Buckeye Biking Bonanza 2026
About this event
Buckeye Bicycle Bonanza
Registration is Open!
A PBC Members ONLY Special Event ~ Not a member yet and want to attend? Join Today!
Premier Bicycle Club returns to Akron, OH, May 14-17, 2026 to ride both trails and roads! With cooler temperatures and no summer crowds at the National Park, this will be even more fun than our 2025 trip! Enjoy the 90-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail that extends from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, OH. Much like the C&O Canal Towpath from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is the path where, from 1827 to 1913, mules pulled canal boats laden with passengers and goods up and down the historic Ohio & Erie Canal. As you head north from Akron, the trail passes through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and continues to Cleveland. You can cycle into CVNP and opt to take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad back to our hotel!
Click here to see photos from last years' trip:
2025 Buckeye Bicycle Bonanza Album
Event Highlights
Riding
- Event offers both trail and road rides
- There will be rides appropriate for cyclists of all abilities and experience
- Trail rides on the extensive Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath system offer excellent surfaces and scenery
- 24 scenic road ride options ranging over 11, 20-29 (5), 30-43 (9), 50-64 (4), and 67-78 (4) miles
- Ride through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Amish country farmlands, and around a plethora of lakes and state parks
- Direct access from our hotel to the 90-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and to most of the road routes
- Ride into Cuyahoga Valley National Park by trail or road and take a CVNP Scenic RR train back to the hotel
Accommodations
- We have a block of rooms with free parking at the Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown for 3 nights from Thursday May 14, 2026 through Sunday May 17, 2026
- Our special room rate is $149 per night plus tax
- All rooms have mini-refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot
- Bikes may be stored in your room, and there are onsite facilities to clean and maintain your bike
- The CVNP Scenic Railroad Station and access to the O&E Canal Towpath Trail are right behind the hotel!
Social
Included in registration fee:
- Friday PM - after-dinner Meet & Greet with light snacks and dessert
- Saturday PM - Pizza, Antipasto and Salads catered by Luigi's Restaurant, an Akron staple
Non-Rider Discount
Non-riders are welcome to attend and participate in the social events if they are members of the club in good standing and register. BEFORE REGISTERING, ask the event coordinator how to receive the non-rider discounted registration fee (see "How to Register", below). This offer is valid only for non-riding members of the club.
Registration Fee Includes
- 4 days of riding;GPS Routes/Digital Cue Sheetsfor trail and road rides
- Welcome Bagwith snacks, fruit and information about local activities and points of interest
- Water and cycling nutrition
- Meet and Greetsocial event on Friday night
- Multiple Pre-scheduled Ride Options daily with experienced leaders, or choose from Recommended Routes
- Group Dinneron Saturday evening
- Detailed Event Guidewith detailed schedule and essential instructions, as well as information about restaurants, local attractions, and non-riding activities.
Other Exciting Activities Available in Area
(Optional - not included in registration)
- Akron location offers urban amenities including a plethora of restaurants, shops and night spots
- Attractions for non-riding companions including the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
- Visit our closest National Park: Cuyahoga Valley National Park - by train or by car
Event Schedule
The following is a general outline to help your planning. Participants will receive a complete "Event Guidebook and Checklist" via email a few days prior to the event. The Guidebook will present more details, along with links for the route GPS files, a schedule of programmed rides with ride leaders, restaurant suggestions, and reminders about the weekend.
Thursday May 14th
3 PM - Hotel Check-in
Welcome ride south along the scenic O&E canal
Join a group for dinner and hang out at Sarah's Vineyard
Evening Briefing for Friday rides
Friday May 15th
Trail Ride – heading north through CVNP toward Cleveland
Road Rides – with ride leaders (routes TBD)/rider's choice
Join a group for dinner at one of Akron's many excellent restaurants and brewpubs
Meet & Greet social at our hotel - light snacks and dessert
Evening Briefing for Saturday rides
Saturday, May 16th
Trail Ride – heading south toward Bolivar
Road Rides – with ride leaders (routes TBD)/rider's choice
Dinner at our hotel with Pizza, Antipastos and Salad catered by Luigi's
Sunday, May 17th
Trail Ride to Kent for brunch at the Depot
Road Rides – with ride leaders (routes TBD)/rider's choice
12 Noon - Hotel Check-Out
Trail ride distances are as far as you want, as long as you are not riding solo. Departure times TBD.
IMPORTANT DATES
• Early Registration: up to April 13, 2026
Rider $75.00
Non-rider $40.00 - contact organizers for code
• Late Registration: April 14 to May 6, 2026
Rider $95.00
Non-rider $60.00 - contact organizers for code
• Hotel Room Block Closes: 4:00 PM April 14, 2026
Rooms revert to standard rate; availability is not guaranteed after this date.
How To Register and Reserve Your Room
1. PBC Event registration – Click the "Register Now" button at the right to register and pay your event participation fee. Each participant, including riders and non-riders, must register individually. Once you have completed your registration you will receive a confirmation email.
2. Room reservations – Your registration confirmation email will include instructions for making your room reservation with our special nightly rate of $149 plus state and local tax (currently 15.25%), so be sure to look for your PBC email confirmation before you book. If you decide to come before May 14th or stay after May 17th rates are subject to availability. Standard check-in time is 3:00 pm. Standard check-out time is 12:00 noon. Please Note: you need to make your reservations by 4:00 PM April 14th, 2026, after which any remaining rooms in our block return to the general room inventory.
REMEMBER: Both riders and non-riders must be members of the club, and both must register through this page by clicking on the "Register Now" button. Yes - this step needs to be completed individually.
Step up and Volunteer!
We need a few helping hands to make this event go smoothly, and we can plan more effectively if we know ahead of time that key volunteer spots are filled. We need:
• Pre-identified ride leaders for some selected routes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Drivers and assistants to be on standby for limited SAG assistance on Friday or Saturday. Most commonly these spots have been filled by non-riders and non-riding spouses/partners.
• Help with check-in registration.
To learn more about the available volunteer opportunities and to sign up for a slot, please click the link below. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the event coordinators listed below.
Volunteer link coming soon for 2026 Buckeye Biking Bonanza
Category
Club Special Event
Registration Info
Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
All participants must be active members of the Premier Bicycle Club. If you desire to have a non-riding spouse/partner come along, please contact the event organizer to have your account upgraded to a family membership. Non-riders must register for this event like riders do – see event description for non-rider discount.
Registration cancellations will be accepted until Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation Policy & Fees: There are two (2) parts to the registration process, and they have different cancellation policies:
1.) "Event Registration" (through the club): Cancellations prior to and including APRIL 30, 2026 will receive a refund minus a $30.00 cancellation fee. There are NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 30, 2026.
2.) "Hotel Reservations" (directly through Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown): All participants are responsible for verifying the cancellation policy at the time they make their room reservation.
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