Sandy is Gone-Sun Returns for Weekend Events

Just in time for the weekend....we are all set for the sun to resurface and stick around awhile! Now that Sandy has rumbled out of here, it looks like a great weather weekend is in store.

Which is great news for everyone planning to ride the Red Flannel or run the North Coast Inland Trail Marathon. Two annual events that bring hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts each year. The Red Flannel offers a 37-mile and 67-mile option for riders and is hosted each year by the Lorain Wheelmen Bicycle Club. The ride will begin and end at the Oberlin Community Services Center beginning at 9am. Registration is $20 and includes snack stops, maps and sag service. The ride has become a statewide favorite. Some riders look at it as their last ride of the year while others view it as the start of a new season and a good way to get their cold-weather gear out. Any way you look at it, it’s a blast!

The 7th Annual Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon and 5k is a USAT-certified Boston qualifier. The race benefits the Murray Ridge Center. 43 degrees and sunny looks like some pretty good running weather!

If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, there are plenty of events, exhibits, performances and winery activities going on. Not to mention dozens of great restaurants offering up plenty of delicious fuel for your adventure! Click here to plan the rest of your weekend and optimize all the great weather in store. If you are in need of some warm gear when you get here, Swerve Bike Shop and Molnar Outdoor are both close to the starting line of both events.

Paddling the Black River

Kayakers are a common sight on the Black River near the Lorain Lighthouse. Yes, that's definitely a great trip as we've chronicled here before. For many, the Lorain Lighthouse is an obvious pull, along with the sometimes challenging open waters of Lake Erie at the mouth of the Black River.

Henderson Bridge, Lorain

This time we're going in the opposite direction. We needed a day to remind ourselves just how awesome the Black River gets, east of the Henderson Bridge in Lorain, Ohio. The spectacular scenery, top-notch birding and in this case, brilliant fall foliage. There is a launch right at the Black River Wharf just off 14th St. in Lorain. You can rent single or double kayaks there through November from Grumpy's Bait Bucket. Grumpy is actually not so grumpy. He's one of the nicest guys on the river! Make sure you visit with him before and after your trip. He and his dog Rudy love to sit and visit with paddlers, boaters and fishermen. At the time of this entry, Grumpy's website isn't working but you can reach them at 440.244.5370 or 440.787.8720. This is a great paddle for kids too. The calm waters and endless wildlife are a treat for kids. I took my 12 year old son along and he had a blast checking out the herons, turtles, deer and all the amazing natural formations along the shoreline.

Grumpy and Rudy

Once you push off, just paddle to the right and keep going! Views include a mixture of stunning natural views intermixed with and industrial landscape in some spots. Views not seen from the road! On the beautiful, sunny Saturday we went, we were almost the only ones on the river. We did encounter a group of men tooling along slowly in their motor boat, stopping to exclaim "Have you ever been back here?! It's amazing! We had NO idea!" "Yep" I thought.

As you paddle further along, you will see large expanses of wooded, undeveloped land. This is the proposed Riverbend development owned by the City of Lorain. The City and Port Authority have been working hard on a lower Black River Habitat Restoration Project that includes constructing fish habitat shelves, restoration of eroding river banks, invasive species removal and native plantings.

If you're biking the Back Roads and Beaches and want to add this trip to your itinerary, here are a few suggestions:

• Directions: From SR 6, turn south onto Broadway Ave. 14th St. is less than a mile. Turn left to the wharf. 
• Check out local lodging options and make a long weekend of it. Options closest to this trip are Arbor Lights Bed and Breakfast, Lake Breeze Inn and the Fairfield Inn and Suites. 
• Great dining options (with spectacular sunsets and Lake views) are the Rose Cafe at Lakeview Park and Jackalope Lakeside Restaurant. 

Cap the day off with a spectacular Lake Erie sunset-
this is the view from the Jackalope Lakeside Restaurant.

Autumn activity heats up in north central Ohio

Wellington Reservation in southern Lorain County

 September, October and November are great months to take in all the outdoor action Back Roads and Beaches has to offer. Early fall weather is perfect, cool and crisp. Days tend to be in the high 50s–through 60s. Late October and November are a bit more crisp of course, but rewards include crisp blue skies, migrating birds, and of course...more comfortable runs!

Fall is a great time to hit the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail at Findley State Park.

Paddling the Black or Vermilion Rivers or Findley Lake will yield spectacular views of fall folaige and migrating birds!

When you're done riding, paddling, running and hitting the trail; spend the evening at one of several local wineries. There are always great events going on. Click here to see what's going on. Make it a long weekend. There are lots of friendly, bike friendly lodging facilities. Check out the map below:
 

Beautiful weather weekend on tap for competitive events

This weekend's weather is going to be a refreshing break from the smokin' hot temps we've been having all summer. Not that we're complaining. The weather has been great and we've all been able to spend countless hours pounding the pavement and trails on two wheels and on foot. 

Let your training pay off this weekend. On tap for this Saturday is our own Back Roads and Beaches 5K/10K Run, Wine and Dine. The race begins and finishes behind the Oberlin Inn. Both courses travel through some of the most interesting places in Oberlin: downtown, the North Coast Inland Trail, Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin College Campus and by the newly restored Gasholder Building—soon to be the Underground Railroad Center. The race begins at 5pm, registration begins at 3:30pm. Following the race, enjoy a barbecue on the Oberlin Inn patio along with live music by "Men of Steele" and wine from several local wineries. Click here to pre-register for the race and save $5 from on-site registration. All proceeds benefit the advancement of the Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi Sport Route. 

The annual Vermilion Harbour Triathlon will be Sunday, August 19th in Vermilion. This event brings hundreds of sprint and olympic triathletes to beautiful Linwood Beach each year. Much of the bike courses are on the Back Roads and Beaches route. Coming to race? Smile! We will be on the course to get your pics. Check the Back Roads and Beaches Facebook page to find and tag your photo. 

No matter what event you're doing (or if you're just coming to run, paddle or bike on your own), make it a weekend. Check here for some great accommodations and other travel information. The Oberlin Inn is featuring a deal this weekend of $79 per night (plus tax). Just mention the BRaB 5/10k to get the rate. You can stop in our office at 8025 Leavitt Rd. in Amherst to pick up Back Roads and Beaches maps and local guides including our new Underground Railroad brochure. The information vestibule is open 24/7.