It’s time to saddle up—and we’re not talking about a horse. May is bike month, which entails an array of opportunities to learn, ride, and play with bicycles. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist, or haven’t touched a bike in years, there is something for everyone in this month of cycle celebration. Get ready to peddle your way at these upcoming events.
Kick-off Event
Monday, May 1
Speakers will discuss bicycle commuting, routes, new laws pertaining to cyclists and drivers, and introduce an interactive bicyclist map for Lucas, Wood and Monroe counties. A demonstration of the “3-foot rule” and how drivers should properly pass cyclists along with a ride around the warehouse district demonstrating hand signals, how to ride single or in pairs, and obeying traffic signals. 11am. Middlegrounds Metropark (111 Ottawa St.)
Workshops
Get to know your bike: Every Sunday, Toledo Bikes! will host workshops on basic operations and maintenance from 2-3:30pm.
May 7 – Air and Tires
May 14 – Brakes
May 21 – Cables and Shifting; road
practice where cyclists will learn to ride safely, and confidently, in traffic.
May 28 – Commute by Bike; trip starts at the shop (1114 Washington at 15th) and goes to Middlegrounds Metropark.
Bike Month Events
Wednesday, May 10
Bike to School Day – Transportation to school doesn’t have to be by bus.
Dozens of elementary schools will
participate in the bike ride to school,
arriving from 8:15 am through 9am.
Wednesday, May 17
Ride of Silence – In honor of all those who have been injured or killed while riding on the street, this event invites cyclists to come together. Streets will be blocked off by police as designated riding areas. Starts at 6:30pm
Toledo: Begin at University of Toledo
Bowling Green: Begin at City Park
Friday, May 19
Bike to Work Day – Not just for kids, adults can celebrate their (daily or non-daily) transportation routine during this national event.
Saturday, May 20
Bike Day at the Toledo Farmer’s
Market – Grab a 2017 Bike Month t-shirt before they’re gone and receive some handy tips from Toledo Bikes!, available to help with repairs.
Outdoor Expo – Meet area cycling clubs and businesses and learn about the cycling programs, trails, and amenities the Metroparks offer. 10am – 4pm. Sidecut Metropark (1025 W. River Rd., Maumee)
Community Bike Rides
Toledo Area Bicyclists (a club for bicyclists in the greater Toledo area) sponsored rides. For more info, see toledoareabicyclists.org.
Sundays Breakfast Ride
Wildwood Metropark
(5100 W. Central Ave.)
Lot 7 near the Metz Visitors Center
Pace: 16 – 19 mph
Distance: 35 – 40 miles
9am-12pm
Ride Leaders: Dan Becker, Kelli Routsong, Debbie Tassie
Mondays Bedford Ride
Temperance Road Elementary (1575 West Temperance Rd.)
Average 15-19 mph for 25 miles
6:30-8pm
Ride Leaders:
Phil Carroll & Ken Taylor
Whitehouse Ride
Cycle Werks, (6760 Providence St.)
Group 1 Distance: 30 miles, Average speed: 19 to 21 MPH
Group 2 Distance 25 miles, Average speed: 17 to 19 MPH
6:30-8pm
Group 1 Ride Leader:
Nancy Beeman
Group 2 Ride Leaders: Cindy DiVitto & Dave Burkett
Tuesdays Speedtrap Ride
Elmore Cycle & Fitness
(453 Maple St., Elmore, OH)
Group 1 – Average: 20+ mph
for 23 miles
Group 2 – Average: 18 – 20 mph
for 20-21 miles
6:30-8pm
Ride Leaders:
Chuck Nicewonder & Flatlanders
Wednesdays Windsday in Berkey
Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter
(7060 W. Sylvania Ave.) Back Parking Lot
Group 1 – Average: 19-23 mph
for 25 miles
Group 2 – Average: 16-18 mph
for 25 miles
6:30-8pm
Ride Leaders: Dan Riley and
Edgar Rapp
Thursdays Old State Line Ride
Secor Metropark
(10001 W Central Ave., Sylvania, OH) Nature Center
Average: around 17 mph for 25 miles
6:30-8pm
Ride Leaders: Dan Becker and Kelli Routsong
Thursday 5Fer
Sidecut MetroPark
Silver Lake Side, Maumee, OH
Group 1 (Hot) – Average: 20 – 23 mph for 26 miles
Group 2 (Xtra Spicy) –
Average: 19 – 21 mph for 26 miles
Group 3 (Spicy Plus) –
Average: 17 – 19.5 mph for 26 miles
Group 4 (Spicy) –
Average: 16 – 18 mph for 24 miles
Group 5 (GLR), ideal for
novice riders-
Average: 14 – 16 for 20 miles
6:30-8pm
Ride Leaders: Hot/Tim Eckel | Xtra Spicy/Rick Metcalf | Spicy Plus /Dan Riley | Spicy/Susan Rostkowski | GLR/Linda Posadny
Friday, May 6
Tour to Weston –
Monclova Primary School
(8035 Monclova Rd, Monclova, OH)
Tour of country roads to Weston. Bring a snack. About 48 miles roundtrip. 8-11am
Ride Leader: Al Frishman
Saturday, May 13
North to Blissfield –
Mallard Lake
(Oak Openings Pkwy., Whitehouse, OH)
Gather at Mallard Lake in Oak Openings Metropark to take a jaunt north to Blissfield where there will be a breakfast stop. About 45 miles roundtrip. 8-11am
Ride Leader: Kelli Routsong
Saturday, May 20
South to Whitehouse –
Secor Metropark
(10001 Central Ave., Sylvania, OH)
A ride to Whitehouse and breakfast. About 43 miles roundtrip. 8-11am
Ride Leader: Debbie Tassie
Other community rides
Friday, May 19
Beverly Glow Ride:
Season Opener
The beginning of an opportunity to meet neighbors and bring awareness to the Beverly Block Watch area—the once-a-month ride will continue through July for neighborhood riding fun. Be sure to wear glow necklaces and bracelets and deck out your bike with glow sticks. 8:45pm with approximately 40 minutes of ride time. Start and end points will be at Beverly Park (3722 Beechway Blvd.)
Saturday, May 20
Reggie’s Bike Shop Mountain Bike Group –
Meet at Reggie’s (5934 Secor Rd.) at 9am.
Depart 9:15-9:30am and head to Island Lake Recreation Area (6301 Kensington Rd., Brighton MI). Trail Rides are planned accordingly.
Sunday, May 21
Toledo Roll – a 10 mile ride that should take less than 2 hours. Families are welcome. Meet at Walbridge Park Inc. (2761 Broadway St.) at 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 28
Sylvania Slow Ryders 4th Sunday at 4 Ride – A casual ride exploring Sylvania and its residential streets, multi-use paths, and bicycle lanes. Starts at Sylvania Branch Library (6749 Monroe St.) at 3:45pm.
