Fifty Plus (50+) - Planning a "Trail Sampler" Trip in about April?? Ideas and suggestions requested.

Ground rules:

1. Wife is 73, I am 71. She rides up to about 20 miles per day, maybe 25-30 on a relatively flat surface.

2. We will NOT be doing camping, nor credit card touring - unless - we had someone driving the car along with us, then it might be a possibility. However, I have no one interested in doing that.

3. Our current plan is to go to a town on an interesting trail, stay at a motel and ride out and back in one direction 10 miles or so and back, and then, perhaps the next day or whatever, 10 miles out and back the other direction if it is a worth while ride. Then drive on to another location on a trail. So, all you "gung ho" riders with hundreds of miles in your mind - this is not what we want to do.

We are thinking of leaving Colorado in April (is that a good time - we enjoy cool weather bicycling - 55F - 65F is great for us) and heading east, sampling trails as we go. Some trails that come to mind - Katy, Cuyahoga, Allegheny - but I am sure there are a LOT more along the way. Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, eastern PA, etc.?????????????????????

We think we would enjoy bicycling along a river, canal, etc.

Like to avoid loose dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be riding a Spec Rock Hopper, she a Trek Hybrid.

Probably be gone several weeks or so????????????

So, all you great 50+'rs -

Any suggestions?

What other sights along the way that we shouldn't miss?

I'd say minn. or wi, however, those are bad times as far as the weather goes.

Since I live west of you, that is my suggestion for that time of year. In the Boulder City, Henderson, NV area you can find affordable casino/hotels like the Railroad Pass or Fiesta Henderson. The River Mountain Loop at Lake Mead is very popular. There is also a nice trail systems through the Henderson wetlands. From there you can head further west for riding @ Death Valley. April is when you would want to ride there. You can access California, if a westerly trip sounds good.

Tunnel Hill Trail in Southern Illinois. Beautiful. If you start in Vienna Ill you would be likely to have two nice days. The trail is an abandoned rail trail.. Hard packed earth when I rode a stretch of it last June, after a very rainy spring.

Ohio has a great system of rails-to-trails, pretty much all over the state. The nicest is probably the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which runs from Cincinnati to Xenia and over to Dayton and up to Yellow Springs if you can produce a voter registration card to prove you're a Democrat (Yellow Springs is the most in-your-face leftist town I've ever been in) . The state of Ohio will even send you one free map of the complex if you ask for it. Also, someone has catelogued the entire route on the Interwebs. All rails-to-trails are by definition pretty easy going.

The Great Allegheny Passage:

- stay at West Newton, ride from there north and south
- stay at Confluence, ride north to Ohiopyle and south to the two Pinkerton Bridges
- stay at Rockwood, ride north to the two Pinkerton bridges and south 11 miles to Meyersdale.
- stay at Meyersdale, ride north to the Eastern Continental Divide and south to Rockwood.

Pine Creek Rail Trail:
- stay in Wellsboro area, ride from Ansonia 17 miles through PA's 'Grand Canyon' and get picked up by a shuttle service. Ride ten miles north from Ansonia to Wellsboro Junction, and have lunch at the farmers' market.

Ohio has a great system of rails-to-trails, pretty much all over the state. The nicest is probably the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which runs from Cincinnati to Xenia and over to Dayton and up to Yellow Springs if you can produce a voter registration card to prove you're a Democrat (Yellow Springs is the most in-your-face leftist town I've ever been in) . The state of Ohio will even send you one free map of the complex if you ask for it. Also, someone has catelogued the entire route on the Interwebs. All rails-to-trails are by definition pretty easy going.

Thanks

Yes, we have one of thse cards. You need one around here to enter the Boulder City Limits :)

Thanks

Yes, we have one of thse cards. You need one around here to enter the Boulder City Limits :)

I guess I shouldn't wear my Gadsden Flag jersey when I visit?

Ohio has a great system of rails-to-trails, pretty much all over the state. The nicest is probably the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which runs from Cincinnati to Xenia and over to Dayton and up to Yellow Springs if you can produce a voter registration card to prove you're a Democrat (Yellow Springs is the most in-your-face leftist town I've ever been in) . The state of Ohio will even send you one free map of the complex if you ask for it. Also, someone has catelogued the entire route on the Interwebs. All rails-to-trails are by definition pretty easy going.
Doesn't Xenia bill itself as the bicycle capital of the world or something like that? I passed by there a while back and I seem to remember seeing a sign to that effect.
Edit: Ok, I just looked it up. I guess it's the midwest they claim to be the bicycle capital of, not the world.

Sounds like fun Denver! Here is a link to the top 100 trails from the Rails-to-Trails website, you may find something good here.

http://www.traillink.com/top/trails.aspx

I'll second The Weakest Link's recommendation for the Little Miami Scenic Trail; my wife and I do most of our riding on the southern end of the trail (I don't know about Yellow Springs, we've never gone that far north!). It's a railtrail, so there aren't any huge hills to climb. This link (http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/miami.htm) will let you check out various segments of the trail; each section's page has pictures taken along the trail along with lists of facilities available (parking, water, restrooms, restaurants, etc.). If you're going through Morrow, I can wholeheartedly recommend Miranda's Ice Cream - but you'll probably only want a single-dip code; the double dip was huge!

Another suggestion I'd make (I haven't tried it yet, but I want to!) would be to try riding the Cade's Cove loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They close the loop to cars from sun up until 10:00AM from mid-May to late September. It's an 11 mile loop, but it's got some steep stretches, some with signs instructing bike riders to walk their bikes along them. Link: http://www.yoursmokies.com/smokiesbiking.html
- Bob

Post a complete description of your trip when you get back (or during if you bring a laptop). My wife and I would like to do something similar. We would go with ~ 40 miles for a typical day rather than the 80+ a lot of people like. We did that on the Withlacoochee Trail (http://www.trailsfromrails.com/withlacoochee_trail.htm)in Florida, staying in Inverness and riding out and back -- it was a nice trail. Also did it on the Farmington Canal Greenway (http://www.fvgreenway.org/) in CT staying at Linden House (http://www.lindenhousebb.com/) a very nice B&B. An option I would look for (based on the GAP thread going here) is the occasional shuttle service so you can ride one way on a trail back to your car. Tying a shuttle trip in with an overnight in a town on the way (light CC touring) would be a nice addition.

C & O Canal that ends in DC has a nice tow-path MUP. Ends in Cumberland, Maryland. http://bikewashington.org/canal/

I couldn't tell if you want road or mountain biking... if road I would suggest Fredericksberg TX and do roads around the town in the Hill Country. Miles and miles of lovely almost car free trails and you can stay put in town. There are lovely motels, not pricey and great places to eat.

The other place I suggest is Moab Utah. The town is great to stay in and you can ride in either direction along the Colorado River (the road is just 4 - 5 miles out of town but you can drive out and start there). Scenary is spectacular.

Of course all these trails are West as I figure April - east side is still cold especially in the states mentioned. If you want warmer weather in April I suggest driving out west. But jealous - wish I can take the time off to do several weeks anywhere!!!

I couldn't tell if you want road or mountain biking... if road I would suggest Fredericksberg TX and do roads around the town in the Hill Country. Miles and miles of lovely almost car free trails and you can stay put in town. There are lovely motels, not pricey and great places to eat.

The other place I suggest is Moab Utah. The town is great to stay in and you can ride in either direction along the Colorado River (the road is just 4 - 5 miles out of town but you can drive out and start there). Scenary is spectacular.

Of course all these trails are West as I figure April - east side is still cold especially in the states mentioned. If you want warmer weather in April I suggest driving out west. But jealous - wish I can take the time off to do several weeks anywhere!!!

SPECIFICALLY TRAILS - That's why the title is "Trail sampler" - but thanks. We don't mind a bit cold - in fact we prefer that!! No on-road biking - no real mtn biking. We think bicycling at 55 - 65F is great.

You could try the Greenbrier Trail in WVa and then maybe the New River Trail. Also the Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus Va is a good one.

Go to Hermann, Missouri, ride up and down the Katy trail.

Didn't Tom Bombadil do that 18 months ago or so? You might find his thread on that if you search.

Hermann is a nice old brick town settled by German immigrants; lots of local wineries, restaurants, etc. Right on the Katy trail.

http://www.hermannmo.com/

Biking in Hermann:

http://www.visithermann.com/plan-your-visit/biking.php


If you're headed east from Denver on I70 toward Katy, you could also spend a night in Lawrence, Kansas, a very nice university town. There is an interesting trail system along the Kansas river, just on the edge of downtown.

Stop in Kansas City on your way east and tour the Steamshop Arabia museum (all the stuff that was buried when an 1850's steamship sank on the Missouri river):

http://www.1856.com/

...and the National World War I museum at the Liberty Memorial, overlooking downtown Kansas City. One of the best WWI museums in the world.

Grab some Arthur Bryant's barbecue on your way out of town.

C & O Canal that ends in DC has a nice tow-path MUP. Ends in Cumberland, Maryland. http://bikewashington.org/canal/

+1 on the DC area trails. You could spend a few days in the Nation's Capitol and ride portions of the C&O towpath, the Mt Vernon Trail, the W&OD rail trail, or the Capitol Crescent Trail (CCT). Come during the spring for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Lots of riding to chose from that is paved MUP (dirt/gravel on the C&O) and tons of stuff to do when you are not on the bikes.

Thanks SO MUCH for all the great ideas so far.

We are definitely going east, having explored places like the Las Vegas Red Rock Canyon trail previously and being from CA and doing the coastal trails in San Diego County, etc. Leaving about April 15 or so.

Likely we won't get as far as DC or the east coast. We have spent a fair amount of time in DC, and have walked some of the trails within the city (Rock Creek) and the canals in MD and VA. Would love to do those more, but not this trip, I would guess.

We want a typical rail trail - no steep hills - good surface, no cars.

It looks like one of our first stops may be this trail in Kansas - the prairie spirit rail trail:

KS
http://www.traillink.com/trail/prairie-spirit-rail-trail.aspx (http://www.traillink.com/trail/prairie-spirit-rail-trail.aspx)

Anyone been there?

It looks like one of our first stops may be this trail in Kansas - the prairie spirit rail trail:

Anyone been there?

I know the area, and a bit about Ottawa, but have not been on the trail. Remember that in Kansas the prevailing winds will be from the south -- since this trail runs north/south, plan on starting at the north end and riding south first thing in the morning. When the wind picks up it will blow you back home. When I lived in Kansas I always planned a 3 to 1 ratio for rides in the wind -- for every 3 hours riding south, I could retrace my steps home in an hour.

If I were driving east from Denver I'd stay in Lawrence (25 or 30 miles to the north) for the night, then drive down to Ottawa for the trail.

I know the area, and a bit about Ottawa, but have not been on the trail. Remember that in Kansas the prevailing winds will be from the south -- since this trail runs north/south, plan on starting at the north end and riding south first thing in the morning. When the wind picks up it will blow you back home. When I lived in Kansas I always planned a 3 to 1 ratio for rides in the wind -- for every 3 hours riding south, I could retrace my steps home in an hour.

If I were driving east from Denver I'd stay in Lawrence (25 or 30 miles to the north) for the night, then drive down to Ottawa for the trail.

I found several seemingly decent hotels in Ottawa - i.e., Best Western, Comfort Inn. I was thinking of driving to Garnett and starting the trail there. Is Ottawa a bad place to stay?

Is Ottawa a bad place to stay?

No, nothing wrong w/Ottawa at all. Nice older / small town. It's just that I am a big fan of Lawrence. Sort of like Boulder, Co., on the plains, maybe a little less dope smoking in public.

And a better football team, for once!

SPECIFICALLY TRAILS - That's why the title is "Trail sampler" - but thanks. We don't mind a bit cold - in fact we prefer that!! No on-road biking - no real mtn biking. We think bicycling at 55 - 65F is great.

I think 55 - 65 F is going to be very warm for the places you are considering... not an expert but most of the midwest east coast can still be in the 20 - 40 during spring.

But it has been a crazy weather pattern lately - you might get early summer temps in April...

I think 55 - 65 F is going to be very warm for the places you are considering... not an expert but most of the midwest east coast can still be in the 20 - 40 during spring.

But it has been a crazy weather pattern lately - you might get early summer temps in April...

http://countrystudies.us/united-states/weather/kansas/ottawa.htm

Ottawa KS - possible first stop - shows Apr average of 68F high and 44F low with a mean of 57F. That would be great.

Dunno if you saw this thread or not. Beverly, rtool, and friend John drove up to my area to ride the Ohio-Erie Canal towpath through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with me in October.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?691730-A-ride-on-the-Cuyahoga-Valley-towpath-for-some-50-ers

Anyone know 3 or 4 entry points on the Katy Trail where one would find interesting - i.e., riverside or similar - riding?

Ohio has a great system of rails-to-trails, pretty much all over the state. The nicest is probably the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which runs from Cincinnati to Xenia and over to Dayton and up to Yellow Springs if you can produce a voter registration card to prove you're a Democrat (Yellow Springs is the most in-your-face leftist town I've ever been in) . The state of Ohio will even send you one free map of the complex if you ask for it. Also, someone has catelogued the entire route on the Interwebs. All rails-to-trails are by definition pretty easy going.


Doesn't Xenia bill itself as the bicycle capital of the world or something like that? I passed by there a while back and I seem to remember seeing a sign to that effect.
Edit: Ok, I just looked it up. I guess it's the midwest they claim to be the bicycle capital of, not the world.

Xenia would be a great place to stay and ride out of each day. You can go in several directions on trails starting in Xenia.

When you're finished with riding in the Xenia area just drive 15 miles east to Dayton where you can pick up several more trails. Send me your address and I'll send you a map of all the trails in our area.....but you have to promise to contact me if you ride in the area:)

Beverly - sent PM and email

in Ottawa

If you're going as far as Ottawa, on your way there or the way back, be sure to drop by and visit your old pals, tsl and cranky here in R-Town. The Erie Canalway Trail (http://www.ptny.org/canalway/index.shtml) is paved here, and intersects with the Genesee Riverway (http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589936619) trail which heads smack into the heart of downtown (and the world famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/rochesterIndex.php), a great lunch stop).

EDIT: Whoops! Wrong Ottawa. Who knew there was one in KS? The real one, in Ontario and capital of Canada, you'd be just about the right time for the Tulip Festival.

Okay, if you're heading to Ohio or PA, Upstate NY isn't that far away...

If you're going as far as Ottawa, on your way there or the way back, be sure to drop by and visit your old pals, tsl and cranky here in R-Town. The Erie Canalway Trail (http://www.ptny.org/canalway/index.shtml) is paved here, and intersects with the Genesee Riverway (http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589936619) trail which heads smack into the heart of downtown (and the world famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/rochesterIndex.php), a great lunch stop).

That would be Ottawa KANSAS!! But thanks.

...

It looks like one of our first stops may be this trail in Kansas - the prairie spirit rail trail:

KS
http://www.traillink.com/trail/prairie-spirit-rail-trail.aspx (http://www.traillink.com/trail/prairie-spirit-rail-trail.aspx)

Anyone been there?
I was down that way in April and saw that trail but did not ride on it. I goes about 50 miles south from Ottawa and looks like nice country. Mostly pretty smallish towns along the way so fine French dining may be hard to find! There's fine BBQ nearby in Kansas City though (Oklahoma Joes :thumb: ). If it was me, I would give it a shot. Also I HAVE ridden the Tunnel Hill Trail in S. Illinois recently and it is pretty nice. Stay in Harrisburg on one end and ride to the tunnel, then stay in Vienna (that's VYENNA by the way) the next night and ride to the tunnel.

If you are near the Atlanta area you should try the paved Silver Comet Trail, especially from Rockmount east toward Atlanta. Don't go west out of Rockmount though... too steep. The SCT is maintained nearly like a golf course!

Anyone know 3 or 4 entry points on the Katy Trail where one would find interesting - i.e., riverside or similar - riding?
booneville
rocheport the bluffs to east are wonderful
columbia (there is a 8 mile spur to katy)
jeff city
hermann wine area

st charles historic town (I just heard a new trail extension east has just been completed)

The Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills .

109 mile rail trail.

April in southern Ohio (near the Little Miami Bike Trail) is still early springtime. Temperatures can be in the 30s to the 70s. Last year, my April rides were mostly in the 50-70 temperature range.

April 5, 2009 SW Ohio's Stonelick Creek valley:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wc7ef8CMbxA/Sz_BmsvQFWI/AAAAAAAAC7M/BH4UK4QPcEw/s720/IMG_6770.JPG

April 26, 2008 along the Ohio River (Route 8 KY):

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wc7ef8CMbxA/SBUuhYlxqUI/AAAAAAAAAio/oPABzft33ys/s1280/IMG_4790.jpg