AkronBikeInfo@ci.akron.oh.us

AKRON BIKE WEEK 2008
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Welcome to the first Akron Bike Week! – This is a celebration of everything bicycle. We invite you to rediscover your old friend the bicycle – and explore Akron in a fresh, fun and fast way. The week’s events start as we "Make the Connection" Bridging Urban Places with Green Spaces at the Towpath Bridge opening and continue with many urban adventures. See your City from a new point of view.

Akron Bike Week Schedule (154k pdf)
Akron Bike Week 2008 Flyer (530k pdf)
Akron Bike Week 2008 Poster (575k pdf)

5:45am – 6:45pm Bike to Work Day
Free showers, use of facilities and secure Bicycle Valet (with Driver’s License ID) at CitiCenter Athletic Club, 146 S. High Street, 4^th Floor. For more information call: (330) 375-2867 or go to: http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/athletic_club.htm.

11:00am – 1:00pm Towpath Bridge Dedication & Ribbon Cutting at Innerbelt
Meet at intersection of Quaker St. & Ash St./Dart Ave. (behind Cascade Plaza).

Inviting everyone to celebrate making the connection of the Towpath to Downtown Akron. Music, food vendors, and guided rides/walks at Innerbelt. Ice cream and live (Irish) music by The Mickeys Lite at Mustill Store following ribbon cutting. Buttons for bikers & hikers making the inaugural trek of this new section of the Towpath Trail.

Two free trolleys will loop from 10am to 1:30pm.  It will follow this route: Mustill Store to Cascade Plaza to Lock 3 to Spaghetti Warehouse to Polymer Loop (UA) to John S. Knight Center/Quaker Square to Main Library to the Dedication Site and back to Mustill Store.

7:00pm WONE’s Rock the Lock
Bike to Lock 3 for an evening with:
Cold Blue Steel
Draw the Line – The endorsed Aerosmith Tribute Band
Free admission. Secure bike valet provided. Start time 7pm. Gates open 6:30pm.
For evening events please use bicycle headlights – it’s the law.
For more info go to: http://www.lock3live.com/concerts.aspx

8:00am Bike With Bachman
Join the County Engineer, Greg Bachman as he inspects the Summit County roads. This week’s ride will begin at Boston Township Hall, 1775 Main St. (SR 303) in Boston Twp. +/- 30 miles. No sign-up or cost required. For info go to: www.engineer.co.summit.oh.us.

9:00am-1:00pm Farmers Market at Lock 3
Try making this trip by bicycle & pickup some delicious produce. A free secure bicycle valet will be provided.

10:00am-1:00pm Tour de Akron
Join the Akron Bicycle Club on a 20-mile ride that takes you through different neighborhoods and landmarks through Akron. Ride begins and ends at Hardesty Park. For more information go to: www.akronbike.org

12:00pm-4:00pm BikeEd Workshop & Ride Lock 3
Join League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor, Fred Oswald for a hands on workshop on how to ride safely on the roads. All are welcome. There will be a social ride to apply what has been learned in the workshop. Riders must have helmets, be at least 10 years of age, and capable of riding at least 1 hour. For more information contact Andy Davis at (330) 375-2377 or email: davisan@ci.akron.oh.us.

1:00pm University Park Bicycle Scavenger Hunt - Sponsored by University Park Alliance
To Benefit Bicycle Programs at Leggett and Mason Schools
Registration 1:00 pm, Start 2:00 pm
Part Road Race, Part Scavenger Hunt of Heroic Proportion.
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.
Experience the ease of using a bicycle for daily trips and errands through this exciting challenge. Rider orientation and bike law briefing must be attended at 1:00pm before the start of the race. Fun and useful prizes will be awarded for finishers in many categories

Ride Places, Find Things, Win Stuff!
Launches from University Bike Shop, 160 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44325.
Course: With various challenges and tasks to complete the University Park Bicycle Scavenger Hunt will provide opportunities for speed, planning, and navigational skill to be rewarded. THIS IS NOT A CLOSED COURSE. YOU WILL BE SHARING THE ROAD WITH CARS, PLEASE RIDE SAFELY.
Registration: Purchase tickets for $5 at University Bike Shop, 160 East Exchange Street through Saturday, August 23rd. Space is limited so act fast!
RULES: Helmets are required. Minimum age for participating is 18 years old. Please bring a driver’s license. Liability waiver must be signed by all participants and turned in during registration.
For more information: 330.972.8859 or email: info@upakron.com

1:30pm Family Bike AND Train Ride
Meet at the Mustill Store - From the Mustill Store, the group will head to the Northside Train Depot to hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad with their bikes.    After a beautiful ride north through the Valley the group will get off at the Botzum Trailhead for a 6 mile bike ride back to the Mustill Store.  Bring $2/person for the Train.

Program provided by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and Cascade Locks Park Association

Monday August 25

5:00pm – 9:00pm Bike Movie Night in University Park
Sponsored By Summa Foundation
At Gardner Theater, Student Union, The University of Akron
Community members, students and university faculty and staff are invited to Gardner Theater on campus for free movies with a bicycle theme.

Arrive on your bicycle and you will be entered in a drawing for great prizes!

Free Bicycle Valet & Free Popcorn

Hear about the new bike routes under construction in University Park

Helmets for purchase for just $7.50 through Akron Children’s Hospital in partnership with University Bike Shop.

5:00 - Breaking Away (1978) - Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Starring Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern. A small-town teen obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl.

7:00 - Yellow Bike Project (2008) - An introduction to the Yellow Bike Project in Austin, Texas, an all volunteer organization which operates community bike shops to teach repair skills to the public.

7:15 - The Bicycle Thief (AKA Ladri di Biciclette) (1948) - A world classic and indisputable masterpiece about an Italian workman who finds a job, only to have the bike he needs for work stolen; he and his son search Rome for it. A simple story that seems to contain the whole of human experience, and a masterwork of Italian neo-realism.

For more information: University Park Alliance @ 330.972.8859 or email : info@upakron.com

12:00pm-1:00pm How2Commute
Come for lunch and prepare for Bike to Work Day at this short workshop. There will be time for Q&A for your specific ride. Located at the Akron-Summit County Public Library (Main Library), in room 2AB.  Lunch from Hattie’s Café will be available for $5.  Lunch will include a sandwich, chips, and a cookie.  Interested participants can RSVP to Downtown Akron Partnership or show up at the event. For more info go to: www.downtownakron.com or call (330) 762-9550.

6:30pm – 8:15pm Tuesday Club Ride in Cuyhoga Valley National Park
Sponsored by Akron Bicycle Club. Start location is Botzum Trailhead, just off the west side of Riverview Road, south of Bath Rd. Approximately 19 miles. See: www.akronbike.org for details.

5:45am – 8:00pm Bike to Work Day
Go ahead and try it! Take advantage of free showers, use of facilities and secure Bicycle Valet (with Driver’s License ID) at CitiCenter Athletic Club, 146 S. High Street, 4^th Floor. For more information call: (330) 375-2867 or go to: http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/athletic_club.htm.

2:30-5:30pm Tires and Train Outdoor Adventure Ride
Sponsored by University of Akron Recreation and Wellness Services.

Meet at Student Recreation and Wellness Center OASIS. Must be 18 years of age or older, and register by Tuesday August 26^th. Cost $2.00 for Train (cash only). A limited number of bikes and helmets are available from the Outdoor Adventure Department or you can provide your own. Helmets are mandatory for all participants. Approximately 10 mile ride on bike plus train ride. Trying out new sections of Towpath. For more information call (330) 972-8028 or email: outdooradventure@uakron.edu.

Bike to Campus Day – the University of Akron
Dump the pump and ride! Every residence in Akron is within 5 miles of campus – a short commute by bicycle. What’s stopping you? Showers are available on campus & plenty of bicycle parking racks just waiting for you. While you are at it, ride your bike to the University Bike Shop, 160 E. Exchange and spin the big prize wheel and win t-shirts, water bottles, cycling accessories, and much more!

4:00pm-7:00pm Countryside Farmer’s Market at Stan Hywet
Free Admission. Bring your bicycle and basket for really fresh delights.
Free Bicycle Valet will be provided. For more info on farmer’s market go to:
http://www.cvcountryside.org/Website/farmers_markets/farmers_market1.htm

7:00pm WONE’s Rock the Lock
Bike to Lock 3 for an evening with:
Denzon and the Road Dogs
The System – The Tribute to Bob Seger
Free admission. Secure bike valet provided. Start time 7pm. Gates open 6:30pm.
For evening events please use bicycle headlights – it’s the law.
For more info go to: http://www.lock3live.com/concerts.aspx

8:00pm Towpath Night Ride with Century Cycles (Peninsula)
Meet at the Century Cycles - Peninsula store (Rt 303 between Rt 8 and I-271, next to the Winking Lizard Tavern). Parking is available at the Lock 29 Trailhead (follow the signs around the corner, it is north of the store).Rides are 15 to 20 miles long (depending on what the group decides), which usually takes from one and a half to two hours. You must have a light and a helmet. Usually, a group goes to the Winking Lizard after the ride and re-lives past cycling adventures. For more details go to: www.centurycycles.com or call 330-657-2209.

9:00am-1:00pm Farmers Market at Lock 3
Try making this trip by bicycle & pickup some delicious produce. A free secure bicycle valet will be provided.

1:00pm-4:00pm UA Cycling Club Ride - University of Akron
Ride will leave from Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Helmets are mandatory for all participants. For more information contact John MacDonald at (330) 972-8028 or email: jam3@uakron.edu.

STOMP Bicycle Adventure Citizens for MetroParks
Begins at CVNP/Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula
STOMP (the Summit Tour of Metro Parks) 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 route you take. 63-miler starts at 7:30am.
STOMP is the only annual fund-raiser sponsored by Citizens for Metro Parks, Robert Freitag, treasurer. All proceeds benefit Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. All cyclists are required to wear helmets. Riders younger than 16 must be accompanied by adults. Registration limit is 1,600 participants. Please visit their website for details and to register at: www.stompbikeride.com or call (330) 867-5511.

All Week – Ride Metro RTA for Free with Bicycle
Metro RTA is offering free rides to all persons who board the busses with bicycles. Try this extended trip combo. For information on using the bus bicycle racks or routes go to: http://www.akronmetro.org. Bike rack space is limited to bikes two per bus. Bikes are allowed inside buses if space is available. Free rides are not available on METRO SCAT and North Coast Express routes.

All Week - Get on your bike and pedal to the University Bike Shop on 160 Exchange St. 
To celebrate bike week every customer who rides to the store on a bike will be given a chance to spin the big prize wheel and win t-shirts, water bottles, cycling accessories, and much more!

10:00am-5:00pm Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR Bike Aboard
Service runs daily Wednesday through Sunday.
For information go to: http://www.cvsr.com or call 800-468-4070.

The Photo Finish! – Throughout our first Akron Bike Week please email short stories and pictures or video clips of you and your bicycle and what you experienced through Akron Bicycle Week 2008. Selected submissions may be posted to www.AkronBikeInfo.org as part of our celebration! Email your stories, pics, or videos to: AkronBikeInfo@ci.akron.oh.us

Organizers

• Akron Bicycle Club
• Cascade Locks Park Association
• City of Akron
• Downtown Akron Partnership

• Metro Parks, Serving Summit County
• University of Akron
• University Park Alliance