Century Cycles is proud to announce that we've been named the recipient of two local honors.

The Best of the West is voted by the readers of West Shore live well magazine. The Century Cycles store in Rocky River was named this year's winner in the "Best Bicycle Shop" category.

The Best of the Best is voted by the readers of The Gazette newspaper of Medina County, and our Medina store was the winner in this year's "Best Bicycle Shop" category.

We'd like to thank our dedicated and talented staff for helping us to achieve these two honors. Most of all, we thank our loyal customers for your support and your continued patronage!

Century Cycles is proud to be the exclusive bicycle shop sponsor of STOMP (the Summit Tour Of Metro Parks), one of the largest bicycle touring events in Northeast Ohio.

Registration includes light breakfast, SAG support, lunch, live music and more. Route options are 10, 20, and 30 miles, all entirely on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, beginning at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.

Online registration, downloadable forms for mail-in registration, and more information are available at:

There are certain advantages for a female cyclist to choose a women's-specific bicycle. The bike industry has come a long way since the days of the "shrink it and pink it" strategy, but the term "women's-specific" still can mean different things to different people.

We can help you makes sense of what women's-specific features are available on different types of bikes, and how to choose the one that is right for you. Read all about it in this article:

 

A chance to show your bike pride, and win a new bike!

There are just a few days left until August 15, which is your last chance to tell the world what you like best about bicycling in Northeast Ohio! Tell your story - and show your Cleveland bike pride - in the My Reasons To Ride Cleveland Video Contest, now through August 15. Sponsored by Raleigh Bicycles, Century Cycles and Bike Cleveland.

For full contest details, including how to enter, see:

 

 

Most Northeast Ohio students will be heading back to the classroom later this month. The Bike To School Challenge during a three-week period in May provided incentives for kids in Bay Village, Medina, and Rocky River to ride their bikes to school, but any school day is a good bike to school day!

As your Bike To School headquarters, Century Cycles can help you select what you need to make your ride to school fun and safe.

Do you need a new helmet? Manufacturers recommend replacing your bicycle helmet every three years, because exposure to UV rays from the sun over time breaks down the helmet's inner foam, reducing its protective abilities. We have a full selection in lots of cool styles for kids as well as adults. We can also make sure the helmet you select is properly fitted for you, because a poorly-fitted helmet can be as bad a no helmet at all.

Lights can help you see and be seen on the streets. We can help you select a headlight and taillight that meet your needs and budget.

A good, secure lock makes sure your bike is there for your ride home, and it never hurts to review these tips for how to properly lock your bicycle.

 

We recently heard from two of our long-time Night Ride on the Towpath participants that they just completed their first "century" ride, i.e. 100 miles in one day.

We also received an email from a recent rental bike customer telling us that she rode 6 miles. With that being her first time riding a bike in 15 years, it inspired her to take up cycling on a regular basis to improve her health.

Both of these stories are inspiring to us in many ways, proving that the joys of cycling are within reach for anyone.

They also inspire us to wonder about you, our readers, What is the longest distance you've ever bicycled in a single day? Click here to take our latest online poll and let us know!

Last month's poll asked, "What's in your water bottle during a long bike ride on a hot day??" The unequivocal winner, at 53% of all votes, was "Plain ol' water." Nearly tied for second-place at 20% and 19% each were "Sports drink, like Gatorade or Powerade" and "Water with dissolvable electrolytes, like Nuun tablets." You can see the full results of the last poll here. 

Many companies are helping to improve the well-being of their employees by organizing employee wellness fairs. These events provide valuable information for employees about topics ranging from exercise and nutrition to physical therapy and mental health.

During the past year, Century Cycles has participated in wellness fairs at local companies such as Cliffs Natural Resources, United Airlines, Cleveland State University (at left), and Parma Hospital. We would be happy to talk to your employees about the health benefits of bicycling, as well as provide information about our products, bike rentals, repair services, and events.

If you are part of a human resources or employee wellness department, and you'd like to talk to us about participating in your company's next wellness event, please feel free to contact our Marketing/Events Coordinator Tracey Bradnan at tracey@centurycycles.com.

 

August 10: Night Ride on the Towpath Trail
August 15: Last chance to enter the My Reasons To Ride Cleveland Video Contest
August 25: Night Ride on the Towpath Trail
August 30: Cycling Makes Sense Fitness Ride
September 1: September Tour of the Metroparks (STOMP) Bicycle Adventure
September 3: All three stores CLOSED for Labor Day
September 9: Hancock Horizontal Hundred
September 15: Night Ride on the Towpath Trail
September 29: Night Ride on the Towpath Trail

Here are some of our favorite posts from the Century Cycles Blog and our Facebook Page from the past month that you may have missed:

• Massage deal for Century Cycles customers 
• Violent tragedy won't keep a touring cyclist down 
• Photos from the NiteRider Demo Night Ride on the Towpath Trail 
• ALERT: Detroit Road Construction in Rocky River 
• Share The Road Tips for Ohio Bicyclists and Motorists 

 Most Popular Facebook Post

 
Let's hear it for the stripey summer tan, sported by all of us who love to ride our bikes! 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Define your life. Ride a bike.™