Ohio to Erie

Over the 4th of July Ben, Erin and I rode the Ohio to Erie Trail from our doors to Cincinnati. We did it in four days - 312 miles. We camped two days, stayed with a friend one, and then an Air BnB in Cinci. A few friends joined us in the beginning - all the details follow below.

Micah(above and Ryan(below) joined from downtown Akron to Canal Fulton on the Towpath.


Ben and Erin


This is the bicycle I built up for the tour. The frameset is a 1983 Trek 500 but all of the components are from a 2007 Trek 1500. I like the ride of the vintage steel bike but the modern shifting and better wheels of the later bike.

Ben and Erin's bicycles.

Knowing that not much would be open on Fourth of July Erin packed us a lunch which we ate in Massillon. AJ is in the background - he was with us from Akron until here.



Gabriel joined up in Masssillon and rode then camped with us the first night. He gave us this honey as a gift for energy out on the trail - it ended up coming in handy.

After breaking off the Towpath and down the Sippo Trail the route took us on country roads through Amish Country - it was really beautiful. The route was so well marked that we didn't need the maps or navigation.

Most of the trails were pan flat but the road parts did have some hills - a little tougher with the loaded bikes.



We stopped at this gas station to refill our water bottles.





The country roads were fine - there wasn't much traffic besides Amish on their bicycles or in their buggies.

Erin powering up the climb.

Locking up at our dinner destination - Millersburg Brewing.



The beer and food were good.


I've been to Millersburg Brewing twice and as I mentioned the food/beer are good - but the bartenders must be on heroin. Both times they were so awful. I was almost ready to yell at them to get served. I don't know if they have a "locals only" mentality but I've never been skipped over so many times in my life. For my second beer I finally had to rudely raise my hand and then got an "oh, did you want something?" Did they think standing at a bar with an empty glass was a hobby of mine?




On our way to the camp spot.

The gravel road to the campground - it was a pretty ride - but a few tough hills.

When we got to the spot we saw the pond and dock and immediately went swimming.



It was such a great place to swim - and so rewarding after a long hot day in the saddle.


Perfect Fourth of July.


Turkey Hollow Campground - it was basically a piece of private property that you could camp on. The only facilities were a porta-potty, fire ring, and some wood. That was fine for us.





The next day - heading back towards the Trail. Our campsite was about 4 miles away.

When we got back on the trail we bid farewell to Gabriel and were in for our longest day of the trip.

Lunchtime at Stein Brewing in Mount Vernon.

After lunch we headed to a bike shop - Erin decided that she would be better off in some real bicycle shorts.

This was from a late-afternoon beer break in Galena, OH at a cool spot called Mudflats. I didn't pull out the camera too much as we were riding about 90 miles this day. We were heading to our friend Brad's in Columbus.

The morning after a fun night hanging out with Brad. Beds and showers were much appreciated!

Brad rode with us to get coffee and breakfast the next morning.

Brad and I

Brad


Saying goodbye to Brad.

Group shot before hitting the road again.

A snack stop in London. I didn't catch a ton of photos of us out on the trails - but focused on capturing a lot of video with my GoPro which will be out soon.

This was from a very nice bike/camp stop right outside London. We were all impressed with it - then we realized why the effort was put in. The next 30 miles were on a rail trail with very little variation. To be honest it was a pretty tedious section - others have mentioned the same thing.


We were relived to roll into Xenia - the terrain got considerably more enjoyable when we got close. Xenia is supposed to be a really nice cycling town and I was hoping to explore it - but while we were eating dinner a storm rolled in.

Xenia Selfie. After eating we waited out the worst of the rain with a beer or two then hit the road when there seemed to be a break. We got a little damp but not soaked.

We rolled into the campground at Caesar Creek State Park after dark, set up camp, and passed out. This shot is Erin getting the fire going for morning coffee.


"Modern Camping"

Breakfast

A morning swim in the reservoir.


The trails were pretty on the last day(which, again I have good video of) - this was another quick gas station stop to get some sugar in.

Our last stop before Cinci was in Loveland - a very cool town that seemed to be entirely oriented toward the trail. This is on a great patio at Narrow Path Brewing.



312 miles later at the Ohio River in Cincinnati.

We went to our Air BnB in Over the Rhine, got showered up, then rode out for dinner and celebratory drinks. We rented a pick up truck for the next morning and drove back to Akron. The trip was a blast and I would do it again. Maybe reverse the direction and try different stops just to mix it up.