We are pleased to announce Paula Kurzweil is our featured cyclist of the month. Paula, who has been riding since age six, enjoys leisure riding on her hybrid bike. She appreciates the camaraderie of riding with friends, combining conversation with cycling. In addition to the Towpath, Paula favors riding in Canal Fulton. “It’s always such a beautiful ride. You may even see horses pulling a barge,” according to Paula.

Outside of northeastern Ohio, Paula has ridden in Yellow Springs, Ohio and Niagara On the Lake, Ontario. Her most memorable trip was riding on the San Juan Islands located in the Seattle area. Riding on these islands provided her with some incredible sights such as gorgeous fields of lilacs, and even a school of killer whales.

Paula maintains her enthusiasm for biking by participating in, and teaching spinning classes at Springside Racquet and Fitness Club. She also enjoys yoga, walking with her dogs, and hiking. Paula enjoys the trails located in the Cuyahoga Valley, Hocking Hills, Ohio, and Cook Forest, Pennsylvania.

As a former Emergency Room nurse, Paula strongly advises all bike riders to wear a helmet. “Wearing a helmet when you ride a bike is like fastening your seat belt each time you get into a car,” she says. Paula is a fan of clipless pedals when she rides. She advises cyclists who begin wearing clipless pedals, to begin by wearing only one clipless pedal, rather than the pair, until you have gotten used to mounting and dismounting the bike. This advice may save you an accident.

Paula lives in Bath with her husband, Alan, and their two dogs, Tug and Ralph. She is employed by Summa Health Systems, in Anesthesia Services and Rapid Response. Paula enjoys living in the greater Akron area because “anything you want to do is close.” We know that includes wonderful places to bike and hike! Thanks Paula!