Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Canal Fulton - Stoutdog - Historian Ohio Bicycle Adventure

Stoutdog couldn't make my first ride on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, so it was a solo trip. And the ride set the tone of the rest of my vacation - warm, sunny weather, good trail conditions, and something to see every mile.

I started south of Akron, near Vanderhoof Road, and was struck by how beautiful the towpath trail was:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281340_2106355830953_1607271639_2053752_7292731_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284980_2106365071184_1607271639_2053776_3259425_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283220_2106367231238_1607271639_2053780_3164682_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284632_2106363231138_1607271639_2053769_4963875_n.jpg

I passed through the historic town of Clinton, where I purchased fluid and took photos:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/281911_2106373671399_1607271639_2053807_2162789_n.jpg

Then down the gravel path to Canal Fulton. I rushed to make the last ride of the day for the canal boat, and just made it. The visitors center held my bike for me while I spent an hour going up and down the canal:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283192_2106428432768_1607271639_2053910_714429_n.jpg

Dan and Prince, our 'motor':

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283494_2106428192762_1607271639_2053909_3248739_n.jpg

The towpath surface became rougher as I went on. The rains this spring caused some washouts, and the trail surface had a messy 'patch' job. After riding further down the towpath I crossed the river and road and took a parallel trail into Crystal Springs hoping for better conditions:

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I crossed the river back to the towpath on the High Bridge in Crystal Springs. This historic span is closed to motor vehicles. A week later I'd be floating a canoe under it.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285315_2106445633198_1607271639_2053966_1360148_n.jpg

I stopped at seventeen miles and more than 100 photos for the day, at Bridgeport Quarry trailhead.

Very pretty. For some reason I always had the impression that Ohio was just more great plains. It looks like I was wrong.

Very pretty. For some reason I always had the impression that Ohio was just more great plains. It looks like I was wrong.

So was I. I found out the name "Akron" derives from the Greek word meaning "high place." When they built the canal through Akron they had to put in 15 locks in about a mile and a half, so great was the elevation change.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260049_2062769621325_1607271639_1994066_2636157_n.jpg

Very pretty. For some reason I always had the impression that Ohio was just more great plains. It looks like I was wrong.
North East Ohio is definitely not great plains. Far from it. Most green and rolling hills. Western Ohio flattens out but I still wouldn't consider it "Plains".

Sweet pics, looks like a nice ride.