Brightmeadow on Bicycles: January 2021

Friday, January 22, 2021

Dates of Bicycling Events in and around Northeast Ohio

Non-comprehensive list of events related to bicycling in Ohio!

This is a list of events that pique my interest. There is a more comprehensive list of tours and races on the ohio.bike web site

01-27-2021 - Rails to Trails Webinar

The first webinar of the 326 Miles of Smiles webinar series.
Start here to learn the nuts and bolts of the 326-mile Ohio to Erie Trail whether you are visiting on wheels or by foot. The trail offers miles of smiles for the day visitor, friends looking for a weekend getaway, or adventurers setting out on a weeklong tour.
Join the trail and guest speakers on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm EST. The webinars are offered via Zoom and streamed to the trail’s Facebook page.
Registration Link:

02-10-2021 Ohio to Erie Trail Zoom meeting 7:00 pm

See Facebook event for more info.

4/17/29. 29th THINK SPRING RIDE. Stow.

A free ride ushering in the 2021 cycling season, select from routes of 20 miles of multi-purpose trail riding, or 34 rolling to hilly road and trail miles. Ride support consists of snacks and limited sag. All participants are asked to observe state and local precautionary guidelines regarding COVID-19. Helmet Required. Akron Bicycle Club. Walter Kudlaty; 975 Canyonview Rd. Apt. 105; Sagamore Hills, OH 44067. (330) 806-9106. AkronBike.org

06-04-21 through 06-06-21 Bike Travel Weekend

Join me on an Italian leg of my Grand Tour of Ohio cities named after European capitols. My route will include Rome, Florence, Parma and Lodi, and will be a mix of roads and trails. 50-60 miles per day.

06-19-2021 through 06-25-2021 Pedal Across Lower Michigan -

POSTPONED TILL 2022

PALM, taking its name from the shape of the state, is an exciting six-day ride across Michigan. We use paved scenic routes, geared to the novice and intermediate touring rider. The daily distances and terrain combine to make PALM unusually well suited to family bicycling. More experienced riders are welcome: optional longer routes are provided. The emphasis is on the social and recreational aspects of bicycling. We hope that the fun of PALM will persuade our riders to use bicycles more frequently. We also hope that the people who encounter our riders will increase their awareness of safe bicycling and perhaps become frequent, safe cyclists themselves.

06-19-2021 through 06-26-2021 Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure

As usual, Michigan and Ohio rivalry means that I must choose one or the other. See the website for status, this event is subject to cancellation due to COVID-19. Currently registrations are open to new riders on March 15.

07-16-2021 through 07-18-2021 - Velosano

Latin for “swift cure”, VeloSano is a year-round fundraising initiative to support lifesaving cancer research at Cleveland Clinic. Since the inaugural ride in 2014, more than $24 million has been raised and 1OO% of those funds are hard at work in the fight against cancer.

07-22-2021 through 07-25-2021 - Pan Ohio Hope Ride

The 15th Annual Pan Ohio Hope Ride is planned to be a 328-mile tour of Ohio during the 3rd weekend of July, 2021. Cyclists also have the option to join for just one or two days of the tour. Those who are unable to be with us in person or who prefer a more casual cycling experience can participate in the “Create Your Own 328” option and challenge themselves to complete 328 miles on their own throughout the entire month of July.

07-25 through 07-31 RAGBRAI

09-11-2021 through 09-17-2021 Moffit Memorial Ride

The annual Ohio to Erie Trail adventure ride is named the “Moffitt Memorial Ride” in memory of our former Board of Directors President Tom Moffitt (Dr. Thomas Lawson Moffitt, III). Tom passionately served as Board President for over 16 years and worked tirelessly to fulfill Ed Honton’s vision of a multi-purpose cross state trail/greenway. Tom’s leadership and enthusiasm in working with local agencies and trail organizations to complete the Ohio to Erie Trail will forever be appreciated by present and future generations of trail users. Tom was a devoted educator in the greater Cincinnati area for over 45 years and as many of you may know an avid cyclist. He completed several cross county rides and rode the entire length of the Ohio to Erie Trail a number of times before his departure in 2017. Tom will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

09-18-2021 MORON - Mid-Ohio Ride Outa Nowhere (Mifflin, Ohio)

09-27-2021 Bike Your Park Day

Explore your parks and public lands by bicycle for Bike Your Park Day, when thousands of others throughout the world ride to and through parks and public lands on the same day. Ride any distance on roads, paved bike paths, or single track. Stop to enjoy a spectacular view, treat yourself to your favorite ice cream, cool your toes in a lake, or learn something new at an historical site. You'll be elbow bumping your friends and feeling a sense of accomplishment for discovering your public lands in a new way-- by bicycle.

10-9-2021 Women's Cycling Day

Women's Cycling brings together women to experience, share and express their love of cycling! Check the web site for local events.

10-16-2021 Fall'N Leaf Ride

Annual Ride of the Mid-Ohio Bikers

Recurring Rides

Y-Not Cycling - Lexington, Ohio

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening beginning in May. See website for details.

Cycling Sports Center - Mansfield, Ohio

Indoor cycling on trainers during winter months. Outdoor rides, organized by average speed, on Wednesdays during warmer weather. See website for details.

Mid-Ohio Bikers - Mansfield/Richland county area

Weather Permitting, we typically meet almost every Saturday at 9:30AM at the Bike Parking Lot next to Lexington City Park. This summer we also have a trip planned for a week in the Xenia area. There are a lot of nice roads and bike trails in the area. Details to follow. See website.

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Bicycling Advocacy and Clubs for Northeast Ohio cyclists

Biking with others

Below I have attempted to start a list of groups and clubs that I have found useful to me in my biking journeys. I may add to this as the days go on. Note that this list is specific to my location in Northeast Ohio. You may want to use this as a jumping-off point to start your own list.

Clubs and Organizations

Adventure Cycling

Bike tours and maps. Monthly magazine for members. Store for upper-echelon products. They bill themselves as "As a nonprofit organization, Adventure Cycling Association's mission is to inspire and empower people to travel by bicycle. Established in 1973 as Bikecentennial, we are the premier bicycle-travel organization in North America"

Web site: Adventurecycling.org

League of American Bicyclists

"For generations past and to come, THE LEAGUE represents bicyclists in the movement to create safer roads, stronger communities and a Bicycle Friendly America. Through information, advocacy and promotion, we work to celebrate and preserve the freedom cycling brings to our members everywhere."

The League focuses on advocacy for safe streets and bicycle friendly communities.

Web site: https://www.bikeleague.org/

Mid Ohio Bikers

The Mid Ohio Bike Club (MOB) is a comprised of riders of all ages and riding levels. Most of us are touring riders but we also have members who enjoy bike trail riding and mountain biking.

We have a weekly ride schedule, many impromptu rides, activities and monthly meetings every 3rd Tuesday. Many of us participate in large organized rides like TOSRV, Horsey Hundred (Kentucky), and GOBA, along with supporting rides sponsored by other area clubs. We also take a trip in the summer to a recreation area that has some nice biking

We support our community. Our club members volunteer to help maintain the B&O Bike Trail and we have installed benches and fix-it stations. We as a club also adopt a family or two at Christmas time. In the winter many of us ski at Snow Trails and we have a yearly ski trip to New York. We always find reasons to gather!

http://midohiobikers.org/

Ohio Bicycle Federation

The Ohio Bicycle Federation (OBF) is the only state-wide advocacy organization representing Ohio's bicyclists.

The OBF is an alliance of individuals and groups interested in promoting the use of bicycles for recreation, transportation and other appropriate purposes.

It serves by providing opportunities for the betterment of bicycle education, engineering, legislation, the encouragement of activities involving the use of bicycles and by serving as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.

Publishes Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar

Website: ohiobikes.org

People for Bikes

Since 1999, PeopleForBikes has created a prominent place for bikes in transportation, mobility and recreation decisions at all levels of government. We ensure bikes are prioritized and positioned as a real solution to improve Americans’ health, connect communities, boost local and state economies, strengthen our nation and protect our planet.

We accomplish this by being proactive and planning for the future, adopting a broad and inclusive vision for government affairs and making it convenient for leaders at all levels to take advantage of opportunities and legislation that prioritize bikes.

Together, we work with federal, state and local officials to make biking better for everyone.

Website: peopleforbikes.org

Rails to Trails

At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), we believe that communities are healthier and happier when trail networks are central to their design. Since 1986, RTC has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country, serving as the national voice for the rail-trail movement.
With more than 1 million grassroots supporters, 24,000+ miles of rail-trails on the ground nationwide and more than 8,000 miles of rail-trails ready to be built, our focus is on linking these corridors—creating trail networks that connect people and places, bringing transformative benefits to communities all across the country. Our flagship initiatives—the Great American Rail-Trail™, TrailNation™ and TrailLink.com—bring that strategy to life, connecting millions of people by trail.

Website: Rails to Trails

Women's Cycling Club of America

Women's Cycling brings together women to experience, share and express their love of cycling!

Founded to encourage all those who identify as women, regardless of age, ethnicity, or background, to explore and share their passion for the bicycle through racing, recreational riding, family outings, or transportation. Women’s Cycling is a platform for like-minded enthusiasts to connect and grow their love for the sport of cycling. Using dedicated social media platforms, Women's Cycling communicates with women nationwide to encourage participation and connection online and at rides and events in 2021. Providing cycling tips, personal messages, inspiration, and other cycling industry- related topics to our followers via social platforms. Women's Cycling works with individuals, bike shops, and brand partners to develop cycling passion within communities.

Website: https://www.womenscyclingday.com/

Facebook Groups

NE Ohio Cycling Community

Cycling forum for knowledge, coaching, events and meetups for all ages and abilities.

I want to hear about your rides, I want to share best places to ride in NE Ohio and it can be about best roads to ride, century rides, gravel, MTB riding in Cuyahoga falls, Tuscarawas County and what section of the towpath do you love. This is for all cyclist , ages and abilities! '

Facebook: NE Ohio Cycling Community

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail / Ohio To Erie Trail Enthusiasts Group

This group has been created to help provide information and awareness about the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and The Ohio to Erie Trail. Your questions, stories, pictures, and videos are welcome here.
Facebook link Ohio and Erie Canal Trail Enthusiasts

Social Distance Cycling Club -

The whole purpose of this group is to encourage each other to get outside and ride a bike in a safe, appropriate, socially distant way, or to pedal indoors. When you get outside and pedal in the fresh air, or cycle indoors, please share a post with a pic, the location and some encouragement! Please feel free to opt out, or to add others to the group. Pedal on!