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.

Huntington Triathlon pics

Here are a few shots from the Huntington Triathlon yesterday. It was a well-organized event with great turnout and weather.

Women’s swim start.

There’s our logo on Jim’s shoulder - thanks Jim!


We spotted Lorain County triathlete Stori Miller rounding the bend to the finish. Congratulations Stori!

Scenes from last night’s MTB time trials at Findley State Park

Riders were having a blast last night at the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail time trials, hosted by the North Coast Mountain Bikers. What a cool group of people—all ages and skill levels just hanging out, eating brats and riding with perfect conditions! Join them again next Tuesday evening at 5:30pm.

Linda Miranda rides the course.
Linda had best time-women’s for the second week in a row.

Don Haradem is too fast to get a clear photo.

Don Haradem and Linda Miranda posted the best times and received Back Roads and Beaches gear for their efforts.

Another Tuesday, another time trial at the Thorn MTB trail

Come on out for the Thorn Mountain Bike trail, North Coast Mountain Bikers weekly time trials, Tuesday, July 20, 5:30–7:30pm. According to Nab, last week Chip Meek beat his record of 38.41 and Linda Miranda had the fastest time for women at 53.05. We hear all levels of riders, men, women and families are showing up and it’s no wonder. The Thorn trail keeps getting better and bigger each year. It’s a blast! We’ll be out there as well to get some photos to post up on our Facebook page and here on the blog.