Why not bicycle this summer with fellow WLS patients?

ohbearly
on 2/12/12 11:42 am, edited 2/12/12 11:47 am - Mogadore, OH
Revision on 07/31/13
Fellow Ohioans,

Three summers ago I joined with two other bariatric patients and formed the Spin-off Cyclists, a casual trail cycling club for other bariatric patients and others who want to cycle for good health. Over the past two years we have grown and have many members and rides. I wanted to share the details of our upcoming season with members on this board. You will find our group to be extremely welcoming to newbies and seasoned cyclists. You can become a member free of charge at http://spinoffcyclists.com.

Tom

2012 Spinoff Cycling Cycling Calendar Announcement

It may not look like it but winter will soon be history I am happy to announce the publication of the 2012 Spin-offs cycling calendar. You will find this calendar contains a diverse selection of rides for people of all ages and abilities. Many of our standard rides have returned for another year. At the same time, many new and exciting rides join the calendar. We continue our focus of cycling for fun and a healthy lifestyle while developing our members’ cycling abilities.
 
In 2012, we are offering a variety of rides for the beginner, casual cyclist and recreational cyclist. This comprehensive schedule of trail rides sets us apart from other area cycling clubs. All rides are open for RSVP at this time. The calendar is subject to change.

Season Highlights
·         The 2012 cycling season is published on our calendar.
·         NEW! You can download a PDF version of our ride calendar to help you plan your summer.
·         NEW!  Ride Classifications – All rides now have classifications to help you select rides that suit you the best. You can read about our ride classifications here.
·         NEW!  Spinoffs Ride Details – Descriptions, classifications, mileage and maps for all of our rides can be found in forums on our message board.
·         NEW! Cruiser Rides - Several members asked for a slower paced, shorter ride on level terrain. These rides are scheduled for Wednesday evenings with a few on Saturday mornings. Check them out here.
·         We are continuing our Towpath Tuesday and Bike and Hike Thursday rides. Routes have been changed to include new trail sections that have opened.
·         NEW! Bike the Towpath – Dale, one of our fellow Spin-offs is hosting 4 rides where you can cycle the entire length of the Towpath Trail this summer.
·         NEW! Night Rides – Our ride calendar now has all bicycle shop night rides scheduled for informational purposes. The Summit Metro Parks moonlight rides are still up in the air and not scheduled at this time.
·         NEW! Special Rides – In May we are heading to the GAP for a weekend trip. In July several members are heading to the Greene Trails Classic in Xenia and riding in the Sweet Corn Ride in Richfield. In September, we are in the early planning for a ride on the Allegheny River Trail in Franklin. PA. We will most likely schedule a trip to the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike Trail in Breezewood, PA sometime this summer. 
·         Regional Trails – Our schedule has rides to some of the nicest trails including the Little Beaver Greenway Trail, Holmes County Trail, Maple Highlands Trail, North Coast Inland Trail, Sippo Valley Trail and Richland B&O Trail.
·         Bike MS Pedal to the Point – We have a team riding in the Bike MS charity ride from Brunswick to Sandusky. It’s not too late to become a team member. You can find the details here.
·         Photo Rides – Planning is currently underway to host at least two rides for photographers. These rides will stop often for photo-ops and include a social time for the photographers in our group.

Highlights of Early Rides


·         Saturday February 18 – Free Blimp City Bicycle Clinic: Basic Bicycle Maintenance – Blimp City continues its winter series of free clinics at their shop.
·         Saturday April 7 – We begin the season with our traditional first ride of the season on the Towpath with a ride from the Big Bend Trailhead to Peninsula and the Winking Lizard.
·          Saturday April 21 – Dale leads the first of 4 Ride the Towpath rides from the Mustill Store Trailhead to Harvard Road. Riders will take the CVSR train back to Northside Station.
 ·         Sunday April 29 – Our spring ride on the Little Beaver Greenway Trail from Leetonia to Lisbon is a beauty! Lunch of course is at the Steel Trolley Diner.
·         Saturday May 12 – Spin-offs Bike MS Benefit Garage Sale – Help our team raise funds for their summer ride. Have any garage sale worthy items to donate? Email Tom to arrange pick-up. ·
        
May 18-20 – Weekend trip to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) – Limited space is still available. Click here for more information.
 
I want to thank Paula, Marty, Paul, Chuck, Eric, Brett and Dale for joining me in planning this season. The calendar you see is the end result of their input and support. Join us at 6:30 p.m. on Monday February 20 at the Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton for a winter social evening. We will be discussing the cycling year ahead and the rides on our calendar. Hope to see you soon on the trail!

Tom

Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com 

sfmini
on 2/28/12 12:41 am
I am a member of the Meetup group, but your rides seem way to ambitious for me right now. Plus, the weekday rides just don't fit in my schedule since I work in Columbus. Maybe some day, I really don't have a good excuse since our farm sits right on the Heart of Ohio rail trail which was just paved last fall and I have a recumbent trike. Need to get out and start getting fit enough.
    
ohbearly
on 2/28/12 1:33 am - Mogadore, OH
Revision on 07/31/13
Take a look at our 2012 ride calendar. We added mid-week Wednesday slow and short rides for new and slower cyclists. I know that might not fit your schedule. We also added about 6 Saturday rides that are very short. All of these rides have a (Cn) where n = number at the end of the name to designate cruiser (slower rides).

I get to the Mt. Vernon area now and then to visit my in-laws in Utica. I am familiar with the trail. I did not know it was paved. You of course have one of the most beautiful trails in Ohio right there, t he Kokosing Gap. You should give it a try. It's a pleasant ride from Mt. Vernon to Gambier and maybe 4-5 miles of very flat paved trail with a lot of shade in the summer. It would be a good place to give it a try.

Most of the people who cycle with us thought their ability was less than it actually is. It's surprising how far you can go on these paved flat rail trails. Give the heart of Ohio and Kokosing a try. The Richland B&O just a little north in Bellville is another easy trail, as is the Holmes County Trail in Millersburg. You do have a good selection of local trails.

Hope to see you on the trail this summer!
Tom

Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com 

sfmini
on 2/28/12 2:47 am
Oh, very familiar with those trails as we drive our mini horses on those trails, as well as the Danville to the Bridge of Dreams trail which is six miles each way and LOVE that trail.
The paving project was just finished this past fall from Centerburg  to ???? not quite Mt Vernon and is flat, shady and nice. We live just north of Centerburg so I plan to start riding the trail in the evenings.
I also have started kayaking so that takes a lot of my fair weather time, love it much more than the bike by a mile but I will try a few of your rides as well.
    
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