PENINSULA, Ohio — Some Ohioans know how to make the most of winter, and the folks at Century Cycles are a prime example. They are running events over the next two weekends that will allow people to try out snow bikes.
Never heard of snow bikes? Think of a standard bicycle with improbably fat tires, some as wide as four or five inches, causing them to be called fat bikes by some.
One event is Sunday, Feb. 12, when Century Cycles will partner with the Western Reserve Historical Society’s Hale Farm and Village. The following weekend on Saturday, Feb. 18, the multi-site bike peddler will have snow-bike races at Brandywine Country Club.
The Hale Farm event is a chance for people to try out the bikes on a short demo course, or ride their own snow bikes on the trails and fields there. There is no cost to attend, and no pre-registration is necessary.
The later Brandywine event is called Fattyshack III, a nod to the bikes’ nickname, the fact that it is on a golf course and that it first was held in 2015.
There will be two off-road courses. One is a short demo course for people to try out Century Cycles’ bikes. There is no charge. The other, a longer course, is for people who bring their own bikes, and they must pay $5.
Scott Cowan, owner of Century Cycles, said in a news release that the bikes allow riders to extend their riding season and some people actually use them all year long.
The bikes may be great in winter, but the events are still vulnerable to the weather. Each is subject to cancellation if it rains, the snow is gone or ground conditions are not suitable for bicycling.
People are advised to call the Century Cycles store in Peninsula at 330-657-2209 for the latest updates. Event information also can be found on centurycycles.com/for/HaleFarmSnowBikin, or on Facebook at: facebook.com/events/228304197617182.
- Participants who have their own snow bikes are free to ride the marked courses as many times as they wish.
- Bikes must have tires at least 3.7 inches wide.
- Attendees test-riding Century Cycles’ demo snow bikes may ride one lap of the demo course at a time, and may return later for repeat laps as allowed by time and the number of participants.
- All riders must sign waiver and release of liability forms and must wear helmets approvbe3d by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for bicycling; helmets will be provided with demo bikes.
- Demo bikes are suitable for adults and teenagers at least five feet tall.
Hale Farm is at 2686 Oak Hill Road in Peninsula, and Brandywine Country Club is at 5555 Akron-Peninsula Road in Peninsula.
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