Great Lakes - Hills in Central Ohio?

I'm new in town and somewhat new to cycling. I live just outside of the SE corner of HWY 270 and have been doing a lot of riding on the empty country roads. I found one stretch of about 3-4 miles with some decent hills but I'm hungry for longer and steeper ascents. Any suggestions? Thanks.

colorado?

Keep going SE or run down US 23 past Circleville towards Chilcoth...You will start to get into some real foothills in that area.

But, I suggest watching out for dogs. The rednecks tend to leave them to run loose in the front yard and they just love chasing after bikes. ;)

Even those hills are not that big. I don't think OH has any big hills, but I'm originally from WV so I'm used to real hills, the hills in OH are smaller then the bumps in the roads in WV :)

Even those hills are not that big. I don't think OH has any big hills, but I'm originally from WV so I'm used to real hills, the hills in OH are smaller then the bumps in the roads in WV :)

So, you suggest that he should continue going SE, like really far, until he runs into a river, like.

I wonder which dogs are going to be worse, those in OH or those in WVa? :D

Use Google Maps set to Terrain View to find hills. Example: Chillicothe OH (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chillicothe+oh&sll=39.480726,-83.086853&sspn=1.064194,1.84845&ie=UTF8&ll=39.582407,-82.75589&spn=0.53132,0.924225&t=p&z=10). Zoom in all the way when you find a good location. Each contour line is 40 feet of elevation, and there are darker lines every 200 feet. In Ohio, you'll either have steep hills or long climbs, but not both at once.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I moved here from the foothills of Northern CA. Ironically, I never rode when I lived there.

Head down into Athens and Meigs counties, plenty of climbing and nice scenery.
http://www.athensbicycleclub.org/

You might find this useful as well.
http://www.ohiocycling.info/obec.html

How hilly is the olentangy trail? I haven't went on it buy looked at some of the maps online. I'm thinking you could come up the alum creek trail then across the westerville area and down the olentangy, the only place without bike trails is lewis center in between.

but yes, if you want real hills go down across the river and into a state that actually has them.

I was in Loudonville today to ride Mohican and it seemed pretty intense.

How hilly is the olentangy trail? ...

Most sections of the Rails to Trails paths are not hilly at all. The North Columbus area you ask about is pretty flat in and of itself, too, I might add.

However, I still tend to think that Eastern Ohio is quite hilly, especially out towards Marietta -- or anywhere along the river, for that matter. Ohio is definitely not like Kansas.

last year's GOBA route in East-southeastern ohio had more hills than i thought that state could offer. you should be able to look up the route on www.goba.com

If you are up for a drive look at the Tour da Cure route in the Akron/Cleveland area there are a couple nice ones that were part of the 100k last year. Boston Mills was a beast to a lot of riders. There are quite a few nice climbs from US 33 to Old Man's Cave and from US 33 to Cantrell Cliffs wich should be about 35 min drive for ya.

If you are up for a drive look at the Tour da Cure route in the Akron/Cleveland area there are a couple nice ones that were part of the 100k last year. Boston Mills was a beast to a lot of riders.

To go along with what he said, and if you feel like driving:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/82611

6100 feet of climbing in the Cuyahoga Valley.

To go along with what he said, and if you feel like driving:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/82611

6100 feet of climbing in the Cuyahoga Valley.


That ride looks like the route from "Eric's Challenge" from last summer.

Having lived in Oh for about a decade, and remembering all the negative talk I heard about the place from others while I lived elsewhere, I find that the state is one of the best kept secrets in the USA. I think the bad rap comes from what people see while riding up I-75, an admittedly bleak trek. But, the rest of the state sort of ROCKS!

Just say'n. :)

That ride looks like the route from "Eric's Challenge" from last summer.

I'm on Spring Break this week, so that's on my to-do list before I get back to school :twitchy:

the 'death ride' i believe its been coined. i think it orginated with the cleveland touring club. I will be doing it this summer with my team as a middle of the season wake those legs up type ride

That ride looks like the route from "Eric's Challenge" from last summer.

It's the Cleveland Touring Club's "Death Ride" route. Having ridden all of those roads, I have a hard time believing that total ascent is over 6000'. If so great. I may ride the route and see what my Garmin says next time I'm in Ohio.

like newaday suggested, try Athens and Hocking Hills. 45 minutes to 1 hour drive for really awesome scenery. finding out about hocking hills is what changed my mind about ohio. and now I explore more!

Olentangy trail is the flattest trail you can find around here. But there are a lot of others that you should search for. There is an effort to turn old railroads into trails. I rode the one in Mt. Vernon and it was quite pleasant. not hilly, but pleasant and peaceful (which is not what olentangy is on the weekends)

I believe the one you're referring to in Mt. Vernon is the Kokosing Gap Trail. It is a pleasant, flat, rail-trail.

Road cycling in the Mt. Vernon-Gambier area is pretty nice. Lots of rolling hills. Also, most of the dogs are too lazy to chase you. :thumb:

I live in N. Columbus. I used to drive to Canal Winchester and head out to Fairfield County toward Sugar Grove. You'll find some steep stuff down and around Lancaster. Coming out of Rising Park in Lancaster, you have a nice climb up Stringtown Rd. And if your tough enough. Try Chicken Coop Rd north of Sugar Grove. One of the steepest roads in the state. In the fall they have the Columbus Fall Challenge. Sponsored by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits. Lancaster to Marietta. 210 miles across some of the toughest terrain in the East.

I'm new in town and somewhat new to cycling. I live just outside of the SE corner of HWY 270 and have been doing a lot of riding on the empty country roads. I found one stretch of about 3-4 miles with some decent hills but I'm hungry for longer and steeper ascents. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Steeper is not a problem. Longer IS a problem. Try doing the route of the Top of Ohio Century to Bellefontaine. A lot of good climbs around West Liberty also. Climb the road to the top of the Ski hill out side West Liberty. We train for the hilly hundred in this area quite a lot.

Steeper is not a problem. Longer IS a problem. Try doing the route of the Top of Ohio Century to Bellefontaine. A lot of good climbs around West Liberty also. Climb the road to the top of the Ski hill out side West Liberty. We train for the hilly hundred in this area quite a lot.
So what road exactly are you talking about ? You go down to SE Ohio and you'll find that steeper IS a problem. You might be walking up some of those roads. Champaign County is tough, but I doubt that it compares to anything that Morgan or Washington County has to offer. Do CFC and see if it compares, I doubt it. CFC is the toughest ride in the state. The Top of Ohio is a training ride for CFC. I was out in Montana, and those boys were teasing me about riding in Ohio. I'll tell you what. Those logging roads in Montana were'nt nothing compared to the stuff we have here in Ohio.

I think ftsoft means that steeper hills are a plenty in Oh, but longer ones are not available. At least, that was how I understood it.

Head up toward Mansfield around Butler and then up old state rt 13. Head toward Malabar farm that's pretty hill. Rt. 603 from Mifflin township to Loudonville will get your heart pumping and then on into Amish country around Shreve and Glenmont. Lots of hills in S.E. Ohio ya just gotta get out of the flatlands around Columbus

Since we're talking NE of Columbus, any of the hills around Minerva are pretty challenging.

I live in Fairfield county and bike a bit around, Lancaster, Carroll, Asheville, Lithopolis, etc...

Zanesville to Wheeling is serious hill country as well.

Note: Hill country does not equal Mountains

I think ftsoft means that steeper hills are a plenty in Oh, but longer ones are not available. At least, that was how I understood it.

Yes. Sorry for the confusion. There are plenty of steep hills, just not much in the way of long hills.

Yes. Sorry for the confusion. There are plenty of steep hills, just not much in the way of long hills.

Good golly how long a hill is the OP looking for?

Good golly how long a hill is the OP looking for?

That's good.

I have a hill on my commute. It is not too steep being on the MUP, but it stretches from Xenia all the way up to YS, that is about 7-8 miles long. IMO, that is a pretty darned LONG hill.

I went to Kenyon College (Gambier, OH in Knox County, near Mount Vernon) It's beautiful countryside and there are some nice rolling hills, some steeper climbs, and lots of empty back roads in that area. It would be about an hour's drive for you.

+1 on the area around Laudonville and Mohican state park, it's a bit North of the area I was talking about.

I grew up in Richland county and I can tell ya there are lots of long hills there. Start in Loudonville and ride to Lucas or to Hayesville. Anywhere around Butler will get yer heart pumping

I'm new in town and somewhat new to cycling. I live just outside of the SE corner of HWY 270 and have been doing a lot of riding on the empty country roads. I found one stretch of about 3-4 miles with some decent hills but I'm hungry for longer and steeper ascents. Any suggestions? Thanks.

read this thread, especially post #4 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=523597

How hilly is the olentangy trail? I haven't went on it buy looked at some of the maps online. I'm thinking you could come up the alum creek trail then across the westerville area and down the olentangy, the only place without bike trails is lewis center in between.

but yes, if you want real hills go down across the river and into a state that actually has them.

The Olentangy trail itself is pretty flat. If you want some decent climbing, head east or west from the trail (out of the Olentangy river valley)

Since we're talking NE of Columbus, any of the hills around Minerva are pretty challenging.
Where is Minerva ?

Minerva is east of Canton off of Hwy 30

I went to Kenyon College (Gambier, OH in Knox County, near Mount Vernon)

My youngest daughter graduated from Kenyon last year. Her boyfriend still goes there. On a recent visit, she bought me Kenyon cycling club team kit. White with purple polka dots, school logo, etc. Should be quite visible on the road. :eek: If you call book store, you should be able to order if you want. The bib shorts run small, and the top runs bigger and long. I got large shorts and top and I'm 6'1", 163 lbs. I could have used a Med. top.

It's made by Louis Garneau. I just picked up matching LG white gloves and some white, aero shoe covers. My wife like me to be visible on the road, so I try to comply. :thumb:

Check out central Ohio's major bike club, Columbus Outdoor Pursuits (http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/bicycling.php). Starting April 4th are the traditional spring rides (http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/downloads/newsletters/0536679001234354404.pdf) for getting ready for TOSRV. They include some pretty scenic rides that explore the following cardinal points around Columbus: NE - Woodstock, S - Spot, N - Mid Ohio Century, NW - Top of Ohio (very pretty ride out to Bellefontaine). There are also regular weekly rides with a few hills on Sundays out of Canal Winchester and Gahanna.

And although it doesn't have hills you should look into participating in the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) on May 9-10. It's the granddaddy of all bike tours with about 3,000 riders.

Late in the summer and fall are hillier rides like the Heart of Ohio Tour (featuring Chicken Coop), Covered Bridge Century, Tour of Hocking Hills (nearly all hills), Knox Challenge (100 miles of nothing but hills, you may be tempted to limp the final 10 back on the Kokosing Gap Trail), and the ultimate hilly ride, the Columbus Fall Challenge featuring every steep hill that can be found between here and Marietta, of which there are many.

It's a well organized club and a good way to get acquainted with the central Ohio area.

Check out central Ohio's major bike club, Columbus Outdoor Pursuits (http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/bicycling.php). Starting April 4th are the traditional spring rides (http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/downloads/newsletters/0536679001234354404.pdf) for getting ready for TOSRV. .

We don't need to start training for TOSRV until early April? That's next week!:eek:

How's your training coming along Michael? I've been getting out for longish rides now and then but not nearly what I had hoped for. We shall see!

Colleen

We've been doing 50 mile rides on weekends this March and although cold they weren't too bad. The traditional spring COP training rides with liberal doses of rain, wind and cold are where we mentally get ourselves ready for TOSRV.

We've been doing 50 mile rides on weekends this March and although cold they weren't too bad. The traditional spring COP training rides with liberal doses of rain, wind and cold are where we mentally get ourselves ready for TOSRV.

How do I get involved with COP? I came across the website a few weeks ago and emailed the person "in charge" of the ride that leaves from Canal Winchester on Sunday mornings. I didn't get a reply. Can I just show up for the ride? I've only done solo rides so far.

That's good.

I have a hill on my commute. It is not too steep being on the MUP, but it stretches from Xenia all the way up to YS, that is about 7-8 miles long. IMO, that is a pretty darned LONG hill.

I'm familiar with your hill, north of Old Town Reserve to Yellow Springs. I live near Springfield. That is just a beautiful area, especially heading toward Xenia, downhill.

have you tried the area around Wilmington, OH? It's south of the glacial moraine and has some pretty nice hills. Also down in the Wayne State forest you'll get some pretty good hills.

I'm familiar with your hill, north of Old Town Reserve to Yellow Springs. I live near Springfield. That is just a beautiful area, especially heading toward Xenia, downhill.

Yeah, it is a beautiful stretch. I am really amazed that I can ride along something like that everyday. I sort of see it as a gift from the gods.

BTW: that whole trail is simply amazing. I try running the entire 140 mile R/t a few times per year. The scenery gets prettier and prettier the further south you go. It sort of sucks you in.

Not so much fun coming home, especially not with that hill greeting you during that last 10 miles.

Yeah, our daughter lives In Springboro, so I ride down to Corwin, often, to visit her family. My wife meets me in Corwin, with the car, for the return trip. I'm planning to see the entire trail one of these years before I'm too old to do it.

Yeah, our daughter lives In Springboro, so I ride down to Corwin, often, to visit her family. My wife meets me in Corwin, with the car, for the return trip. I'm planning to see the entire trail one of these years before I'm too old to do it.

May I suggest, taking the car to Corwin and then riding South from there, maybe while the wife visits w/ the daughter or something. From Corwin, the trail follows along the river. The first time I rode this stretch, I could hardly believe I was still in Ohio. It is simply awesome!

May I suggest, taking the car to Corwin and then riding South from there, maybe while the wife visits w/ the daughter or something. From Corwin, the trail follows along the river. The first time I rode this stretch, I could hardly believe I was still in Ohio. It is simply awesome!

I should add, in the spirit of this thread, the stretch of trail from Morrow -- but really starting at about Corwin -- south to beyond Milford is surrounded by hills. Dozens of miles of trail are laid terrace-like along the ridges. The ride is like following the path of a gently winding rollercoaster.