For our third day of riding, we linked up with our previous northernmost trail point in Peninsula and continued to the northern trail terminus at Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland. We'll spend tonight in Cleveland and ride back to our car tomorrow.
We parked at the Boston Mill Visitor Center in Cuyahoga National Park. Peninsula is a couple miles to the south, so we rode that piece out and back before continuing north to Cleveland and the shore of Lake Erie. At the end of the day, we'd covered 24 trail miles and ridden 29.5 actual miles.
The first half of today's ride was within the national park. Since it was a Saturday, the trail was a little busier than we prefer but still quite enjoyable. The sky was overcast and dramatic.
Brecksville-Northfield Bridge
Towpath mule in bronze
Lock 38
North of the national park, the Towpath Trail is managed by Cleveland Metroparks. For the most part, it's still a pleasant, green corridor. Approaching Cleveland, two steep trail bridges spare riders from crossing busy intersections.
Canal Road Towpath Bridge
A couple of miles before the trail's end, we ascended a hill to Towpath Mounds and an interesting overlook of Cleveland. Not the prettiest sight on earth, but I'm happy to see America still manufacturing.
Purdy view
The next overlook was nicer, but the sky was closing in, and we were anxious to get off the trail before the rain started. Cleveland has a really cool skyline – what we could see of it anyway.
Downtown Cleveland
From the last overlook, we descended steeply to the trail's terminus at Canal Basin Park on the Cuyahoga River in downtown Cleveland, just before the river empties into Lake Erie. Woohoo, we made it!
North end of the Towpath Trail
It was another mile or so from Canal Basin Park to our hotel for the night – steeply uphill, naturally. We'd planned to ride along the lakefront before checking in, but with the threatening sky, we decided to go straight to the Hyatt and put away the bikes.
Fountain of Eternal Life
Lodging: Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade, 420 Superior Avenue. Ooh la la, fancy-schmancy! We rolled our bikes right into the elevator and then into our room.
Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade
Hyatt Arcade
After getting cleaned up, we set out again on foot. The rain that seemed imminent fizzled into a light lake-effect mist. It was an easy stroll to Lake Erie, passing by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Cleveland Browns Stadium on the way.
First Presbyterian Old Stone Church
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland rocks!
Lake Erie
C-town
For dinner, we had pizza at Southern Tier Brewery. The food was great, and the price was surprisingly reasonable. They were out of several beers, though, and we both wound up ordering an average Oktoberfest.
Mmm...pizza!
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
There's a pedestrian street with a bunch of bars and restaurants across the street from the Hyatt. So on our way back, we stopped for another beer at Butcher and The Brewer. We had the Happy Accident Belgian Dark Ale and the Albino Stout. Now you're talking!
East 4th Street
Terminal Tower
Back at the Hyatt, there was a wedding reception in full swing on the lower level of the Arcade that could be heard from anywhere in the hotel. The Arcade is VERY popular wedding venue, and we were warned about the noise when we made our reservation. But they shut down the festivities promptly at 11:00, just a few minutes after our return, so it was no problem.