In September 40 cyclists from eight states participated in the fourth annual OTET Adventure Ride. Setting out from Cincinnati’s Public Landing with the Ohio River lapping at our rear tires, we pedaled for seven days before dipping our front tires in Lake Erie at Cleveland’s Edgewater Park.
The Little Miami State Park is an integral part of the 326-mile Ohio-to-Erie Trail (OTET)that crosses the state from southwest to northeast. Stitching together some 22 trails, many of them rail-to-trail conversions like the Little Miami Scenic Trail, the Ohio-to-Erie Trail follows rivers, creeks and old canal towpaths through some of the state’s most attractive settings. The weather this year enhanced the ride by providing a week of sunshine and early-fall temperatures.
In keeping with OTET’s mantra, “It’s a ride, not a race,” some of us explored small towns, historic sites, parks and museums along the way, while others stopped at microbreweries, restaurants and ice-cream stands near the trail. Local color and historical context was provided by fellow rider Mark Looney, author of A Path Through Ohio.
The well-organized ride was staffed by a team of volunteers who know the trail well. Motel reservations were made at group discount rates; luggage was transferred seamlessly between the motels where hearty breakfasts were laid on for the riders; SAGs with drinks and snacks were strategically located; Mike Groeber of Bicycle Revival shadowed the ride with a trailer stocked with tools, parts, and accessories. At the end of the ride we were treated to lunch at the Edgewater Yacht Club before mini-vans and a U-Haul truck returned riders, bikes, and luggage to Cincinnati.
Traveling independently during the day, we gathered for 6:00pm meetings to review the day’s ride and preview the next segment. Despite diverse backgrounds and equipment (tandems, recumbents, hybrids, touring bikes, even the odd e-bike), the group proved most convivial, getting to know one another by sharing meals and stories of other long-distance rides. Several riders commented on how impressed they were with the Little Miami Scenic Trail portion of the ride.
The Adventure Ride benefits the OTET Fund which uses the proceeds to match local jurisdictions’ funding for trail extensions and improvements. Information about the Adventure Ride can be found at OhiotoErieTrail.org. Not interested in a sponsored ride? A touring guide developed by OTET providing detailed maps of the entire route is available through the website and at several local bike shops.
(FLMSP member Phil Obermiller participated in the 2017 OTET Adventure Ride on his trusty e-bike, “Lance,” named after another avid cyclist who also needed a bit of assist.)
Sept. 2017
