Coulda been–the grizzlies are still in caves…in Geauga County.
Anyway, the bikers were in Garrettsville for the 10th Annual RoadApple Roubaix bike event–all four hundred and seventy-some crazy wheelers in the snow and cold pedalling either the long route (50 miles, give or take) or the short one (25 miles and just as chilly), winding up at Slim and Jumbo’s for chili & fixin’s, liquid refreshment, loud music and plenty of conviviality. Also included were an array of merchandise being raffled off–or sold outright–shirts, hoodies, socks, hats, equipment, an elegant biker quilt made by somebody’s mamma, liquid refreshment to take home, gag baskets (one titled : “Oh crap”), a wealth of goodies, topped off by a gravel bike donated by Eddie’s Bike Shop( before their catastrophic fire in Peninsula), won by Rick deSantis. The National Anthem was sung by Lisa Pilske, announcing/DJ services by Jason Adkins and the whole shebang was a community event, with donations going to the People Tree & the NGCC, the Garfield Cross Country team who manned the SAG posts,, Shenanigans (look ‘em up) and the Garfield InterAct (HS,Rotary-sponsored) who did the post-ride bike rinse.
Sponsors included DoubleWing Brewing of Mantua, Eddie’s Bike shop and Slim & Jumbo’s. There was even a mini-biker named Maverick. Arm-wrestling and leg-wrestling contests were also highly anticipated by the crowd.
Wait for the event next year–first Saturday in March–rain or shine, hot or cold. Don’t be just a spectator, get on your bike and RIDE !
