Spring!
OK, well... maybe it's still a couple days away but the snow is melting and I've seen a few hearty souls bundled up and pedaling like mad (or like a mad cyclist playing catch-up!) on Lorain County's roads. I actually saw two people in Oberlin riding in the midst of the snowstorm we had a couple weeks ago too. This time of year, it's obvious cyclists feel the call of spring because we start to see tuned-up bikes out once again, despite the dwindling snow piles that are melting on the sides of the road. And why not? After all, this year is a big year for cycling and cycling events in Lorain County. Got to get mind, body and bike in shape, despite the weather! Only one month until the unofficial “season opener” ride, Afrost. Sponsored by the Lorain Wheelmen, this year's Ohio Spring Tour will begin on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 9am. The ride will depart the Nordson Depot, Franklin St., in Amherst. There will be routes of 25, 50 and 64 miles. Registration will be from 8–9:30am. What a great way to get inspired and get an early kick-start to the season!
We have some great state-wide events coming to Lorain County this year as well. As we've previously reported, GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure) will be coming and utilizing part of the southern Back Roads and Beaches route. GOBA is still taking registrations and will begin in Wellington on June 14. One exciting development is that the GOBA planners are organizing what they hope to be the world record for the largest bicycle parade in the world. On, Saturday, June 14 there will be a traditional bicycle parade and costume contest that will begin at the Lorain County Fairgrounds. Even if you aren't participating in the week-long ride, you can participate in an awesome parade and maybe be part of the Guinness Book of World Records. A great way to get kids involved and interested in cycling!
XOBA, not to be confused with GOBA, will also be visiting this summer. Taking a cue from Adventure Cycling's Underground Railroad Cycling Tour that began last year, XOBA has chosen to explore part of the intense and riveting Underground Railroad Route. They will be exploring the Underground Railroad in one of the only ways to truly experience it in an outdoor-only fashion. Although no-one in this day and age can truly know what a fugitive slave experienced; traveling the Underground Railroad by bike does bring a rider closer to the experience by being outdoors and relying completely on muscles and resolve to reach the destination. XOBA will depart Maysville, Kentucky on July 19th and arrive in Oberlin, on July 25.
Even if you can't do a week-long tour, there are still many great events coming up. Keep checking this blog for info throughout spring and summer. We'll provide info on upcoming triathlons and events like the Dog Days Wine Tour on August 16 and the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon on August 17. These are just a sampling of upcoming outdoor events in Lorain County. We'll be reporting on the events and the great things going on in and around the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route!
Labels: GOBA, Lorain Wheelmen, Silver Wheels, triathlon, XOBA
Winter's not so bad
Yes, it's February and you're probably itchin' to get out there and get moving. It's been COLD here in north central Ohio! BUT, the good part is, there is still a lot to do outside. Take a hike in one of Lorain County's fine Metro Parks or Findley State Park. Findley is a great place to cross country ski, snowshoe or take a winter hike.
Or, attend one of the Lorain County Metro Parks great winter events. The French Creek Nature Center will be the site of a distance learning program, "Meet the Musher," on February 27, from 2–3pm. A real-life musher will describe what it's like to be part of a sled dog race and how to get the dogs ready for a race. For information, call 440.949.5200.
Got a long holiday weekend? Combine your outdoor experience with one of the following things to do along the Back Roads and Beaches Route:
Lorain
Lakeview Park Photo: ©Mark Teleha
Lakeview Beach: Lake Erie's beautiful winter landscape from here can be stunning. Frozen views of the Lorain Lighthouse are spectacular. The new Rose Cafe is now open. From here you can enjoy a meal or Sunday brunch from the warmth of this cozy new hot spot.
Jackalope Restaurant: Another great spot to get in out of the cold and warm up with awesome views of Lake Erie and the Lorain Lighthouse.
Oberlin
Back Roads and Beaches is all about combining outdoor adventure with the arts, history and culture. This weekend is an especially good time to experience all these in Oberlin.
February 5–March 23: Carroll Dunham Prints
Oberlin College Allen Art Museum, Ripin Gallery.
Carroll Dunham (b. 1949) is one of the most prolific printmakers of his generation. This survey exhibition of Dunham's graphic work is drawn entirely from the holdings at the Addison Gallery of American Art and documents the artist's engagement with printmaking from the mid-1980s to the present. A prolific and inventive draftsman and painter, Dunham combines abstraction, biomorphism, and cartooning in a lively and playful way to explore a wide range of images that he adapts to the special demands of the printmaking medium. Dunham's graphic vocabulary is broad and the present exhibition includes lithographs, etchings, wood engravings, screenprints and recent monotypes. Dunham will be on campus during February to lecture and work with Oberlin College students.
Saturday, February 16, 8pm: Evening of Song, Oberlin College. Mezzo-soprano Keri Alkema will present a program of songs by Mozart, Rossini, Turina, Ravel and others. Warner Concert Hall, 77 W. College St., Oberlin. Tickets are $5 and available by calling Oberlin's Ticket Service at 440.775.8169
February 17–March 28: Six-State Photography show. This Sunday, join the staff of FAVA at the opening reception at the FAVA Gallery. For more information call, 440.774.7158
Sunday, Feb 17, 12pm–5pm: Conversational Tour of the Weltzheimer-Johnson House (Morgan St., Oberlin). The Weltzheimer/Johnson House at Oberlin College is a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian House that sits on a 3 acre lot several blocks from campus. Designed in 1948 and completed in 1950, it is the first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few in the nation open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.oberlin.edu/amam/flwright.html
Check out the following wineries which have a variety of special events such as Lenten fish frys, live entertainment and Valentine dinners:Matus Winery,Single Tree Winery
While in town, check out fine galleries, shops and restaurants.
If that's still not enough to keep you moving this month, keep in mind, in a few short months, you'll want to be in great shape for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure in June and the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon in August. Both will be utilizing portions of the Back Road and Beaches Route. So keep checking back for more information and updates. As the weather warms up, so too will the activity along BRaB!
Labels: arts, cross country skiing, events, Findley, GOBA, Jackalope Restaurant, Lakeview Park, Lorain, Lorain County Metro Parks, Oberlin, triathlon, wineries, winter
Are you riding GOBA for 2008?
If so you can find travel information at www.visitloraincounty.com
For Lorain County cycling photos you can visit the Back Roads and Beaches Flickr site.
Less than seven months to go!
Labels: back roads and beaches, biking, GOBA, Wellington
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure to come to town in 2008
2006 Goba photos by FetchyThe 20th Annual Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) 2008 tour, June 14-21, will feature the northern section of Ohio. The expected 3,000 riders will start gathering for the tour on Saturday, June 14, at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington. They will begin cycling on Sunday, June 15th, covering an average of 50 miles per day, and will overnight in Galion on Sunday, Mt. Vernon on Monday and Tuesday, Coshocton on Wednesday and Thursday, and Orrville on Friday, and will return to Wellington on Saturday. Some of the many attractions featured on this tour include Roscoe Village; Monticello Canal Boat; world-class bike trails; Amish areas; Historic Woodward Opera House; Lake Shore Railway; Orrville Toy & Hobby Museum; Johnson-Humrick House Museum; Orrville Railroad Heritage Museum; Brownella Cottage; Simply Smuckers; and other historic sites, covered bridges, and nature areas. The fun-filled week will include the traditional bicycle parade and the gala opening ceremonies in downtown Wellington, two layover days with bicycling options of 50- or 100-mile loops leading to Zoar Village and quaint Sugarcreek, family-oriented entertainment each night, options for bus excursions, watching professional bike races, and the ever-popular GOBA Song Contest. "To celebrate our 20th Adventure, the towns of northern Ohio are spreading out the welcome mat and are working to make the 2008 tour an experience that will be long remembered,” Van Winkle stated. This will be the twentieth year for GOBA. The tour is owned and operated by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, a non-profit organization, for the benefit of bicycle-related projects in Ohio. GOBA's long time sponsor is Bob Evans Restaurants. In 2007, 2,400 people from 38 states, England, Japan, the Virgin Islands, and Canada took part in the tour. Included in this number were many families: typically, nearly 20% of the participants are children traveling with their parents, making GOBA the largest family-oriented bicycle tour in the world. Over the past nineteen years GOBA has been instrumental in generating more than $9 million in tourism revenues in the towns along the route, as well as in providing access to Ohio's rural treasures to people from all over the country. "GOBA riders are constantly surprised at what a wonderful state Ohio is for bicycling. Our wonderful back roads, charming communities, and great parks and historical sites make it perfect for bicycle touring,” Van Winkle stated. Those interested in receiving registration information and tour details can request a brochure by calling 614-273-0811 or by visiting the website at www.goba.com. Brochures will also be available in the spring in Ohio Bob Evans Restaurants and many bicycle shops. Application deadline is May 14, 2008. Labels: biking, events, GOBA, Wellington
