Friday, October 23, 2009
2009 Red Flannel Ride set for November 1
For many, the Lorain Wheelmen’s annual Red Flannel ride marks the end of the riding season—or just the beginning of the fall/winter cycling season. Set for November 1st, the ride typically brings out hundreds of cyclists to enjoy a scenic fall ride. The start-finish and registration is in Oberlin. Distances are 67 miles and 33 miles. Riders can depart beginning at 9am. There will be food served at stops along the way. Click here for more details and registration information. Labels: 2009, events, Lorain Wheelmen, Red Flannel
Thursday, April 16, 2009
This coming weekend-season's events begin
This weekend is kind of like the unofficial start of our outdoor events season. This Saturday, April 18th in Oberlin is the annual 5k Earth Day run. The weather forecast for this looks superb! The run will start and finish on Tappan Square 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. Here is a link from last year's Earth Day in Oberlin.
The Lorain Wheelmen’s annual tradition to begin the cycling season-Afrost is 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! Labels: 2009, Afrost, Earth Day, Lorain Wheelmen, Oberlin
Monday, March 16, 2009
Time to plan for 2009 North Central Ohio Adventure
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)
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! Labels: 2009, 5k Earth Day race, Afrost, back roads and beaches, cycling, Earth Day, events, kayaking, Lorain Wheelmen, multi-sport, Oberlin, run, Vermilion
Monday, October 27, 2008
It’s that Red Flannel Time of Year Again!
2007 Red Flannel
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.
Labels: Charlie, events, Lorain Wheelmen, Red Flannel
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A sunny summer Sunday along BRaB
Above, participating riders arrive back to Oberlin.
Click here for more scenic photos along Back Roads and Beaches. Labels: back roads and beaches, Kipton, Lorain County Metro Parks, Lorain Wheelmen, multi-sport, rollerblading
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Afrost-Won't be so frosty!
Don't forget: Sunday, April 20, 2008, 9am: Afrost. Sponsored by the Lorain Wheelmen. 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 if you haven't already!
Labels: Afrost, events, Lorain Wheelmen
Monday, March 17, 2008
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
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Beautiful, crisp, autumn day greets riders and runners
This morning found Oberlin to be packed with cyclists, marathon runners and well-wishers. Hundreds of cyclists came to ride the Red Flannel, the annual fall invitational sponsored by the Lorain Wheelmen and run the Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon & 5k Run/Walk. Red Flannel riders chose from either a 33 mile or 67 mile course. Part of the course was along the Back Roads and Beaches route, then headed west to Milan and Wakeman. Riders stopped at Mill Hollow, a Lorain County Metro Park and BRaB sponsor. Everyone seemed to be having a great time making the most of the awesome fall colors and cool weather. Below are some scenes from today's activity. Click here for more Red Flannel and marathon shots.
At left: Lorain Wheelmen register over 300 riders and pass out Lorain County Visitors Bureau bags, Back Roads and Beaches info and water bottles. Below: Riders wait to take off, scenes from the route, marathon runners and cyclists share the path. Click here for more photos of today's events. 
Labels: autumn, back roads and beaches, biking, events, fall folaige, Lorain County, Lorain Wheelmen, marathon, Oberlin, Red Flannel
Friday, October 26, 2007
Upcoming fall rides, races, walks, events
Sunday, November 4, the Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon & 5k Run/Walk will take place starting at Murray Ridge School, 9750 Murray Ridge Rd., in Elyria. Proceeds from this race will benefit the Murray Ridge Levy Committee.
Also on November 4th, the Lorain Wheelmen will be hosting their annual Red Flannel Bike Ride (see below).
Labels: biking, events, Lorain Wheelmen, marathon, Red Flannel
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Lorain Wheelmen love Ohio cycling
While out checking for fall photo ops on the route, I came across a group of Lorain Wheelmen on one of their weekly rides. Ron Cicerchi (left), Arthur Petro (center) and Pete Paslawski (right) were out getting in a quick 25-miler before sunset. The Lorain Wheelmen are getting ready for their biggest invitational ride of the year, the Red Flannel. Typically hundreds of cyclists ride what has become the traditional end of season ride for many. This year's ride will be held on November 4. The ride can be done as either a metric century (67 miles) or half century (33 miles). The start and ending point will be the Oberlin Community Center.
Locals looking for people to ride with might want to check out the Lorain Wheelmen. Members are of all ages and riding ability and the Wheelmen's calendar features a variety of rides, locally and all over Ohio.
Have you ridden the Red Flannel? Please post your comments and experiences here.
Lorain Wheelmen tackle the hills along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.
Labels: events, Lorain Wheelmen, Red Flannel
Monday, July 30, 2007
Roast Your Buns
Photo by Rona Proudfoot
August is a busy time for cyclists and athletes in Lorain County. The following are scheduled events:
August 5: Local cycling club, the Lorain Wheelmen will be hosting their annual "Roast Your Buns" invitational. The 70-mile ride is free and open to the public.
August 5: NCN Racing will be hosting the 2nd Annual Findley Lake Sprint/International Triathlon at Findley State Park. Events will be swimming, biking and trail running.
August 11: Local cycling club, the Silver Wheels will be hosting a Dog Days Wine Tour.
August 26: NCN Racing will host the 5th Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon at Lakeview Park in Lorain.
If you have an event that involves cycling, running, kayaking or swimming in Lorain County, please feel free to add it here.
Labels: back roads and beaches, biking, events, Lorain County, Lorain Wheelmen, ohio
