June offers abundant, fun bicycle rides

One of the best ways to enjoy a host of summer activities and places in Northeast Ohio is to get there by bicycle. Heights Bicycle Coalition (HBC) has compiled a list of attractive rides offered by other organizations throughout the region. The bicycle advocacy organization also sponsors rides of its own, and is building a collection of "Better by Bike" online routes so people can safely and conveniently pedal to places and events on their own.

Other rides that may appeal to Heights bicyclists will be listed on HBC’s website, www.bikesintheheights.org. Examples include the Cleveland Touring Club’s Sunday in June, a ride through the rolling hills of Amish country on June 11; or Velosano, July 21–23, which supports cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic. 

HBC's own rides, led by various members, are planned through September. On June 4, there will be a group ride from the P.E.A.C.E. Arch at the intersection of Coventry Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard, to the Hessler Street Festival. This ride is downhill, but bicyclists can return to the Heights via RTA. (Each RTA bus is equipped to hold three bicycles in racks on the front of the bus. Bicyclists can practice loading bicycles onto these racks on the preceding day, Saturday, June 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the free Bike Tune-Up Day at Coventry Courtyard at Coventry Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard, in front of the Grog Shop and Inn on Coventry.)

On June 24, there will be a family ride around Shaker Lakes, including a stop at the play area at Horseshoe Lake.

Finally, HBC is recording online a selection of routes it identifies as “Better by Bike,” featuring tried-and-true ways to pedal to common destinations—for example, to University Circle events and attractions such as Wade Oval Wednesdays, Parade the Circle, museums and educational institutions. Also available will be directions to libraries, grocery stores, Larchmere PorchFest, the Cultural Gardens, the West Side Market and much more. These routes will use Strava, a mobile app and website used by runners and cyclists to record their routes and performance. Get a free version of the app at www.strava.com (premium option available for a fee).

HBC members hope that bicycling in June will boost participants’ enthusiasm for more rides coming in July. Check www.bikesintheheights.org for details on all events, or sign up through that website to receive timely updates via the coalition’s e-newsletter.

Debra Frank of Heights Bicycle Coalition

Heights Bicycle Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to educating and encouraging Heights community members to use bicycles as a sustainable and healthy form of transportation and recreation. This article was crafted by Debra Franke and members of the coalition's encouragement committee.

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Volume 10, Issue 6, Posted 12:42 PM, 05.31.2017