Schedule of Events for the 2nd Annual Akron Bike Week!

2009 Bike Week Flyer (1,695k pdf)
2009 Bike Week Poster (843k pdf)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4

9:00 a.m. MetroParks Freewheeling Friday Bike Ride!

Meet at the Mustill Store off of North Street for a 21 mile roundtrip ride to the Hunt Farm in the Cuyahoga Valley with a stop at Szalay’s Market and /or travel south from the Mustill Store to attend the Floating Towpath Opening! For more information go to www.summitmetroparks.org.

11:00 a.m. Floating Towpath Dedication at Summit Lake

Meet or park at the Summit Lake Community Center (280 W. Crosier St.) and follow the Towpath South to the event location.

Inviting everyone to celebrate the opening of the newest section of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail – and this section floats! Bicycle or walk the floating boardwalk over Summit Lake and continue south to the City-limits on the newest section of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Farmers Market at Lock 3 Downtown

Try making this trip by bicycle & pickup some delicious produce.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mustill Store Brown Bag Lunch

After the Floating Towpath Dedication pedal your bicycle north 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

7:00 p.m. MetroParks Harvest Moon Bike Ride

Meet at Deep Lock Quarry in the Cuyahoga Valley (off of Riverview Road) and enjoy this 15-mile, family-friendly ride under the full Harvest Moon, followed by a campfire. Riders must bring their own bikes, lights and campfire food. Helmets required. www.summitmetroparks.org

7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. STOMP Bicycle Adventure

Begins at Howe Meadow (across from the Beaver Pond and 4 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

Smart Cycling Workshops and Bike Rides

Three times and locations. Pre-registration required. Contact the Community Centers to register. Helmets required.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Northwest Community Center – 1730 Shatto Avenue 330-375-2849 (take West Market St. to Pershing to Shatto)

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ellet Community Center – 2449 Wedgewood Drive 330-375-2809 (Behind Hyre School)

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mason Park Community Center – 700 E. Exchange St. 330-375-2821 (behind the new Mason School)

Learn cycling basics and go for a short bike ride around area neighborhoods. Great for kids!

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tour of Akron Bike Ride

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

4:00 p.m. Crank UP! University Park Bicycle Scavenger Hunt – Sponsored by the University Park Alliance - meet at the University Park Cycle Shop located in the Exchange Street Residence Hall at 160 East Exchange Street.

Part road race, part scavenger hunt! Participants will be given a map of University Park and a list of checkpoints, both popular and obscure. Plan your route, get to know the University Park neighborhood, complete all the tasks and demonstrate safe cycling. A long race will be offered for more adventurous cyclists, while those who like a slower-paced ride can choose a shorter race. Rider orientation and bike law briefing must be attended at 4:00 p.m. Fun and useful prizes will be awarded for finishers in many categories. Tickets can be purchased at the University Park Cycle Shop for $5 through Sept. 5 and for $7 on Sept. 6. Helmets required. Participants must be 18 or over. Please bring a drivers license. Bikes will be available for rental at the University Park Cycle Shop and cyclists of all levels are welcome. Race concludes at Grace Park for the after-party!

6:00 p.m. Crank UP! After Party at Grace Park

Celebrate the end of the Scavenger Hunt with a party at Grace Park organized by the University of Akron Cycling Club. The Crank UP! After-Party will feature local music, food and exhibitors in a celebration of cycling and other aspects of sustainable living. Starting at 6 p.m. visitors can check out the displays, listen to the band, eat great food or just hang out. Those looking for a bit more competition can participate in or watch the tricycle relay races on full size tricycles to make money for neighborhood non-profits. Everyone is invited. Free. Click here for map to Grace Park

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Bike the Marathon Blue Line Route

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.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop

Meet at Car Gear / Akron Bike Center (110 North Main Street - across the street from Luigi’s Pizza in the Northside district) to learn basic bike maintenance tips. Feel free to bike to the nearby Towpath Trail afterward.

6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Akron Bicycle Club Ride in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Meet at the Botzum Trailhead just off the west side of Riverview Road, south of Bath Rd. for a 19-mile bike ride in the Valley. Join members for snacks after the ride at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula. Lights and helmets required. For info go to: www.akronbike.org

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. University of Akron Cycling Club Ride

Meet at the Recreation and Wellness Center on the University of Akron Campus (north of the the new Football Stadium) for a fun ride with the University of Akron Cycling Club. Helmets required.

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

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Farmers Market at Lock 3 Downtown

Try making this trip by bicycle & pickup some delicious produce.

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. University Park Cycle Shop Bike Ride

Meet at the University Park Cycle Shop located at 160 E. Exchange Street for a 10-mile, all ages ride around University Park. Helmets required.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Critical Mass Bike Ride

Meets 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.

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Floating Towpath Bike Ride

Meet at the Mustill Store (just west of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath off of North Street) and follow the Towpath Trail south thru downtown to the new floating Towpath across Summit Lake and beyond. Helmets required. All ages. Note: there is an uphill section into downtown at the start of this ride, so be ready.