Summit Metro Parks and the South Street Ministries Bike Shop sponsor nearly two dozen group Akron-area bike rides from May through October.
Rides cater both to those with joint pains and are looking for a slower roll and to those looking to go fast and through park trails. Other rides celebrate Summit Lake, National Ice Cream Day and the start of fall with pumpkins.
Riders should bring their own bicycle and helmet. Go here to learn more, or look below to find the right ride for you.
May 2025
Senior Cycling: Why Bikes? Thursday, May 1, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us at the Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, Ohio 44301, for this 13.5-mile bike ride. We will attempt to answer this question and explore transit and transportation systems from the Portage Path through the multi-modal systems of today. We will ride, at a casual pace with frequent stops, around the Summit Lake Loop Trail and south on the Towpath Trail to the Fairview Avenue Trailhead and back.
May the Fourth: Sunday, May 4, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Did you know that “May the Fourth be with you” is a play on words originating from Star Wars and the phrase “May the Force be with you”? Bring the family and join us as we celebrate “May the Fourth” with all things Star Wars on National Ride a Bike Day. Explore 8 miles of the Towpath Trail while wearing your best cycling-safe Star Wars costume. We will meet at 10 a.m. at the Clinton Trail Trailhead, 2749 North St., Clinton, Ohio 44216.
National Ride of Silence: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The National Ride of Silence exists to honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling, to raise awareness that we are here, and to ask that we all share the road. Join us at the Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, Ohio 44301, on May 14 as we partake in this national event. We will ride the Summit Lake Loop Trail in silence in honor of those injured or killed in a cycling-related incident. Following the ride, we will conduct skills and cycling safety training in addition to helmet fittings. Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to check-in. The ride will depart promptly at 7 p.m.
Senior Cycling: Mapping Your Community. Thursday, May 15, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us at the Mustill Store, 57 W. North St., Akron, Ohio 44304, for this 10-mile bike ride as we explore downtown Akron, identify key assets and partners, and envision a more vibrant and brighter future for the core of our city. We will ride, at a casual pace with frequent stops, from the Mustill Store south on the Towpath Trail into and around downtown Akron and back.
Senior Cycling: Utilitarian, Sport, & Recreation. Thursday, May 29, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us at the state Route 303 Lot, 64 W. Streetsboro St., Boston Heights, Ohio 44264, for this 10- to 12-mile bike ride. At the onset of this ride, we will have a brief discussion focusing on cycling for sport, recreation and utility. We will ride, at a 10 – 12 mph pace, from the state Route 303 Lot, north along the Bike and Hike Trail, and back.
June 2025
Senior Cycling: Safety, Advocacy, & Trailside Repair. Thursday, June 12, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1p.m. Join us at the Big Bend Trailhead, 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313, for this 14-mile bike ride. At the onset of this ride, we will discuss cycling safety and advocacy. We will ride, at a 10 – 12 mph pace, from the Big Bend Trailhead, north along the Towpath Trail to Szalay’s and back. At the turnaround point, we will briefly discuss and demonstrate basic trailside repairs.
Senior Cycling: A Call to Action. Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us at the Center Road Trailhead, 2328 Center Rd., New Franklin, Ohio 44216, for this 13-mile bike ride. We will ride at a 10 -12 mph pace from the Center Road Trailhead north into Barberton and Skoops Ice Cream. At that time, we will present and discuss ways in which individuals from the Senior Cycling Program can participate in and engage our communities’ youth and young adults through our Beginners and Skills Programs.
BMX for Beginners: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Join us at the Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, Ohio 44301, for this program, open to all ages but designed to introduce individuals ages 12 to 25 to the sport of BMX. The program will focus on foundational skills such as bike handling, balance, braking and basic maneuvers. BMX-style bikes and helmets will be provided for use during this program.
Suggested Reading
July 2025
Summit Lake Nature Center Birthday Bash: Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 4 – 7 p.m. Come ride with us in the morning and celebrate with us in the afternoon. We will meet up and ride north from the Wolf Creek Trailhead, 33 Snyder Ave., Barberton, Ohio 44203 to the Summit Lake Nature Center to celebrate the nature center’s birthday. This is a 14-mile round trip, party paced, ride with a significant break at the Summit Lake Nature Center. At the beginning and throughout the course of the ride we will discuss the benefits, downfalls and nuances of riding in a larger group with riders of various skill levels.
Cycling Friends Preview Night: Monday, July 7, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Join Summit Metro Parks, South Street Ministries and local cycling enthusiasts Brian Bortz and Lilly Usner for a unique opportunity to preview their Cycling Friends program. Cycling Friends is an eight-week program focusing on cycling and friendship delivered through fun and interactive activities. The program is open to 2nd – 6th graders who currently know how to ride a bike. Join us for interactive demonstrations and a leisurely 6-8 mph, 2-mile ride. Location: Big Bend Trailhead, 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron.
Intro to Mountain Biking: Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Are you curious about mountain biking but nervous to hit the trails by yourself? Then this program is for you! Join us to go over mountain biking safety and trail tips, followed by a ride on the beginner and moderate mountain biking loops. Location: HH/MTB Area: 2092 Theiss Rd., Akron
Senior Cycling: Hand-Off Ride. Friday, July 18, 2025, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join us at the Mustill Store, 57 W. North St., Akron, Ohio 44304, for this unique experience. We will ride south on the Towpath Trail to the Canal Place parking lot, where we will meet up with and participate in Akron Bike Party. Helmets and lights are required. Riders should be prepared to ride 10 miles, sometimes hilly. All riders are responsible for obeying traffic laws and watching for traffic.
Cycle & Celebrate – National Ice Cream Day: Sunday, July 20, 2025, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day! We’ll ride south from the Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, Ohio 44301, at a casual pace, stopping at Skoops Ice Cream for a sweet treat before returning. This is an 11- to 12-mile round-trip ride.
Christmas in July at the Summit Lake Farmers Market: Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Bring the family out to this unique workshop geared toward individuals 12 to 25 years old where we will recycle and upcycle bicycle parts into Christmas ornament keepsakes. Cookies and cocoa will fill your bellies while the sounds of Christmas fill the air. Location: TT/Summit Lake: 380 W. Crosier St, Akron.
August
Senior Cycling: Pedal into the Past: Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.Join us to celebrate Akron’s bicentennial as we explore the historical, cultural and economic importance of the Kenmore and Summit Lake neighborhoods. A Jewish cemetery, a renovated pump house, the canal, a railroad, bus barns, and so much more await the curious traveler. Be prepared to ride 10+/- miles at a 10 – 12mph pace. Location: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron.
Pedal into the Past: Youth Empowerment Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us to celebrate Akron’s bicentennial as we explore the historical, cultural, and economic importance of the Kenmore and Summit Lake neighborhoods. Help us envision a more vibrant and interconnected Summit Lake and Kenmore. Be prepared to ride 10+/- miles at a 10 – 12mph pace. Location: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron
BMX for Beginners: Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Join us at the Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, Ohio 44301, for this program, open to all ages but designed to introduce individuals ages 12 – 25 to the sport of BMX. The program will focus on foundational skills such as bike handling, balance, braking and basic maneuvers. BMX-style bikes and helmets will be provided for use during this program.
Bike Ride & Picnic: Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Come celebrate national “Eat Outside Day.” Join us for this party-paced 10- to 12-mile ride from the Summit Lake Nature Center to downtown and back. Upon return, join us for some meaningful conversation and a picnic. Hot dogs, chips, drinks, and other sides will be provided. Location: Summit Lake Nature Center 411 Ira Ave., Akron
September
Hand-Off Ride: Akron Bike Club. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us at the Mustill Store, 57 W. North St., Akron, Ohio 44304, for this unique experience. This experience is for riders of all ages but is designed to introduce individuals 12 to 25 to road cycling and the Akron Bike Club, a pillar in the local cycling community. We will meet the Akron Bike Club and join them for a ride to House Three Thirty and beyond. Participants must be able to ride under their own power without training wheels.
Rock ‘N’ Roll: An Overview of Local Geology. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. We’ll rock out as we roll along the Bike and Hike Trail north of the Route 303 Trailhead, 64 W. Streetsboro St., Boston Heights, Ohio 44264. We will examine rock formations, soil layers and mineral deposits, gaining a hands-on understanding of the geological processes that shaped our communities. This will be a 9-mile trip.
Senior Cycling: Hand-Off Ride. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us at the Mustill Store, 57 W. North St., Akron, Ohio 44304, at 8 a.m. for this unique experience. We will ride south on the Towpath Trail, where we will meet South Street Cycles and participate in South Street Ministries’ 13th annual Trails ‘N’ Rails event. After joining South Street, we will board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and travel north to Botzum. From Botzum, we will cycle back to the Mustill Store for lunch. This event consists of a 6-mile train ride and a 6-mile return trip by bike. Limit 10 participants; registration is required.
October
Senior Cycling: Fall Foliage Tour. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. On this ride, we will learn about trees, their leaves, and how they prepare for winter. We will gather at the Aurora Road Trailhead and ride to the Boston Mills Trailhead and back at a casual pace with frequent stops (685 Aurora Road, Sagamore Hills SR 82 Lot.)
The Great Pumpkin Roll. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Ride along the Towpath Trail from the Big Bend Trailhead, 1337 Merriman Road, Akron, Ohio 44313, to Szalay’s Farm & Market and back. Buy pumpkins, explore the corn maze, and enjoy some sweet treats. This is a 14-mile round trip that will be ridden at a family-friendly, inclusionary pace. Participants are responsible for the cost of admission to the corn maze, food, drink, and pumpkin purchases. All purchases not consumed on-site will be transported back to the Big Bend Trailhead by truck at no cost to participants.