Saturday, April 30, 2011

Night Ride re-cap and photos: Saturday, April 23


Our 17th season of Night Rides was kicked off in fine fashion last Saturday night, April 23, with over 60 people joining us (and all the frogs) on the Towpath Trail for a dark, fun and surprisingly precipitation-free bicycle ride. Check out all the photos below (taken by our very own Doug Charnock and Kevin Madzia) to see if you're in one.

And remember: Mark your calendar to come to the next one -- a very special Pajama Party Night Ride to celebrate Cleveland Bike Week. Bicycle in your bedtime clothes, bring a donation for Project Night Night (a new children's book or stuffed animal), and join our rolling slumber party! It's FREE and open to all.

To get the full Night Ride lowdown -- details, 2011 schedule, videos, etc. -- just go to www.centurycycles.com/for/NightRides  .



If the slide show above is not appearing for you, click here.

Friday, April 29, 2011

The perfect gifts for Mom

We don't think there is any better way to celebrate Mother's Day than with a family bike ride, unless of course Mom also receives a perfect cycling gift to keep her bicycling beautifully for years to come!

An Electra fashion cruiser bicycle is ideal for the creative mom who has got a lot of style -- and the Madonna (above) is a one-of-a-kind-bike for a one-of-a-kind mom! (Test ride the Madonna in our Medina or Rocky River stores, and cruiser bikes for women are at all three Century Cycles.)

Mom oftentimes equals "Errand-Runner-Extraordinaire," which means an Avenir Shopping Pannier will make her life a whole lot easier and her bike a lot more functional for those around-town trips.

The Giant Escape 1 women's hybrid/commuter bicycle is perfect for the busy Mom, who may find herself exercising with a friend, commuting to work, riding around the neighborhood with the kids and biking to the library for her book club -- all on the same day.

Kids pooling together their allowance money for Mom's gift? The SheBeest Cascade Windshell is still marked 50% off from our spring sale and is a flattering-yet-practical jacket for all types of riding.

Home is where the heart is and a Garmin Edge 500 GPS will always make sure Mom can find her way home, no matter where her bike roams.


Is Mom doing the Bike MS 150 Pedal to the Point or another long charity ride? Then a new road bike like the Raleigh Capri 2.0 will have her smiling for miles and miles and miles -- and we'll even donate 10% of the purchase price to her MS 150 fundraising account!

Last but not least, you must never forget the flowers for Mom, so why not get her an Electra Handlebar Flower that will last all summer and beyond? In fact, all of the Electra accessories -- bells, baskets, fenders, and more! -- are cute and stylishly practical.

More great gift ideas for Mom:

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Free Bike Safety Fairs: May 4 in Rocky River, May 5 in Bay Village

Now is a great time to get your bicycle ready to roll around town, especially with gasoline prices spiking to $4 per gallon. A great place to do it is at the Rocky River Bicycle Safety Fair on Wednesday, May 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rocky River Middle School (1631 Lakeview in Rocky River) and at the Bay Village Bicycle Safety Fair on Thursday, May 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bay Middle School (27725 Wolf Road in Bay Village).

Free and open to the public, each bicycle safety fair invites people to bring their bicycles for a free safety inspection and have the chance to win a bicycle helmet, get a free bike license and learn about the benefits of bicycling.

The bicycle safety fairs are part of the first annual Rocky River Bike To School Challenge and the 4th Annual Bay Bike To School Challenge, both scheduled for May 9-27. The Bike To School Challenges strive to inspire over 2,000 students to ride their bikes to school as much as possible for three weeks, to improve their health, help the environment, and inspire the community to use a bicycle for short trips around town.

At the Bicycle Safety Fairs:

• Professional bicycle mechanics from Century Cycles bicycle store in Rocky River will provide free bicycle safety inspections, display essential bike commuting gear, and hand out flyers with bicycle safety tips and etiquette.

• Century Cycles and Raleigh Bicycles are teaming up to give away 20 bicycle helmets to the first 20 families who attend each fair (limit: one helmet per family).

• University Hospitals’ Rainbow Injury Prevention Center, Safe Kids Coalition, and Why Not Wear A Helmet will be on hand to communicate the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet and will assist Century Cycles staff with helmet fittings.

• Informational booths, including one hosted by Bike to School Challenge organizers, who will be available to answer questions about the program.

• The Bay Village and Rocky River Police Departments will be providing free bike licenses.
The sponsors of Rocky River Middle School Bike to School Challenge are Century Cycles, Fuel Up to Play 60, Raleigh Bicycles, Chipotle, Honey Hut, Bay Lanes, and Rocky River Middle School PTA. The sponsors of Bay Bike To School Challenge are Century Cycles, Raleigh Bicycles, Chipotle, Honey Hut, Bay Lanes, Project Earth Environmental Club, Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation, Bay Kiwanis, and Bay PTAs. 

For more information and regular updates about Bay and Rocky River Bike to School Challenges, go to www.centurycycles.com/to/bts

Monday, April 25, 2011

Define your life. Ride a bike. In your pajamas!

Join the Century Cycles gang for the 2nd Annual Pajama Party Night Ride on Saturday, May 14 -- a FREE nighttime bicycle ride in celebration of Cleveland Bike Week and to benefit Project Night Night!

The festivities start at 7pm in the parking lot of our Peninsula store with cycle-your-own-smoothies, glow-in-the-dark goodies, and the admiration of everyone's excellent sartorial taste in bedtime clothing.

At 8pm, the rolling slumber party hits the Towpath Trail for a 14-mile bike ride. At the turnaround point, Night Riders will savor delightfully unhealthy slumber party snacks and can play a few quick rounds of "Spin the Water Bottle for Cycling Truth or Dare." After the ride, we'll head to the Winking Lizard in Peninsula and put a monster movie on the TVs in the south room. All riders are responsible for their own tab at the restaurant. (Hey! No whining -- we got you into the place wearing just your pajamas, didn't we?!)

Speaking of pajamas, they are not required but HIGHLY encouraged. Think you'll be the only one wearing them?? Think again -- check out the photos and video of last year's PJ Party Night Ride! Don't wear 'em to bed? Um, yeah, that's TMI, man. We're quite sure you can find something else to wear besides your birthday suit. Also required: A bicycle to carry you, a bike helmet to protect your noggin, and a bike headlight to light your way. (The Towpath is completely unlit, i.e., reallyreallyreally dark when the sun goes down.)

The Pajama Party Night Ride is free and no pre-registration is necessary. However, please consider bringing a new children's book, stuffed animal or small flannel blanket to the event to donate to Project Night Night, a children's charity that provides nighttime comfort packages to homeless children and is a local project of Grunt Girl Racing.

Need more info? Go to www.centurycycles.com/for/NightRides or call 330-657-2209. See you May 14 in your jammies!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Giant Anthem X 29er: Rave reviews from Outside, bike, and Mountain Bike Action

The Giant Anthem X 29er mountain bike is wowing the bike magazine editors and we gotta say it's a bike we're impressed with as well. We have both an AnthemX 29er X2 and X3 in the Medina shop for demo. On our staff, both Tom Wiseman and Ed Meyer own the Giant AnthemX 29er 1 for their personal stable of bikes. Tom says, "I really love this new bike and the advantages it has to offer." But what do those editors have to say??

The May 2011 issue of Mountain Bike Action gives up three pages to a thorough test of the Giant Anthem X 29er 1 and the editor comes away thoroughly impressed – right down to the Giant blue highlights on the bike’s spec!


On the ride:
“For a bike with competition-inspired cross-country geometry, Giant’s Anthem X 29er makes easy work of technical trail noise…descends in a very relaxed state, which allows the pilot to choose the best line through rim-twisting terrain…performs best when the rider chooses a line, sticks to it, and rides the rough terrain in a straight line, no matter how rocky or rutted.”

On the spec:
“Giant does a great job of tying their color scheme into nearly every component on the Anthem, resulting in a very clean and sophisticated look….Giant has stepped it up with in house brand components and the Anthem shows off the Contact handlebar, stem and seatpost, plus Giant’s own wheelset. The eye-catching blue is carried in Avid’s Elixir CR brakes with a 7-inch front rotor and 6-inch rear rotor, and the awesome Fizik Tundra 2 saddle.”
Buying advice:
“…The perfect bike for cross-country riders who love technical singletrack. It’s also an excellent bike for those with endurance racing in mind. …If you’re like us, then just set the sag, tire pressure and brake levers where you like, and blaze the trail.”

The May 2011 issue of bike begins the report on its test of the Giant Anthem X 29er 1 this way: “If you’re fortunate enough to own a quiver of bikes comprehensive enough to conquer every possible type of terrain, day of the week or stylish clothing ensemble, you might want to think again before giving Giant’s Anthem X 29er 1 a test ride. It is so capable at handling just about anything you throw at it, that you might just end up throwing an old, ratty tarp over the rest of your extensive bike collection and opting for this bike instead. Yes, you can do a lot aboard this wagon wheeler.” Editor Joe Parkin concludes his review with this: “I found it hard to find fault with any performance aspect of the Anthem X 29er. Nope, this is one damn fine XC racer that simply begs to show you what it can do with the trail conditions get burly.”
Last but not least, Outside magazine (May 2011) looks at lots of bicycles, and among the mountain bikes reviewed is the Giant Anthem X 29er 2. "A big-wheeled, go-anywhere full-suspension rig" is how the appraisal starts out.
"It plowed down rocky slopes, traced silky arcs in flowing singletrack, and didn't hesitate (much) on punchy climbs. That faint hesitation wasn't from the suspension -- the rear wheel stayed glued down and grinding, even on the rubbly uphills." The verdict at the end? "Big-wheeled fun at a manageable price."

Friday, April 22, 2011

Our poll: What would make your workplace bike-friendly?

Click here to take our current online poll: What would make your workplace more "bicycling-friendly?" Studies show that less than 1% of people ride their bikes to work, but as many as 10% have the desire to ride to work if the conditions were more favorable. Would some of these factors make a difference?? Let us know!
Last month's online poll asked, "Do you think GPS for bikes is a good idea?" The highest number of respondents (46%) said "Yes, it's a revolution." Next, 25% said "I don't get lost, but it would be cool to track and share my routes," while 1% said "What's GPS?"

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Lovely Spring: Scallion Riding Bike - Closed Easter

Just a reminder that we are CLOSED on Sunday so that our staff can enjoy the Easter holiday with their friends and families. We are open tomorrow and Saturday from 10am to 6pm (and the Peninsula store will be open before Saturday's Night Ride at 8pm).

That lovely spring photo: "Scallion Riding Bike" by Phillip Habib

Documentary's Cleveland premiere on May 3 benefits World Bicycle Relief


Century Cycles is proud to be one of the community sponsors of a benefit for World Bicycle Relief that will feature the Cleveland premiere of an award-winning documentary film, With My Own Two Wheels, on Tuesday, May 3, at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre (2163 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights).

Filmmaker Jacob Seigel-Bottner will attend the benefit screening to introduce the film and lead a post-show discussion. The documentary weaves together the experiences of five individuals -- from California, Zambia, India, Ghana and Guatemala -- into a single story about how bicycles can change the world, one pedal stroke at a time.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors. The benefit will include a raffle to which Century Cycles and other local sponsors have donated prizes, and those tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. All proceeds benefit World Bicycle Relief, which is an organization that provides access to independence, health care, education and livelihood through the power of bicycles.

Reservations can be made via email at WBRbenefit@gmail.com or by visiting the event listing at http://www.clevelandbicycleweek.org/.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Download the CVNP app for free this week

Chimani is a company that has developed a suite of apps for lots of national parks in the United States, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in our backyard. In celebration of National Park Week on April 16-24, all the national park iPhone apps will be FREE (Android will be reduced to only 99 cents) until Sunday. Click here for more information and the download links.

Doug in our Peninsula store reviewed the CVNP app back in January -- here are his thoughts, along with more details about the app. He is our resident CVNP expert and even he learned a thing or two!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Installing Spring

INSTALLING SPRING...


███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE.

Install delayed....Please wait.

Installation failed.

404 error: Season not found. Season "Spring" cannot be located. The season you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please try again.

(Hat tip: Dick DeLombard)

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Cleveland 2011


It was great to catch up with our many friends, both old and new, at the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Cleveland this past weekend! Our thanks go out to On The Edge Films, who bring the festival to Northeast Ohio every year, for having us as the official bike shop sponsor of this year's event.

Congratulations to Jeannie Roberts of Cleveland Heights, winner of the Century Cycles Gift Card raffle. She said, “I have attended Banff for the last five or six years. I love it and look forward to it every year. This is the first time I've won something in the raffles/drawings, but attending is the real prize, with all the great sponsors, booths and like-minded people all in the same place!”

Check out a few more of the pictures we snapped at the event (thanks to Petch and Kevin):


Monday, April 18, 2011

What We Ride: Krista's Surly Cross-Check

Krista McNamee works at the Century Cycles store in Rocky River. In 2008, she was looking for a bike that could handle rough trails and unpaved roads, and she chose the Surly Cross-Check. She preferred the comfortable ride that its steel frame provides, and the versatility and customizability of the bike. All of these features came in handy when she took the bike on a trip down the Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Canal Towpath Trail later that year. Krista is currently preparing for a three-week, 900-mile bike tour in Nova Scotia.


Learn more about Krista's Surly Cross-Check, including the custom components and accessories she chose to install on it, and the other places she enjoys riding it, in this article.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

5 Tips: Getting Ready for a Night Ride

With our first ride of 2011 scheduled for this Saturday, April 23, Night Ride season is finally upon us! Century Cycles' Night Rides on the Towpath Trail in Peninsula have been popular events throughout the cycling season for 17 years, and have been featured in several news outlets, from local publications such as the Akron Beacon-Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer, to national magazines such as Bicycling Magazine and Bicycle Retailer and Industy News.


Never ridden on a Night Ride before? The 5 Tips below will help you get started, or provide some reminders to prepare for a new season of Night Rides even if you're a weathered veteran!

1. Make sure your bicycle is in good working order
If you have not had your annual tune-up, bring it in far enough in advance to get it back in time for the ride. On the evening or morning before the ride, pump your tires to the recommended level, and do a quick safety check to make sure your brakes and shifting are working properly.

2. Have a helmet and headlight
Helmets are mandatory on all Century Cycles Night Rides. Every rider must also have their own headlight. Any headlight will do; you don't need anything fancy. A camping-style headlamp is okay, as long as it can be adjusted to fit over or under your helmet. Even a flashlight duct-taped to your helmet or handlebar will work. A bicycle-specific headlight is the most convenient, and these are available for around $30 and up. A tail light can be used, but is not required. See our full selection of bike lights here.

3. Dress for the weather, wear layers for flexibility, and bring water
As with any outdoor activity, especially in the spring and fall when conditions can change quickly, dressing in layers gives you the ability to remove outer layers if you get too warm, or add them back on if it cools down. Using a cargo rack on your bike, or wearing a backpack, can be useful for having a place to store extra items of clothing when you're not wearing them. Staying hydrated during a ride is important in any weather. It's probably easiest to fill your water bottle(s) at home; otherwise, drinking water is available from the pop machines at the store, or from the drinking fountain at the Lock 29 Trailhead in Peninsula.

4. Check the weather forecast, and make your own informed decision whether or not to ride
If the weather looks questionable, you can call the store to see if the ride is still on. However, please remember that we are not Dick Goddard. We can look outside to see what's going on at any time during the day, but we can't predict any better than you can whether or not it's going to rain during the ride. If there's a chance of rain and you don't like to get wet, then don't ride. If you show up and find the ride has been cancelled, you are free to ride the trail on your own. If there's a light to moderate rain, there are usually at least a few hardy souls that will still ride. Heavy rain or thunderstorms will cancel the ride.


5. Arrive early enough to have plenty of time to get ready to ride
You'll need time to find a place to park. Parking at the Century Cycles lot is very limited; use on-street parking or the Lock 29 Trailhead parking lot if necessary. Then, you'll need time to change into your riding clothes, unload your bike, sign a waiver (if it's your first Night Ride of the year -- more on that below), and do a last-minute double-check of your bike tires, brakes, etc. If you need any accessories or mechanical help, the store is usually open until the ride starts, but please be reasonable--we won't have the time for major repairs, and we don't want to delay the start of the ride for the dozens of other participants. No pre-registration is necessary for Night Rides and they are FREE as always, but you will also need to sign a waiver before your first Night Ride, which will then be good for the entire Night Ride season. Most importantly, arriving early gives you plenty of time to introduce yourself, socialize with the other riders, and HAVE FUN. That's what it's all about!

NOTE: When we shared this article in our April eNewsletter, Dick DeLombard (below) emailed us to suggest Tip #6: Do not bring your high wheel bicycle unless your headlight is far brighter than any others, otherwise it's very hard to see the edge of the Towpath. So high-wheel-riders, consider yourselves tipped (and thanks, Dick)!

Remember, a Night Ride on the Towpath Trail is meant to be a casual, fun ride; it's not a race. Some Type-A groups of people end up making it a race on their own, but you can ignore them! We'll announce the turn-around point before the start of the ride. If you are in the middle of the ride and feel like you are running out of steam, feel free to turn back at any point on your own; you'll probably pass other like-minded souls!

See www.centurycycles.com/for/NightRides for complete details on our Night Rides on the Towpath Trail, including the current schedule and directions to the store. With 11 dates to choose from and the price being very right (FREE!), we hope you can join us for one this year!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Product Review: Avenir Mini Metro Handlebar Bag

For those of you who've been following this blog for a while, you may be aware of my quest for the perfect handlebar bag. For quite a while, I used the Topeak Compact Handlebar Bag, which works quite nicely. For one bike-camping trip I took last year, I tested out the Detours Mini Met Handlebar Bag, which I reviewed here. I've also dabbled with using a fanny pack, but we won't get into that here (I was young, I was experimenting...).

Both the Topeak and the Detours handlebar bags have the advantages of a high-end handlebar bag: a quick-release mount that lets you easily remove the bag, plenty of space for the basics that you want quick access to during a ride (wallet, camera, cell phone, keys), included rain cover, and the obligatory detachable shoulder strap to convert the bag to a man-purse. You can order extra handlebar brackets to make it easy to use these bags on multiple bikes.

Despite all of their advantages, the above style of bags have two small drawbacks. One, the mounting brackets tend to interfere with other accessories. You have to mount your cyclocomputer on your stem, or move it far to the side on your handlebar, which on a road bike, can then run out of space with the handlebar tape. Plus, the bag blocks a handlebar-mounted headlight. You can get around these problems with an optional handlebar extension for accessories. The other issue I've had is that there are times when I want to use a handlebar bag on a particular bike, but for the times that I don't need the bag, I don't want the bracket hanging around there.

This is where the Avenir Mini Metro Handlebar Bag comes in. Compared to the Topeak and Detours bags, it is un-ashamedly low-tech. It attaches to your handlebar using a pair of velcro straps, plus a stabilizer strap that wraps around your steerer tube or head tube. The velcro straps have enough slack that you can position them around your other accessories in most cases. It's got one main internal compartment, plus a smaller zippered compartment under the flap. The flap has a clear map pocket on top, a favorite feature among touring cyclists. There's a reflective strip on the front, plus a reflective loop for a clip-on light. It's also got a side pocket, which is probably too small for most of the latest smartphones, but would probably work well for an older flip-style phone or a folding multi-tool.

Here it is in action on my Xtracycle, which I use most days for commuting:
As you can see, it attaches without blocking my headlight (NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB), plus leaves plenty of room for all of my other dorky accessories (Cat Eye Enduro 8 computer, Origin8 Joe-2-Go coffee cup holder, and killer whale squeeze horn).

I've been pretty pleased with it after using it on several rides. The flap is held in place with velcro, so you've got quick access to the contents to grab your phone to answer that important call from your stockbroker, snap a picture of roadside flora and fauna, or jot down the license plate number of the SUV that just buzzed you. The velcro straps are not as quick to remove and attach compared to a quick-release bag, but they're easy and do the trick.

The outer material is made of 420-denier ripstop nylon for awesome durability. There's no claim of water-proofiness; I think it would keep your stuff dry during a light mist, but I wouldn't count on it during a full downpour. I put my phone in a separate waterproof bag.

Here's another action shot showing that the bag works just as well (if not better) on a drop-handlebar bike:
At $24.99, the Avenir Mini Metro is a steal for a convenient and easy-to-use handlebar bag. In stock in all three Century Cycles stores!

Friday, April 15, 2011

BusinessWeek recommends the Giant Twist Freedom DX for your business commute


The Feb. 28 - Mar. 6 issue of BusinessWeek magazine highlights a few of their favorite products for bicycle commuting, or as they said, "Geek out your commute."

Topping the list is Giant's Twist Freedom DX bicycle that uses hybrid cycling technology--the electric assist integrates pedal power with electric power. It also features an upright, comfortable riding position, rear cargo rack, taillight, and chain guard for worry-free riding in your business casual attire. We've got one in stock in our Medina store, so stop in for a test ride!

Also noted is the Blackburn Flea USB+Solar headlight. Its three LED bulbs give you three hours of light, and the include USB port and solar chargers mean you have two options to help insure you're not left in the dark. In stock in all three of our stores!

The Contour GPS video helmet camera integrates the latest is on-the-go video capture with Global Positioning System technology. You can record HD video, upload it to a laptop, and see exactly where you cartwheeled over that three-inch curb! Available by special order.

Finally, when you're hoarse from yelling "On your left," and want a noise-making device with more oomph than your typical bicycle bell, the Delta Air Zound Horn packs 105 decibels, and is refillable using any standard bicycle pump. We are out of these at the moment; check back later using the product link, or give us a call to special-order one!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

June 4 Night Ride first in Cuyahoga county, to benefit RMH of Cleveland

It’s time to have some two-wheeled fun to help one very special home! The 2nd Annual Century Cycles Night Ride on the Towpath Trail to benefit the Ronald McDonald House is Saturday, June 4, at 8 p.m. It is a 12-mile moonlit bicycle ride that starts at Thornburg Station in Valley View (8111 Rockside Road, at the intersection of Canal and Rockside roads) -- Century Cycles' very first Night Ride in Cuyahoga county.

Bicyclists will ride the Towpath Trail south for six miles, enjoy snacks at the ride’s turnaround point at the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, and then bicycle back to the ride’s starting point. Before cyclists experience the nocturnal sights and sounds of the Towpath Trail, they will enjoy pre-ride festivities including a prize raffle and cycle-your-own smoothies. The first 200 registrants receive a free event t-shirt.


The cost is $20 per person in advance or $25 per person night-of, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. Go to www.centurycycles.com/goto/RMH to register online and for more information, or call Century Cycles at 330-657-2209.

On the Night Ride, bicyclists will be pedaling to help provide a home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving medical care at nearby hospitals. One Night Rider's advance registration fee of $20 can make an impact: It's the same amount families are asked to donate nightly to stay at the Ronald McDonald House, although families are never turned away due to inability to pay and on average it costs the House over $80 per day to allow a family to stay.

All skill levels are welcome to participate in this casual ride (not race). Bicyclists must have their own bicycle and wear a helmet. A bicycle headlight is also required (the Towpath Trail is unlit at night and very dark). Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Plan to arrive a little early to make sure you bike is ready to go and you have a chance to enter the raffle, cycle a smoothie and learn about the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland.

About Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail
Soon to start their 17th season on April 23, Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail are free group nighttime bicycle rides on the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park that start and end at Century Cycles’ store in Peninsula. They attract hundreds of bicyclists who enjoy it as a fun family outing, a unique date night, or a just a casual bicycle ride with friends to experience one of the area’s most popular bike paths in a whole new way – at night!
New to Night Rides? Go to www.centurycycles.com/goto/nightrides for the complete 2011 schedule, helpful tips, and videos and photos from past rides.

About The Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland
The Ronald McDonald House® of Cleveland, Inc. supports families whose children receive treatment at area medical centers by providing a home-like environment and essential resources and services. Families are stronger when they are together, and their presence helps a sick child heal faster and cope better. While we cannot make medicine taste better or take away painful treatments, we can help lessen the burden and ensure families have the stability and resources to get and keep their child healthy and happy. Since 1979, our House has been a home away from home for over 31,000 families who have needed to stay close to their hospitalized child.

State Route 303 in Peninsula: NOW OPEN!

The construction crews in Peninsula have completed their work ahead of schedule. As of 7:00am this morning, State Route 303 / Main Street is NOW OPEN!

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers. Thank you for your patience!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Route 303 Construction Update plus Shameless Bike Plug


Down in Peninsula earlier today, Doug had a chat with the construction crew while he took the opportunity to snap the above picture. They told him there was a chance they may be done ahead of schedule, but check back with us to confirm. It looks like they've got the new railroad tracks laid, plus the surrounding concrete and asphalt, with just some fill-in and finishing work on the edges left to do. See this page for a map of the area with detour information.

The next time you're out for a ride, do it on a bike that won't let a closed road slow you down, such as the 2011 Raleigh Rx 1.0 cyclocross!

A few weeks ago, we special-ordered one of these Sherman-tank-green bad boys in 59cm for a Peninsula customer, and we also ordered a 57cm just to throw in for good measure. Before we knew it, we had to order a second 59cm for another customer! We've still got the 57cm in stock in Peninsula, plus a 55cm in Medina, and a 59cm in Rocky River. The 50cm and 53cm are available by special-order.

Sizing note: We've found that the sizing on the Rx 1.0 runs a little small compared to similar road bikes. For example, our two 59cm customers typically ride 58cm road bikes. I usually ride a 56cm road bike, and the 57cm Rx 1.0 works well for me.

The Rx 1.0 features Raleigh's Atomic 13 butted aluminum frame, Easton EC90X carbon fork, and Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs. If you're in the market for a road bike that can tackle any road, a high-performance Towpath destroyer, or a race-ready ride for this fall's cyclocross season, check out the Raleigh Rx 1.0!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Reminder: Rt. 303 in Peninsula is closed this week

And so it closed....

Route 303 in Peninsula was shut down last night and will be closed until Friday, April 15, due to construction on the railroad crossing in the center of town. Go here to get all the details, detour information, and even a handy-dandy map. We appreciate everyone's patience as we get through the week and prepare for another great summer in the Village!

Photo: Doug Charnock

Take a Bike Overnight Trip

With Spring weather finally just around the corner here in Northeast Ohio, many local cyclists are starting to plan their bicycle adventures for the season. Some dream of riding in GOBA or other cross-state, or even cross-country trips, but don't have the time or wherewithal to devote to a ride of that length.

That's where the idea of the Sub 24-Hour Overnight was born. The name was coined by Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works; a Sub 24-Hour Overnight (or S24O, for short) is a bicycle trip where you ride during one day, stay over at your destination for one night, then ride back the next day. You can camp, or stay at a hotel or B&B--it doesn't matter!

The benefit of an S2O, in addition to the small time commitment, is that you can pack light and not have much to worry about other than enjoying yourself. For inexperienced bicycle tourers, you're not too far from home, so if you have a breakdown or other unexpected emergency, you're not stuck in the middle of nowhere.

The Adventure Cycling Association, who specialize in organizing and planning long-distance bicycle tours, have created a new resource devoted just to Sub 24-Hour Overnights. The new web site can be found at:


It includes gear lists, sample trips, and other resources and tools.

Century Cycles' own Kevin Madzia has taken a fair number of S24O trips, which he wrote about in this article that appeared in the July 2009 issue of Ohio Sports & Fitness Magazine. It includes suggestions for S24O routes and places to stay right here in Northeast Ohio!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Cleveland Metroparks wants YOUR ideas!

Cleveland Metroparks 2020:
The Emerald Necklace Centennial Plan

Cleveland Metroparks is in the process of defining a strategic vision to guide future decision-making and priorities for the park district for the next ten years. To gather public input, Cleveland Metroparks is hosting a second series of public meetings which will start with a presentation and offer the public the opportunity to provide comments and share ideas.

Come share your ideas at the following meetings:

Monday, May 2, 2011: CanalWay Visitor Center
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, East 49th Street, Cuyahoga Hts.
6:30—8:30 pm
Discussion focuses on Ohio & Erie Canal, Washington, West Creek,
Brookside, Garfield, Bedford & Brecksville Reservations

Tuesday, May 3, 2011: North Chagrin Nature Center
North Chagrin Reservation, Mayfield Village
6:30—8:30 pm
Discussion focuses on Euclid Creek, North Chagrin & South Chagrin Reservations

Wednesday, May 4, 2011: Rocky River Nature Center
Rocky River Reservation, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted
6:30—8:30 pm
Discussion focuses on Huntington, Bradley Woods, Rocky River,
Big Creek, Mill Stream Run & Hinckley Reservations

All are welcome!

For more information, call 216-635-3238
or visit www.clevelandmetroparks.com

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Giant "emergency edition" bike assists Japan earthquake relief

Giant Bicycle has donated 1000 units of a special ‘Emergency Edition’ hardtail mountain bike specifically designed to assist emergency crews involved with the recent Japan earthquake disaster. These unique bikes will be used by local emergency organizations and volunteers to navigate rough terrain and damaged roadways that are no longer accessible by vehicles.

The bike itself is a limited production model based on the Giant Rock series of mountain bikes sold in Japan, and is aptly named the “Special Edition Quake Reconstruction” model. To better highlight its emergency usage, the framesets are painted in high-visibility yellow, and they carry a logo depicting “Emergency Reconstruction Assistance” on the seat tube.

Each bike will be delivered fully-assembled and will come equipped with safety features that include front suspension, 26-inch off-road tires, rear luggage rack, and front headlight.

Immediately after the earthquake, Giant altered its standard manufacturing schedules to accommodate immediate production of the unique bicycles. Delivery to the affected regions is expected to take place by late April.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Off for the Long Haul

This lovely black 56cm Surly Long Haul Trucker was just picked up by Steve, a customer in our Peninsula store. Check out those matching Surly cargo racks!

Last week, Steve walked into the store and made an announcement that many of us fantasize about making. He said, "I realized that life is too short, so I'm selling all my stuff and heading across the country on my bike." He wanted to get the perfect bike, so there was no question in our minds that he needed a Long Haul Trucker.

Bon voyage, Steve!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Last chance for discounted tickets to the Banff Mountain Film Festival!

Today, Thursday April 7, is your LAST CHANCE to purchase tickets at a discount for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Cleveland! Ticket can be purchased at any of our three stores; $35 for the Friday April 15 show and $30 for the Saturday April 16 show.

Ticket prices will increase by $5 beginning on Friday, April 8. $40 tickets for Friday's show will continue to be be available in our stores through 12:00pm on Friday April 15. $35 tickets for the Saturday show will be available in our stores through 12:00pm on Saturday April 16.

Tickets will be available on-site at the festival for $45 for Friday night and $40 for Saturday night.

For full details about the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Cleveland, see:

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Let us help you reach your BikeMS goals!

Century Cycles and Raleigh Bicycles are teaming up to help you reach your bicycling goals -- to train comfortably and efficiently, to ride farther and faster, and to raise more money to create a world free of multiple sclerosis.

Buy either a Raleigh Revenio or Raleigh Capri road bike from Century Cycles -- ideal bicycles for men and women who do longer road rides for charity, fun and fitness -- and we'll donate 10% of the purchase price of the bike directly to your fundraising account for the BikeMS Pedal to the Point on August 13-14.

Never biked this ride before? What are you waiting for?! First-time riders register for FREE and have one- and two-day options ranging from 30 to 150 miles to choose from.

Go to www.centurycycles.com/for/BikeMS for complete details, then stop in to your local Century Cycles to test ride a Raleigh Revenio or Capri today.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

New Product: Use Bike Glow to light the night

Scott saw this product at a recent bike trade show and instantly thought of two words: Night Rides! BikeGlow ($24.99) is a new and unique bike safety light that wraps around your bike's frame -- dramatically increasing a bike's visibility (and decorative factor!), whether on the road or Towpath Trail.

The 10-foot long flexible light tube uses electroluminescent technology and features bright colors. You can choose between steady, slow flashing, and fast flashing modes. Lightweight and waterproof, Bike Glow is secure enough to be left on your bike so you have safety lighting always at the ready.

Be sure to check out this Treehugger article (with video) on Bike Glow, too, then come to any Century Cycles store to check it out in person. Act fast -- our first Night Ride is April 23 and you want to make sure you got the glow!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Century Cycles offers the LaserFit 2000(tm) System

We are pleased to announce that beginning today, the LaserFit 2000(tm) bike fitting system is available at all three of our stores. The LaserFit 2000(tm) ushers in a new era of personalized service and customization.

For a nominal fee of $250, you will spend a relaxing 10 minutes in the comforting cocoon of the LaserFit 2000(tm), bathed in refreshing jets of water from the Cuyahoga River and the soothing melodies of Kenny G, while an array of "laser" beams scans every contour of your body, measuring and recording every dimension. This data is then transmitted via our state-of-the-art 4G network to our top-secret custom frame-building facility.

In the space of a few short months, you'll have your one-of-a-kind, custom-fitted, custom-made bicycle ready to ride!

Here's Rich, mechanic from our Peninsula store, on his new road bike. As you can see, the LaserFit 2000(tm) perfectly designed a bike to fit all 6-feet 5-inches of him!


Stop in today for your LaserFit 2000(tm) session!