Each morning, Russ Frye greets the day with a nice breakfast, an audiobook and a 30-mile bicycle ride.

But that distance is nothing compared to his trip across the country from Virginia to Oregon or his South
Carolina tour from the mountains to the coast.
As president of the Black Swamp Bike Club, Frye is an active cycler, riding with members to Waterville,
Napoleon, Grand Rapids and other Wood and Lucas county locations for exercise and companionship.
"Some people hesitate to join a bike club because they like to ride by themselves and there’s
certainly a lot to be said for that.
It’s nice and serene and peaceful and you can ride at your own pace, stop and pick up a turtle or see a
deer in a field," he said. "But it’s nice to ride with a group, too. You generally ride faster
and further because you’re talking and you’re not as aware of how tired you are. The social aspect of
riding together makes it fun."
The Black Swamp Bike Club began in Bowling Green in the 1980s but fizzled out in later years when members
moved away or felt burnt out, Frye said.
By spreading the word about the club at Cycle Werks Bicycle Shop and through Bowling Green State
University’s Campus Update emails, Frye has restored the club to its former glory.
"Bowling Green is a bike friendly city," he said. "It’s interesting to see how biking is
taking off."
The clubs consists of 43 members of all ages and backgrounds including triathlon trainers, doctors and
BGSU students, faculty and retirees.
"A lot of people in Bowling Green bike but they’re not aware that there’s a club in town," he
said. "We’ve had a couple college students who didn’t even know the Slippery Elm Trail was there.
Everyone on campus should know these things are there and have a chance to enjoy them."
The Black Swamp Bike Club hosts two regular rides a week starting at the beginning of the Slippery Elm
Trail in the Montessori School parking lot.
The Thursday night "Slow Spokes" ride, in which members ride at a casual pace of eight to 10
miles per hour partway down the trail, meets at 6:30 p.m.
The Saturday morning ride is for more fit, athletic riders. Members depart at 8 a.m. for a 30 to 50 mile
trip at 16 to 18 miles per hour. Members stop for a bite to eat along the way.
Club member Bob Rex, who was named Bicycle Spokesperson of the Year by the Bowling Green Bicycle Safety
Commission in 2006 for his involvement in bicycling, has ridden about 50,000 miles in the last 40 years.

"Jokingly, I say I ride for the gas mileage. But it’s good exercise, very invigorating," he
said. "It’s out in the open air and you meet a lot of good people and good friends."
Rex has biked throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand.
He and his wife, Winnie, try to ride four or five times a week.
"When I have time and the weather’s good, I get on my bike and go," he said.
Along with yearly potlucks, participation in Ohio bike tours and a yearly club ride to coincide with the
Black Swamp Arts Festival on Sept. 6, the club hosts a New Year’s Day ride to shake up the monotony of
winter.
However, cyclists do not have to be serious or competitive to be a member of the club, Frye said.
"All our rides are ‘no drop’ rides. If someone can’t keep up, one or two members will stay behind
with them so they aren’t left alone in the middle of the country," Frye said. "Some clubs do
‘drop rides,’ so if you fall behind, too bad. We don’t do that. We’re a friendly group."
Anyone is welcome to come check out the club and ride for free, Frye said.
Yearly dues for the Black Swamp Bike Club are $10 for individuals and $15 for a family of any size.
For more information, visit www.blackswampbicyclingsociety.org.