Flat-ish bike path in Cleveland?
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Flat-ish bike path in Cleveland?
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
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
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Test Ride a Trike sometime.
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Never been to Ohio but I found this:
https://www.centurycycles.com/about/...ths-pg1693.htm
https://www.centurycycles.com/about/...ths-pg1693.htm
#8
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Alexander Road Trailhead
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.
Last edited by JDandy; 03-31-21 at 03:57 PM.
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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.
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.
Last edited by a_d_a_m; 04-03-21 at 08:31 PM. Reason: post edited for clarity because I goofed up
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#11
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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.
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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.
Last edited by a_d_a_m; 04-03-21 at 08:30 PM.
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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.
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.
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.
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Here's a photo of it in front of the sawmill/lumberyard painted last summer.
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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).
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