Otis-Roubaix Weekend
Friday March 21
Studio Open House 4-8
I am having a tag sale, hang out, and a chance to show my place. I have built out the storefront and want to test the waters of having events or a store here. Not really a bike event though I will have a table with some bike stuff. Bring a beer and nerd out if thats is your thing. Advertising this mostly through my photography channels but all are welcome.
Saturday March 22
Channel Meet Up Ride
Meet at the Studio anytime after 1:55PM. There will be a chance to see everything from the night before. We will roll from here to Dirty River Bicycle Works at 3PM. It is about 3 miles to the shop - no real hills and all road. There will be a bit of time to check out the shop and buy some cool bike stuff(extremely encouraged). We will leave Dirty River at 4:10PM (You can meet there if that works better for you). The ride will be about 22-28 miles and include some off-road and gravel. It will be a “no drop” ride and I want everyone to feel welcome - but if you’ve never ridden a bike on gravel before and you don’t know if you or your bike are capable of it consider that. There will be a halfway stop for dinner(and beer if you are into that - it will be a brewery). The ride home will be bike path but there is some elevation on the paths here.
This is meant to be fun and interesting but not intense.
Last year we made group decisions on hitting more off-road and going farther - so we can be flexible with the crew too. A few of us even had an after-party a few years ago.
Sunday March 23
Otis-Roubaix
10 AM at Dirty River Bicycle Works. This is a challenge to climb a bunch of the hills in Akron. Otis will drop the route soon and I will post it here and in the discord but here is what last years looked like: https://www.strava.com/activities/11030522591
The great thing about the route is it is always looping around downtown and if you need to bail it will be easy to get back to the shop without too much trouble or extra climbing(safe roads and trails too)
You will want to download the file and have a way to navigate - bike computer or phone. People do form groups but it is an unmarked route and there is no leader or sweeper. It is an “at-you-pace” challenge. Also - if you ride ahead of people and then ask “where do I turn” you are the worst kind of person. If you don’t want to navigate a route it is on you to follow someone.
The after party will be at Missing Falls Brewery - in the party room. Some people missed this last year and went to the main bar - the party room is farther down the hall(not that there’s anything wrong with checking the main space out). This place has the nicest staff in the world so just ask “where is the Otis-Roubaix?” They all know Otis and I. There is food an beer here and it is always a fun time.
Otis Roubaix Weekend 2024
The Studio - 1668 State Road Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
On Saturday 23rd we will roll out from The Studio at 3:15 and head to Dirty River bIcycle works - city/residential roads - about three miles. If you are going to be late head to Dirty River. I don’t hold up groups for one person.
You can meet at The Studio any time after 2:15 - we will do some bike portraits and hang until rolling time.
Dirty River Bicycle Works - 110. North Main Street Akron, OH 44308
Rolling from Dirty River by 4:10.
The ride will be about 25 miles round trip with a stop in Kent, OH for food and drinks. There will be a mix of terrain - but mostly paved bike path and gravel. If the weather is bad we can call an audible on the plan.
The ride is no drop and we can regroup as needed. “No Drop” to me means you won’t get lost or left behind. If some want to ride faster and wait up at turns they can.
Ride a bike that is suitable for gravel - not planning anything super chunky but no one is trying to wait around for you because you are on a skinny tire bike.
Otis-Roubaix Weekend
On Saturday there will be a channel meet-up starting at 3:00 at my Studio. Maybe a bike parts swap?
Roll out for a group ride at 3:30(or meet at Dirty River Bicycle Works at 4:00.
Brewery stop with dinner at about the 10 mile mark. Route will be determined by the group make-up as the date approaches - but thinking of an Industrial Gravel ride.
Saturday we will meet for The Otis-Roubaix at Dirty River Bicycle Works 10 AM.
There will two main rides.
A fast ride that will use a .gpx file to ride at whatever pace they like- even race.
The second ride will be a group ride where the hills are ridden as challenges but the group will reconvene for the “flat” sections in between.
An after party will be at Missing Falls Brewery.
Addresses, lodging details and more specific info all coming soon.