To see the city from a different perspective, take in Akron Bike Week. The third annual event runs September 3–12. Join your friends and make new ones in a week of fun bike rides, activities and events. This year’s Bike Week kicks off with an exciting announcement by Mayor Don Plusquellic at the Northside Train Station on Friday September 3 concerning a new Towpath Trail connector coming to Akron.
In 2008, Bike Week kicked off with the opening of the Towpath Bridge into downtown. Last year, the annual cycling event started with the dedication of the Floating Towpath on Summit Lake.
“We support bicycling as part of our Greenprint for Akron initiative by making cycling a fun, healthy and safe mode of transportation not just during Bike Week, but year round,” said Plusquellic.
The week is jam-packed with fun events and bike rides that will let you see your City from a new point of view. Events include bike rides (at both day and night), scavenger hunts, bike to work days and cycling workshops.
Take advantage of free rides on METRO RTA if you board the bus with a bike (Tuesday thru Friday).
Explore the Towpath Trail and the Cuyahoga Valley by taking advantage of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroads Bike Aboard Program (Wednesday thru Sunday).
And don’t forget the MetroParks STOMP Bicycle Adventure on Saturday, September 4!
Bike Week activities remind everyone that biking is a fun, easy and practical form of recreation and transportation throughout much of the year. Organizers of this year’s Akron Bike Week include the City of Akron, the University of Akron, the Downtown Akron Partnership, the University Park Alliance, the Cascade Locks Park Association, MetroParks Serving Summit County and the Akron Bicycle Club. As part of its ongoing expansion of biking facilities, the City will continue to add bike lanes to City streets.
The City has already installed more than 60 bike racks---with an inverted U-shape--- around town to facilitate easier bicycle parking and more are planned.
For more information on Akron Bike Week go to: www.AkronBikeInfo.org
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3
11:00 a.m. Kickoff to Bike Week at the Northside Train Station
Join the Mayor of Akron at the Northside Train Station for an exciting announcement concerning the Towpath Trail!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4
7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. STOMP Bicycle Adventure (Pre-registration encouraged)
-Begins at Howe Meadow (across from the Beaver Pond and four miles south of Route 303 / Riverview Road intersection) 4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula.
STOMP (the Summit Tour of MetroParks) is one of the largest cycling events in Northeast Ohio. Registration includes light breakfast, Fun Stops, SAG support, lunch and live music. There are 10, 25 and 63 mile routes. Starting times vary on which routes you take. The 63-miler starts at 7:30 a.m. All cyclists are required to wear helmets. Riders younger than 16 must be accompanied by adults. Registration limit is 1,600 participants. STOMP is a fund-raiser to benefit Citizens for Metro Parks. For more information, visit www.stompbikeride.com or call 330-865-8065.
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow
-Howe Meadow is located along Riverview Road across from the Beaver Pond and 4 miles south of the Route 303 / Riverview Road intersection
Take a break while you are at STOMP or ride your bike on the Towpath Trail to the Countryside Farmers Market for fresh delights sponsored by the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy. www.cvcountryside.org
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tour of Akron Bike Ride with the Akron Bicycle Club
-Meet at Hardesty Park near the intersection of West Market Street and Hawkins Avenue in West Akron and join the Akron Bicycle Club for a wonderful 19.5 mile route of the highlights of Akron. Helmets required. For more information go to: www.akronbike.org
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Free Bicycle Maintenance Basics Workshop at the Summit Cycling Center
-Come visit the new Summit Cycling Center bicycle co-op in Canal Place for a free bicycle maintenance basics workshop. The Cycling Center is located at 530 South Main Street Suite 1715 (in Canal Place – use the last entrance before Bartges Street). The Cycling Center promotes the use of bicycles, tricycles, quadricycles, recumbents and velomobiles as alternative transportation. The co-op also recycles bikes and parts. For more information on the cycling center go to: www.summitcycling.org
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5
10:45 a.m. Towpath Bike Aboard Ride sponsored by the City of Akron $
-Meet at the Northside Train Station (east of Howard Street and north of Luigi’s) with your bike to pick up the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad at 10:45 and go for a train ride to Peninsula. If you want to go further or depart prior to Peninsula, feel free. From Peninsula, it is a 13 mile bike ride along the Towpath back to the Northside Station in Akron. We will make a stop at Szalay’s Farms in the Valley and the historic Mustill Store in Akron. The fare is only $2 with a bike. For more information go to: www.cvsr.com
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6 (LABOR DAY)
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Bike the Marathon Blue Line Route sponsored by the City of Akron
-Get up early but trade in the running shoes for biking shorts to bike the Akron Marathon Blue Line Route (26 miles). Meet at the Spaghetti Warehouse parking lot at 520 South Main Street on the south end of downtown Akron. Helmets required. 18 and over.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7
4:00 p.m. Mountain Bike Trail Ride with the University of Akron $ (Pre-registration encouraged)
-Every Tuesday in September the University of Akron Outdoor Adventure Program is arranging a mountain bike ride in a variety of locations. The Outdoor Adventure Program is one of a variety of programs operated by the University’s Recreation and Wellness Center. The fee is $20 and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Riders will meet at the University Student Recreation and Wellness Center but will need to drive to the ride location (transportation will be provided). If you don’t have a mountain bike, a few are available for rental. Call 330-972-7443 for information. For more information on the Student Recreation Wellness Center go to: www.uakron.edu/srws
6:30 p.m. – Botzum Trailhead Ride with the Akron Bicycle Club
-Meet at the Botzum Trailhead (on Riverview Road south of Bath Road) for a casual 19 mile road ride in the Cuyahoga Valley (shortcuts are available for more casual riders). Headlight, rear reflector, tail light and helmet required. Join members after the ride at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula. For more information go to: www.akronbike.org
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8
6:00 p.m. – Towpath Trail Ride sponsored by the City of Akron
-Meet at the Spaghetti Warehouse parking lot (520 South Main Street) for a casual ride along the Towpath. The bike ride will either head north toward thru downtown and the Cascade Locks to the Cuyahoga Valley or south to Summit Lake, the floating Towpath and beyond (we’ll take a vote).
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 9
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Stan Hywet
-Stan Hywet is located at 714 North Portage Path. Free admission. Bring your bicycle and basket for really fresh delights. www.cvcountryside.org
6:00 p.m. – Deep Lock Quarry Trailhead Ride with the Akron Bicycle Club (fast ride)
-Meet at the Deep Lock Quarry Trailhead parking lot off of Riverview Road ¼ mile south of Peninsula if you are in the mood for some serious huffing and puffing – a fast and hilly ride thru the Cuyahoga Valley. Join members after the ride at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula at 8:15. For more information go to: www.akronbike.org
6:30 p.m. - Deep Lock Quarry Trailhead Ride with the Akron Bicycle Club (slow ride)
-If a slower pace is more your speed, meet at the Deep Lock Quarry Trailhead at 6:30 for a more leisurely paced ride along the Towpath or in the Valley. Join members after the ride at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula at 8:15. For more information go to: www.akronbike.org
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10 – Bike to Work Day!
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Farmers Market at Lock 3 Downtown
-Try making this trip by bicycle & pickup some delicious produce. For more information go to: www.lock3live.com
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mustill Store Brown Bag Lunch
-Pedal your bicycle to the Mustill Store at North Street and join the Cascade Locks Park Association for lunch and live music at the park. Grab something to go or just bring your brown bag from home. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase. www.cascadelocks.org
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Critical Mass Bike Ride
-Meet at the Highland Square Library near the intersection of West Market Street and Portage Path. Join Critical Mass in a fun, informal bike ride to raise bicycle awareness.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow
-Howe Meadow is located along Riverview Road across from the Beaver Pond and 4 miles south of the Route 303 / Riverview Road intersection
Ride your bike on the Towpath Trail to the Countryside Farmers Market for fresh delights sponsored by the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy. www.cvcountryside.org
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Intro to Traffic Skills Workshop at the new Summit Cycling Center
-Come visit the new Summit Cycling Center bicycle co-op in Canal Place for a free Intro to Traffic Skills Workshop. A large part of operating a bicycle safely is learning how to ride safely in traffic. The Cycling Center is located at 530 South Main Street Suite 1715 (in Canal Place – use the last entrance before Bartges Street). For more information on the cycling center go to: www.summitcycling.org
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Social Bike Ride with the Summit Cycling Center
-Meet at the Summit Cycling Center (see above) for a fun, social ride around Akron. Helmets required.
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Grand Opening Open House at the Summit Cycling Center
-Come see “Akron’s Bicycle Resource”, the new Summit Cycling Center Bicycle Co-op in Canal Place. Ask questions and see the new space. Enjoy music, food and try out bicycle polo and other fun activities. All ages welcome. For more information go to: www.summitcycling.org
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12
12:30 p.m. Crank UP! University Park Bicycle Scavenger Hunt –
-Sponsored by the University Park Alliance - meet at the University of Akron Student Union, just outside the Commuter Lounge entrance. Part road race, part scavenger hunt! In the third annual “Amazing Race” style Crank UP participants will be given a map of University Park and a list of checkpoints, both popular and obscure. A long race will be offered for more adventurous cyclists, while those who like a slower-paced ride can choose a shorter race. Mandatory safety session begins at 12:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Helmets required. Participants must be 18 or over. Please bring a drivers license. Contact info@upakron.com and indicate you want to participate. For more information go to: www.upakron.com/crank-up
Ongoing Events
Ride METRO RTA for Free with a Bicycle
-METRO RTA is offering free rides to all persons who board the bus with a bicycle Tuesday thru Friday of Bike Week. Bike rack space is limited to two bikes per bus. Bikes are allowed in the bus if space is available. Free rides are not available on METRO SCAT and North Coast Express Routes.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Bike Aboard Program!
-Service runs daily Wednesday thru Sunday. Ride your bike along the Towpath Trail and take the train back to where you started (or vice versa) for only $2. For information go to www.cvsr.com.
