July 2012 calendar

by Michael Gill

Sunday, July 1

Sunday Mass

Leisurely ride through Cleveland neighborhoods leaves Lakewood Park every Sunday at 11 a.m. and typically includes a stop for coffee or brunch. Distances are typically under 15 miles. Contact Erika Durham, Facebook Bike Lakewood.

Tuesday, July 3

Westlake Criterium Series

Now in its 17th season, this weekly series offers criterium racing on a completely flat, 2-mile course each Tuesday through August 28. Non-sanctioned racing; no license or affiliation required. Registration: 5:45-6:15 p.m. Followed by staging and instructions B and A categories begin at 6:27 and 6:30 p.m. Cash prizes. Races stage in the parking lot at 1097 Bassett Road, Westlake. For more information visit the Westlake Training Race Series page on Facebook, or e-mail jcriccardi@sbcglobal.net.

Wednesday, July 4

Bike Cleveland in the West Park Independence Day Parade

Bring fun bikes and Ride along with Bike Cleveland in the West Park Independence Day Parade, in the Kamms Corner neighborhood. Gather at Gene's Place, 3730 Rocky River Drive. 9 a.m. To 11 a.m. Contact Bikecleveland.org.

Beginners Bike Aboard

Take your bike on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad from Brecksville Station to Peninsula Sation, and bike back 6.75 miles along the Towpath trail. Train leaves at 1 p.m. Go to 13512 Station Road in Brecksville. Call 330.532.8687.

Eddy and Iggy's Bike Night

Fairview Cycle sponsors this weekly get-together with a little incentive: for every one of Eddy and Iggy's micro brew beers you buy, you get a chance to win a new bike. Additional attractions include a spectacular menu and Karaoke hosted by Cleveland musical theater fave Kevin Joseph Kelly. It's at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, all summer long, at Eddy & Iggy's, 17900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, Ohio 44107. For info, call 216.228.1212.

Thursday, July 5

Rusty Saddle Bike Ride

First thursday of every month, a ride through the city beginning at 7 p.m. At Blazing Saddle Cycles (7427 Detroit Ave.) and ending at Now That's Class (11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Oh. Organized by Blazing Saddle Cycles, blazingsaddlecycle.com. Call 216.218.1811.

Friday, July 6

Night Ride on the Towpath

See the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the dark on this family friendly ride starting at Century Cycles in Peninsula Park at the Lock 29 Trailhead. Rides are 122 to 15 miles. Bring your bicycle, helmet, and headlight. Free. Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Helmet and bike lights required. Century Cycles; 1621 Main Street; Peninsula OH. (330) 657-2209 or go to centurycycles.com.

Saturday, July 7

Duncan's Run

This is the second year for this tour of Harlem Township, northeast of Columbus. Marked route visits historic sites. The tour is fully supported, including lunch at the end of the ride, and a souvenir pach. Routes of 15, 31, and 62 miles. Organized by Harlem Township Heritage, Inc.. Contact Tom Nied at 3883 S. State Route 605; Galena, OH 43021-9650. Phone (740) 965-9355., or go to Harlemtwp.com.

Sunday, July 8

Sunday Mass

ABC Ride

Absolutely Beautiful Country Ride has quarter, half, metric, and full century routes. Throuigh the rolling hills of Medina, Wayne, and Summit Counties. It's a full service tour, with lunch for riders on the 50-mile and longer routes. Organized by the Akron Bicycle Club. Contact Pat Smith, 2282 White Marsh Dr.; Twinsburg, OH 44087. Phone 216.337.1051 or go to akronbike.org.

Tour de Captina

It's very hilly in Southeast Ohio, and maybe that's just what you're looking for. This full service tour offers quarter- and metric century routes through Belmont and Monroe Counties, and includes lunch. The best part: the proceeds benefit trail development in the area. Organized by the Ohio Riverfront Development Committee. Contact the Quick Service Bicycle Shop at 701 N. Lincoln Ave.; Bridgeport, OH 43912. (740) 635-3700. www.QuickServiceCycle.com

Tuesday, July 10

Westlake Criterium Series

Wednesday, July 11

Eddy and Iggy's Bike Night

Fairview Cycle sponsors this weekly get-together with a democratic twist: for every one of Eddy and Iggy's micro brew beers you buy, you get a chance to win a new bike. Aditional attractions include a spectacular menu and Karaoke hosted by Cleveland musical theater fave Kevin Joseph Kelly. It's at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, all summer long, at Eddy & Iggy's, 17900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, Ohio 44107. For info, call 216.228.1212.

Friday, July 13

Consider Biking Festival
The Columbus Bicycle Advocacy group Consider Biking presents a weekend celebration of cycling, beginning with the Mayor's Friday night Twilight Tour. Saturday brings touring rides of 25 to 125 miles around Hocking County. Sunday there's a festival downtown. Contact Consider Biking, 4041 N. High St. #201; Columbus, OH 43214. Phone 614.447.8894. or go to considerbiking.org.

Saturday, July 14

Wyandot County Family Bicycle Tour

Upper Sandusky Ohio a town far inland from the larger, lakefront city of Sandusky. This ride begins there and follows the Upper Sandusky River on routes from 9 to 62 miles. There's food and drinks at a covered bridge rest stop. There's a hot chicken sandwich to help you re-fuel at the end of the day. Contact Reuben & Rosa Rall at 410 Spring St.; Upper Sandusky, OH 43351. Phone 419.294.4166.

Massilon Night Rides on the Towpath

Monthly night rides along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath trail. Fifteen miles of flat terrain. Free. Start and finish at the Lake Avenue trailhead in Massilon. Headlight, taillight, helmet required. After-ride munchies are available at a cafe. Sponsored by Ernie’s Bicycle Shop. Contact Ernie Lehman, 135 Lake Ave. NW ,Massillon, OH 44647. Phone 330.832.5111 or go to ernie@erniesbikeshop.com

Sunday, July 15

Sunday Mass

PEP Ride

PEP stands for Pedal Erie Parks. This is a full service ride, with support service, lunch, entertainment, and cookies. Organized by the Friends of the Erie Metropakrs, it offers routes of 10 to 50 miles through Erie County, starting in Huron. Contact Friends of Erie MetroParks.at 3109 Hull Rd.; Huron, OH 44839. Phone 419.625.7783 or go to eriemetroparks.org.

Tuesday, July 17

Westlake Criterium Series

Wednesday, July 18

Eddy and Iggy's Bike Night

Thursday, July 19

The Wheelmen Annual Meet

The Wheelmen might be more tellingly described as the High Wheelmen: The group rides historic bicycles, and would like very much to teach you about them. More than 200 members will bring their bikes from around the country to ride and share stories. Rides of 25 to 100 miles. Organized by the Ohio Chapter of the Wheelment. Contact Richard DeLombard; PO Box 230; Huron, OH. 44839-0230 or go to Ohiowheelmen.org.

Green Trails Cycling Classic

Thursday through Sunday, routes on each of Green County's cycling trails, with proceeds benefiting the upkeep of the trails. Rides of various lengths are offered each day. It's a full service tour, with ride support and snack stops included. Organized by Greene County Parks & Trails. Contact Andrea Malavich at 575 Ledbetter Rd.; Xenia, OH 45385. Phone 937.562.6440 or go to green.co.oh.us/parks.

Saturday, July 21

Dog Days Wine Tour

The Double Dog Dare offers riders on the Dog Days Wine Tour a new challenge this year—a double metric century. But don't worry if you're not up to that: Routes of 30, 40, 65, and 90 miles are also available. Stop at wineries along the way. There's a cook-out after the ride. Organized by the Silver Wheels Cycling Club. Contact Ed Stewart at PO Box 867, Elyria, OH 44036. Phone 440.365.6784 or go to silverwheelscycling.com.

Toledo Metroparks Bicycle Tour

Routes from 15 to 100 miles take back roads between four Toledo area Metroparks. Including the Maumee River, and the historic monument to the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Riders on longer routes get lunch included with the cost of the tour. Organized by the Toledo Area chapter of Hosteling International. Contact Judy Wright at PO Box 352736, Toledo, OH 43635-2736. or go to hitoledo.org.

Ice Cream Odyssey

Routes of 25 to 62 muiles roll through Medina and Wayne Counties with a stop at the Hartzler Dairy for ice cream. Organized by the Medina County Bicycle Club. Contact Shawn Conway at PO Box 844, Medina, OH 44256. Phone 330.421.1987 or go to medinabikeclub.org.

Peninsula Night Rides on the Towpath

Tour de Metz

Rides of 15 and 30 miles through rolling hills of Geoga County. This is a full service tour, with ride support, snacks, lunch, rest stops, and a tee shirt. Proceeds benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities. Organized by the Metzenbaum Foundation. Contact Tami Setlock at the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities; 8200 Cedar Rd.; Chesterland, OH 44026, phone 440.729.9406 or e-mail setlock@geaugadd.org.

Sunday, July 22

Sunday Mass

Tuesday, July 24

Westlake Criterium Series

Wednesday, July 25

Eddy and Iggy's Bike Night

Thursday, July 26

Pan Ohio Hope Ride

Raise money for the American Cancer Society on this tour, with one, two, and four day options (through Sunday) that take riders from Cleveland through Columbus and Cincinnati. There's an entry fee as well as a fund-raising goal. Organized by the American Cancer Society. Phone 888.227.6446 Ext. 1222, or go to PanOhioHopeRide.org

Friday, July 27

Cleveland Critical Mass

Join hundreds of cyclists for this leisurely, leaderless social ride through Cleveland neighborhoods. The last Friday of each month the ride gathers at Public Square for departure at 7 p.m. Contact: Cleveland Critical Mass on Facebook.

Saturday, July 28

Crossroads Bike Tour

Choose or combine four loops of 25 to 30 miles through rolling west-central Ohio. Proceeds benefit efforts to improve and add to the Simon Kenton Trail. Organized by West Liberty Bike Tours. Contact Jim Hoffman at 117 W. Newell St., West Liberty, OH 43357. Phone 937.441-2977 or e-mail westlibertybiketours@gmail.com

Community Ties

Eventually the Ohio to Erie trail will connect Lake Erie to the Ohio River with a dedicated all purpose trail following unused canals and railbeds through Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati. This ride supports completion of the trail with routes of 8, 30, 62, and 100 miles, including a new section of the trail. It's a full service tour. Organized by the Delaware County Friends of the Trail. Contact David Staats at PO Box 2302; Westerville, OH 43086-2302. Phone 740.815.9008 or go to dcft.org.

Lakewood Criterium

The race around Lakewood's west end is back, with another Saturday afternoon and evening of high speed excitement in a neighborhood packed with restaurants, bars, and interesting turns. There's $2400 in prize money, house parties, and special promotions at bars along the route. Go to Lakewood Criterium.com for information.

Sunday, July 29

Sunday Mass

Sweet Corn Challenge

A rider limit of 2,500 tells you a bit about this popular summer tour of the Cuyahoga Valley. Routes of 10, 25, 50, and 100 miles wind through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and surrounding farms. There's a pancake breakfast. There's SAG support. There's lunch and dinner. There are 2 free ears of corn for each rider to take home. Sponsored by Eddy's Bike Shop, this is the 19th year for this classic Ohio bike tour. Registration is online. Contact Sue Serdinak at the Richfield Chamber of Commerce, 4300 Streetsboro Rd., Richfield OH 44286. Phone 330.659.3300 or go to sweetcornride.com.

Tuesday, July 31

Westlake Criterium Series