Back Roads and Beaches Blog

Monday, August 3, 2009

This week’s events around Back Roads and Beaches

Mountain bikers: Join the Tuesday evening time trials at Findley State Park sponsored by the North Coast Mountain Bikers. Time trials are from 5:30-7:30pm beginning at Findley's beach. All levels and ages of riders welcome! Directions to Findley State Park can be found here. Photos of the trail can be found here and map of the trail here.

Triathletes: This Saturday, August 8 is the 4th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon. Click here to pre-register. Here are some photos from last year's sprint triathlon at Findley.

Touring cyclists: There are many, many great events going on around the route this weekend including farmer's markets, winery events and more. On Saturday, Matus Winery will be having their first Corn Roast/Backyard Games with Corn Hole Tournament. Click here for more info and directions. Also on Saturday, Paper Moon Vineyards will be having live music from 4-7pm. Both wineries are just off the BRaB route and welcome cyclists.

Outdoor enthusiasts: The Lorain County Metro Parks has a large events calendar with many hiking, biking and kayaking events for all ages and levels. This Friday, "Bike for your health" at 9pm. Leave from the Splash Zone in Oberlin and ride the bike trail at night along with a Lorain County Metro Parks ranger from the bike patrol unit. For more events check out their webpage listings.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Monday, July 27, 2009

Huntington Triathlon pics

Here are a few shots from the Huntington Triathlon yesterday. It was a well-organized event with great turnout and weather.

Women’s swim start.

There’s our logo on Jim’s shoulder - thanks Jim!


We spotted Lorain County triathlete Stori Miller rounding the bend to the finish. Congratulations Stori!


Labels: , , ,

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Scenes from the Lakeview Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon

It was another gorgeous day in north central Ohio and perfect weather for the annual Lorain Sprint Tri/Duo. Here are a few scenes from today’s race at beautiful Lakeview Park and Beach in Lorain. First place overall men’s: Mark Durno with a time of 1:05:16, women’s Joanne Collins with a time of 1:14:56. Click here for complete final results.


Swim

Men’s swim start

Women’s swim start


Bike


Run

Brooks Butler, 2nd place overall finisher approaches the finish line.

Joanne Collins, women’s overall winner

Kimberly Vick and Jessica Steuk tackle the final hill and close in on the finish.


And a great massage to round out the day! Congratulations to all the dedicated athletes who made it out and completed an outstanding feat before most people are out of bed on a Sunday morning!

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Friday, May 29, 2009

Triathlon and competitive events calendar


Here is a partial list of triathlons and other events that will take place in Lorain County, north central Ohio this summer. We’ll be out and about at some of these events to get some photos so check back for updates on events and results.

Sunday, June 21
6th Annual Park 2 Park Half Marathon & 5K
Location: French Creek Reservation, Sheffield, OH
Time: 7:00 A.M.
Half Marathon 13.1 miles or 5K Pre-Register Here

Sunday, June 28
4th Annual Columbia Station Half Marathon Run & Inline Skate
Location: Copopa Elementary School
14168 W. River Rd., Columbia Station, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: 13.1 Miles (for both races) Pre-Register Here

Sunday, July 12
23rd Annual Summer Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon
Location: Lakeview Park, Lorain, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: Triathlon 1/4-Mile Swim, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Run
Duathlon - 5K Run, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Run Pre-Register Here

Saturday, August 8
4th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon
Location: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.- 1/4-Mile Swim, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Trail Run
Duathlon - 5K Trail Run, 14-Mile Bike, 5K Trail Run Pre-Register Here

Vermilion Harbour Triathlon, Sunday, August 16

Sunday, August 23 7th Annual Lorain Sprint / International Triathlon
Location: Lakeview Park, Lorain, OH
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Distance: Sprint - 1/4-Mile Swim, 14.3-Mile Bike, 5K Run
International - 1.5K Swim, 22.8-Mile Bike, 10K Run Pre-Register Here

Saturday, September 19 2nd Annual Lorain County AIDS Task Force 10K Run/5K Walk
Location: Lorain County Community College
1005 Abbe Road North, Elyria, OH
10K Start Time: 9:00 A.M., 5K Start Time: 10:00 A.M.
Distance: 10K Run or 5K Walk Pre-Register Here

Sunday, October 4 2nd Annual Step Forward 5-Mile or 10-Mile Run or 5K Run/Walk
Location: Bur Oak Park, 1350 Ford Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035
Time: 9:00 A.M.
Distance: 5-Mile or 10-Mile Run or 5K Run/Walk Pre-Register Here

Sunday, November 1 6th Annual Inland Trail Marathon / Half Marathon & 5K
Location: Murray Ridge School, Elyria, OH
Distance: Marathon - 26.2 Miles Half Marathon - 13.1 Miles
Pre-Register Here

Labels: , , , , , ,

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)

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!

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, August 29, 2008

Another Beautiful Labor Day Weekend in Store


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/Duathlon 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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, August 25, 2008

Lorain International Triathlon 2008 Pics and Recap

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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, August 22, 2008

Annual Lorain Sprint/International Triathlon this Sunday



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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Vermilion Harbor Triathlon recap


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.


Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Today was a beautiful sunny Saturday along the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route! It was great fun finding so many enthusiastic cyclists, tourists and athletes in Lorain County today. The usually quiet route was busy with lots of activity: charity rides, winery rides and triathletes preparing for their big race.

Below: The
MS-150 Pedal to the Point came through Lorain County today along the Back Roads and Beaches Route. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the ride and the great weat
her. Click here to see more photos of Pedal to the Point riders in Lorain County.






Today was also the day for the Silver Wheels’ Dog Days Wine Tour:

Above, cyclists are all geared up and spinning for the winery on the
Silver Wheels Dog Days Wine Tour

Dog Days riders looking like they are having a ball heading for the wineries.

Below: Racers register for the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon taking place tomorrow.
(Watch here for recap and photos)


Well—what can we say? Comfort IS a factor in triathlon racing.

Pam Horvath from the Lorain County Visitors Bureau cheerfully greets triathletes with
information on the area and Back Roads and Beaches.


Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, August 15, 2008

Welcome Vermilion Harbor Triathlon Athletes!


Vermilion is ready to welcome athletes and spectators for the first Vermilion Harbor Triathlon to be held on Sunday, August 17. And we are excited that much of the bike route follows Back Roads and Beaches.


There is still time to register tomorrow at the Red Clay in Vermilion. Registration will be held from 12–6.


The triathlon swim will begin at scenic Linwood Park.
Staff from the Lorain County Visitors Bureau will be on hand to distribute information on the bike route and other area information. If you are still in need of lodging for the event, click here. Welcome!

Labels: , , , , , ,

Sunday, August 3, 2008

A sunny summer Sunday along BRaB


Lorain Wheelmen had their annual “Roast your Buns” ride today.
Above, participating riders arrive back to Oberlin.



Roller bladers enjoy the Lorain County Metroparks’ North Coast Inland Trail



Historic Marker at Kipton Community Park marks the site of the Great Kipton Train Wreck.


View from Baird Road along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.
Click here for more scenic photos along Back Roads and Beaches.

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, August 1, 2008

Upcoming Tri News



Event:

Sunday, August 3
3
4th Annual Findley Lake Sprint / International Triathlon
Location: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH

International - 1/2-Mile Swim, 28-Mile Bike, 10K Trail Run
Pre-Register Here


Vermilion Harbor Triathlon & Duathlon

Sunday, August 17, 2008
8am
Linwood Park, Vermilion, OH

The series heads north for stop number 5 in the beautiful harbor town of Vermilion, Ohio. Known best for its association with the largest one-day festival in Ohio – The Woollybear Festival, held every September. Multisport athletes will love the small town feel of this venue as they race through downtown Vermilion and tackle one of the most challenging courses in the series. Triathletes will be treated to a spectacular rectangle swim course (2-laps Olympic, 1-lap Sprint) off the private beach of Linwood Park. The Duathletes opening 5k run is out and back featuring a run through downtown Vermilion. The bike courses feature an out and back course for the sprint course and a demanding loop course for the Olympic distance course featuring two Vermilion River gorge crossings. The race finishes with an out and back run through downtown Vermilion with breathtaking shoreline views of Lake Erie for the entire course. This race is a perfect addition to the series and a must do for northern Ohio multisport athletes.

Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, July 20, 2008

A kayaking trip up the Black River in Lorain


Here are some scenes from a Saturday kayaking trip up the Black River in Lorain. Later this summer the Lorain County Metro Parks will officially dedicate a new 27-mile boat/kayak trail from the Vermilion River Reservation to the Black River Reservation.



Bird-watching on the Black River is spectacular. Click here for more information.


Black River Landing in Lorain is also known for being station 100 of the Underground Railroad. Last year a monument was placed here at Black River Landing, paying homage to the abolitionists who risked their lives by helping slaves escape to Canada.


The Charles Berry Bridge in Lorain is the second largest bascule bridge in the world.


Sailboats head out for an afternoon of racing


View of the Jackalope Restaurant in Lorain.
A great place to tie off and have a bite to eat.


Appledore V, a 65' schooner takes Lorain Port Fest attendees on a public sail. Click here for today’s schedule. Click here for more info on kayaking along the Back Roads and Beaches route.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,