for socializing • Distinctive club jerseys and apparel for purchase. Photo of the World Famous TAB Meanderers Cycling in Toledo: Clubs, Community, and Adventures By Ed Conn Cycling in Toledo isn’t just about pedaling along our riverfront trails— it’s a vibrant community fueled by passion, camaraderie, and a shared love for the open road. From recreational rides that welcome every pace to competitive racing circuits and inclusive social tours, Toledo’s cycling scene thrives thanks to three cornerstone clubs: Toledo Area Bicyclists, Maumee Valley Wheelmen, and Maumee Valley Adventurers. Whether you’re seeking scenic group rides, racing esprit de corps, or accessible adventures for all abilities, there’s a club here to guide your next journey. Toledo Area Bicyclists Toledo Area Bicyclists (TAB) has been promoting safe, group cycling across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan since 1981. Its mission centers on providing enjoyable rides, teaching group riding techniques, and educating both cyclists and motorists about their rights and responsibilities to foster a safer cycling environment. TAB’s calendar runs from April through October for weekend rides and May through August for weekday outings, ensuring there’s at least one ride every day. From leisurely beginner loops to brisk touring paces, TAB accommodates tandem, mountain, road, and touring bikes alike. During winter, the Winter Warrior Challenge offers a weekly Saturday ride from November through March, with prizes for the most dedicated riders. • Club membership is open to all and includes: • A full season of daily rides with experienced ride leaders • Access to technique clinics and safety training • Annual banquet and summer picnic Maumee Valley Wheelmen Founded in 1968 in Bowling Green, the Maumee Valley Wheelmen (MVW) stand as Northwest Ohio’s premier bicycle racing club. Rooted in grassroots racing, they host a USACsanctioned event nearly every week from early spring through late summer, rotating through crits, road races, and time trials on classic courses dating back over four decades. MVW crowns champions in overall racing, sprints, and time trials, each earning a rotating trophy engraved with past winners’ names—a tradition akin to the Stanley Cup. Alongside competitive events, the club offers informal weekend group rides free to all, fostering mentorship between seasoned racers and newcomers. Through volunteer-driven race management and community engagement, MVW sustains a tight-knit racing family that pushes both skills and friendships to new heights. Maumee Valley Adventurers Maumee Valley Adventurers (MVA) emerged in 2012, continuing a 40year legacy of community travel and recreation in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t, its mission is to empower participants of all ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds through affordable hikes, bike tours, and social travel experiences. Key offerings include: • Weekly Saturday group rides and Thursday hikes • Seasonal 13-week “Travel Circle” lecture series in partnership with Metroparks Toledo • Overnight bikepacking tours and themed fundraisers (e.g., Irish Hills Tour, Family Haunted Ride) • Adaptive cycling programs like Cycling Without Age, using trishaws and wheelchaircompatible bikes to bring fresh-air adventures to those with mobility challenges With just a $10 annual membership, MVA keeps activities accessible while fostering inclusivity and wellness for cyclists and hikers at every fi tness level. Cycling in Toledo is more than a workout—it’s a gateway to community, discovery, and lifelong friendships. Whether you’re eyeing your fi rst group ride, chasing personal bests on a crit circuit, or seeking welcoming adventures for all abilities, TAB, MVW, and MVA have the roads—and the people—you need. To learn more or join a ride, visit their websites and follow each club’s calendar for upcoming events. Let’s keep Toledo rolling! Page 6 Toledo to Host FirstEver Garmin Marathon on September 21; Boston Marathon Qualifi er By Kelly Sankowski I ran my fi rst half-marathon seven years ago at the invitation of a coworker, with the hope of making some friends. What really happened was the group of coworkers trained much less and ran much faster than me, causing me to burn out at the beginning of the race from trying to keep up with them. While I did not achieve my goals in that fi rst race, I did do something more important, which was discover a love for running that has stayed with me through the COVID pandemic and the births of my two children. When I saw that Garmin had chosen Toledo as one of two locations in the country to host their fi rst-ever marathon series, it felt like the perfect moment to try again. I’m slower than before, but now I’m running my own race – training for the half-marathon purely for myself amid a crazy season of motherhood. The Garmin Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, September 21, offers four different distances for runners to choose from – 5k, 10k, half-marathon (13.1 miles) and full marathon (26.2 miles). All of the races will begin and fi nish near Promenade Park, with the full marathon taking runners along both sides of the Maumee River, running past the Art Museum, Hollywood Casino, the Toledo Zoo, and W.W. Knight Nature Preserve. The fi nish line will have a festival in Promenade Park that is open to the public. “For local people, it is an awesome opportunity to be able to run on your home course,” said Clint McCormick, the Chief Operator for Run Toledo who is assisting Garmin with course operations and logistics for the race. Another benefi t of the course is it is largely without hills, making it a good race for people looking to set a personal record with their time. McCormick noted several other reasons why Toledo is a great fi t to host Garmin’s race. First, northwest Ohio is home to all of the fi ve industries that Garmin focuses on: automotive, fi tness, lifestyle, marine and aviation. Second, Toledo is central to a large chunk of the United States’ population, and runners from across the country are expected to join in the race.
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