'Biology class' ride recap
November’s “Biology Class” ride was a great success! Thanks in part to the nice weather (sunny and fairly warm for this time of year) we had a strong turnout with an estimated 59 riders. Participants on the ride were able to visit two destinations involved in biological research and preservation and make use of two pieces of bike infrastructure—one of which is closely tied to the biological theme.
Our first stop was The Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, where riders were hosted by volunteers from the facility. We were given an overview of their mission, which includes education and research about environmental sustainability as well as community outreach. We were also given a guided tour of the research park, including the wetlands themselves (which are not generally accessible to the public).
After departing the wetlands, the group made their way downtown via Summit Street, where riders had the opportunity to ride the newly-completed protected bike lanes between Hudson Street and 11th Avenue.
Our lunch stop was Cafe Bríoso, a bike-friendly destination familiar to Year of Yay riders.
The ride’s final stop was the Scioto Audubon Metro Park, where riders had an opportunity to tour the Audubon Society’s facility as well as the grounds themselves, which function as a fragile oasis, a tiny jewel, a haven for wildlife. This park is unique in its proximity to a large city.
Finally, riders made use of the beautiful Scioto Greenway, which had been officially opened just a few days prior. The greenway project is the result of a returning of the Scioto River to a more natural state as well as creating 33 acres of greenspace downtown. The ride went along the riverfront park downtown before continuing north and back to Whole Foods.
'Food incubators' ride recap
Cyclists sample some delicious OH! Chips during a stop on the ride. Photo credit: Bryan Barr
Already warm, the day started as a typical August morning. Despite the heat, about 70 cyclists were gearing up for the monthly themed ride Year of Yay! has become. Amongst us were children and some Year of Yay Bikes! first-timers. 9 miles later, we arrived at Food Fort. Several food trucks were heading out to start their day as we arrived. Jen Gable, Food Fort Administrator, opened up one of the garage doors allowing us the cool of inside and an opportunity to replenish our water bottles. Jen described how Food Fort and ECDI rent out storage and prep areas for the businesses, as well as providing business loans to get them off the ground. During the kitchen tour, Jesse and Katie of Nellie's Natural Ice Pops were in there readying a batch of popsicles. We would be seeing them and sampling their wares at the last stop!
Onward to our next stop which took us through central city to Franklinton. In a small unassuming building next to Franklinton Gardens, some of the town's tastiest potato chips are born. Brian Thornton, founder/creator of OH! Chips, welcomed us with his traditional pirate flag and bowls of chips for sampling. He walked us through the chip-making process—100 pounds of potatoes comes out to a surprisingly small amount of chips after all is said and done. Also on display was his first fryer—a donut fryer he bought off Craigslist. He had started off at Food Fort with that fryer until demand outstripped his capacity there, necessitating the need for the factory.
The final stretch of the ride was almost entirely on the Scioto Greenway Trail. The shaded portions and forested quiet was a welcome change of pace from the streets. In front of The Commissary, Asian Persuasion Food Truck, one of Columbus' newest trucks, was ready with some delicious Filipino food. Jesse and Katie were back with a cooler full of popsicles in refreshing flavors. Inside, JC's Just Chili had dropped off a tureen of amazing gazpacho for anyone to try. It was delicious. Karen (filling in for Commissary founder Kate Djupe, who was on a much needed vacation) invited the group to explore the space and explained some of the upcoming events and cooking classes.
Finally the group returned to Whole Foods, where more eating, drinking and good camaraderie took place. It's going to take a couple of rides to work off all that was eaten that day...yet another successful Year of Yay! Thank you, John.
'Oddities' ride recap
With all due respect to Tom Robbins, as there were no flea circuses or orangutans on today’s trip, more than 70 riders set out to see another roadside attraction during the Yay Bikes June ride. This month’s Year of Yay ride is the 42nd since the program began. The theme of the June Year of Yay ride was Oddities and Craig Clark led the way.
The ride set out under sunny skies from Whole Foods in Upper Arlington. We meandered through Upper Arlington, diverting from out original planned route alongside Griggs Reservoir. The first stop was a true roadside attraction, The Bill Moose Memorial. Bill Moose was the last of the Wyandot Indians that lived in Ohio. His Memorial and gravesite is in a small park at the corner of Lane Road and Riverside Drive.
We left the Bill Moose memorial and headed east on Lane Road, making a right turn after a small portion of the hill that seems to never end. Riding through the old Shelbourne Height and River Lawn neighborhoods of Upper Arlington we passed by another oddity, but did not stop, a chainsaw carved Golden Bear on oxford Drive. We regrouped at the corner of Fairlington and Fishinger, where an officer from the UAPD stopped traffic for us on Fishinger. Thanks!!!
We crossed the Scioto River on Fishinger, headed up the hill to one of our greatest challenges, getting 70 people across I-270 at Fishinger and Cemetery Road. We, riding as a group took the lane and made it over the bridge with no incidents. After a quick stop at Speedway to refill with water, we rode the last two miles to second stop.
The Early Television Museum in Hilliard was the next top of the day. A special thanks to Steve McVoy for opening his collection to the public. There are a couple of hundred sets on display and several more that are still in storage. Some of the favorites of the Yay Bike crowd were the Kuba Komet and the news truck.
We left the museum to make the return trip back to Whole Foods, other than a roundabout and a railroad bridge we were obstacle free on the way back. The skies finally opened up on us once we got to Cambridge Boulevard. We only had to ride the last 2 miles wet and by the time we returned the sun was shining again.
'Up & coming neighborhoods' ride recap
Crossing the bridge into Franklinton. Photo credit: Keith Lugs
It's 10:00am on April 11, 2015. There are 80+ bicyclists outside of Whole Foods ready for 3 stops and 1 mission: to tour the up and coming neighborhoods of Columbus.
April’s Year of Yay Ride was a collaboration between Yay Bikes! and CRPSA, the City and Regional Planning Association at Ohio State University. Devin and Will, both board members of CRPSA, created, tested, and coordinated the stops and 18 mile route. After a brief safety message and notes about upcoming Yay Bikes! events from executive director Catherine Girves we were off!
The route to stop number one took the group through Upper Arlington and Grandview. On the way, the group spotted signs of construction at the new Grandview Yard development and took a test ride on the Goodale Street Olentangy Multi-use Trail Access Ramp. The route progressed as planned until the group exited the Olentangy Trail and headed into Franklinton. A road closure near the intersection of Souder Avenue and McKinley Avenue forced the 80+ Year of Yay-ers to a detour on a nearby trail.
At the eastern side of COSI, the group took a quick stop for a group weigh-in on the outdoor giant scale. Our 14,000+ lb total weight confirmed what we already knew – it’s time for everyone to invest in a lighter weight bicycle…or maybe time to ride! We headed west to the Columbus Idea Foundry, the ride’s first stop. Alex Bandar, Founder & CEO, greeted us and provided a brief tour that included a stop in the Foundry’s new upstairs presentation space. Members of the Idea Foundry have 24/7 access to the facilities, which include metal working equipment, 3D printers, and other tools to create almost anything.
On the way to Stop #2, the group pedaled through East Franklinton, one of the major up-and-coming neighborhoods in Columbus. In 2012, the Columbus City Council adopted a new plan for the area that forecasts and plans for 4,000 new residential units and over 500,000 square feet of arts, retail, office, and incubator space over the next 20 years. After crossing the Main Street Bridge, the group continued east through downtown into Olde Town East, the second up and coming neighborhood in Columbus.
Central Community House was our second stop. The organization’s mission is to provide a source of support and a community center for families in the Olde Town East neighborhood. The group was able to tour the facilities with Jackie Calderone, a member of the Central Community House leadership team and director of the Transit Arts program. Chloe Green, the president of CRPSA, spoke about her personal work with the Transit Arts program and its impact on teenage students in the area. Area students can also join other after-school programs and take classes about topics that range from public speaking to spoken word performance.
The route took the group west down Bryden Road and past the new Columbus Museum of Art expansion, which will nearly double the museum’s exhibit space. Passing under the Columbus College of Art and Design’s ART sculpture, the group continued down Gay and Front Street, passing by numerous construction sites on the way.
The third stop of Year of Yay! April 2015 was Ohio State University’s north campus residential project. In conjunction with the OSU Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP), the OSU north campus will see the net addition of 3,200 bed spaces, 11 new buildings, and 2 new dining facilities. Jennifer Evans-Cowley, OSU professor and Vice Provost for Capital Planning and Regional Campuses, provided a presentation on the details of the project – scheduled for completion in Autumn 2016.
Back at Whole Foods, the group rejoiced in a great ride full of optimistic thoughts for the summer season of bicycling. Will Yay Bikes! collectively reach our end-of-year weight loss goals? Surely a beautiful summer of Year of Yay! rides will begin to have an impact on our upcoming end of the season weigh in! See you in May for another great ride. Yay Bikes! (article written by Will Hughen)
'Underground Railroad' ride recap
By guest writer Shyra Allen, this month's ride co-leader
From gardens, parks and riverbeds, to burial places, beer mills and shops, we’ve got hundreds of places yet to explore, treasures yet to unearth and fascinating facts yet to discover. And whatever the weather, Yay Bikes! will find fabulous ways to make a day with us one to remember. After weeks of preparation we’d begun laying odds on Facebook the night before the ride on how many members would brave the weather. Bright and early—well…10 A.M. on March 14, 2015 with the storm building and the rain beginning to pour down in earnest from the skies over Columbus, while most people leaned back on their pillows and headboards of their beds and watched the fury, we gathered. Forty strong—for us Yay Bikes! members there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so we grabbed our willies, waterproofs and bicycles headed out for some wet weather fun. We were going underground…The Underground Railroad that is. Come rain, shine or snowstorms, setting off from Whole Foods with Yay Bikes! members, weaving our route—leaving the roads of Upper Arlington there is always a sense of warmth, comradeship and an awe-aspiring sense of adventure regarding our pending destinations. Today was no different—even better, we knew that rainy weather meant quieter roads and less chance of cars clogging our way and Maya and I were leading. With every turn of our pedals our smiles widened.
Saddle worn, wet, but in high spirits we arrived at our first stop in retracing The Underground Railroad. It was the Southwick-Good & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel at 3100 North High Street. Our speaker, his voice soft and shrouded in mystery, informed that it was erected in 1838 and called the Clinton Chapel. During the forty-four years it was used as a church, Clinton Chapel had an eventful history. The church served as a regular station of the Underground Railroad. The owner shared that The Underground Railroad was a secret (and sometimes not-so-secret) network of Good Samaritans, community activists, and family members who helped people escape from slavery before the Civil War. They sheltered, shepherded, and protected total strangers who came to them for help. He couldn’t or wouldn’t confirm or deny the role that his family played. He pointed out a darkened hallway. We peered in awe. He spoke of some suppositions…and then we all began to imagine this scenario today. Total strangers come to our house, seek food, shelter, and help moving to another sanctuary—and helping them is illegal. If caught, we could be fined thousands of dollars and be sent to prison. How many of us would help someone in such a situation today, no matter how worthy the cause or how destitute they were?
As we headed out for our next destination the rain had stopped, the sun was peeking from behind the clouds, we were warmed up and doing what we do best. Talking, laughing—the environment relaxed, people forming new acquaintances. I think I over heard a recipe exchange! It would have been so easy to bask in it all, but we needed to stay on schedule and there was more fun to be had.
Inhaling that after-the-rain-smell we peddled on. This was perhaps the best way to truly experience the landscape of northeast Columbus—the potholes, the smell of flowers and ripening trees, the sounds of dogs barking, the people and hidden treasures of an awakening street. I was reminded of the words of Ernest Hemingway: “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.”
We made it to our next stop. Maya spoke. Everyone listened as if nothing else were more important in the world. As we mounted and rode toward our next stop that promised an opportunity to eat snacks Yay Bikes! members were very enthused and inspired and it goes to show that bicycling doesn’t always have to be speed and cool outfits. It can also and does connect folks socially and spiritually too.
Up a steep hill and along long stretches of road we traveled toward the Ohio History Center at 800 East 17th Avenue, where Deanne added to her selfie collection and we sat for a short lecture on John Rankin. He was an American Presbyterian minister, educator and abolitionist. Upon moving to Ripley, Ohio (road trip!) in 1822 he became known as one of Ohio's first and most active "conductors" on the Underground Railroad. While I’d looked forward to the lecture it turned out to be an absolute gem!
The impact this leadership role had on this day and on my life will be everlasting. Even in the little moments I felt like I was doing something—from making it to the top of the hill without stopping to our successfully navigating the five-mile stretch of road in twos. As we headed back toward Whole Foods happiness snuck in through doors I didn’t know I’d left open. A good message about not just bicycling to be a bicyclist but to have an impact on people and to be impacted myself.
'Crafty cyclists' ride recap
10:00 a.m. on a chilly Saturday morning, 54 eager riders were called to attention to hear Rahel Babb talk about the morning's tour, highlighting the craft locations we would be experiencing. Executive director Catherine Girves (in her new, cycling-specific jacket) updated the crowd on the latest Yay Bikes! news. Shortly thereafter, we were enroute to the Ohio Craft Museum. Meandering through central Upper Arlington toward Grandview, we arrived at our destination. There was ample parking, and as always several cyclists remained near our steeds to ensure they'd be there when we returned from this stop. The museum was filled with affordable goodies at a perfect time for last minute Christmas acquisitions. It wasn't long before riders were stashing their booty. Riders without carrying capacity were invited to stow their purchases with those who rode with bags and panniers for the duration of the tour.
The morning's chill was going to be stayed by a promising warming up at Luck Bros coffee. Steaming specialty coffees and hot cocoa for all. It's amazing how pleasurable enjoying such water solubles can be in company of cycling friends. Onward through the neighborhoods of lower Grandview Heights, through Harrison West, around the circles adjacent to Battelle, and past the OSU Campus area to our friends at Wild Goose Creative, where another group of local craft people were showing/selling their wares via their Crafts Gone Wild Craft Fair. Parking our bikes on the roof of the building was a uniquely elevating experience.
Our final stop was back at Whole Foods. We cruised across High Street through the Buckeye Village family housing neighborhood, past the Jesse Owens Memorial stadium, Bill Davis stadium, and both sections of Chadwick Arboretum. Whole Foods had invited riders to leave coats and hats in the main café, grab a cup of hot cocoa and get a personally escorted store tour (free samples galore). We were shown a number of hand-crafted items available at the store, including locally made soap, baskets, cheese, bakery items, and sausage.
A large numbers of riders stayed on for food, drink and camaraderie. We talked of our ride, our plans and the enjoyment cycling has brought to our lives. Another successful tour of place was offered and had by all.
'Superheroes' ride recap
Cyclists? Or comic book superheroes?
Aliceanne Inskeep, with assistance from Jeff Gove, put together a fabulous adventure for the November, 2014, chapter of Year of Yay! Their inventive take on a super heroes theme landed us in some interesting and unusual locations. They are pictured here after having successfully consulted with Zeus, the Greek god of the sky. They were able to negotiate some superb, fall weather. After learning about what's new and happening at Yay Bikes! from our executive director, Catherine Girves, and briefs about safety and the route, we began our journey out of Whole Foods towards our first destination.
St. Stephens Community House was originally established to assist Catholics immigrating to Columbus from Italy, Hungary and Yugoslavia, following the great war. The Barthman Avenue Catholic Community was formed in 1919, and later morphed into St. Stephen's CommunityHouse. It served new immigrants to acclimate to their new home and gain citizenship. Moving from its South Side origins to the Linden area in the early 1960's," the organization established itself as a much-needed resource for the neighborhood. Since 1965, St. Stephen’s has focused its service in the Greater Linden area, weaving itself into the fabric of the community." We were received warmly with a reception from the staff who gathered our donations, served a variety of hot teas, and gave us a tour of the facility and numerous programs designed to serve the Greater Linden area.
We left St. Stephen's knowing we had just experienced a place of heroic standing for so many in the community and headed towards our second destination. We traveled west by northwest through part of the Linden area business district on Hudson Avenue. We wound our way around the University district and Clintonville's Overbrook Ravine as we neared the legendary Laughing Ogre, where super heroes are immortalized on the written page and in the illustrated form. Riders couldn't help but be impressed by the variety of products. This was a first for many of us who had not ventured into an establishment selling comic books since we were children. The industry has come a long way, and the art has taken on greater depth.
Stomachs began to grumble, so in the nick of time, we headed on to nourishment and our next super-hero stop. It was destined to please. Just south of the Park of Roses, on quiet streets, piled high with the colorful leaves from ancient trees, we were beckoned to the home of Aliceanne's mother, Joanne Inskeep for sweetsfrom Buckeye Donuts and Cider from Ohio apples. We basked in sunshine and each other's company replenishing ourselves for the remainder of the afternoon's destinations. We were just west of the Olentangy River Trail as we began moving around the Webster Park neighborhood to our next super-hero stop. We traveled across High Street, to the Clintonville home of Artist Paul Volker.
This was one of our tour director's undergraduate art school super heroes. Paul started painting in elementary school where he had to be separated from others as his drawings distracted class-room students. Probably most well known for his "wild beast" paintings, Paul is now working on larger scale works, including the use of 3D elements in painting. A number of Paul's works were on display including his cards with a number of his well-known images on sale and discounted for riders.
Meandering away from Paul's house, we proceeded through the north part of the University Area district, past North Campus to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, located in Sullivant Hall at The Ohio State University. "The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum houses the world’s largest collection of comic strip tear sheets and clippings. It also is home to unique, original art and manuscript materials...The library has had several former names: Milton Caniff Reading Room, 1977; Library for Communication and Graphic Arts; Cartoon, Graphic, and Photographic Arts Research Library; Cartoon Research Library, 1989; Cartoon Library and Museum, July 2009; and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, September 2009."
From here we ventured through South Campus and cycled our way back to our starting point. A number of riders stayed on at Whole Foods to enjoy the company of fellow travelers and talk of our experiences and a new sense of place. In conclusion, it was a great day with memorable destinations enjoyed by all. Thanks to Aliceanne and Jeff and to all those who volunteered to make this twenty-one mile tour a truly big bucket O' riding fabulousness.
'Spooooookay!' ride recap
Could we have asked for finer weather? No! The spirits were with us the entire day, they escorted us, and we appreciated them guiding us through what might have been a truly frightening experience. Cherie Antonia, our ride leader, took us out of the Whole Foods parking lot a little after 10 am on this spirited, beautiful, fall morning.
With a mild nip in the air, we meandered through Upper Arlington, Grandview and Marble Cliff. We picked up the lower Scioto Greenway adjacent to Riverside Drive and crossed the bridge over the River into the community of Valley View. We headed southeast towards our first possessed destination, Camp Chase Cemetery. Camp Chase was a military staging and training camp established in Columbus, Ohio in May 1861 after the start of the American Civil War. It also included a section for use as a prison camp for confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. The camp was closed and dismantled after the war, and the site has been redeveloped for residential and commercial use, except for the Confederate States Army cemetery containing 2,260 graves. Tales are told of a lady in grey weeping quietly over the grave of one Benjamin F. Allen, a private in the 50th Tennessee regiment company. While leaving several riders claimed to have witnessed an ethereal, melancholy presence. Some said they could hear a very low and soft moaning as we quietly exited grave side.
Undaunted, we cautiously proceeded to our next ghostly destination. Cherie expertly navigated us through the West Side of Columbus toward the Green Lawn Abbey. This allowed us to approach the Green Lawn Cemetery from its southern end and gave us an uncommon glimpse at what birders around the country know to be premier and sacred land. Along with a vast number of dead people are some ancient and notable trees residing in this cemetery. It is those trees that host those many birds and make Green Lawn the National Geographic and Audubon acclaimed treasure that it is. Arriving at Green Lawn Abbey exposed us to yet another strange and exciting experience. We were greeted by a volunteer docent who shared the remarkable tale of this crypt (Listen Here). Built in 1927 by the Columbus Mausoleum Company, It was the finest and largest in the area with room for 600 interments (aka dead people). The Columbus Mausoleum Company built numerous other mausoleums in the surrounding area but this was was their showpiece. Built to last forever and to inspire awe, it had 1½“ thick granite walls, marble interior and an imported tile roof. Everyone enjoyed occasionally recognizing some of the names of those persons who left their marks on Columbus and its neighborhoods.
As everyone knows, it takes a lot of energy to journey into the world of spirits and ghosts. Although the spirits mentored us throughout as we journeyed, they did not feed our bodies, so we made our way to the Hills Market downtown for physical nourishment. On a ride we did not too long ago, Yay Bikes! member John Bannon shared that the part of long rides he loves the most are the stops. No truer point could be made on this day. We shared camaraderie, and fueled our bellies to take the last of our spirit-world journeys for the day. Pictured above is our executive director, Catherine Girves and her partner in marriage, Jeff Gove. Although you can't tell from the photo, they were both very scared during the ride and it was only after this refueling and much support from other riders that they could once again smile.
It was time for us to move on and Cherie was once again up the task. Not too far from the Market, but deeper into our netherworld travels, our final stop awaited us at James Thurber's House. From 1913-1917, Thurber attended the Ohio State University. It was at this time that his family rented the house we visited. It was dedicated as the Thurber House in 1984. After some of us finished touring the home we were entertained by an enthusiast who began sharing a number of witty Thurber quotes and factoids about the author. We all gained a sense of the celebrity who once lived in this modest home.
Inundated with the spirit, we headed back, sailing off on two wheels to return to the start. A number of us celebrated the culmination of our ghostly meandering with some spirits (the kind that come in a Pilsner glass or snifter) at Whole Foods. We made merry and talked about another delightful Year of Yay! It was an experience that allowed us to celebrate not only joy of cycling, but of just being alive.
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