Warm weather brings the promise of outdoor activities — especially if they're cycle-related. The city's passionate, robust and supportive two-wheel community has a packed events calendar catering to riders of all skill levels. Here are just a few races and gatherings, all of which are guaranteed to get your heart pumping. For a more comprehensive list, Bike Cleveland has a detailed, day-by-day calendar with events. Get pedaling!
Saturdays throughout summer, June 10 - September 16
For nearly a quarter century, the Towpath Trail has offered bikers the chance to take night rides through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and beyond. This year is no different: On summer and early fall Saturdays, riders can gather at 8 p.m. at Century Cycles' Peninsula store (Rt. 303 between Rt. 8 and I-271, next to the Winking Lizard Tavern) and embark on a 14-mile ride either north or south.
July 20 - 23
As the name implies, this popular event, during which riders raise money for the American Cancer Society, is a multi-day ride from Cincinnati to Cleveland. Participants can do the entire route, or simply do a leg or two; the route is divided into four manageable day trips. For those who want a more leisurely ride, there's an option to Create Your Own 328 and cover the mileage across more days using indoor or outdoor bikes. You'll have access to various support options during the ride, including accommodations on college campuses.
Aug. 12 - 13
This race kicks off at Coe Lake in Berea and ends at Sawmill Creek Resort, and offers routes of 50, 75 or 100 miles, spread across either one or two days. (There’s also a 35-mile race option that begins and ends at Sawmill Creek.) Some rider options allow you to stay overnight at Sawmill Creek to enjoy food, music, beaches and pool. Better still? The ride is a fundraiser for the National MS Society.
Aug. 12
For the adventurous, the Tri CLE Rock Roll Run is a triathlon of varying lengths, covering all skill levels. A preview of the swim course is available to participants on Aug. 11, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Aug. 26
The 2023 Bike Cleveland Fundo offers paths of 10, 30 and 60 miles around Cleveland neighborhoods. The race starts and ends at the Edgewater Park-located Cleveland Metroparks Beach House, and features support stops along the way for food and bike repairs, as well as a post-ride nosh.
Sept. 8 - 9
VeloSano (which means "swift cure" in Latin) has a simple premise: People sponsor cyclists, who in turn pledge to raise a certain amount of money corresponding to a bike ride of a certain distance. All of this money goes to cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic. The numbers are impressive: VeloSano has raised $1.8 billion to date. The 2023 Bike to Cure takes place downtown in September.