FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• When & where do you meet?
• How do I join?
• Do you guys ever use the bike paths?
• What is the pace of your rides?
• Do I have to wear a helmet?
• What is Crankmail?
• What is Randonneuring?

 When & where do you meet?

The LEW meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, usually only during the off-season (October through March). Meetings are often held at Panera Bread either in Rocky River on Center Ridge Road or Brooklyn at Teideman and I-480. but the location may be at a local bike shop. Check Crankmail for meeting location. Here is a handy link so look it up on Mapquest.

 Do you guys ever use the bike paths?

We have monthly rides that are totally contained on designated bike paths or multi purpose trails. These rides will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, from May until October, indicated with a yellow background on the Schedule page. They are intended for new riders not used to riding in groups, people uncomfortable riding on roads and competing with cars, or seasoned riders who just want to experience the pure joy of riding comfortably in the company of friends.

Each ride will begin at 10:00 AM and include a stop for lunch. These rides will be 'C' level rides with a pace of 12-15 mph with frequent stops to regroup. All riders must wear a helmet and be club members unless a signed signature card is obtained in advance. Children are welcome but no child under 16 will be permitted unless accompanied by an adult. All mileage is from the start to the lunch stop and return.

 What is the pace of your rides?

Each club ride will have a defined pace and it is the ride leader's responsibility to keep the main group at that pace. The levels are classified as either A, B or C as follows:

 Do I have to wear a helmet?

Yes! All riders must wear an approved helmet, and always follow the rules of the road. Safety is a priority with us.

 What is Crankmail?

Crankmail is a monthly newsletter shared by all the bicycling (touring and racing) clubs in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina counties. Your annual membership dues include a one-year subscription to Crankmail to keep you informed on all bicycling-related events in the area.

 What is Randonneuring?

For randonneuring in Ohio, go to the Ohio Randonneurs web page. According to the Randonneurs USA site, a randonneur is "A hard-riding bicycle enthusiast who is trying to complete sanctioned long-distance bicycle events inside a certain time allotment. The event is also called a brevet (bruh vay), which means 'certificate', 'patent', or 'diploma' in French. In 'randonneuring', it means two things: certification of having successfully done a randonné, --indicated by a small numbered sticker placed on a completed brevet card --, as well as, by extension the long-distance event itself (at least 200 kilometers in length). Completing a successful brevet means one's ride has been certified and registered in France, and the rider's name is added to the roll of honor, going all the way back to 1921. These challenging rides can also entitle the rider to enter longer events such as Paris-Brest-Paris or Boston-Montréal-Boston. As used in the "randonneuring" world, the terms brevet and randonnée are often interchangeable, but in common cycling usage, a randonnée might be considered to be less structured or formal than a brevet." (Thanks, Tom Nezovich.)