Great Lakes Courier

2013: Pittsburgh Defeats Cleveland Again! - Or will they? STOP THE INSANITY: Accept the CHALLENGE!

Shelli Snyder — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:46:14 EDT

We will WIN.

So. Football to me is pretty much that game…where those dudes in tight pants run around pushing a small white ball with red laces. Down some ice. With a broom. And they aim for a basket so that they can score a field goal. Wait. Touch down. No…Wait. Whatever. BUT! Football is that game where Cleveland folks go BIZERK if you even mention the colors black & gold. (Or is it yellow?). Cleveland Brown’s fans *HEART* the Steelers. Right?

My point is, I don’t really know jack about football (nor do I really give a crap about football) but I do know this: Cleveland folks will do ANYTHING when it comes to beating Pittsburgh. And that, I care about.
Let’s bring this to a subject I do know (and LOVE) shall we?

May Is Bike Month in the Heights

Mary Dunbar — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

The Coffee Station at the intersection of Edgehill and Overlook Roads in Cleveland Heights attracted almost 100 on Bike to Work Day in 2012.

May is Bike Month nationwide. The Heights Bicycle Coalition is supporting local celebrations of Bike Month through collaborations with Heights cities, schools and more. All are welcome to participate in these free Bike Month activities in the Heights:

Winter Progress from Bike Cleveland

Jacob VanSickle — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Photo courtesy of Brian Fyfe

Despite the cold and snow, winter has been a busy season for Bike Cleveland. We recently moved our office to the Sustainable Cleveland Center in Tower City (230 W. Huron Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113). Please stop by and visit us at our open house on April 4th, from 8-9pm, then check out La Camioneta, our sponsored film in the Cleveland International Film Festival, premiering at 9:40pm. We will have refreshments and plenty of great bike information. We hope to see you there!

Fairview Cycle - A Family Bike Shop

Jennifer Smillie — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Fairview Cycle is a family bike shop. They have been open for 63 years and during that time they have seen many changes come and go in the bicycling community. Through more than half a century of trends including the '70s Bike Boom, the BMX craze, mountain bikes, the development of carbon bikes, and even electric-assist bikes, they have stayed steadfast in their commitment to offering families a one stop shop for all their bicycling needs.

Pedal through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on your bike during Wild Ride

Joe Yachanin — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

Wild Ride drew 1,000 cyclists to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Cleveland’s bike enthusiasts have spoken! Due to the sold out crowd for last year’s inaugural safari on two wheels – Wild Ride at the Zoo – this year we’re planning two!

Westlake Criterium: Construction Looms

Michael Gill — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:05 EDT

The Westlake Criterium training race series enters its 18th consecutive season this month. Organizer Chris Riccardi plans to open the series of weekly, Tuesday night races May 7. He says the season is likely to be truncated by road construction, however, as the City of Westlake plans maintenance for part of the course. “Major road construction is scheduled for 2013, and I don't have a good answer for start dates impacting the course roads,” Riccardi said in an e-mail as Great Lakes Courier went to press.

Bike Month Events

Michael Gill — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

May is National Bike Month, and in Northeast Ohio that means a slew of bike-to-school, bike-to-work, and other rides, as well as observances, actions, and celebrations. See you on the road!

On Track for 2013

Michael Gill — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

When the Cleveland Velodrome opened at the end of last summer, it was as if the cycling community got a new toy that almost no one knew how to use. And then came Winter.

Lakewood Criterium to regroup, return in 2014

Michael Gill — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

Lakewood Criterium race director Brian Limkemann confirmed in a phone interview that the race will take the 2013 season off to regroup, in anticipation of a return in 2014, “bigger and better than ever.”

Test Your Skills On 2-Wheels With Cleveland Metroparks "Mountain Bike Race Series"

Michael Gill — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

See how you stack up to other area riders and challenge yourself with the new Cleveland Metroparks "Mountain Bike Race Series" this June.

The Turn

Paul Marasco — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

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Mud to morning ice

Alphabet Soup: The Naming of Tours

Michael Gill — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

The Cleveland Velodrome, as seen on the cover of the 2013 Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar, available at your local bike shop. Photo credit: Gary Burkholder

Sometimes a bicycle ride is exactly that—a self-propelled roll across the landscape on two wheels. But sometimes its an event, with a name, a mapped route, and maybe even meals and a celebration at the end. If you flip through the Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar, you'll see that the names of those rides have certain peculiar personality traits.

Re:Cycling Thoughts: An Interview with: The Road

John McGovern — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT

The Detroit - Superior Bridge, view looking East, in 1914. Courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Cuyahoga County Archives collection

Date: March 15, 2013 Five days before the vernal equinox

Zen and the Art of Bicycling in Traffic

Jim Sheehan — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Down by the river: Riding safely in the Flats, near the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op

Most people who ride regularly in traffic have had the adrenalin-raising experience of being “buzzed” by a motorist: you’re riding along, minding your business, riding legally on the right side of the road, and some idiot passes you within a foot or two of sending you to the hospital, or worse. Your fight-or-flight response kicks in: maybe you make a futile, angry hand gesture -- or you catch up to them at the next red light, and engage in an angry (and, usually, unfulfilling) “discussion” of the finer points of traffic law.

Opening Day Ride for the Tribe

Bob Polk — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Ride for the Tribe 2012 stopped at historic League Park
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Bob Polk of Bob’s Bike Tours has been offering guided tours of Downtown Cleveland, Ohio City, and Tremont since 2011. He is now also the face of Cleveland Bicycle Billboard Advertising, providing an eco friendly, fun and personable alternative to ho-hum advertising.

Fall back. Spring FORWARD. But always reflect: The season of giving. Does it ever really end?

Shelli Snyder — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Gathering of cyclists
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As we pedal further away from the traditional “season of giving”, and into the start of spring I am reminded of the many incredible times throughout the last year that the cycling community has given back to their own. From fix-a-thons, to charity rides, to accidents, to unfortunate deaths; the cycling community here in Cleveland has given back whether it involved a bike or not. That is how we are. We are a close knit community. All of Cleveland really is. A small town where everyone knows everyone through some degree of separation, in a big city. That’s what makes the common denominator of two wheels such a unique tie.

Get ready to roll at free bicycle fairs in Bay Village, Rocky River, and Medina

Tracey Bradnan — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Did you know America’s biggest and most successful bike-to-school program is right here in Northeast Ohio? Bike To School Challenge (www.centurycycles.com/to/BTS) returns for its 6th year on May 6-24, 2013, organized by Century Cycles bicycle store and five Northeast Ohio schools to inspire and incentivize over 4,000 students to ride their bicycles to school as much as possible for three weeks.

Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail begin 19th season on April 27

Tracey Bradnan — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

The Towpath Trail is one of Northeast Ohio's most popular bicycle paths by day. Riding it by moonlight is an entirely different experience that bicyclists of all abilities can enjoy on Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail, now back for their 19th year this spring.

Introducing Village Bicycle Cooperative

Jennifer Smillie — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Allow us to introduce ourselves. Our mission is to offer a bicycle education - based workspace, and to advocate for bicycling in a way that fosters a healthier, safer, and more sustainable community. Although our workspace happens to be located in Bay Village, our organization is not just for Bay rresidents, but for everyone in the region.

Our education offerings this year will focus on teaching basic bicycle maintenance and safe bicycling techniques. Class times and dates will be posted on our website as they are finalized.

In line with our mission of sustainability and education, the cooperative also repairs donated bicycles and sells them back to the community. This keeps usable bicycles from ending up in a landfill, and at the same time provides education opportunities for our volunteers. Of course it also allows the public to purchase low-cost bicycles that have been freshly tuned-up. All proceeds help fund the Cooperative.

Our first year of operation was a busy one. We were able to develop collaborative relationships with many organizations throughout the region. We continue to seek creative, collaborative relationships with any business or organization interested in furthering bicycling in our community.

During open hours, all are welcome to see our mission in action by stopping at our workspace in the basement of the Bay Village Community House, at 303 Cahoon Rd.. There you'll learn more about our mission by talking with volunteers. You can also view and purchase used bicycles, and you can even bring your bicycle to work on it. Because we are 100% volunteer-operated, our workspace hours vary from week to week. Current open hours are posted to the Open Shop tab of our website, www.villagebicycle.org. You may also contact us at info@villagebicycle if you have any questions, are looking to collaborate, or would like to get involved.

The Outspoken Cyclist visits the North American Handmade Bicycle Show 2013

Diane Lees — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:43:48 EDT

Giro d'Italia winner (1988), co-owner of Hampsten Cycles, and American hero, Andy Hampsten

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Throngs of folks tumbled through the doors of the Denver Convention Center over the 3 days of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show--NAHBS 2013--in February.