Kickin' things up with a Fresh challenge

It’s been really hot--and dry--lately. So, when planning your ride along BRaB, make note to stop and check out all the opportunities for fresh fruit and produce offered along the way, from orchards to wineries to farmer’s markets. Stop for a quick breather, do some shopping or tasting, and then hop back on the route. With this in mind, you could even shop for a dinner while on your ride.

If you don't mind carrying along some items —we've seen people on the route carrying everything from bottles of wine to kayak paddles!— challenge yourself to collect the ingredients for this Harvest Vegetable Baked Casserole, courtesy of About.com (or any other great local recipe you choose), while exploring the trail. Here's a list of ingredients you’ll need for it:

• a rutabaga (1-1.5 lbs) 
• 6 carrots 
• some celery 
• 4-6 medium sized potatoes 
• 5 tablespoons butter 
• 3 tablespoons flour 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg 
• 1.5 cups milk 
• 1 cup mild Cheddar cheese 
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs 

You should be able to find most, if not all, of the ingredients locally. Depending on the day that you make the trip, you might pass the Wellington Farmer’s Market at Williard Square in Wellington (Fridays, 4-7pm) or the Oberlin Farmer’s Market near the Oberlin Public Library (Saturdays, 9am–1pm). Miller’s Apple Hill, at the intersection of Milan-Elyria Road and Vermilion Road, rounds out the three that are pretty much directly on the route.

Miller's Apple Hill

Vermilion Valley Vineyard

Four wineries are either right on the route or just a short distance off the route. You'll be able to not only quench your thirst, but grab a bottle or two to take home with you. This dish is likely to go well with a Chardonnay or Merlot, or some other full-flavored white or medium bodied red, so keep that in mind while you're tasting. Stop by Paper Moon Vineyards near the top of the trail, where Routes 2 and 60 intersect. Or you can try Vermilion Valley Vineyards, located at the intersection of Route 113 and Gore Orphanage Road and also just down the street from Miller’s Apple Hill. Even further south is Matus Winery, near where Route 20 and Gore Orphanage Road meet. If you’re exploring further east (such as near Fitch’s Farm Market), check out Klingshirn Winery on Webber Road in Avon Lake.

Klingshirn Winery, Avon Lake

While you take a break from riding and shopping, try some of the Chardonnays, Merlots, full flavored whites, or medium bodied reds. Don't be afraid to ask for opinions from the vintners on what wines they would suggest for a vegetable casserole. They know their wines!

If you would rather stop and pick up items after your ride, other local growers include the Grobe Fruit Farm a little ways east of where Bechtel and Route 113 meet (9am-6pm), the Donald A. Schuster Greenhouse at the corner of Murray Ridge Road and Leo Bullock Parkway (M-F: 9am-7pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 10am-5pm), Spiegelberg Orchards at the corner of Cooper Foster Park Road and Middle Ridge Road, and Fitch’s Farm Market on Route 83, near Bob-O Link Golf Course (M-F: 9am-7pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 10am-5pm).

 Many of these locations can be reached via the spur routes or the Lorain County Metro Parks bike paths. All of them are great for picking out fresh produce and local wine, and you’ll be supporting local businesses while eating healthy and cycling. Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Let us know in the comments how it works out for you!

Arba and Dave bike to Seattle

Today I met up with two great guys Arba and Dave who are biking Adventure Cycling's Northern Tier Route all the way to Seattle. They were taking a break along the Back Roads and Beaches Route and enjoying Lorain's Lakeview Park, the beach, the Rose Garden and the Rose Cafe. You can check out their adventures here and here.

A Historic Holiday Weekend in Oberlin

Traditions are great especially when it comes to holidays. Why not step outside the backyard cookout and start a new tradition with a ride into Oberlin, one of BRaB's most eclectic towns. Old and new always seem to be meeting in Oberlin, especially with new graduates and alumni descending on the town making it even more of a holiday weekend with commencement and reunions.

This is great whether or not your involved with the college because it means loads of special events including extended hours at the Allen Memorial Art Museum on North Main St. from 10am–7pm this Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday. Even if you are familiar with the museum it's still a great time to go and take a tour led by graduating Oberlin College students to gain new insights and see student art.Catch a tour at 11am or 3pm on Saturday.

Artist as Quiltmaker 2012, FAVA

There is also an on-going quilt exhibit at FAVA. Experience the unique collection Saturday 11am–5pm or Sunday 1pm–5pm. This 15th edition of The Artist as Quiltmaker exhibit only happens every other year and will run until July 29th so don't miss out!

Another opportunity to step out of the heat on Saturday would be dropping by the beautiful Weltzheimer-Johnson (Frank Lloyd Wright) House. Special tours of this 1948 Usonian home will start on the hour from 10am– 4pm and admission is $5 for adults but free with an Oberlin College ID.

It's a big weekend for Underground Railroad historic sights like the soon-to-be Oberlin Underground Railroad Center on South Main Street. They'll be letting you sneak a peek at the historic Gasholder building currently undergoing restoration from 10:30 am–2pm and again from 2:30pm–5pm Saturday. The building will house Underground Railroad artifacts and information as well as serve as a park and ride facility.

Oberlin Heritage Center's "Freedom's Friends" walking tours begin
at First Church in Oberlin.

Take a full tour of one of the Oberlin Heritage Center's three historic buildings at 10:30am and 1pm on Saturday. Admission to these tours is $6 for adults and there will be a variety of history walks Saturday and Sunday as well, so check the Heritage Center's site for full schedule and details.

If you are in town and don't have your bike in tow, no worries...stop by Swerve Bike Shop in Oberlin and rent a ride.  Be sure you don't miss out on all the great events offered through Oberlin College - check the full commencement weekend schedule.

Don't forget to take time out of all this activity to fuel up throughout the weekend starting with brunch at The Feve from 9:30am–2:30pm Saturday and Sunday. Or a great meal at the Oberlin Inn's Garden Restaurant or Brewsters. Quick and Delicious Restaurant (immediately south of the Gasholder Building) serves up a great cup of coffee, pancakes and other great local fare.

It'll be a toasty weekend but still a good time to make an adventure of it by taking the North Coast Inland Trail into Oberlin. You can surely cool down with a scoop of artisan ice cream from Cowhaus Creamery. So get yourself a taste of history, culture, food, friends and fun this weekend in Oberlin! Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

3rd Annual Kayaking Symposium May 20, 2012

Kayaking Symposium at Lakeview

Looks like another beautiful weather weekend around BRaB! Saturday and Sunday's forecast calls for sunshine with temps in the 80s. Perfect! The Lorain County Metro Parks will again host their annual Kayaking Symposium at Lorain's Lakeview Park and Beach. Symposium will run from 10am–4pm. We will be there handing out our brand new Back Roads and Beaches Map. Stop by the Visit Lorain County table to see us. The Lorain Port Authority, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Swerve Bike Shop and the Division of Watercraft will also be on hand.

Ohio Division of Watercraft and Coast Guard Auxiliary will be
inspecting boats at the Kayaking Symposium

Demo Schedule:
10am – 2pm The Backpackers Shop will be hosting a “Kayaking Clinic”. Cost is $20. Pre-register by calling the shop at (440) 934-5345.

10am-4pm West River Kayak and Great Lakes Kayaking will be hosting free on-water kayaking demos. Open to ages 16 and up.

2-4pm Kayaks from the “Kayaking Clinic” will be open to the public to demo, ages 16 and up.

Program Schedule:
10:30-11:15am Division of Watercraft Safety Talk (behind Beach House)

11:30a-12:15pm Flares Program (on beach)
Learn more about types of flares and bring expired flares to test on beach.

12:30-1:15pm Packing a Kayak (behind Beach House)

1:30-2:15pm Backcountry Cooking (behind Beach House)

2:30-3:15pm Hull Design (behind Beach House)

3:15-4pm 10 Tips in 30 minutes (on beach)

Bring your boat to the event for a safety inspection by the Division of Watercraft and Coastguard Auxiliary. Receive a boat decal for passing the inspection!

Contact Jannah at (440) 967-7310 for more information.