Friday, June 30, 2017

ALERT: Independence Day Hours

PLEASE NOTE: The Century Cycles stores in Medina and Rocky River will be CLOSED on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 for the Independence Day holiday. Sorry for any inconvenience!

The Peninsula store will be OPEN from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Bike rentals for the Towpath Trail will be available from 10:00am until 3:30pm; bikes must be returned before the 5:00pm store closing time.

Also note that the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (and their Bike Aboard service) will NOT be available on July 4th.

All three of our stores will be OPEN for our regular hours on all other days throughout the holiday weekend, including Monday.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Carry your bicycles and gear safely with Thule car racks and cargo boxes

The summer vacation season is upon us. Whether you're just heading to your local park, or a day-long drive to your getaway destination, you want to arrive safely with your bicycles intact. For families, space inside the vehicle can be precious, so you want to look for ways to carry more gear.

Century Cycles carries a full line of Thule bicycle racks for cars, SUVs, and trucks in all three of our stores (Medina, Peninsula, and Rocky River). Thule (pronounce it "TOO-lee") is a company based in Sweden, but all of their bike racks sold in the USA are also made right here in the USA, in one of their factories located in Connecticut or Colorado.

You can purchase your bicycle rack worry-free from Century Cycles, because we'll do the research to make sure we pick the right rack the fits your vehicle, we'll assemble it free of charge, and also install it free of charge--all while showing you how to properly install and use it so you can be sure it's safe every time.

Trunk Racks

A "trunk rack" is a bicycle carrier that straps to the rear of your vehicle. Most models will work with most cars, SUVs, vans, and some pickup trucks. The entry-level Thule Passage 910XT holds one or two bicycles for only $149.99. A three-bike version (Thule Passage 911XT) is available for $169.99.
Thule Passage 910XT trunk rack
The Thule Raceway Pro trunk rack (available in 2-bike 9001PRO $349.99 or 3-bike 9002PRO $379.99 versions) give you better ease of use and security, with a built-in cable lock and locking steel attachment straps.
Thule Raceway Pro 2-bike trunk rack
Got a spare tire on the back of your vehicle? Thule has an answer for that, too! The Thule Spare Me Pro 963PRO ($229.99) holds up to three bikes, and locks securely to your spare tire (if there's a cover over your spare tire, you'll have to remove it).
Thule Spare Me Pro bicycle rack
Hitch Racks

A hitch-mounted bicycle rack attaches to a towing receiver hitch on the rear of your vehicle. If you don't have a receiver hitch, check at your local camper center or towing supply shop, and they can usually install them on most vehicles for a reasonable price. Hitch receivers come in a width of either 1.25 inches or 2 inches. Some hitch racks work with both sizes, but some are made for a specific size hitch. Most hitch racks have a feature that allows the rack to tilt down so you can access your trunk.

The Thule Vertex is an economical hitch rack available in three versions; all include a built-in hide-away cable lock:

Thule Vertex Hitch Rack

Step up to the Thule Helium Aero series, and you get a rack with aluminum construction that's nearly half the weight of comparable racks. You also get the Auto-Attach hitch that slides into your 1.25" or 2" receiver and locks in place without any tools.
Thule Helim Aero 3-Bike Hitch Rack

The new and improved Thule Doubletrack Pro Hitch Rack 9054 ($349.99) holds two bikes, and features a lower-to-the-ground design that's much easier to load, and works much better with cruiser bikes, ladie's bikes, and other bicycles with non-standard frames. It includes all of the locks and keys needed to secure the rack to your vehicle and the bikes to the rack. Works with both 1.25" and 2" hitches.
Thule Doubletrack Pro Hitch Rack
The Thule T2 Pro is a top-of-the-line hitch rack for cyclists who want the ultimate in security and ease of use. Out of the box, it holds any bike with wheels sizes from 20 inches up 29 inches, including fat bikes with tires up to 5 inches wide! Also features the Auto-Attach system for quick tool-free installation and removal.

The Thule EasyFold Hitch Rack 9032 ($699.99) delivers sold bike transportation in a convenient, foldable package. The high load capacity (132 pounds) gives the EasyFold plenty of muscle to handle the weight of nearly any bike, including electric bikes. And, there's a removable ramp that makes it easy to load your bikes into position.
Thule EasyFold Hitch Rack
Cargo Boxes

Cargo boxes provide extra storage space on top of your vehicle to carry luggage, skis, or snowboards. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs!

The Thule Force offers value and space with key conveniences, including tool-free Quick-Grip mounting system that works on Thule roof rack systems with square or aerodynamic load bars, round load bars, and most factory load bars. They can be opened and loaded from both the left or right sides. Currently in stock (call us to verify availability):
  • Thule Force M 624 $489.99 - 13 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
  • Thule Force XL 625 $549.99 - 17 cubic feet of cargo capacity, 6 to 8 pair of skis or 4 to 6 snowboards (max 198cm in length)
The Thule Sonic features tool-free AcuTight mounting that works on Thule roof rack systems with square or aerodynamic load bars, round load bars, and most factory load bars. They can be opened and loaded from both the left or right sides. Currently in stock (call us to verify availability):
The Thule Motion XT provides stylish and spacious roof-mounted cargo storage, optimized for ease of use. It's easy to open and close in all conditions due to grip-friendly outer handles and supporting lid lifters. Full trunk access with minimal risk of contact with the cargo box, thanks to its forward position on the vehicle roof. The SlideLock system with separate locking and opening functions automatically locks the lid in place and indicates when the box is closed securely. Easy to mount thanks to the extra-wide PowerClick quick-mount system. The integrated torque indicator "clicks" when it’s properly mounted, ensuring fast and secure fitting. Currently in stock (call us to verify availability):


Roof Rack Systems

If your vehicle does not have factory load bars on the roof, we can outfit you with a Thule roof rack system. In most cases, parts for a roof rack system are special-order, so plan ahead. An installation charge of $60 per hour will apply; most installations take 1 to 2 hours.

Once you have a roof rack system, in addition to cargo boxes, you can use roof-mounted bike carriers. Some require removal of your front wheel, some do not. Stop in and talk to us about the various options!

Monday, June 19, 2017

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 is People for Bikes' Fix-A-Flat Day!

We are approaching the dog days of summer, and to help get YOU out on your bicycle more, we're helping People for Bikes spread the word about their Bike Days of Summer!

Any day is a good day to ride a bike, but the Bike Days of Summer highlight some skills and activities to encourage you to get out and ride!

The first of the Bike Days of Summer is Tuesday, June 20, and is Fix-A-Flat Day!

Fixing a flat tire is an easy and essential skill that anyone riding a bicycle should master. Dozens of bike in your city may be sitting un-used in garages and basements just because of flat tires!

Got a bike that you have not ridden in a long time with a flat tire? There may be nothing wrong with it! Just try pumping up the tire(s), and wait a few minutes to make sure they're holding air. If they continue to feel firm ride away!

Know how to fix a flat tire? Take some time to teach a friend how to do it! Or, ask a few of your neighbors if you can fix their flats for them, then take them for a ride!

Don't know how to fix a flat tire? Ask one of your more cycling-savvy friends to teach you! You'd be surprised at how much showing up at their place with your bike and a six-pack of their favorite cold beverage will get you!

Can't find a friend to teach you? There are many online resources to take you through the process step-by-step. One of our favorites is this one from Liv Cycling!

Finally, if you need to seek professional help, the experts at all three Century Cycles stores are always ready and willing to fix your flat tires while you wait! No appointment is necessary, just stop in with your bike!

The labor charge for flat tire repairs is $8.00. Most common sizes of inner tubes are $7.99 each (some sizes are more). If you need a new tire, basic tires for adult bikes start at about $20 each; kid's bike tires even less! Sales tax is additional.

To encourage you dust off that old bike and bring it in to let us fix the tires, we're offering HALF-OFF the labor charge for flat tire repairs for Fix-A-Flat Day on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 ONLY! Use the coupon below.





Saturday, June 17, 2017

"Instruments of Adventure" - the latest short film presented by Salsa Cycles


Instruments of Adventure from Bjørn on Vimeo.
Five friends traverse a large swath of southern Alaska by sea kayak, fat-bike, and packraft. Through interviews and footage, shot underway, the adventurers share their experiences and reflections about their journey.
Traversing wild landscapes by human-power isn’t a quest to achieve enlightenment. You might, but that’s not the point. Counteracting a cresting wave with a high brace, wheelie dropping into a ravine, or exacting surgical execution of a discovered line through beach boulders all will cause you to lose yourself in single-minded focus and flow.
The instruments of adventure are meant to be played...ideally, with like-minded friends in primordial hinterlands.

Friday, June 16, 2017

25th Anniversary Scratch-Off Prize Cards & Raffle!

As part of the continuing celebration of Century Cycles' 25th Anniversary, we are rewarding our customers with our Scratch-Off Prize Cards and Raffle!

For any purchase of $50 or more that you make, you get one of our scratch-off prize cards! Every card is a winner! Cool prizes include special 25th anniversary editions of our custom water bottles, bottle openers, bumper stickers, and MORE!

Plus, each prize card also includes an entry for the Grand Prize Drawings! We'll hold separate drawings in all three of our stores on September 5, 2017! Grand prizes will include Century Cycles Gift Cards, items from our favorite brands (including Giant, Pearl Izumi, Blackburn, and Tifosi), and gift cards from other local businesses!

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Bike Aboard! On the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Century Cycles is proud to be the exclusive
bicycle shop supporter of the CVSR Bike Aboard service!

Ride the Rail - Bike the Trail!

Bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, then hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train for a relaxing ride back to your car! For only $3 you can load your bike aboard Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a one-way trip. Or, do it in reverse! Pick the boarding station where you want to get off and enjoy biking back to your car along the Towpath Trail.

For full details, plus the schedule of operation, go to:



Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Pajama Party Night Ride on the Towpath Trail with Bike Cleveland! - June 24, 2017

When: Saturday, June 24, 2017, 7:00pm

Where: Century Cycles, 1621 Main Street, Peninsula, OH 44264

Join Century Cycles and Bike Cleveland for our biggest and most popular ride of the season! Our regularly-scheduled Night Ride on the Towpath Trail is transformed into a rolling pajama party! The ride is FREE and no pre-registration is required!

The fun starts at 7:00pm in the parking lot of our Peninsula store, where you'll sign in, enjoy make-your-own smoothies on our bike blender, and admire your fellow riders' choice of sleepwear!

Our friends from Bike Cleveland will be there to talk about all of the great work they do to make bicycling more fun and more safe for everyone in Northeast Ohio.

If you make a donation to Bike Cleveland, or join or renew your membership at the event, you'll be entered into our prize raffle! The raffle drawings will take place beginning at 7:45pm.

At 8:00pm sharp, we'll begin our bike ride on the car-free Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We'll ride NORTH about 7 miles to the Brecksville Station, take a break for pajama party-themed snacks, then turn around and ride back to Peninsula. Many people enjoy post-ride food and beverages at The Winking Lizard Tavern next door.

You can ride at your own pace, and all ages and skill levels are welcome! Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


Never been on one of our Night Rides before? Check out the full details, preparation tips, and safety tips at: www.centurycycles.com/for/NightRides

You must have your own bicycle, helmet, and headlight. Check your bike over ahead of time to make sure it's ready to ride. Make sure your pajamas do not interfere with your pedals, chain, or wheels. Arrive early to have plenty of time to find parking (use the Lock 29 Trailhead or overflow lot on Mill Street), get yourself and your bike ready, and sign in.

Hard rain and/or thunderstorms will cancel the ride. Call the store at 330-657-2209 or join the event on Facebook for any last-minute updates.

You can check out photos from previous years' Pajama Party Night Rides here: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010

We look forward to seeing you there!
You can find this information on our web site at: www.centurycycles.com/for/PJParty

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Cycling Makes Sense Fitness Rides, in partnership with Medina County Parks District

Back again for 2017! In partnership with the Medina County Parks District, we are organizing bicycle group rides on the parks' various multi-purpose trails.

These FREE beginner-friendly rides are a great way to get out on your bicycle for a non-aggressive ride and experience the park's wonderful multipurpose trails. Lynne from the Century Cycles store in Medina will start each 6-10 mile ride with some basic tips for how to keep you and your bike fit.

All rides begin at 6:30pm. Adults only; helmets are required. No pre-registration is necessary.

  • Thursday, June 15Chippewa Rail Trail (meet at the Chippewa Rd Trailhead)
  • Tuesday, June 27Buckeye Woods (meet at the ball field parking lot)
  • Tuesday, July 11Brunswick Lake Trail (meet at entrance near Susan Hambly Nature Center)
  • Thursday, July 27Lester Rail Trail (meet at Lester Rd trailhead)
  • Thursday, August 10Lake Medina (meet at the Route 18 parking lot, across from Summa Health)
  • Tuesday, August 22Buckeye Woods (meet at the ball field parking lot)

You can also find this information on our web site at:

Monday, June 5, 2017

Thanks for joining us for Bike Travel Weekend!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to help celebrate the Adventure Cycling Association's Bike Travel Weekend on June 3! We had about 90 people who came for our Night Ride on the Towpath Trail! 16 of those people camped out at Heritage Farms in Peninsula following the ride.

It was a cool and beautiful evening for camping, perfect for sitting around the fire and sharing hot dogs, brats, popcorn, s'mores, and more!









Photos by Kevin Madzia and Debbie Petcher.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Extended Summer Sunday Hours at all three stores!

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning Sunday, June 4, 2017, to better serve our customers, all three Century Cycles stores will begin our Extended Summer Sunday Hours!

During June, July, and August, our hours of operation for Medina and Rocky River are:

  • Monday through Thursday: 10:00am - 8:00pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
During June, July, and August, our hours of operation for Peninsula are:
  • Monday through Thursday: 10:00am - 8:00pm
  • Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Hope to see you soon, and enjoy the summer!