks, womens overall sprint distance winner charges to the finish line for the final leg of the triathlon.


First three international swimmers out of the water. From left: Dave Garrett (finished 1st place overall international distance), Josh Brown (finished 3rd place overall international distance), Denise Vanek (finished 2nd place women's international distance)


Jodi Thomson, women's overall international 1st place winner finishes her bike and heads into the transition area to begin the run portion of the triathlon.

Click here for complete results of the 2008 Lorain International/Sprint Triathlon.
Click here for more photos of yesterday's exciting race.

Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon this Sunday

Lakeview Park fountain
Originally uploaded by ronnie44052

Lakeview Park Photo by Rona Proudfoot

Triathletes will again get great views of Lake Erie this Sunday, August 24, 2008, only this time the race will be in Lorain, Ohio. Racers will begin at Lorain’s beautiful Lakeview Park with a swim in Lake Erie followed by bike and run through parts of Lorain and along Lake Erie. Racing begins at 8am. Click here for more information including registration information. For more information on area lodging, check out the Lorain County Visitors Bureau website here.

Vermilion Harbor Triathlon recap

The beautiful weather held again today for the first Vermilion Harbor Triathlon held at Linwood Park. HFP Racing brought the triathlon to Vermilion and selected an exciting and challenging course. Much of the bike course was hilly and scenic and utilized much of the Back Roads and Beaches route.

Winners included, overall Women's Olympic Distance triathlon: Lauren Goldstein-Kral, with a time of 2:11:40. Men's overall Olympic Distance triathlon winner-Ryan Bates with a time of 1:59:38. Men’s Sprint Distance overall winner was Jack St. Marie with a time of 57:51 and Women’s Sprint Distance winner, Kerry Flynn with a time of 1:07:10.

Click here for more results.
Below are some photos from today’s event. For additional photos, click here.

Overall Olympic Distance Female Winner, Lauren Goldstein-Kral runs to the finish line with a time of 2:11:40

Too fast for a photo-finish...RYAN-tastic! left: second place overall Olympic Distance Men’s, Scott Myers right: first place overall Olympic Distance Men’s, Ryan Bates

Adam Kuncel runs to finish 5th place overall men's, first place in Men’s Olympic Distance age 25–29. Time: 2:10:28

Ready…set…GO! Men’s Olympic swim start.

Runners arriving near the finish get a beautiful scenic run right next to Linwood and Lake Erie.

Today was a beautiful sunny Saturday along the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route! It was great fun finding so many enthusiastic cyclists, tourists and athletes in Lorain County today. The usually quiet route was busy with lots of activity: charity rides, winery rides and triathletes preparing for their big race.

Below: The MS-150 Pedal to the Point came through Lorain County today along the Back Roads and Beaches Route. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the ride and the great weather. Click here to see more photos of Pedal to the Point riders in Lorain County.






Today was also the day for the Silver Wheels’ Dog Days Wine Tour:

Above, cyclists are all geared up and spinning for the winery on the
Silver Wheels Dog Days Wine Tour

Dog Days riders looking like they are having a ball heading for the wineries.

Below: Racers register for the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon taking place tomorrow.
(Watch here for recap and photos)

Well—what can we say? Comfort IS a factor in triathlon racing.

Pam Horvath from the Lorain County Visitors Bureau cheerfully greets triathletes with
information on the area and Back Roads and Beaches.