By Bob Downing
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:38 p.m. EDT, Aug 30, 2009
The dedication of Akron's newest section of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail on Friday will highlight the city's second annual Akron Bike Week.
Events include day and night bike rides, scavenger hunts, bike-to-work days and cycling workshops, starting Friday and running through Sept. 12.
The floating section of the Towpath Trail will be featured in a two-hour ride through downtown Akron Sept. 12. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Mustill Store, off West North Street near downtown Akron. Helmets are required. All ages are welcome. Warning: There is a stiff uphill climb to downtown Akron.
Other highlights:
-- Summit Tour of Metro Parks Bicycle Adventure, with rides of 10, 25 and 63 miles on Saturday. The rides will begin at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls, in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The first rides depart at 7:30 a.m. Helmets are required. The tour is limited to 1,600 riders. For information, call 330-865-8065 or visit http://www.stompbikeride.com.
-- Smart Cycling workshops and rides on Saturday at three Akron community centers: 9 to 11 a.m. at the Northwest Community Center, 330-375-2849; noon to 2 p.m. at the Ellet Community Center, 330-375-2809; and 3 to 5 p.m. at the Mason Park Community Center, 330-375-2821. Helmets and registration are required.
-- Tour Akron Bike Ride, 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. The 19.5-mile ride, sponsored by the Akron Bicycle Club, will begin at Hardesty Park off West Market Street. Helmets required. For information, go to http://www.akronbike.org.
-- Crank Up! scavenger hunt at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Post-ride party at Grace Park at 6 p.m. Meet at the University Park Cycle Shop at 160 E. Exchange St. Sponsored by the University Park Alliance. Helmets are required. Admission is $5. Participants must be 18 years old.
-- Pedal the 26-mile Akron Marathon route. Meet at 8 a.m. Monday at the Spaghetti Warehouse parking lot, 520 S. Main St., Akron. Helmets are required. For those 18 or older.
-- Critical Mass bike ride from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Meet at the Highland Square branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library off West Market Street.
Metro RTA will offer free bus rides Tuesday through Sept. 12 for cyclists.
There also will be free showers and a bike valet at the CitiCenter Athletic Club.
There are additional bike rides, workshops and promotions.
For a complete list of activities, go to http://www.akronbikeinfo.org.
Sponsors are the city of Akron, the University of Akron, the Downtown Akron Partnership, the University Park Alliance, the
Cascade Locks Park Association, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, and the Akron Bicycle Club.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.
