Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Canoe and Bike - Stoutdog - Historian Ohio Bicycle Adventure

On my trip to Ohio I finally did something I've wanted to do for years. I paddled a canoe. Unfortunately Stoutdog was busy that day and couldn't come out and play, so I went solo six miles down the Tuscarawas River north of Massillon. My arms felt spent the next day, but it was worth it.

The Tuscarawa is a mild river, about 4 feet deep this time of year. Still, I was so nervous I was wearing the PFD in the van taking me to the put in spot. After five minutes instruction from the driver, I was afloat. Here I'm approaching the pedestrian and bike bridge in Crystal Springs.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/269416_2099423497649_1607271639_2041389_2042671_n.jpg

Approaching one of the few trouble spots I had. I was so intent on navigating the ripples ahead I missed the overhanging tree. I lost my baseball cap. Oh well. A small price to pay.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268924_2099425377696_1607271639_2041395_3067792_n.jpg

The put in, at Ernie's Bike Shop and Canoe Rental.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270199_2099429457798_1607271639_2041403_6757208_n.jpg

After I rode the canal towpath trail for about ten miles or so. Here's the nice part, before the mess that is Massillon.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285435_2099429897809_1607271639_2041405_4313044_n.jpg

Here's where the trail deteriorates to detours, broken glass, and youths throwing firecrackers on the path. Turn around and head back north!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268101_2099432737880_1607271639_2041409_3017804_n.jpg

The connecting Sippo Valley Trail. The bridge was burnt down by arsonists a few years ago and never fixed. I decided one set of detours was enough and returned to finding the towpath.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283038_2099433097889_1607271639_2041410_4900978_n.jpg

My ride ended at a small trail park south of Messillon, err, Massillon. The highlight is a sculpture of Ohio native and American hero John Glenn.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283833_2099437658003_1607271639_2041422_1455676_n.jpg

great pictures Neil, looks like you had a great time.

great pictures Neil, looks like you had a great time.

Thanks. Aside from losing my Bass Pro Shop hat and the mess in Massillon, it was a fun day. Also, I've found a new outdoor activity I can pursue. I grew up isolated and sedentary, so while canoeing might not be much of an adventure to most of you, it is for me. May God allow me to have many more such ''adventures.'' Every one is a victory, regardless of how it turns out.

Great trip!

My husband and I bought a canoe earlier this month and have had a great time paddling it. Don't feel bad about the life vest. We both wear one as well as our three dogs that go with us.

awesome! canoeing and kayaking are a couple of my favorite things and (i think) a nice upper body complement to bike riding. I just love being so close to the water!

Looks like a blast, you needed a fishing pole on that canoe trip.

Looks like a blast, you needed a fishing pole on that canoe trip.

I've not been fishing since I was a little boy. Any time a Clyde or Athena wants to invite me to go fishing, I'm game.

Bautieri suggested to me I need to combine a canoe trip with camping. I need to find a way to do this. It sounds like a great time.

If you liked the canoe, you may also want try a kayak. They are more manuverable in the water and when portaging. I prefer the double bladed kayak paddles even in a canoe. The shorter recreational models are much easier to store and transport. Canoes are better if like like to take everything including the kitchen sink with you when camping. If you can camp of a bike, you can camp out of a kayak, the toughest thing is carrying enough drinking water down here in Tejas. I've done a couple trips since I got my kayaks (just cheapies from Academy)this year. A week after I got the first one, I did a three day paddle from Austin to Bastrop to find out if I liked it or not. I'm hooked. The difficult part is setting up shuttles if you're paddling solo, but on slow water you can always paddle upstream to camp, then downstream to finish the trip. Sorry for the thread hijack.

If you liked the canoe, you may also want try a kayak. They are more manuverable in the water and when portaging. I prefer the double bladed kayak paddles even in a canoe. The shorter recreational models are much easier to store and transport. Canoes are better if like like to take everything including the kitchen sink with you when camping. If you can camp of a bike, you can camp out of a kayak, the toughest thing is carrying enough drinking water down here in Tejas. I've done a couple trips since I got my kayaks (just cheapies from Academy)this year. A week after I got the first one, I did a three day paddle from Austin to Bastrop to find out if I liked it or not. I'm hooked. The difficult part is setting up shuttles if you're paddling solo, but on slow water you can always paddle upstream to camp, then downstream to finish the trip. Sorry for the thread hijack.

It's not. It's on topic. I'd like to try a kayak. But I'm told they are easier to 'flip' than a canoe.

You are closer to the water, so more stable than a canoe technically. It depends on the model though, most recreational boats are stable enough to stand up in. Check your area sporting goods stores and boat shops for demo days. Or do what I did and get the cheapest boat you can find and jump in, just mind the manufacturers weight ratings. If you can stay below 2/3 of what they are rated to carry it is best.

Hey, your in my neck of the woods. canal Fulton, Right?
& I agree, Massilon sucks, but keep heading south...once your past there it's real nice.
http://www.traillink.com/city/orrville-oh-trails.aspx

getting into a kayak can be a little hairier than getting into a canoe, but once you're in it, you never really feel like you're going to flip

Bautieri suggested to me I need to combine a canoe trip with camping. I need to find a way to do this. It sounds like a great time.

Here's one way:

http://forevergreennj.com/C/Scenic_Routes/15/U/Adams_Canoe_Rental/42.aspx

It's only an overnighter, but it would be a good way to try it out.

Hey, your in my neck of the woods. canal Fulton, Right?
& I agree, Massilon sucks, but keep heading south...once your past there it's real nice.
http://www.traillink.com/city/orrville-oh-trails.aspx

I was in Canal Fulton. I'm back in PA now. :-(

I'm considering getting into kayaking next year after I get my house.

Actually I'd love to hook up a recumbent style drivetrain to a propeller on a kayak... heh heh heh

I'm considering getting into kayaking next year after I get my house.

Actually I'd love to hook up a recumbent style drivetrain to a propeller on a kayak... heh heh heh

I want a kayak for the upper-body workout. Pedaling it would eliminate that aspect.

Looks like a great time Neil! I agree, every adventure is a victory...

I used to paddle sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks in Hawaii. Have wanted one of my own ever since. I keep looking at used canoes and kayaks though. Maybe by next summer I'll get something.

I grew up in a canoe in northern Minnesota. We even rigged our canoe to sail. I had many enjoyable overnight canoe trips with family in the boundary waters area of northern Minnesota and Ontario but it has been years since I"ve done an overnighter. I currently carry an inflatable kayak in the motorhome for tooling around streams and small lakes.

My uncle lived in Minneapolis, which has lots of biking and canoeing options. He used to throw his bike into his canoe, ride through a number of lakes and rivers, leave the canoe when he was done and bike back to his car. It always sounded like fun but I've never done it.

I kayaked for the first time a couple of weeks ago, on my birthday. It's a wonderful feeling, so calm and quiet -- and very efficient. I was surprised at how much ground -- er, water -- I could cover without working hard at it at all.

As far as stability -- I felt rock-solid and comfortable, never close to tipping. But my dad capsized twice! If you have no sense of balance to speak of, that is a hazard.