Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!


Bob, Petch, and Lynne from the Medina store have some Halloween fun demonstrating what happens to a Bandito when he tries to steal a bike from Captain Jack and Mary Cricket!

Here's to a fun and safe Halloween to you, hopefully on your bicycles!

Think about your Metro Parks on Election Day

On November 5, Cleveland Metroparks need your vote for what the Cleveland Plain Dealer identified as “one of this region’s greatest assets.”

With over 22,000 acres of walking trails, bike paths, nature reserves, community spaces, and a nationally acclaimed Zoo, Our Cleveland Metroparks have a significant impact on our community’s quality of life. Nearly 75% of area residents visit Cleveland Metroparks annually.

Cleveland Metroparks has shown their commitment to Northeast Ohio bicyclists with events and programs to make riding on the Metroparks roadways safer, and committing to over 24 miles of mountain biking trails in 2014.

The last levy passed in 2004. Our Parks Are Worth It and the November levy will protect our Emerald Necklace. Please help us spread the word about this issue and why Our Cleveland Metroparks need your support!

Metro Parks, Serving Summit County is also seeking approval for a renewal levy. Voting YES on Issue 2 will provide funding for continued operation and maintenance of 14 parks and 125 miles of trails, including the Bike & Hike Trail, the Freedom Trail, and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

In 2012, Summit County became the first county of the four that the Towpath Trail runs through to have the trail completed within the length of the county. Work has just begun on the first mountain biking trail in the Metro Parks system, at Hampton Hills Park.

These two great parks organizations are an asset to cyclists and everyone in the region, and we feel they are worth our support!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Rocky River customers complete 2,600-mile coast-to-coast ride

L-R: Barbara Roob, Dan Roob, Colleen Linn, Wynn Gerber, and Evelyn Gerber
A group of three friends who are customers at the Century Cycles store in Rocky River recently completed a 2,600-mile coast-to-coast ride. Wynn Gerber, Dan Roob, and Colleen Linn pedaled from Savanna, GA to San Deigo, CA while raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Wynn's wife Evelyn followed the group in a support van, and Dan's wife Barbara surprised them and met them for part of the trip.

The riders were interviews for a story on WOIO 19 Action News:


Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

Wynn wrote us to say:

"You guys did the work on my bike prior to my leaving and the bike worked to perfection. Thank you so much."

Thank YOU, Wynn, and congratulations to you all on a great bicycling trip!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Towpath Trail closed Sunday November 3 for Towpath Marathon

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail will be CLOSED beginning at dusk on Saturday, November 2 through 3:00pm on Sunday, November 3, 2013. No, it's not another government shutdown; it's the annual Towpath Marathon. The event was originally scheduled for October 13, but was re-scheduled due to the government shutdown.

The closure affects all areas of the Towpath Trail within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including trailhead parking lots, from Frazee House at the northern end to Botzum in the south.

Our bicycle rental service in Peninsula will be available during regular hours (10:00am - 6:00pm, last rental leaves at 4:30pm) on Saturday. Bike rentals will not be available on Sunday, unless the closure ends early, as it often does. Feel free to call us at 330-657-2209 to check.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Medina County Employees Health & Wellness Fair

Lynne and Petch from the Century Cycles store in Medina had a great time on Wednesday meeting everyone at the Medina County Employees Health & Wellness Fair! We held a raffle for a $25 Century Cycles Gift Card, and the winner was Amy Montag. Congratulations, Amy!

If your company or organization is holding a health or wellness fair, and you'd like us to come and talk about the benefits of cycling, please email us!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Photos from the "All Hail the Ale!" Night Ride on the Towpath Trail

A rainy afternoon this past Saturday scared off many Night Riders, but the clouds cleared towards the evening, and 26 riders participated in our 4th annual "All Hail the Ale!" Night Ride on the Towpath Trail in celebration of Cleveland Beer Week.

Thanks to prizes donated by Century Cycles and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, EVERYONE who attended got some kind of prize! We enjoyed a cold, but fortunately relatively dry ride on the Towpath, followed up by specials on Sierra Nevada Flipside Red IPA at the Winking Lizard next door.

Here are a few shots of riders and their beer-themed costumes!


Click here if the slideshow above is not appearing for you.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Late-season touring cyclist stops into the Peninsula store

Check out Juana Sandoval and her sweet ride! She built the bike herself out of bamboo and carbon fiber at the Bamboo Bike Studio. She recently moved from Columbus, Ohio to Minneapolis, Minnesota, but always wanted to do a bike tour of Ohio, so she's trying to squeeze it in before the snow flies!

Yesterday was the first day of her tour, and she stopped by the Century Cycles store in Peninsula to, of course, buy a warm jersey and socks! She's riding the Ohio to Erie Trail from Cleveland to Cincinnati.

You can see more pictures of touring cyclists who have visited all three of our stores in our Bicycle Touring Photo Gallery.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The Government Shutdown: Press Coverage Timeline

The federal government shutdown of October 1 through 16, 2013 saw the closing of all facilities and trails within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including about 21 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

The Century Cycles store in Peninsula sits right in the middle of the National Park, so the shutdown had a significant effect on business, mainly from the inability for people to use our bicycle rental service on the Towpath Trail, but also from associated business from cyclists and other visitors to the National Park.

The park, the trails, and our bike rentals are back up and running again.

As the old saying goes, for every dark cloud, there is a silver lining. The silver lining in this situation is the media attention on Century Cycles and other local businesses, as newspapers and TV stations flocked to the little village of Peninsula to hear our take on the situation.

October 3, 2013
Reporter Bob Downing and photographer Mike Cardew visited Century Cycles and other businesses in Peninsula. This article ran in the Oct. 4, 2014 edition the next day.

Later in the day, WKYC-TV's Tom Beres stopped by to get footage for this report, which aired that evening:


Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

October 11, 2013
WEWS-TV's Dave Arnold came to Peninsula and produced this report, which aired that evening:


Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

October 16, 2013
WKYC returned to Peninsula to produce this report about the anticipated re-opening of the National Park the following day:

Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

WKYC also visited Rocky River and spoke to Century Cycles Owner Scott Cowan, who appeared in this report that evening:

Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

October 17, 2013
Footage from the previous day's visit to Peninsula was used in this follow-up report:

Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

We're not sure how, but we were spotted on the national radar, as Bloomberg posted this article about the shutdown on their web site.


Somebody at CNN noticed the Bloomberg article, so they called us in Peninsula to get some more information. The folks in Peninsula directed them to Scott Cowan. CNN wanted to include Scott in a live on-air interview with business commentator Richard Quest.

This would require some technical know-how to set up. Former CC Marketing Manager Tracey Bradnan suggested that we look to the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce for help. Liz Manning from the RR Chamber was very helpful in directing us to OpenLink, a Document Management and Outsourced IT Solutions company based in Westlake. CEO DeWayne Ashcraft and President Rusty Deane were extremely helpful in setting up the videoconferencing equipment necessary to link up with Richard Quest at CNN. Thank you all for your help; it could not have happened without you!

The CNN segment aired live during the afternoon of Oct. 17. Actual footage of the interview is not available online, but the folks at OneLink set up a camera on-site to film Scott during the interview process:

Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Metro Parks Summer Biking Spree bicycle winner

The Summer Biking Spree organized by the Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, has concluded. The drawing for the grand prize, a Raleigh Venture 3.0 bicycle was held at the Century Cycles store in Peninsula on Oct. 16.

The lucky winner was Greg Hinton from Stow, who picked up his bicycle today. Congratulations, Greg! Here's to many more miles on the Metro Parks, Serving Summit County bike trails!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

How to Change a Flat Tire

So, you say you don't know how to change a flat tire on your bicycle? Just watch this 4-minute video to learn all about it!


Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

That was easy, wasn't it? What are you complaining about?

Stay tuned in the next week or so for our ALL-NEW Bike School schedule, where you can learn hands-on (sorry) how to fix a flat tire, and more!

Bike School ... For those about to bike.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Online Poll: What's your favorite style of beer?

With the government shutdown out of the way, our "All Hail the Ale!" NightRide on the Towpath Trail is ON!

So, we asked this before our first All Hail the Ale Night Ride three years ago ... let's see if your preferences have changed!

If you enjoy a beer after a bike ride, what's your favorite style of beer? Click here to take our latest online poll and let us know!

Last month's poll asked "How much biking have you done this year compared to previous years?" This year's whacky weather took a toll on many of those who responded, since 43% said "I rode less than average this year." However, 31% were undeterred and "rode more than average this year." You can see the full results of the last poll here.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Government Shutdown is OVER! Come ride the Towpath Trail!

Thankfully, the government shutdown has finally ended! The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is now re-opened to visitors, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. As you can see the barricades have been removed from the Lock 29 Trailhead (photo above), and there's plenty of parking available! Our bicycle rental service in Peninsula is now open for business!

Our "All Hail the Ale!" Night Ride on the Towpath Trail will go on as planned this Saturday, October 19! Help us celebrate Cleveland Beer Week by coming dressed as your favorite beer! Anyone in costume is eligible to win door prizes (drawings begin at 7:30pm), and the crowd will vote a grand prize winner for best costume! See www.centurycycles.com/for/CleBeerWeek for full details and schedule of events.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is up and running again, and you can enjoy their Bike Aboard! service; $3 gets you a one-way ride between any two train stations with your bicycle.

We'd like to extend our thanks to the National Park Service rangers and staff. These LOCAL employees worked through the night to remove the cones and barriers, and had everything re-opened by this morning.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

National Bike Challenge Concludes; Ohio makes strong showing

The National Bike Challenge was a friendly competition from May through September of this year, pitting individuals, teams, and regions against one another over who can log the most miles on our bicycles. It didn't matter if you ride for transportation, leisure, racing, mountain biking, or whatever, every mile that you logged using the Endomondo app or manually at the Endomondo web site counted!

First and foremost in the minds of Northeast Ohio cyclists was the Rust Belt Challenge, where we in the Cleveland area faced off against cyclists in the Pittsburgh region. Alas, after all miles were logged and totals tallied up, Pittsburgh came out the winner. Actually, Cleveland DID ride more total miles than Pittsburgh, but bonus points were awarded per bike trip, and it was Pittsburgh's greater number of trips that pushed them over the edge.

There will be a celebration in Youngstown this Friday, October 18. Groups of cyclists will from both Cleveland and Pittsburgh will ride their bikes and meet at The Boxcar Lounge (534 Mahoning Ave in Youngstown) to exchange the Rust Belt Crown. See www.facebook.com/RustCrown for more details and to RSVP.

The good news is that Ohioans, and especially Northeast Ohioans, made a good effort towards the challenge. The state of Ohio came in 9th overall among all 50 states and the District of Columbia during the May-September challenge period.

Our own Krista McNamee from the Century Cycles store in Rocky River was the TOP FEMALE rider in Ohio! And the Century Cycles team ranked 4th out of 146 registered teams in Ohio! Way to go Krista, and thanks and way to go to all of our staff, customers, and friends who joined our team!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Government Shutdown will not Shut Down Bicycle-Themed Celebration of Cleveland Beer Week

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Additional photos of beer-costumed bicyclists available upon request.

PENINSULA, Ohio (October 11, 2013) – The continuing shutdown of the federal government has visitors barred from all facilities and trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. For the 4th year in a row, Century Cycles bicycle shop is planning their “All Hail the Ale!” Night Ride on the Towpath Trail in celebration of Cleveland Beer Week. The event is in tribute to the special place hopped beverages hold in the hearts of many bicyclists, and will take place the evening of Saturday, October 19th at 1621 Main Street/Route 303 in Peninsula.

If the government shutdown continues through the 19th, participants will not be able to ride their bicycles on the Towpath Trail, but all other activities associated with the event will go on as planned.

“They can shut down the trail, but they can't shut down the party!” said Doug Charnock, Sales Manager at Century Cycles in Peninsula.

The schedule of events on October 19th is as follows:

  • 6:30pm – 7:30pm: Participants arrive at the store to check in. Everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite beer. While beer costumes are not required, they are highly encouraged. Those in costume can win prizes donated by Century Cycles and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, plus they won't have their beer loyalty questioned. While waiting for the other festivities to start, you can enjoy cycle-your-own-smoothies on our famous Blender Bike.
  • 7:30pm: Prize raffle will begin, with all those who checked in wearing beer costumes eligible. The grand prize will be awarded for the best costume, as judged by fellow participants.
  • 8:00pm: Should the Towpath Trail be re-opened, the Night Ride will proceed, about 7 miles south to the Botzum Trailhead. There, riders will enjoy free Oktoberfest-themed snacks, before turning around to head back to Peninsula. Not to be a buzzkill, but there will be no beer (except root beer) allowed or distributed on the Night Ride.
  • Post-ride (or 8:00pm, if the ride does not occur): Head to the Winking Lizard Tavern next door, to enjoy a special tapping of Sierra Nevada Flipside Red IPA (“not your usual IPA”), which will be available at a special price of $4 per pint. The first 100 customers who order this special beverage will get to enjoy it in a free take-home commemorative pint glass provided by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

The “All Hail the Ale!” Night Ride on the Towpath Trail is free and no pre-registration is required. However, bring a few extra bucks, because the All Hail the Ale Night Ride wants to further celebrate Cleveland Beer Week by supporting its charity, the Malone Scholarship Fund. Cash donations will be collected during the pre-ride celebration.

"The post-ride beer is a long and sacred tradition in bicycling, and this event helps us honor that while we celebrate Cleveland Beer Week," said Scott Cowan, owner of Century Cycles. "Last year's All Hail the Ale Night Ride was a huge hit - over 200 people biked with us and most had decorated themselves or their bikes in some sort of beer-inspired way."

Three years ago, Century Cycles conducted an online survey to ask Northeast Ohio bicyclists which style of beer they prefer after a bike ride. The overwhelming favorite among the 114 respondents was Ale/Pale Ale/IPA, which garnered 44% of the votes. That was followed by Wheat/Belgian (21%), Porter/Stout (18%), Light Beer (10%), and Lager (7%).

The Annoying Disclaimers:

While the Night Ride is FREE and requires no advance registration, Night Riders must sign a waiver before participating and are responsible for the purchase of their own beer and food at the Winking Lizard. This ride is at night, in the dark woods on an un-lit trail. That is why bicycle lights and helmets are REQUIRED (not to mention your own bicycle).

Please note that parking is VERY limited at the Century Cycles store. We usually we recommend that you use the Lock 29 Trailhead parking lots just north of the store, but those will be closed if the shutdown continues, so you'll be on your own with on-street parking.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; young adults under 21 should ignore all the excitement about the beer tapping. Finally, make sure those beer costumes don't hang or catch in a bicycle's spokes or chain (falling off your bike tends to ruin the fun) and that you can still wear your bike helmet in costume.

See www.centurycycles.com/for/CleBeerWeek for all of the details.

About Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail

Now in their 19th year, Century Cycles Night Rides were in the national spotlight in 2009 when Bicycling Magazine, the world's #1 bicycling publication, dubbed them one of America's Great Local Rides. They are casual, ride-at-your-own pace bicycle rides (not races) about 14 miles long. All skill levels are welcome, but knowledge of bicycling etiquette and experience riding the Towpath Trail are recommended. Night Rides begin and end in the parking lot at Century Cycles' Peninsula store (1621 Main Street, on Route 303). See www.centurycycles.com/for/NightRides for tips on preparation and photos from past rides.

About Cleveland Beer Week

The fifth annual CLEVELAND BEER WEEK will take place from October 18-27, 2013, and will feature hundreds of craft beer tastings, dinners, demonstrations, leisure activities, educational programs, and specials at bars, restaurants, and grocers throughout Cuyahoga County. Established in 2009 as the first event of its kind in northeast Ohio, CLEVELAND BEER WEEK is a not-for-profit, collaborative celebration that raises awareness of the strong craft beer industry while promoting patronage at local establishments and energizing the region's retail economy. www.clevelandbeerweek.org

About Winking Lizard Tavern

Celebrating 25 years of great food and great brews at 14 Ohio locations. www.winkinglizard.com

About Century Cycles

Founded in 1992, Century Cycles is an award-winning, locally-owned chain of independent bicycle stores in Medina, Peninsula, and Rocky River, providing bicycles, bicycle accessories, and friendly, expert service to northeast Ohio bicyclists and their families. At its Peninsula location, Century Cycles also rents bicycles year-round for riding on the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

For eleven consecutive years, Century Cycles was voted one of America's Best Best Shops in North America by the National Bicycle Dealers Association, an industry-wide trade group that honors the top 2% of the nation's independent bike stores. In 2013, Century Cycles has been voted "Cleveland's Best Bike Shop" by the readers of Cleveland Magazine for the fourth year in a row. www.centurycycles.com

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Deagan's Bike Night Grand Prize Winner

L-R: Josh Ronschke (Century Cycles), Scott Cowan (Owner, Century Cycles),
John Coleman, Sean Burkey (Sales Representative, Raleigh Bicycles)
Congratulations to John Coleman! He was the lucky winner of the grand prize drawing for the Raleigh Misceo 2.0 bicycle from Century Cycles and Raleigh Bicycles at the Finale Party of Deagan's Bike Night this past Thursday, October 10!

Since June of this year, if you rode your bike to Deagan's Kitchen & Bar (14810 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood) on Thursday nights from 5pm to closing, you got 15% off your total food and drink bill, plus an entry for the prize drawings which took place at the final Bike Night on Thursday.

Thanks to Deagan's and Raleigh for teaming up with us for this great event! Enjoy the ride, John!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Long-distance cyclist from Texas visits Peninsula

This past Wednesday, the Century Cycles store in Peninsula was paid another visit by someone on a long-distance bike tour.

John Hoper hails from Texas, but he was in the Cleveland area for some work-related training, and decided to take a few extra days for a 350-mile bike trip down through Ohio's Amish Country. This was the last day of his trip as he made his way back to Cleveland.

John's trip is a great example of how you don't have to set aside time for a MAJOR (e.g. cross-country) trip to enjoy the pleasures of bicycle touring. You can take just a few days, or just one evening on a Sub 24-Hour Overnight.

You can see more pictures of touring cyclists who have visited all three of our stores in our Bicycle Touring Photo Gallery.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Extended Hours in Peninsula END this week

Our extended hours that we began at the Century Cycles store in Peninsula this past August are ending this week. Starting this Sunday, October 13, 2013, we will be open from 12:00 noon until 5:00pm. Hours on all other days remain unchanged.

As usual, our current Hours of Operation for all three stores can be found at: www.centurycycles.com/for/hours

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October 2013 Towpath Trail Construction Video Update

Tim Donovan of the Ohio Canal Corridor brings you the latest update from the Scranton Road Peninsula of the Towpath Trail/Cuyahoga River Restoration Project.

This update focuses on the restoration of the natural vegetation and fish habitat in and near this section of the Cuyahoga River.

Click here if the video above is not appearing for you.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Cargo trike on the job!

A customer at the Century Cycles store in Medina recently purchased an adult trike. They work for a local construction company, and found that the trike is ideal for carting themselves, supplies, and equipment around the job site! A trike is great for hauling heavy loads -- they're stable, durable, and easy to handle.

An adult trike also provides a mobility and exercise solution for older adults and larger kids with special needs. Coming soon, we'll have the Sun Bicycles Atlas Cargo 24 trike:

With a high-tensile steel frame and and heavy-duty chrome-plated steel wheels, it can handle loads of up to 500 pounds (combined rider and cargo). $639.99. Whether you're on the job or just on the go, check out a cargo trike!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Long-distance tandem bicycle riders visit Peninsula

Hob and Deb McConville from Vernon, CT stopped by the Century Cycles store in Peninsula on Oct. 2. They have ridden from their home through Montreal, Northern Ontario, then south on the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, which they'll take all the way to Mobile, Alabama, eventually ending their trip in New Orleans.

That's no ordinary tandem they're on. It's 33 years old, and was only the 22nd bicycle produced by Santana. The bike (and the couple) are famous among bike touring and tandem aficionados; they've ridden it over 105,000 miles across four continents!

You and your partner can test-ride your own tandem bike at our authorized Santana Test-Ride Center in our Medina store!
You can see more photos of long-distance cyclists that have visited all three of our stores in our Bicycle Touring Photo Gallery.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

SPECIAL ALERT: All three stores closing at 3:00pm this Saturday, October 5

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a special event, all three Century Cycles stores will be open from 10:00am until 3:00pm this Saturday, October 5, 2013. Sorry for any inconvenience!

We will be open for our regular hours on all other days.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Self Magazine: Thinking Pink with the Liv/giant Avail Inspire


The October issue of Self magazine features Editor-In-Chief Lucy Danziger telling readers that she's "still thinking pink." She writes, "This magazine has been telling women how to take care of their breast health—and their whole health—for more than two decades." She reminds readers that each October "…we devote pages to pink products, small symbols of the commitment to arm women with helpful information, and empower them to take better care of themselves."

Among those products is a bicycle she says, "I'd totally buy…"  The Liv/giant Avail Inspire.  10% of the retail price of each Liv/giant Avail Inspire soldis being donated to the Young Survival Coalition.

We've got the 2013 Liv/giant Avail Inspire (pictured in the article above, and below) in stock and ON SALE (originally $1,399.99, now $1,374.99). We have a size Medium in Medina and Rocky River, and an Extra-Small in Rocky River.

We also have one size Large left of the 2012 version of the Avail Inspire in Medina, pictured below (originally $1,359.99, now $1,099.99). Both bikes feature Liv/giant's women's-specific frame geometry, Giant's ALUXX-SL grade aluminum frame, Advanced-grade composite fork, and Shimano 105 shifters and derailers.

Come on in for a test-ride, and take one home today! As usual, we can send any bike to the store most convenient for you; no additional cost or obligation on your part. Call us to confirm availability!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is CLOSED within the CVNP

Due to the current federal government shutdown, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and other trails and facilities within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are CLOSED until further notice.

As such, our bicycle rentals at the Peninsula store will not be available. The store is OPEN for business as usual for sales and service.

This situation may change as events unfold; please check our Facebook page or Twitter for the latest news.

Please note that the areas of the Towpath Trail outside of the CVNP remain OPEN. This includes the areas managed by Cleveland Metroparks, Metro Parks Serving Summit County, Stark Parks, and Tuscarawas County Park Department.