I was leaving Ohio the next morning. What better way to celebrate my two weeks as a Buckeye than participating in the night ride on the O and E Canal Towpath that Century Cycles in Peninsula was leading? I arranged with Peter_C, my host, to be dropped off in Akron at Memorial Park in the afternoon, and I rode north to Peninsula, arriving about 5:30. I rode and walked around the area while I waited for my companions for the ride, Mr. DanW and iforgetmename, to arrive. About 7:20 iforgetmename and a friend arrived after riding down from Cleveland, and we hurried to a bar across the street for a quick dinner. The order was late, and took mine with me as my companions demolished nachos. Five of 8 I was signing the waiver and pulling chicken fingers out of my jersey pocket....

The crowd gathers..... eventually there would be 240 riders.



MrDanW and Jerry, iforgetmename's friend.



iforgetmename and Jerry:



Due to track work on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, we had to walk a short stretch to the Lock 29 trailhead. But then everyone saddled up.



Turnaround was the Breaksville train station and Station Road bridge, seven and a half miles north of Peninsula.





Jerry and iforgetmename peeled off shortly after this, as they had a long ride north to Cleveland ahead of them. MrDanW and I continued back to Peninsula and the ride end in the gathering dark. The highlight of the ride, and perhaps my entire vacation, was a young woman who addressed her complaining companions so: "I don't know what that ouching is. You'd better harden up your lady parts."

We were back at Mr. DanW's truck about ten of ten. 12 hours later I was on my way out of Ohio and wishing I didn't have to leave.....

Century Cycles says there were 218 riders.

Photos are here:

https://centurycycles.com/events/nigh...011-pg1232.htm

I'm in at least two photos. See if you can spot me.

Looks like an enjoyable ride to end your time in Ohio. Thanks for sharing.