“I’ve lived in Toledo my whole life, but never knew that was there.”
“I’ve driven past this, but never took the time to stop and check it out.”
“I will want to revisit this.”
Those were among the comments overheard by Bill Tucholski during a recent “Explore Toledo” bicycle ride he organized.
The second annual 30-mile ride drew 23 riders and included stops at historical and cultural landmarks and several points of interest in Toledo’s older neighborhoods and Downtown.
“What motivated us to ride together on city streets, sidewalks and trail links for several hours on a hot summer day could best be described as a desire to experience a sense of adventure in an urban setting,” Tucholski said. “Many of us also wished to reconnect with our and Toledo’s past and to learn about what the city has to offer besides the usual fare.”
Among sights and stops during the ride were a walking tour of the community garden near the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, a view of the brightly colored murals along Broadway Street, a stroll through the San Marcos Taqueria, the Emerald Street Railroad Bridge trestle, the historic Casey-Pomeroy House, a memorial park for union workers on Champlain Street, the future site of Middlegrounds Metropark, a glassblowing demonstration at Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion and Ottawa Park’s Toledo Police Museum.
The riders also stopped at Manhattan’s for lunch and Netty’s on South Detroit Avenue for ice cream.
“By riding at a nice leisurely pace, we had a chance to observe urban dwellers and visitors going about their daily routines and business in a manner that we are usually blind to,” Tucholski said. “Many drivers in vehicles and pedestrians expressed words or gestures of encouragement, like a thumbs-up, along the entire route, even though they were clueless about who we were or what we were all about!”
The riders were mainly in their 50s and 60s or older and, although tired, were sorry to see the day end, Tucholski said.
“We all felt somehow younger than our years with a renewed sense of connectedness to our immediate surroundings, heritage and each other,” Tucholski said. “That was the direct result of touring Toledo in this manner.”
Americans have been in love with automobiles for more than a century.
Because of the great distances many of us have to travel, most have abandoned the use of bicycles as a primary mode of transportation. But with the economy and a growing interest in health and the environment, this option is slowly coming back.
According to the League of American Bicyclists’ annual community survey, 0.4 percent of the Toledo population used a bicycle to commute to work in 2010.
Jay Catlow, who is a member of the volunteer bike patrol for Metroparks of Toledo Area and who participated in the “Explore Toledo” bike ride, said bicycling helps him maintain his
weight and manage stress.
“My aerobic levels are very good for a 69-year-old,” Catlow said.
“Riding with friends is also a very good health benefit. I would say I do 20 miles at least three to five days a week and also do 10 miles of mountain biking a week.
Those with health issues or handicaps can often ride with the use of adaptive equipment or can ride recumbent bikes or tricycles, Tucholski said. As with any physical activity, be sure to hydrate before, during and after a ride, he added.
Useful equipment and accessories to consider include a rearview mirror, a carrier on the rear of the bike, a bike bag for valuables, a spare tire, a tool kit, a snack, a camera, a bike lock and keys and padded riding gloves, Tucholski said.
For more information about the next bike ride, contact Bill Tucholski at btski@roadrunner.com. ✯
