Biking the Ohio to Erie Trail

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Day 8 - (Felt like Ground Hog Day)! South Lebanon to Cincinnati 35.2 miles

Leaving South Lebanon on final journey to Cincinnati.

Signage in Loveland...famous town for biking hospitality on OTET Trail.

Dipping our front tires into Ohio River at end of OTET Trail. Yay!!

Best of Day: Putting those tires in the Ohio River

Worst of Day: No one could think of anything!

Quote of Day: Driver of truck loading boats from river. Dave asked if he was finished so we could put our tires in river. Dave said we had biked from Cleveland....driver said Biked?? No way!! Dave said, Yes! Driver said Shut up!...can't be!

BEST OF 8 DAYS

Best meal: Johnny's Steakhouse - Columbus

Most difficult: Navigation and poor signage

Most friendly: Biker who took us through Cleveland

Most unique/special: 3 generations biking together!!

Fun, random pictures of our 8 days:

"Selfies"

How true!

Dog fountain in Mt. Vernon.

Chloe's Diner in Massillon.

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Day 7 - Zenia and 30 miles later!

Starting out in Zenia this morning.

When we realized the error of our ride!!

Best of Day: Storm clearing in the morning.

Worst of Day: Discovering our error of direction.

Quote of Day: Besides those clouds, it's sunny ....(hopeful assessment of weather after the storm)! In our haste to leave Zenia this morning after a 2 hr delay because of thunder storms, we failed to recognize 2 trails with the same name (Little Miami Scenic Trail) going in opposite directions!! SAG car came to our rescue.

Tomorrow we will start the distance we biked (the wrong way) on the OTET south of Zenia (South Lebanon) and complete the ride to Cincinnati! Stay tuned for Day 8!!

Friday, July 28, 2023

Day 6 - Columbus to Xenia Katie -63.9miles, Dave 73.9 miles, Lisa 10 miles

Leaving Columbus

Thank goodness for sidewalk directions!

Met up with Dave's veteran biking cousins, Mark, Scott and wife Mary Ann. Rode with them from London to Cedarville (part of the time through torrential rain)!

Leaving London.

Super SAG car drivers, organizers, finders of coffee shops and all the best restaurants!!

Lisa rides with Dave for the last 10 miles...Cedarville to Xenia!

Abby and Katie at motel, unloading all the wet biking gear!

Best of Day: Meeting up with Dave's cousins from Kettering - all passionate bikers...great stories to share!

Worst of Day: Riding in torrential rain.

Quote of Day: Bud's text with one word weather report...."rain"!

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Day 5 - Mt. Vernon to Columbus 41.2 miles

Halfway marker today! Hooray!!

Poppy retrieving at dog park at the Hoover Reservoir Park in Columbus.

All downhill from here!

End of today's ride. Road closed, bridge out. Tomorrow we will start on the other side of Columbus.

Best of Day: Weather stayed overcast and we biked beautiful wooded trails.

Worst of Day: Arriving at abrupt end of trail due to bridges out. Instructions were to take a bus around the city!

Quote of Day: Gentleman at Mt. Vernon motel, outside smoking in his fold up chair, cheering "Have a super ride beautiful People!"

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Day 4 Glenmont to Mt. Vernon 27.4 miles

Starting out at Glenmont

Abby's selfie at Bridge of Dreams, 370 foot long covered bridge built in 1920's.

Poppy Seed waiting for Abby to take her bike ride through Bridge of Dreams.

Best of Day: Visiting Ariel-Foundation Park, a 250 acre former industrial site (glass making factory) that now features walking paths, event center, architectural ruins and a museum.

Worst of Day: Trail closures that shortened today's ride.

Quote of Day: Learning from biker at Gambier Visitor Center of the group ride they met up with....riding the OTET for cancer research in 4 days. (Pan Ohio Hope Ride)