This is a note to confirm that at least a few of us are planning to meet this Sunday, April 20, 9 AM, at the Lock 39 Trailhead near Canal & Rockside Roads in Independence/Valley View. The parking lot is directly across Rockside from Thornburg Station (Yours Truly, Carvel, Dante's, Malley's.) Please join us for a bike ride north from there along the asphalt-paved part of the Towpath Trail!

Sunday's forecast: http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/44125?begHour=4&begDay=111

The ride after this will hopefully be much warmer. The following is from our teammate Martha Brennan:

"Hey fellow cycling enthusiasts!!

SAVE the DATE: SUNDAY MAY 4, 2008

WHAT: ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST RIDE at the Sanford Youth hostel http://www.stanfordhostel.com/

TIME: 8:45 am

RSVP:
mariposa1016@hotmail.com, or call me: 216-469-6325.

Volunteer: route leaders. I need someone to lead the route on the towpath and someone to volunteer to bring up the rear in each group.

TIME: ROCKSIDE ROAD BY THE TRAIN STATION PARKING LOT. THIS LOT IS NORTH of ROCKSIDE. It is the same lot used to take the train on the Cuyahoga Scenic Valley Railway.

ROUTE: TWO OPTIONS: Anyone can do either route. However, A lends itself to hybrids and B lends itself to road bikes. There is an off road option on Route B, that really only people on hybrids or mtn, bikes should do. It's the hike-bike extension that ends at Red Lock near the carriage trail. (I won't go that way on a road bike).

ROUTE A: BIKE ON TOWPATH ALL THE WAY to the Sanford Youth Hostel and BACK. RECOMMEND : hybrid or mtn bike

ROUTE B: ROAD BIKERS, BIKE SOUTH TO TINKER's CREEK ROAD, PEEL OF left, go up the big hill into Tinker's park reservation and connect with the HIKE and BIKE TRAIL. FOLLOW THIS TO SOUTH OF 82 and turn rt. on BRANDYWINE FALLS ROAD and either jump on the tow path or loop down on River Road to Boston Mills Road to the hostel.

BREAKFAST: This is a fundraiser for the Youth Hostel. I would bring 10 dollars as they don't have the price on the website yet. You probably want to bring cash. BREAKFAST is served from 0800 to 200Pm

****THE INDIANS ARE PLAYING in the AFTERNOON at 1:05 against the ROYALS. I have 2 tickets, but I'm thinking if there is an interest, let me know and I could try and pick up some tickets in the same section or you could, too. My seats are in section 434 Row F 4 & 3. These are in the lower section above the club seats facing the score board and near first base ( I think.) You could most likely buy tickets at the gate but one never knows if the weather is sweet."
(end Martha)

And also selling the Hostel's pancakes, Lisa McGovern:

"It's that time of year again-- the Annual Pancake Breakfast at Stanford Hostel! This year's event will be on Sunday, May 4th from 8am-2pm

Stanford Hostel, located in the heart of scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), will hold our annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Sunday May 4th. Join us any time between 8am and 2pm for delicious pancakes and sausages, enjoy a spring day in the National Park, and help support the Stanford Hostel in the process! Our pancakes, syrup, eggs, and milk are all from local organic producers and the coffee is fair trade.

I've been on the board of the hostel for the last four years and its a great community asset providing cheap accommodation in the National Park and a quick getaway from Cleveland. Would love to see you there and hope you'll take advantage of this special place and the good food! Spread the word.

For more info go to www.stanfordhostel.org.

Hope to see you there!

Lisa"

See you Sunday!

Rick