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You’ve seen them on the streets. You’ve seen them in the park. They stay in their line – as long as there’s one available. Cyclists aren’t just spinning their wheels, they’re putting their bodies in tandem with eco-friendly transportation and good exercise. So, whether you are regularly going the distance or have recently set aside training-wheels, our bike guide will set you on the right path to start putting a positive spin on your lifestyle. Before you hit the streets, discover our hand-selected must-have items, must-ride trails and must-follow tips from our must-visit shops.
You’ll ride further with a crew
Find a club that works for you:
- For a club focused on recreational biking, check out the Toledo Area Bicyclists. This organization is fit for all age and experience levels and offer at least one ride every day except for Fridays.www.toledoareabicyclists.org.
- For a racing cyclist, the Maumee Valley Wheelmen might be more your speed as they offer training rides and host races on Tuesday nights. www.maumeevalleywheelman.com
- Also for the racing fan, the Team Toledo Triathlon Club helps train members in cycling, swimming and running for upcoming competitions. www.teamtoledo.com
- Lastly, for the more social and recreational riding, Maumee Valley Adventurers offers members weekly hikes and rides, tours, and many social events. www.mvadventureurs.org
- All of these organizations can be found online or through Facebook.
May is Bike Month
The City of Toledo has many cycling events planned in celebration. Events include Building a Community Tough as Steel, Bike and Bird, and Bike Day at the Farmer’s Market. Also throughout the month local bike shops are offering free bike checks to ensure your bike is in working order. For a list of participating shops and for more information about Toledo’s National Bike Month events, visit www.tmacog.org/bikemonth.
Get involved
A great way to get involved in cycling is to participate in the rides offered during the summer months in Toledo.
If you want to honor and remember cyclists who were either injured or killed while road cycling, join the 6th Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 20th. This free event brings awareness to cyclists on roadways. Everyone is welcome to participate and will meet at the UT Parking Lot 1 North at 7pm. The silent ride is set at a slower pace and covers nearly eight miles.
If you’re looking for a longer ride, the weekend long 26th Bike MS: Reeves Northrup Memorial Bike to the Bay will take place June 20th and 21st. Bicyclists will start in Perrysburg and ride to Port Clinton where they will stop for dinner and a ferry ride to Put-In-Bay. Riders have the option to cycle one-way and bus back or to stay overnight in Port Clinton and cycle back on Sunday. Fundraising and entry fees benefit Multiple Sclerosis research and services.
If you want something a little creative, take to the streets with bells and whistles on Saturday, June 20th is the Toledo Museum of Art’s Free Color Wheels Community Bike Ride: Bicycle Music. The ride starts in the Museum’s Community Garden at 10am and cyclists can enjoy live music performed along the trail and on bicycle trailers. To pre-register email programs@toledomuseum.org or call 419-255-8000 ext.7453.
If you’d rather set your own pace and pick your own mileage, bicycle tours are a great option. Generally tours range from 15 to 100 miles depending on the course. Upcoming tours include the July 18th Metroparks Tour in Whitehouse, the August 1st Mad Anthony River Rally in Perrysburg, and The Black Swamp Summer Tour which is held in conjunction with the Black Swamp Music and Arts Festival, taking place September 11-13 in Bowling Green.
Eric Thomas (center), of Toledo Bikes!, gives our community the tools for a positive spin. Riding Well
Toledo Bikes! offers classes in bike maintenance and repair. They’ve have tips, tricks and classes suited for a walks of life who are ready to ride.
“I’ve developed curriculum for at-risk youth, adults, cub scouts, advanced classes lasting 20+ hours, and basic maintenance classes lasting 3 hours. We also have visual cutaways and other examples to show people what goes on inside bearing systems. There are also examples of damaged bike parts to demonstrate what parts look like when they wear out and how to identify them,” said Eric Thomas, shop manager of Toledo Bikes!
A basic bike maintenance course is 3 hours and gives bike enthusiasts a chance to learn skills such as bike terminology, changing and repairing tires, how to properly clean and lubricate your bike, and how to make adjustments to your bike. A step up from the maintenance course is the ‘build a bike’ course. This 12 hour class takes basic maintenance to the next level, giving students the knowledge to keep their bikes running smooth all season long. Best of all, you can bring your own bike, or purchase one from the shop.
“We have the space and tools to accommodate 8 students at a time. This means each student gets a bike stand, bench space, and basic tools for working on a bike”, says Thomas. “I have over 10 years of teaching bicycle maintenance to all ages and types of people. Over the years it’s become clear that many people have different learning styles (visual, tactile, auditory) and I try to incorporate all of these to give a well rounded experience.”
Toledo Bikes!, 1114 Washington St., 419-386-6090. www.toledobikes.com
Around Town
Wersell’s Bike And Ski Shop
“We’re the oldest bike shop in Toledo. We celebrate our 70th anniversary this year and we’re still the original owners. My father started the shop and I’ve been running it for the past 31 years. We carry a full line of everything from road bikes, tribikes, adult tricycles, and kids bikes. We carry the whole spectrum of different bikes. Our service department has the fastest turnaround for repairs in the city. Most repairs are done within a 2448 hour time period.” Jill Wersell, owner of Wersell’s Bike And Ski Shop.2860 W. Central Ave., 419-474-7412. www.wersellsbikeandskishop.com
Reggie’s Bike Shop
“We specialize more in adult comfort bikes, fitness bikes, and bmx bikes. Comfort bikes are more back-friendly, and fitness bikes are going to give you a little more performance. And the BMX bikes, or bicycle motocross those are popular among young people.” Ric Iagulli, owner of Reggie’s Bike Shop.5934 Secor Rd. 419-475-1585, www.reggiesbikes.com
Other shops to visit:
Road/Racer
625 Eckel Rd. #4, Perrysburg. 419-874-7500. www.roadracer.comBikeworks
5631 Alexis Rd., 419-882-0800. www.thebikeworks.comThe Bike Route
5201 Monroe St., 419-885-3030. www.bikeroute.biz
Safety First!
Helmet Check: One of the most basic safety rules is to wear a helmet. If the helmet doesn’t fit, however, it won’t do much good. Adjust the side straps so that a “V” shape is formed under your ear. Then adjust the chin straps so they are centered under your chin. When snapped into place, the chin strap should be tight enough so only one or two fingers can be placed under it. Lastly make sure your helmet is level, and not tipping backwards or forwards.
After you have a helmet, it’s important to review some general safety rules. According to the League of American Bicyclists there are five major rules to follow when on the road.
- Follow the law. As a biker on the road you have the same rights and obligations as motor vehicles.
- Be predictable. Let cars know what you’re planning on doing with the use of hand signals.
- Be conspicuous. Wear bright clothes and have reflectors on your bike.
- Think ahead. Keep an eye out for road hazards that could cause problems.
- Ride ready. Make sure your bike is in complete working order, and bring tools for quick fixes.
Sharing the Road
A Message to Drivers from Riders
- Cyclists have the same rights and rules on the road as drivers do. Treat them like a slower moving vehicle.
- Please be patient. Wait until it is safe to pass a cyclist. Understand that cyclists need more time to get through an intersection.
- Be careful when turning. Cyclists are faster than they appear, so be sure you’re far from them before turning.
- Don’t honk needlessly or too closely to a cyclist. It could startle them and cause a crash.
Ridin’ the trails
If you’d rather not have to worry about roadside hazards, the Metroparks are an excellent place to ride.
The Greenway Trails, were originally paths used for transporting goods by boat or trains. Since then, they have been converted into bike, jogging, and walking paths.
The Towpath Trail connects Farnsworth, Bend View, and Providence Metroparks. This trail runs eight miles.
The Wabash Cannonball Trail covers sixty-four miles and is one of the longest paths in Ohio. The trail has paved and unpaved sections making it great for road bikes and mountain bikes.
For a shorter trip, the six-mile long University/Parks Trail is ideal. The path stretches from the University of Toledo to King Road, and has many access points from local neighborhoods.
Bike Basics
Common Bike Problems and Easy Fixes
- Keep your bike clean to avoid problems. “The first thing that people need to do is clean their bike. A clean bike is a better working bike, and anybody can do that. All you need is a light mist with garden hose and a little bit of an old tooth brush and soapy water. Doing this will keep your bike working better”, says Jill Wersell, owner of Wersell’s Bike and Ski Shop.
- Flat tires happen all too often. “A flat tire is definitely the most common problem, and if you’re not sure how to fix them it’s an easy and relatively inexpensive for a bike shop to fix”, says Ric Iagulli, owner of Reggie’s Bike Shop. The best way to prevent tire damage is “to keep your tires to proper pressure. On the side of your tire there will be a listing of the max P.S.I.. Check this every couple of weeks if you can and keep it near the max. Your bike tube will lose air just like a party balloon, but this one you can re-inflate to keep the party going”, says Eric Thomas, shop manager of Toledo Bikes!
- Rusty Chain. There are specific lubricants that are designed for bike chains, so make sure to use the proper one. “Chain oil is great because it sticks to metal and repels dirt. Put one drop on each link where the plates intersect every month or if you see rust or hear squeaking. After oiling, back pedal the bike with a rag wrapped around the lower section of the chain to wipe off the excess oil,” said Thomas.
Five Things Needed For A Long Bike Ride:
- Helmet
- A bike lock.
- A light
- Tire repair tools
- Water
