Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - The Historian's 2010 Summer Tour

Starting the first weekend in August. Here's a preliminary sketch of the route, minus the first day (Montour Trail to Panhandle Trail to Weirton to East Liverpool.)

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/383531

The trip across Ohio will utilize the Old Lincoln Highway, breaking off near the Indiana border:

http://www.lincolnhighwayoh.com/preface.html

I expect to be across the Buckeye State in a week. My only concern is finding places to camp, since the budget doesn't extend to nightly hotels.

Comments, suggestions?

Wow! That looks like it will be one heck of an adventure. I predict many good stories, pictures and...headwinds.

I'm not envious at all. Nope. Not even a little bit. Not at all.

Starting the first weekend in August. Here's a preliminary sketch of the route, minus the first day (Montour Trail to Panhandle Trail to Weirton to East Liverpool.)

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/383531

The trip across Ohio will utilize the Old Lincoln Highway, breaking off near the Indiana border:

http://www.lincolnhighwayoh.com/preface.html

I expect to be across the Buckeye State in a week. My only concern is finding places to camp, since the budget doesn't extend to nightly hotels.

Comments, suggestions?

It looks like a lot of fun. I'm also trying to arrange a tour for this year. It'll be my first I have the right bike, now I need better bags, a tent, that sort of thing.

As far as suggestions, I assume you are considering "stealth camping".

Would you consider a companion for part of the tour? If the stars are aligned correctly, I may be able to plan to ride from Louisville to Lima or Van Wert, ride with you to Lafayette, then ride alone back to Louisville. It could be interesting.

It looks like a lot of fun. I'm also trying to arrange a tour for this year. It'll be my first I have the right bike, now I need better bags, a tent, that sort of thing.

As far as suggestions, I assume you are considering "stealth camping".

Would you consider a companion for part of the tour? If the stars are aligned correctly, I may be able to plan to ride from Louisville to Lima or Van Wert, ride with you to Lafayette, then ride alone back to Louisville. It could be interesting.

I'd be happy to have someone join me. Please, let's plan this out. Look for a PM tonight when I get back from work.

Peter C. said he'd ride with me for a little bit when I'm near Canton. Perhaps he can join us for the whole thing?

However, I'm not "stealth" camping unless there's NO other alternative. People, churches, and towns are often kind enough to allow you to camp somewhere if you ask them.

There are a couple of lesser expensive campgrounds near Bucyrus. Ive been to a couple of those. There's also one near wooster that is fairly no-frills and inexpensive.

You will be passing within a block of my house. I'd like to tag along for a couple hours. You can bypass a bike unfriendly section of Massillon (narrow lanes and drivers that think they are on the freeway) of Lincoln Way by taking the Sippo Valley Trail from Massillon to Dalton, Oh.

There are a couple of lesser expensive campgrounds near Bucyrus. Ive been to a couple of those. There's also one near wooster that is fairly no-frills and inexpensive.

Thanks. Peter C said I can camp at his place near Canton.

My plan is to reach the OH/IN border by seven or eight days after I start. I'll take a rest day - which should be Sunday - and then head off into Indiana on Monday. God willing, I should be at my destination by mid-week - it's only about 130 miles from the border.

What happens next is that Tom and I are headed to MI to meet Big Polish Jimmy. I'll let Tom plot that route. :-)

You will be passing within a block of my house. I'd like to tag along for a couple hours. You can bypass a bike unfriendly section of Massillon (narrow lanes and drivers that think they are on the freeway) of Lincoln Way by taking the Sippo Valley Trail from Massillon to Dalton, Oh.

Please, join me.

Any other trails I should consider in OH and IN?

Not to be over critical, but planning a trip of that magnitude, your campsites should be as important as the route,.

Not to be over critical, but planning a trip of that magnitude, your campsites should be as important as the route,.

Oh, the night stops are important. I have 8 months to figure them out. Also my daily mileage goals, etc.

Sounds like a great ride. Maybe when I grow up I could learn how to do this touring thing.

I've revised the route so it stays off of highways. :-)

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/383990

How about starting in loverly Champiagn Urbana? Many moons ago I was student and cyclist there. Nice ride between Urbana and Danville on the farm to market rodes.. through St. Joseph as I recall.

Thanks. Peter C said I can camp at his place near Canton.

My plan is to reach the OH/IN border by seven or eight days after I start. I'll take a rest day - which should be Sunday - and then head off into Indiana on Monday. God willing, I should be at my destination by mid-week - it's only about 130 miles from the border.

What happens next is that Tom and I are headed to MI to meet Big Polish Jimmy. I'll let Tom plot that route. :-)

Okay... I used to live in SW Michigan. What town does he live in? If the route goes through Niles, I may be able to ride there instead, and get a ride back home. I also have friends in Portage.

How about starting in loverly Champiagn Urbana? Many moons ago I was student and cyclist there. Nice ride between Urbana and Danville on the farm to market rodes.. through St. Joseph as I recall.

I'm sure it's nice. Perhaps another time.

I'm starting near Pittsburgh for three reasons:

1. "Spinnaker" will host me;

2. Pittsburgh is only a five hour drive from me;

and

3. Pittsburgh to points west meshes with Pittsburgh to DC and my trip through Delmarva last summer. When I finish the tour this summer I can say I've ridden my bike across a third of the US.

Sounds like a great trip! I've been using www.ridewithgps.com and have found it to be a significant improvement over bikely.

Okay... I used to live in SW Michigan. What town does he live in? If the route goes through Niles, I may be able to ride there instead, and get a ride back home. I also have friends in Portage.


dcrowell, I live near Lawton Michigan. I'm looking forward to this summer, should be a lot of fun.