lydy 

I am living, temporarily, in Maple Heights, OH. On Dec. 10th, while riding downhill at Edgewater Park, I fell off my bike and broke my arm. This was obviously less than ideal. Monday was the first time I was on a bike since I broke my arm. I went to the Bedford Reservation, and it is very pretty...but first of all, it's a lot of up and down. And while I'm sure I'll get my skills and courage back over time, just at the moment, downhills are very stressful. Also, the paths are mixed-use paths, quite narrow, and I decided to stay on the street rather than using the paths, as that was less challenging riding. I get that I'm being a total wimp, here. I am an old woman, and have been riding bikes for less than a year, so I hope you will be patient with me.

Does anyone have any suggestions for protected a protected bike path that is mostly flat in the Cleveland area? As I said, I'm sure I'll be up to more challenging biking as time goes by, but I need some pleasurable successes, first. My bike is a cheap, folding e-bike, so anyplace within a reasonable drive is a candidate.

Thanks so much for any advice you might have.

lydy

10 Wheels

Test Ride a Trike sometime.
My friend has 200,000 Safe miles

lydy 

Wow, is that neither useful nor responsive.

10 Wheels

She has Never broke an Arm.

lydy 

I have not asked for advice on breaking or not breaking my arm. I have asked for advice on a bike path.

CAT7RDR

Never been to Ohio but I found this:
https://www.centurycycles.com/about/...ths-pg1693.htm

lydy 

Thanks. I'll give that a gander.

JDandy

Just south of Maple Heights is the Alexander Road Trailhead. Heading south on the trail it begins as part of the Cleveland Metroparks (the beginning of it is considered part of the Bedford Resrvation so you were very close to it) and seamlessly becomes the Summit Metro Parks Bike & Hike Trail. You can ride that for about 18 miles; just into Portage County and the Franklin Connector. There is a bit of a descent into (and a corresponding climb out of) the Brandywine Falls area but it is very gradual. Other than that there are a few short hills at some of the crossroads. It skirts along the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is a very pretty ride overall with the exception of an area of power lines that you ride through.

lydy 

Oh, thanks. That looks lovely, really helpful! Maybe this coming weekend.

a_d_a_m

Normally I'd suggest the CVNP Towpath, but this time of year the Towpath (being gravel for most of it) is still quite rutted and rough in certain areas. Not sure how comfortable it would be if you are still healing, or if you'd be willing to be bounced around a bunch.

Summit Bike And Hike is paved, so that may be a better option to consider. As said before, Alexander Road is a good place to start and ride south.

Out in Geauga County, the Maple Highlands Trail runs from Middlefield up past Chardon and is now contiguous all the way to the Lake County line. It is entirely paved, smooth, and flat from Chardon to Middlefield. Be aware of a large hill here if you choose to go north of downtown Chardon.

JDandy

The Alexander Road Trailhead is not the Towpath (it is the beginning of what becomes the Summit Bike & Hike Trail) although I agree with all of a_d_a_m’s advice and suggestions.

a_d_a_m

Ah crap, that's my bad. I always get that and Station Road confused. You are 1000% correct about that. Thank you. I've edited my first post for clarity.

Sertsa

I'm late to see this, but ditto the Maple Highlands Trail. I ride it quite often, and the central and southern portions are quite smooth and flat. The central portion (just over 8 miles) is paved. South from Headwaters Park to Middlefield (3.5 miles) is chipstone. It's still quite smooth but there's an occasional hoof-hole, as Amish buggies are also allowed on this portion of the trail. North of Chardon is paved, but it does have hills, and there's a portion alongside Rt 44. There's a good amount of space and a large ditch between traffic and the path, but it's noisier there.

Good places to park are Claridon Woodlands park (at the 3.5 marker of the central trail). Mountain Run Station (just below Chardon, at the 1.5 mile marker). And Headwaters Park (just past the 8 mile marker of the central trail and bordering the southern, chipstone portion.

Below are a couple photos. The first is a little south of Chardon (and was taken in December). The second is between Headwaters Park and Middlefield.

a_d_a_m

Since you mentioned Claridon Woodlands, I wonder if we've ever crossed paths. That is my normal 'put-in' place and I usually ride to Middlefield and back for a quick ride.

Sertsa

I'd say there's a good chance. Claridon Woodlands and Mountain Run Station are about the same distance from me, so I vary. I'll also park at Big Creek to ride the northern trail for a little climbing. If you've seen a geeky-looking middle-aged man on a big green Kona Honzo, that was likely me.

Here's a photo of it in front of the sawmill/lumberyard painted last summer.

a_d_a_m

I'll keep an eye out. Fat guy on a green Kona Sutra; that's me.

Sertsa

Groovy! Green Konas for the win. (I'm looking at getting a gravel or endurance bike for Maple Highlands and other rail trails, including the GAP. I love the Honzo, but it's not the best choice for rail trails. I wore out the top cog last year).