New businesses along BRaB cater to cyclists

 The weather here in north central Ohio has been unseasonably warm and sunny. The sun is shining in my window as I type this and the temp outside is 55 degrees. This means all around the Back Roads and Beaches route, you'll see enthusiastic cyclists and runners out getting ready for another great season! And local businesses are gearing up for them.

Oberlin worker installs Back Roads and
Beaches spur route signage

The city of Oberlin has its own dedicated Back Roads and Beaches spur route that leads riders from the main route easily into the downtown business district and back. This winter, several new businesses have cropped up that will excite and entertain cyclists wanting to spend some time getting some great food and/or bike gear.

We hope to report on a new bike shop, cheese shop and pizza restaurant very soon, as they open. Currently, there are two new restaurants open within the city of Oberlin. Both feature healthy, fresh menu items.

The door is open at Café Sprouts!

Fresh juices at Café Sprouts

Café Sprouts recently opened on East College Street, within the newly established East College Street project. The eatery features a wide variety of fresh, natural foods including organics, vegan and vegetarian offerings. Their juices, smoothies and mylkshakes appear to be especially popular. Their shelves were stocked with delicious desserts, wraps, veggies, spreads, teas and soups. The offerings here are very diverse, it would seem anyone could find something tasty and filling! You might also think about stopping here before going out onto Back Roads and Beaches and picking up a wrap to go. I can easily envision their sunny little corner filled with cyclists!

Aladdin’s Tabouli

Dining Room at Aladdin’s

Contractors put the finishing touches
on the canopy.

Right smack in the center of town, on the corner of College and Main Sts., is a shiny, brand-new Aladdin's Eatery. If you aren't familiar with Aladdin's, here is your chance to give them a try! Aladdin's mission is “to provide our customers with unique, natural foods and at the same time, cater to their increased awareness and concern regarding health and nutrition.” The huge menu features many, many Lebanese/American food, vegetarian options, soups, pita pitzas, salad pockets, juices and much more. Everything is fresh and free of preservatives. The spacious dining room is spotless, bright and inviting as is the staff who warmly welcome all their customers. And of course, there are bike racks right out front!

Here's one for healthy foodies

From the Oberlin Public Library:

Join us for a Raw Vegan Potluck on Friday, April 24th, 2009 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Oberlin Public Library. It is a wonderful opportunity to gather with like-minded people to socialize and eat a raw plant-based meal. Learn about the Living Foods Lifestyle from Raw Vegan chef Che Gonzalez and guests, Leeza Ramsey, Laura Paxton, and Jim Lawhead.

Please bring a prepared dish of raw, organic (preferably), and vegan ingredients (no animal products!) soups, crackers, salads, dressings and sauces, entrees, desserts, and snacks.

Provide a detailed list of the ingredients. If it's your first time and you don't know what to bring, but are interested in coming, just bring an organic salad with dressing on the side. Please bring your own plates and silverware.

Sign-up at the reference desk or email Che at oberlinpubliclibrary@yahoo.com.

Weekend Fun Rolls On

Riding the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route from Oberlin—Vermilion—Lorain, we found lots of activity, cyclists and great weather. Here are a few scenes from the route:


The town of Oberlin is buzzing with visitors and cyclists. This is one of the busiest of the year as Oberlin College prepares for commencement on Monday. The weekend is jam packed with tours, events, performances and programs all over town. Click here for a schedule.


We stopped by the Weltzheimer-Johnson House which was hosting tours. The house is known as the “Frank Lloyd Wright House” in Oberlin. It was designed in 1948 and is the first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few open to the public. The house is open again today for tours.


We spotted these two way up, enjoying the day with a bird's eye view.


At the Oberlin Heritage Center's Little Red Schoolhouse. Oberlin Heritage Center is hosting great weekend events, walking tours and children's activities.



Along the Lorain County Metro Parks' North Coast Inland Trail, right by Breuer Pottery we saw a lot of cycling activity including the dreaded mechanical problem!


Near Kipton Community Park


Further north, we hit the town of Vermilion where we found beach lovers enjoying a beautiful sunset at the Inland Seas Maritime Museum.


And in Lorain as well, families, children and cyclists were enjoying the sunset at Lakeview Park and the Rose Cafe, which has awesome views of Lake Erie.


Sailboats are back at local marinas. We found lots of boaters enjoying the beautiful sunset to cap off their day of sailing.


The Lorain Lighthouse was the sight of exciting tours yesterday. More tours are scheduled throughout the summer.

We found this guy looking for supper along the shores of Lake Erie in Lorain. What a beautiful day along the Back Roads and Beaches route! Today promises to be even better!

Fall Splendor along the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route

The colors of autumn are just starting to appear along the rural roads of the Back Roads and Beaches Route. The great thing about this time of the year is that riders can enjoy the beauty of the season while temps are still very pleasant. In fact, this weekend's weather promises to be absolutely beautiful with sunny highs in the mid 70s.

This time of year is also great for spectacular sunsets along the Lake Erie shoreline. The photo at left is the view from the Jackalope Restaurant.

On Sunday, September 23, the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Half Marathon will be taking place begins in Vermilion and heads to Lakeview Park in Lorain. Racers who feel they can't complete the entire 13 miles can enter with four friends and compete as a five person relay team.