Cycling the rails in Ashland
By Angela Woodford
Special Correspondent
May 13, 2008

“We wanted a ride that would appeal to not only cyclists, but to people who just want to get out and ride, such as kids and families,” said Clunker Cruise organizer Joel Street.

On Saturday evening, a bevy of bicyclists hauled antique and unusual cycles to Railroad Avenue in Ashland for a whimsical celebration of the town’s 150th anniversary. About 30 people gathered at 5 p.m. for the Ashland 150 Clunker Cruise, a 5-mile ride starting at Cobblestone Bicycles on Railroad Avenue and ending at Dairy Queen.

“We wanted a ride that would appeal to not only cyclists, but to people who just want to get out and ride, such as kids and families,” said Clunker Cruise organizer Joel Street, who came up with the idea as a way for his business Cobblestone Bicycles to join in anniversary festivities.

Street added that Railroad Avenue is well-known bicycle territory. It’s the only place where cross-country bicycle routes 1 and 76 meet. Biking is popular in Ashland, and people prepared bikes specifically for this ride, he said.

Iain Melson, an Ashland resident, brought a custom bicycle he described as a “rusty old thing” before its transformation. He fashioned ape-hanger handlebars from conduit pipe and painted the frame black. Completing the picture was Melson’s spire-topped silver helmet.

Other bicyclists brought antique pieces, such as Ashland resident Rob Stiles’ 40-year-old bicycle for two – or three if counting the extra child’s seat. Stiles’ parents bought the bicycle new, and he acquired it after his first child was born.

“This is only the second time we’ve ridden it in the past couple of years,” Stiles said. “The event gave us a reason to dust it off and pump up the tires.” For the Clunker Cruise, Stiles pedaled off with his son George, age 10, in the middle seat and son Ethan, 6, on the back.

Ashland resident Marsha Summerson sported a bright yellow bicycle-meets-scooter creation called a sidewalker. She bought it at Cobblestone two years ago, and later discovered that sidewalkers are popular in Austria.

No bicycle event seems complete without at least one high-wheeler, or penny-farthing bicycle. The Clunker Cruise drew two. Ashland resident Jeff Ault rode a reproduction of the 1880s-style bicycle that he ordered from Victory Bicycles in Florida.

“It’s tricky getting on and off, but other than that, it’s just like any other bicycle,” Ault said. Ault has been riding since he was 8 years old, and used to ride a high-wheeler in local parades.

The Clunker Cruise is one of many events celebrating Ashland’s 150th anniversary. For more information, visit www.ashland150.com.

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