North Coast Cycling

First came the bicycles, then the cyclists, then the bike routes, then the events. It's fall cycling season on the North Coast and it's time to roll!

For those of us who love the feel of riding into the curves and becoming one with the bike, this is the time of year when we take advantage of the mild weather to embrace our favorite mode of transportation before we got our first car keys. You know what they say--you never forget how to ride a bike. Remember how that feels?

Where did it all begin? German Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn invented the Running Machine, a pre-bicycle that was powered by the rider's feet and exhibited in Paris in 1818. Improvements were later made in Europe, and by 1839, bicycles had wheels and pedals that enabled the rider to propel the machine with their feet off the ground. The first machine known as the “bicycle” was patented in England in 1869 when rubber tires were mounted on steel rims. The safety bicycle, with wheels of equal size, was universally adopted by US manufacturers in the 1880s.

In 1892, Orville and Wilbur Wright opened their first bicycle shop in Dayton during America's first love of cycling. By 1899, the US manufactured about one million bicycles a year. Ten years later, the motorcycle and automobile caused the US bicycle industry to be nearly nonexistent.

Get Organized
Cyclists have maintained their enthusiasm for the vehicle that existed before the motorized ones. The Ohio Bicycle Federation published an Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar that highlights routes and events, but also the clubs. Cincinnati Cycle Club has been around since the 1880s. Dayton Cycling Club recently celebrated the 103rd birthday of co-founder Clair Duckham's with a ride in Vandalia. In Cleveland, the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Asssociation http://www.camba.org, ClevelandBikes http://www.ClevelandBikes.org and Cleveland Touring Club http://www.ClevelandTouringClub.org are testaments to the popularity of cycling on the North Coast.

In northeastern Ohio, we can take our bikes to the Metroparks' Emerald Necklace or the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail. Both the Metroparks and the National Park Service provide guided rides, including night rides and weekend trips, and local cycling organizations give everyone a chance to be part of a biking community. But did you know Ohio has over 700 miles of biking paths (www.dot.state.oh.us) supported by communities and businesses who map out routes and provide places to water up? Organizations like Ohio City Bicycle Co-op and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy provides bicycle riding education, social rides, and bicycle repair classes to enrich America's communities and countryside.

For a different cycling experience, check out the 12-foot wide North Coast Inland Trail, a paved asphalt trail from Elyria to Kipton and passing through Oberlin along the way. The Trail was built over the abandoned Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland railroad line from Elyria to Toledo. Seven years ago, seven park districts agreed to develop a system connecting trails, and the Lorain County Metro Parks manages the portion in Lorain County. The trail is open to non-motorized traffic of all kinds (except skateboards), including walkers, runners, bicyclers, in-line skaters and cross-country skiers. Along the way, forestland, farmed fields, and towns provide interest. When the weather becomes gruesome, Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park http://www.RaysMTB.com is the place to go--keep on riding through the winter in 120,000 square feet of trails, ramps and riding challenges, all under one industrial roof.

Where to ride
There were many summer events, but Fall cycling is less frenzied because the testosterone levels of long days have leveled out. If you agree, enjoy events close to home this Fall like the Night Rides on the Towpath Trail starting at Century Cycles in Peninsula on Sat 9/19 & Sat 10/10 http://www.CenturyCycles.com, the North East Ohio Century in Newton Falls on Sun 9/20 write neoc2009ATyahoo.com for information, the Cider Festival Bike Ride in Norton on Sun 9/27 write MBarkey1ATneo.rr.com for more information), and the Friendsville Freebie Fifty in Medina on Sat 10/24 http://www.MedinaBikeClub.org. Check out http://www.OhioCycling.info for additional events and specifics.

Of course, you can always ride the streets of Cleveland where you can admire the new planters on Euclid Avenue, stop at the end of the E. 9th Street Pier to watch the ships troll past, or trek through the Flats past creativity in action. Mark Twain said, “Learn to ride a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live.” You will agree with that statement after taking your bike beyond the neighborhood this Fall. I hope to see you on the trails, or on the streets.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers. Her favorite foods are red wine, salmon, ice cream, and chocolate. She loves to read, write, tour wineries, ride her bike, ease into yoga, and cook gourmet meals for friends. Find her at http://www.claudiatallermusings.blogspot.com.

(:divend:)