Back Roads and Beaches Blog

Goodbye winter

2009-04-07T12:08:00.004-04:00

It’s snowing today but we are ignoring it, opting instead to think about the great riding, kayaking and mountain biking that lie just ahead. Since Nab sent along some photos from an ice race at Findley, we thought we’d post them as a fitting farewell to winter. Thanks Nab!

Two new wineries make six on Back Roads and Beaches route

2009-04-05T18:03:00.004-04:00

The great thing about the Back Roads and Beaches bike and multi-sport route is there is something for everyone—bike tourists, hammer heads, kayakers, runners and a mix of all. BRaB now has a total of six wineries on and just nearby the route. Paper Moon Winery is a delightful new winery that opened its doors a couple weeks ago. The best way to reach Paper Moon from BRaB is to take Darrow Rd. west, off the main BRaB route. When you reach SR 60, turn right. Remember that SR 60 is a state route and can be busy, even on this small stretch. Vermilion Valley Vineyards is a soon-to-be-open winery that is located on Gore Orphanage Rd. in the Henrietta Township area of the Route, just south of SR 113. Click here to follow their progress toward opening.

These two wineries are an addition to four great wineries already on the Back Roads and Beaches route. Just off the western portion of the route is Matus Winery on Gore Orphanage Rd., just south of SR 20. In the middle of the route, you'll find Single Tree Winery on Baumhart Rt., about a half mile south of Garfield. And in the eastern portion of the route, just off SR 6 in Avon Lake you'll find our Klingshirn and Christ Wineries. For more information on other activities including history, architecture, kayaking, running trails, mountain biking and healthy, organic meal stops, click here.

Brisk but enthusiastic start to kayaking season

2009-03-29T12:04:00.002-04:00

Some views from this morning’s Keel-Haulers kayak/canoe race. The race was moved downstream where water levels were higher.

Ready, set, go

Time to plan for 2009 North Central Ohio Adventure

2009-03-16T10:51:00.004-04:00

Kayaking on the Vermilion River. Photo courtesy of Shawn Newsome. Shawn is the owner of a new campground along the river—Vermilion River Cliffs Marina. (website coming soon)

It's that time of year again. Spring! We're starting to see cyclists and kayakers out and about on our rivers and back roads. Now that the weather is more cooperative we want to give you some tools to plan your visit. First off, a few upcoming events around Back Roads and Beaches:

Kayaking:
Sunday, March 29 will be the annual Keel-haulers Vermilion River Race. Check out the website for information including rules, maps and start times. The Keel-haulers is an organization headquartered in Northeast Ohio with 400 families that share an interest in outdoors and all kinds of boating including whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting and racing.

Run
Oberlin’s 5K Earth Day run will start and finish on Tappan Square on Saturday, April 18 at 10am. Entry fee is $10 per person and the first 75 registrants will receive a t-shirt. For more information, contact the Oberlin Recreation Dept. at 440.775.7254.

Cycling
Seems like it hasn’t been that long since the Lorain Wheelmen’s traditional end of season ride-the Red Flannel that capped off a great 2008 cycling season. Now, it’s time for the Wheelmen’s annual tradition to begin the cycling season-Afrost. The ride will be Sunday, April 19 and begin at 9am. For details check out the Wheelmen’s Afrost Page. The weather this week looks to be great for an early spring ride. Updated Back Roads and Beaches maps are available and can be obtained here and online maps here. See you out there!

Snow!

2009-01-12T13:26:00.004-05:00

Multi sport enthusiasts who’ve been waiting for snow now have more than enough to enjoy a winter hike, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice skating, sledding etc. And more appears to be on the way! Findley State Park, Lorain County Metro Parks, Cascade Park and our many other parks offer miles of trails and other winter amenities.

But don’t stop at traditional winter sports, be creative and try some real adventure! Bottom line is, getting out in the snow along BRaB is a blast! And when you’re done, explore one of our great galleries or museums, and warm up in one of four wineries along the route. Make it a weekend and stay at one of several local lodging facilities that welcome our multi sport visitors.

Winter Days Festival photo by Mark Teleha

This weekend, Jan 17–18, 2009, the Lorain County Metro Parks will be hosting their annual Winter Days Festival at the Vermilion River Reservation. The festival will run Sat. from 10am–4pm and Sun. from 11am–4pm. Ice carving competitions will be the highlight on Saturday and demonstrations from professional ice carvers will take place Sunday. And don’t forget about the awesome sledding hill there!

Happy Holidays from Back Roads and Beaches

2008-12-24T10:12:00.003-05:00

Oberlin’s Alternative Gift Fair and Market

2008-12-10T13:16:00.002-05:00

Oberlin’s Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment (SEPA) seen here this past summer at the Oberlin Farmers’ Market, will be selling goods at the Alternative Gift Fair and Market.

from the Oberlin Heritage Center:

The second annual Oberlin Alternative Gift Fair and Market is presently underway: Monday through Friday, December 8-12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bent Corridor of the Oberlin College Science Center, and Saturday, December 13 from 1-5:00 p.m. at the Oberlin Public Library (65 South Main Street). The Alternative Gift Fair offers holiday gift-buyers an alternative to buying “things” for those folks on their gift lists who don’t really need anything. Instead, these Alternative Gift Fair purchases give many times over – providing good feelings for both recipient and gift-giver, and a big help to local nonprofits working hard to stretch limited resources to serve the needs of others. Gift items for sale at the Market include fair trade coffee, tea and chocolates, handmade textiles from Guatemala and Morocco, crafts from India and Oberlin, and much more.

The Oberlin Heritage Center is participating with a booth that features the Oberlin Heritage Trail Buy-a-Brick project, Historic Playing Cards to benefit the Endowment Fund for History Education, and many items from the Museum Store, including an incredible array of hand-crafted jewelry by Oberlin Heritage Center trustee, Jean Simon. Overheard from a woman buying holiday jewelry for her daughters, “I love jewelry and wear many different styles and designs, yet I ALWAYS receive compliments whenever I wear Jean’s jewelry.” Jean Simon’s jewelry is one-of-a-kind, beautifully crafted, elegant and fun at the same time. Plan to stop by the Alternative Gift Fair and Market sometime this week, browse, buy, and most importantly contribute to some very worthy Oberlin organizations this holiday season. The Alternative Gift Fair is sponsored by the Office of the President of Oberlin College. Out-of-towners may do mail-order holiday shopping through December 15 by e-mailing members@oberlinheritage.org and requesting a copy of the Alternative Gift Fair Catalog.

Lorain County Heritage wins national Adventure Cycling award for Back Roads and Beaches

2008-11-13T11:01:00.005-05:00

The Adventure Cycling Association has awarded its 2008 Pacesetter Award to Lorain County Heritage. The award recognizes that, in forming Back Roads and Beaches, Lorain County Heritage has placed cycling at the forefront of the mission, and works aggressively to expand the message that cycling is important to the health, environment, and tourism of the state of Ohio.

According to the Adventure Cycling website, this national award recognizes individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations which have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, dedication, and service to the advancement of Adventure Cycling’s mission of inspiring others to travel by bicycle.

The Award is named in honor of Charlie Pace from Columbus, Ohio, who has devoted over 40 years to creating and supporting bicycle travel opportunities. He was a key promoter and supporter for both the Tour of Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) and Adventure Cycling Association. He has devoted his life to creating opportunities for people to get on their bikes and have fun.

Adventure Cycling is a 44,500 member nonprofit organizations whose mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fitness, fun and self-discovery. Adventure Cycling Route Network has one of the largest route networks in the world with more than 38,158 miles. The organization’s headquarters is in Missoula, Montana. Two Adventure Cycling Routes travel through Lorain County. The Underground Railroad Route and the Northern Tier.

Lorain County Heritage is the nonprofit arm of the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.

Oberlin Local Foods Festival

2008-11-07T17:47:00.003-05:00

Saturday, November 8th
9am–4pm
Tappan Square
Rainspace: First Church in Oberlin

Facepainting
Pumpkin Painting
Recycled Crafts
Sack Race
Live Music
Cook-off featuring Oberlin College’s Co-ops (free lunch to follow)
Free apple cider

Come out and meet our local farmers!

All Along the Back Roads and Beaches of North Central Ohio

2008-11-03T11:15:00.003-05:00

Gibson’s Food Market and Bakery, downtown Oberlin.

Bike the Vote

2008-10-31T20:57:00.004-04:00

Seen in Oberlin this evening. Looks like a ride tomorrow morning, Nov. 1, 9am beginning at the Oberlin Bike Co-Op. 25-miler to early voting location.

It’s that Red Flannel Time of Year Again!

2008-10-27T19:04:00.006-04:00

2007 Red Flannel

No matter what the weather, the annual Lorain Wheelmen Red Flannel bike ride ends up being great. It’s a harbinger of things to come. Hardy cycling die-hards see it as a chance to get out their winter gear for the next few months of brisk winter cycling. Others look at it as a ceremonial, last-ride-of-the-year, afterward, carefully cleaning up and storing their bikes until spring. Either way you look at it, it brings out a ton of cyclists from all over the region to either celebrate waning good weather or to soldier through — and later brag about — sometimes unpredictable fall weather. The weekend is looking good weather-wise, but it’s still a bit early to tell. But, whatever it may be don’t let the weather stop you! It’s all part of the fun and adventure!

One cyclist who wont be putting his bike away is Charlie Young of Elyria. We’ve noted Charlie here before. We hear rumors that he is hovering around the 12,000 mile mark for 2008! And it’s a good bet you’ll see him at the Red Flannel.

The ride is this Sunday, November 2nd, beginning at the Oberlin Community Center. And it’s also time to turn your clocks BACK, so don’t sweat the early hour! Come on out! And when you’re done, spend some time hanging out in Oberlin. You’ll see many downtown businesses with green stickers in their windows that read “We Love Cyclists” so, show them some love too!

(above) Charlie Young keeps pedaling.

Michael Pollan to Speak at Oberlin College

2008-10-27T16:18:00.004-04:00

Healthy choices are a big part of what Back Roads and Beaches is all about. Not only do many of the restaurants serve healthy, fresh, locally grown foods but occasionally an event springs up that captures this same spirit. This is why we want BRaB readers to know about a great event this week.

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, October 28th, 2008; Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: an Eater's Manifesto and The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals will be speaking at Finney Chapel as part of the Oberlin College Convocation Series. Pollan will begin at 8pm. Tickets are not required.

Hit the Trail!!!

2008-10-19T19:54:00.004-04:00

Thorn Mountain Biking Trail at Findley State Park, that is...

We’re told the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail is in better shape than it’s ever been. And now with leaves peaking, it’s a great time to hit the trail!

Glorious Autumn Ohio Cycling this Weekend!

2008-10-10T10:40:00.003-04:00

This weekend’s summer-like temps combined with the colorful autumn landscape make it a spectacular weekend to pedal through North Central Ohio. Click here for this weekend’s events.

175 years of Oberlin History

2008-10-03T20:09:00.002-04:00

This weekend, Oberlin and Oberlin College celebrate 175 years of history . How many of those years do you think this tree has seen? And is that why it needs a little help with crutches? Hmm.....

Gears, Galleries and Grapes!

2008-09-22T17:31:00.005-04:00

A Weekend of Adventure and the Arts

Riverdog Gallery

Being that it is the first day of autumn, we find it fitting to start planning some fabulous fall rides. The BRaB route has spectacular fall scenery and on October 4–5 you can pedal between some great gallery open houses, architectural walks, events and wineries. Below is a list of places to hit. For lodging options, click here. For a downloadable Back Roads and Beaches map customized for the following events, click here.

Breuer Pottery Studio and Gallery Open House, Saturday and Sunday, October 4–5, noon–5pm. Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts in a relaxed country setting.
47361 West Hamilton Rd., Oberlin

Riverdog Studio/Gallery Open House, Saturday and Sunday, October 4–5, noon–5pm. 13818 Gore Orphanage Road, Wakeman

A Mild Obsession, Donna Drozda - Paintings and Lynne Lofton - Ceramics
FAVA Gallery, September 14 through October 24, 2008
Open Saturday 11am–5pm and Sunday 1–5pm

Modern and Contemporary Art
Allen Memorial Art Museum
Important American and European paintings, sculpture, and works on paper - ranging from Claude Monet's Wisteria to a newly acquired sculpture, The Fin Within, by the inventive and provocative sculptor Tim Hawkinson - will be on view in the Ellen Johnson Gallery during the 2008-09 academic year. Other highlights from the Allen Memorial Art Museum's strong modern and contemporary holdings include works by John Bock, Chakaia Booker, Sam Gilliam, Elizabeth Murray, Gerhard Ritcher, Cindy Sherman, and Richard Serra.The Museum is free and open to the public.
Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Corner of Main and Lorain Sts., Oberlin

Aux Barricades! French Protest Posters from '68
Allen Memorial Art Museum
Art incited action when, in May 1968, student and worker uprisings calling for social and economic reform led to pitched street battles and caused a general strike that paralyzed France. Innovative posters with snappy slogans and stark layouts created by the demonstrators were put up around Paris and the provinces.
The Museum is free and open to the public.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5:00 p.m., Sunday, 1-5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Corner of Main and Lorain Sts., Oberlin

October 5, 12–5pm. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's first Usonian house in Ohio. Special focus tour available on last Saturday of each month. Admission: $5.00

Oberlin City/College 175th Anniversary Event, October 3–4
Celebration honoring joint founding of the City of Oberlin and Oberlin College in 1833.

Join the entire Oberlin community for a celebration of the 175th anniversary of the joint founding of the College and city. A range of family friendly events will take place on Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4 in the city and on the campus to signal, in part, a history of collaboration and shared interest in community building, education, service, and the arts.

Among the highlights of the two-day event is the 175th Anniversary Celebratory Concert featuring the Oberlin College Conservatory Orchestra. The free concert begins at 8 p.m., Friday, October 3, in Finney Chapel.

On Saturday, October 4, bring the family and join friends and neighbors from 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Tappan Square for a free catered community lunch. In addition, hear performances by the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO), the Community Music School, and the Oberlin Taiko Group. The program also will include presentations by students of Eastwood, Prospect, Langston, and the Oberlin High School. Activities for children will be provided by Oberlin Shansi and FAVA.

Other events throughout the day will include an Oberlin College football game, guided tours of historical landmarks in the city, activities at the Oberlin Heritage Center, and more.

Details: Contact Leah Gage '08, project manager, 440-775-8474 or send e-mail to gage.leah@gmail.com.

Oberlin Farmers Market, October 4, 9am–1pm. Locally grown and prepared foods, organic coffee and fair trade items.

The Cleveland Orchestra, October 5, Finney Chapel, 3pm
One of the world's greatest orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra returns to Oberlin to open this year's season with a lively performance conducted by music director Franz Welser-Most. Continuing the longstanding tradition, this concert marks the 207th appearance of the Cleveland Orchestras on Oberlin's Artist Recital Series.

Events and live entertainment at

Matus Winery 15674 Gore Orphanage Road - Wakeman, OH and

Single Tree Winery, 12488 Baumhart Rd., Amherst, OH

150th Anniversary of the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue Celebration

2008-09-10T10:55:00.008-04:00

Wellington-Oberlin fugitive slave rescuers at the jail

This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue that was said to have raised consciousness nationwide regarding the anti-slavery movement and earning Oberlin the recent title , “The town that started the Civil War.”

In 1858, John Price, a fugitive slave living in Oberlin, was tricked into the hands of four slave catchers. He was secretly driven down a country road, toward Wellington, a small town south of Oberlin where the slave catchers intended to put Price on a train headed back to Kentucky. However, halfway there they were spotted by two Oberlin men.

American House Hotel, Wellington (courtesy: Oberlin College Archives)

After spreading the word of the capture, a group of men rushed down to Wellington to the American House Hotel where Price’s captors were now holding him. A crowd from Wellington and Oberlin stormed the hotel and freed Price. The rescuers immediately rushed him back to Oberlin. For several days Price hid at the home of Oberlin College Professor James Harris Fairchild until he could reach Canada safely. Thirty-seven rescuers were indicted for their roles in the rescue and twenty spent time in jail. The event caught international attention, contributing to an increased awareness of the abolitionist cause.

Among the group were freed slaves, fugitive slaves, students, townspeople, farmers and businessmen. It was a group that ignored their differences and untied in the cause for freedom. Differences that separated so many in the south. Their legacy of freedom and pride lives on today as Lorain County enjoys and maintains the cultural diversity it is so famous for.

The Back Roads and Beaches Route gets many Underground Railroad Cyclists that pass through Wellington and Oberlin. This is a great weekend to be here to celebrate and reflect on the Underground Railroad. Click here for more information on cycling and the Underground Railroad around BRaB. Click here for a list of this weekend’s anniversary events in Oberlin. Click here for more detail and photos of the rescue from the Oberlin Heritage Center.

Findley Lake Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon photos

2008-09-06T20:46:00.005-04:00

The rain stopped right before the start of the 2008 Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon (results) today. With a wet but scenic course, participants enjoyed the calm lake and scenic trail run for a late summer race that serves as Lorain County’s final triathlon of the year. Although we still have some great running and biking events that will take us through November, this will do it for 2008 triathlons. So, without further ado, here are a few photos from today’s event...

2nd, 3rd and 4th out of the water

Women Swim Start

1st female out of the water—Julia Lorraine Rossi

First overall finisher
We thought it fitting to post a photo of Dave Garrett’s backside for this last race of the Lorain County triathlon season. (not only because it’s the end of the season but this photo might be a training motivator for others during the cold winter months.) He is so fun to watch racing, we hope he comes back to Lorain County to wow us during the 2009 season.

Go girl! Women’s 1st overall—Julia Lorraine Rossi

Weekend Scenes along Findley Lake

2008-09-01T10:58:00.004-04:00

While heading to Findley State Park, we found Fred Thomas of Cleveland pedaling out of Oberlin along the Underground Railroad. He was headed to a local market to pick up some fresh local produce. Fred will be riding Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad route to Buffalo.

Further on down the road, renting kayaks at Findley State Park in Wellington is a great way to get in a great workout while enjoying the beautiful southern Lorain County scenery. Two-person kayaks can be rented on weekends for $6 an hour. Click here for more details and contact information.

We saw this group learning the basics of kayaking.

These guys were basking in the sunshine..

Skilled fisherman

Canoeing through the beautiful landscape.

Another Beautiful Labor Day Weekend in Store

2008-08-29T09:57:00.005-04:00

Clearly, Summer isn’t ready to give in yet! This weekend looks to be another spectacular opportunity to get outdoors. Whether you want to spend the weekend training for next week’s Findley Lake Sprint Triathlon/Dua thlon or you want to spend it touring on your bike or kayak, here’s your opportunity. With a host of great art exhibits and galleries , museums, events and farmer’s markets, you surely won’t be at a loss for stops.

We’ll be out this weekend with our cameras looking for Findley State Park mountain bikers, kayakers and the BRaB road riders so you might see us pointing a camera at you.

Lorain International Triathlon 2008 Pics and Recap

2008-08-25T10:34:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was the annual Lorain International Triathlon at beautiful Lakeview Park. Although it was a very hot day, the skies were just cloudy enough to keep participants cool in the early morning hours.

Women take off for swim leg of sprint distance triathlon.

Sprint distance swimmers exit the water at Lakeview Park.

International distance men and women head into Lake Erie for their 1.5k swim.

Patty Banks, womens overall sprint distance winner charges to the finish line for the final leg of the triathlon.

First three international swimmers out of the water. From left: Dave Garrett (finished 1st place overall international distance), Josh Brown (finished 3rd place overall international distance), Denise Vanek (finished 2nd place women's international distance)

Jodi Thomson, women's overall international 1st place winner finishes her bike and heads into the transition area to begin the run portion of the triathlon.

Click here for complete results of the 2008 Lorain International/Sprint Triathlon.
Click here for more photos of yesterday's exciting race.

2008-08-22T16:42:00.005-04:00

Beginning this evening, every corner of the Back Roads and Beaches route will be hoppin’ with events from art openings to county fair excitement.

This evening in Vermilion is the gala opening of Water, Light and Land: Reflections on Inland Seas. Experience the spectacular views of inland seascapes, masterfully rendered in clay by nationally recognized Oberlin potter Chris Breuer at the Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion. The opening is from 6:30–8:30pm. Artist talk will be at 6pm. The show will run through September 25.

Also in Vermilion this weekend will be the Vermilion Local Market where you can purchase local produce, flowers, herbs, pasture-fed beef, and more. The market is held Saturday afternoons 2–6pm in Victory Park in Vermilion and will run through August 30.

The Lorain County Fair continues to run through this Sunday, August 24.

Carnegie Library, Oberlin College, Tappan Square

This Saturday, August 23 at 10am the Oberlin Heritage Center will be presenting A Walk Through Time. Learn about the earliest residents of Oberlin, hear fascinating stories of triumph and misfortune linked to the landmarks around Tappan Square, and walk away with a lively appreciation of Oberlin's unique heritage. Advance reservations required; call (440) 774-1700 or send an email to tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org. There is a $6 per person fee ($4 for Oberlin Heritage Center members) and enrollment is limited. Meet at the James Monroe House (73 1/2 South Professor Street, Oberlin; see map) and allow 1 hour and 15 minutes for the tour.

While in Oberlin, check out the new exhibit at the FAVA Gallery, Views: Three Landscape Artists featuring the work of John Benton, Amy Casey and Glenn Ratusnik. The show runs through September 6.

For more events taking place around the Back Roads and Beaches Route as well as all throughout Lorain County, click here.

Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon this Sunday

2008-08-22T16:09:00.002-04:00

Lakeview Park fountain
Originally uploaded by ronnie44052

Lakeview Park Photo by Rona Proudfoot

Triathletes will again get great views of Lake Erie this Sunday, August 24, 2008, only this time the race will be in Lorain, Ohio. Racers will begin at Lorain’s beautiful Lakeview Park with a swim in Lake Erie followed by bike and run through parts of Lorain and along Lake Erie. Racing begins at 8am. Click here for more information including registration information. For more information on area lodging, check out the Lorain County Visitors Bureau website here.

Vermilion Harbor Triathlon recap

2008-08-17T16:11:00.004-04:00

The beautiful weather held again today for the first Vermilion Harbor Triathlon held at Linwood Park. HFP Racing brought the triathlon to Vermilion and selected an exciting and challenging course. Much of the bike course was hilly and scenic and utilized much of the Back Roads and Beaches route.

Winners included, overall Women's Olympic Distance triathlon: Lauren Goldstein-Kral, with a time of 2:11:40. Men's overall Olympic Distance triathlon winner-Ryan Bates with a time of 1:59:38. Men’s Sprint Distance overall winner was Jack St. Marie with a time of 57:51 and Women’s Sprint Distance winner, Kerry Flynn with a time of 1:07:10.

Click here for more results.
Below are some photos from today’s event. For additional photos, click here.

Overall Olympic Distance Female Winner, Lauren Goldstein-Kral runs to the finish line with a time of 2:11:40

Too fast for a photo-finish...RYAN-tastic! left: second place overall Olympic Distance Men’s, Scott Myers right: first place overall Olympic Distance Men’s, Ryan Bates

Adam Kuncel runs to finish 5th place overall men's, first place in Men’s Olympic Distance age 25–29. Time: 2:10:28

Ready…set…GO! Men’s Olympic swim start.

Runners arriving near the finish get a beautiful scenic run right next to Linwood and Lake Erie.