General Cycling Discussion - routing suggestions Erie PA to Youngstown OH

So I'm planning a day trip from Erie, PA to Powder Mill Run in Youngstown, OH.

I'm good on the routing near Erie, but I'm not sure what roads to avoid / prefer the closer I get to Youngstown. Anyone from that area want to comment on the proposed biking directions from Google maps (https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=potomac+ave+erie+pa&daddr=41.58424,-80.53927+to:Powder+Mill+Run&hl=en&ll=41.621602,-80.507812&spn=1.658974,2.469177&sll=41.566142,-80.14801&sspn=1.6604,2.469177&geocode=FWVQggId8cc4-yl3JgmsGH8yiDE7ePxef9tQdg%3BFXCGegIdehEz-ylLmTundjQyiDG41fhNxPWC5w%3BFU7scwIdHcEx-w&t=h&dirflg=b&mra=ls&z=9&lci=bike&via=1)?

I've done my best to look at streetview, and I can't seem to find any roads that look better than others unless I really go and extra 16 miles to the 25 mile Western Reserve Greenway trail (https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=potomac+ave+erie+pa&daddr=Powder+Mill+Run&hl=en&ll=41.426253,-80.557251&spn=0.362456,1.234589&sll=41.621602,-80.507812&sspn=1.658974,2.469177&geocode=FWVQggId8cc4-yl3JgmsGH8yiDE7ePxef9tQdg%3BFU7scwIdHcEx-w&t=h&dirflg=b&mra=mrv&z=10&layer=c&cbll=41.230308,-80.802668&panoid=19_BOuvLnkWpRffb3sgDlA&cbp=11,163.26,,0,0).. and I haven't ever had good luck with trails. If it's a good trail, it might be worth it, depending on what routing options I have after I get off that.

I'll be riding a recumbent trike, so a narrow shoulder is as good as no shoulder unless it's a wide lane.

Not sure if this would go over better in touring or a local specific forum, so mods please move if there's a better place.

Your directions look pretty good to me. You will go right past my place in Avonia early on.
The ride thru the game lands and past Pymatuning should be really pretty.

That should be a good days ride.

Mods: Could you possible put Erie PA to Youngstown OH in the subject? I just realized that a lot of people my read this thread and waste their time.

Any other input?

Try the regional forum or get in touch with one of your local bicycle clubs.

I'm not sure of your confort level on highways with a trike. I'm a roadie and ride in W PA frequently in the Oil City, Franklin, Mercer area as well as multi day rides on Rt 6 and Rt 322. From Erie I would ride Rt 19 to Meadville, then take Rt 322 east into Ohio, via Rt 58, then go South on Rt 7 into the Youngston area. Its around 100 miles that would be easily doable in a day since there are no killer hills.

Looking at your map again it looks pretty trike friendly most of the way. Starting on the west side of Erie getting thru Erie on peach street (19) could be a nightmare. If you wanted to try a similar route (98) heading south has wider berms but also faster pace traffic to Meadville.

I like your country and wilderness lake route the only suggest I might make is taking Youngstown Conneaut road south out of Kinsman down to just before Hubbard cut across Chestnut ridge road (Hwy 12) and back to the way you were planning to your end destination. It would add only 1.5 miles but that road looks better on google street view to me and the view seems to be better also.

Just a suggestion.

Looking at your map again it looks pretty trike friendly most of the way. Starting on the west side of Erie getting thru Erie on peach street (19) could be a nightmare. If you wanted to try a similar route (98) heading south has wider berms but also faster pace traffic to Meadville.

I like your country and wilderness lake route the only suggest I might make is taking Youngstown Conneaut road south out of Kinsman down to just before Hubbard cut across Chestnut ridge road (Hwy 12) and back to the way you were planning to your end destination. It would add only 1.5 miles but that road looks better on google street view to me and the view seems to be better also.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to check out Highway 12. I'm not seeing where I'm on 19 anywhere though.

I'm not sure of your confort level on highways with a trike. I'm a roadie and ride in W PA frequently in the Oil City, Franklin, Mercer area as well as multi day rides on Rt 6 and Rt 322. From Erie I would ride Rt 19 to Meadville, then take Rt 322 east into Ohio, via Rt 58, then go South on Rt 7 into the Youngston area. Its around 100 miles that would be easily doable in a day since there are no killer hills.

From a comfort level perspective, I don't mind highways. However, I prefer to be a little more secluded if I can be. I like the quiet of just me and my trike with the occasional car.