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!

Memorial Day weekend is always a great time to plan a trip around north central Ohio. There are so many great events going on, especially around the Back Roads and Beaches Route. Here are some suggested activities based on your riding style. All of the below suggestions can be found on or just around (within a mile or two) of the route. They can be found on the BRaB map)

Commencement weekend at Oberlin College

Hammer heads-“I'm just here to soak up the good weather and put in some extra training hours.”

Begin at Findley State Park, ride north and do the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. This will give you optimal hill climbing options, especially in the Dean Rd./Sperry Rd. area. Dean Rd. gets to 21%. Really want a challenge? Do some repeats. Once back at Findley State Park, you will have 60 miles in. For an added challenge, bring along your mountain bike and do a loop or two of the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail. If you’re out early Saturday morning you’re sure to see others out training on the route.

Dean Road historical bridge

Finish your day with a giant, organic burrito from the Agave in Oberlin. This weekend you can even take in a viewing of the classic film The Graduate, in the classic Apollo Theatre. Very cool!

Day two: Combine your training ride with a great upper body workout by hopping in a kayak at the Port Authority launch off Broadway in Lorain and paddle up the Black River to the Lighthouse. Kayaks can be rented here through Great Lakes Kayaking. Turn off into the Lakeside Marina, tie off and have a bite to eat while enjoying great views of the marina and lighthouse at the Jackalope Restaurant.

Views of the Lorain Lighthouse from the Jackalope Restaurant

“I want to pedal at my own pace while stopping to see great art, architecture and historical sites. And while I'm at it, I'd like to sample some great local wine and cuisine”
Fortunately for you, there are so many great exhibits, historical events and events going on, the worst part will be deciding what to do.

History:
The Oberlin Heritage Center has an entire weekend of events including architecture walks, Underground Railroad walks, history programming and more. Click here for a full list.

Bacon House Museum Tours, Vermilion River Reservation, Sunday 1-4pm.

Art/Architecture:
Right now at FAVA in Oberlin: facets: 14 artists working in glass. Don't miss this exquisite exhibit. You can also see Woodblock/Linoleum Prints by J.K. Mateer through May 26th at the FAVA South Gallery.

facets exhibit at FAVA Gallery, Oberlin

Also in Oberlin right now is Holding, an environmental art exhibit that features live silkworms spinning and weaving their way through sculpture. This exhibit has become a favorite each year with all ages at the Ginko Gallery.

Tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Weltzheimer/Johnson House will be given throughout the Oberlin College commencement weekend. Click here for times.

Performance
Since it’s commencement weekend at Oberlin College, there are many performances and events. Click here for a full list.

Wine and Dine
Round out a long touring day in the saddle with great food and wine at these spots that are on or just off the BRaB route.
Live Music on the Docks Memorial Day Weekend at The Lube: May 23 - Vermilion's new Quaker Steak & Lube. Catch some live entertainment with C.R.B. (Classic Rock Band) on Saturday from 5–9 pm with great views of the Vermilion River. (This used to be Red Clay Restaurant)

Live Music at Paper Moon Vineyards, Saturday, May 23 4pm-7pm

Matus Winery Celebration Cook-Out, Saturday, May 23 5:30 pm

Single Tree Winery:
Friday, May 22 Live music with Utah Witherspoon and Greg Moore 7-11pm
Saturday, May 23 Steak Fry $20 5- 7 pm Includes Steak, baked potato, salad, roll and a glass of wine. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

We’ve brought the kids for a little adventure, fun and a healthy challenge for the whole family—what’s there to do for us?
For those of you towing little ones (or accompanying your little ones on their own bikes), this is a great weekend for kids. Here are a few must do’s. (from a cyclists with three kids..these are kid tested) Beginning from the southern portion of the trail in

Wellington:
Canoeing or kayaking at Findley State Park; free paddle boats at the Wellington Reservation

Oberlin:
Vegan pancakes at Black River Cafe; Silkworm Exhibit at Ginko Gallery; Swim at the Splash Zone; Explore Underground Railroad history and hear the story of the rescue of escaped slave John Price; Sunday night illumination on Tappan Square with pie and ice cream; pizza on Lorenzo's outdoor patio.

Vermilion:
Lunch or dinner along the Vermilion River at Quaker Steak and Lube; ice cream and putt-putt at Romps Dairy Dock; watch the boats from Main St. beach; River cruise on Mystic Belle out of Don Parsons Marina

Kayaking in Lorain with children

Lorain:
Lakeview Park, it’s the most awesome beach on Lake Erie-’nuff said; burgers on the patio of Jackelope Restaurant with great views of Lake Erie; rent a two-person kayak at Lorain Port Authority boat launch and check out many different bird species, the Lorain Lighthouse along with many other fascinating views along the way; charter (or pier) fishing for perch and walleye.

These are only a few options for a full weekend of fun and adventure. Plan your lodging and more complete list at the Visit Lorain County website.