Fifty Plus (50+) - Hamilton OH Path w/PICs (56K Warning)

- just got back from a visit up north w/the mother-in-law (AKA 'The Mominator')... had a good time, partly because i took my bike for early morning rides... i was pleasantly surprised to find a nice 15-mile loop w/in two miles of the homestead: Hamilton's bike path, which stretches from the main bridge downtown to the Hamilton Water Works, connecting several separate city parks in the process...

- starting the ride from the main bridge one finds a non-politically correct cycling sculpture (sans helmet? sacré bleu!):

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/a.jpg

- a yard away is the start of the loop:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/b.jpg

- the ride is along the Miami (go Redhawks!) River, with a precipitous 100-foot slide down a grassy embankment if you've been injudicious in imbibing a little drinkie-drinkie:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/c.jpg

- fortunately, things level out in a mile or so (right before a little climb):

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/d.jpg

- looking back over the shoulder, you pass a bubbling spillway:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/f.jpg

- there are a number of nice little stops for shade (especially during 100F+ weather):

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/e.jpg

- portions of the ride offer inviting entrances to shade:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/g.jpg

- there are peds, other riders, and many high-school cross-country teams, but everyone seemed well behaved:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/h.jpg

- it's amazing how much trees and other greenery affect temps on the trail:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/i.jpg

- buckeye trees (Aesculus glabra) shed during summer, and litter areas with many leaves (not a good choice for landscaping one's yard!):

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/j.jpg

- which way? do i go left:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/k.jpg

- or right?:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/l.jpg

- i went right, avoiding the Canadian geese on the left path (nasty creatures that leave little 'presents' in numerous quantities, reluctantly saunter out of the way, and 'Hisssss!' at you when you slowly pedal by); you can see them grazing in the previous pic if you look closely)... parts of the path are still being landscaped, so the little trees make you feel like you're in the Land of the Giants:

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/m.jpg

- and finally, the loop proper terminates over a little bridge; a number of miles can be added with off-loop cruising through quiet neighborhoods nearby, shunting to the Joyce Park entrance, or a cut through the back end of the park...

http://www.tux.org/~bball/biking/hamilton/n.jpg

- all in all, a fun ride that gives me a nice 15-mile+ loop with a little shade on a hot summer's day!

Nice pictures, looks like a fun ride!

My wife is originally from Ohio, though further north and east, Mansfield. I regularly took my bike on visits and had a lot of great rides. Originally it was on country roads until they developed the B&O rail trail in the early 90s. The trail is 18 miles from Mansfield to Butler, and I cycled it many times while my in-laws were alive. I was even on the trail when my mother-in-law passed away at the ripe old age of 89, while my wife and a friend were with her. We no longer have family in Ohio and I miss the great cycling I had in that state.

I grew up in Ohio, back during the Grant administration. It's a great state and these are wonderful pictures of a great place to ride!