Xenia, Ohio
 

Mrs. Grouch and I are contemplating a road trip to Xenia, Ohio to ride the rail-trails for a few days. We have some bicycling acquaintances who have made the trip several times so I assume it's pretty nice riding. If we go, it will have to be the first week in October.

Anybody game?

Ohio's a long way from Missouri, isn't it? Anything closer to home?

I pass through Xenia from time to time, but I've yet to manage the time to ride there. Says on their water tower that it's the bicycle capital of the midwest or something like that, so I presume there is some decent spots to ride.

Can't go but I would welcome a trip report for future references.

wow, we were just checking out the area this morning online.We are looking at september.We were going to Grand Haven and camp,but all the campsites are filled.We found this strange as we were going in the middle of the week.So i said how bout Xenia.Looks like Xenia was a railroad hub and now is the bike path hub to 200 miles of paved biking.Found one state park that looks nice in the area.The town of Yellow Springs also looks like a interesting place to visit.

Make sure you plan a stop at Young's Jersey Dairy for ice cream. Fantasticly good stuff.

thanks,CraigB already in the plans.haha

Xenia and Loveland OH fight it out to claim for bicycing capital of midwest
Xenia is definately the rails to trails capital with at least 3 rail trails crossing

I've been as far north as Yellow Springs.

Xenia built a replica of their old train station as a bike trail hub. The trails within a few miles of Xenia are quite urban, with a lot of street crossings.

The Little Miami State Park is the trail south from Spring Valley, following an old railroad along the Little Miami River. It's north end continues to Xenia, but that part isn't officially a state park.

The best section of the trail is from Spring Valley south to Loveland. It's often close to the Little Miami River, and much of it is wooded and shady. Most of it is not very busy. The activity picks up a few miles from Loveland, with walkers and kids on bikes, etc.

Loveland has a park adjoining the bike trail. A lot of riders start from here. There's restaurants near the trail.

The trail section to Cincinnati is scenic, but busier, with more road crossings.

Little Miami map pdf

Here's an interactive map of the SW Ohio trails. It's a little confusing to use.

More trails info here.


Riding north to Corwin on the trail:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t...0/IMG_5933.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v...0/IMG_5942.jpg

At Oregonia, OH:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/IMG_5945.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/IMG_5967.jpg

Corwin OH trail stop:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/IMG_5977.jpg

Not sure how much I'll be able to ride at that time but would love to meet you for a ride. I'm sure Rtool and John would love to ride also.

Let us know when you'll be here. We all live close to Xenia.

You can go 5 different directions from Xenia Station all on paved bike paths. Yellow Springs is a must visit! A very quaint place. Also +1 on Young's. There is something there for everyone. We have stayed in a couple of places nearby, our favorite is in Cedarville at the Hearthstone Inn. It is right on the bike path and a very nice place. You can't help but to have a good riding vacation there! Loveland is a very nice place as well, but you can only go north or south on the path while Xenia has 5 ways out.

As Beverly stated above let us know when you will be in our area. I know all of would be glad to meet you and anyone else that can make, and show you our part of Ohio.

I live in Fairborn, OH, about 12 miles from Xenia and I ride the many rail-trails in this area all the time.

At the below website you can send for a waterproof map of all the rail-trails in the Miami Valley. They will mail you one for free. It is a really good map.

http://www.mvrpc.org/bikeways/miami-...map-order-form

Also, if you go to the below website it has most of the latest up-to-date info on our local trails.
http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/

There are several of us here that ride these trails on a daily basis. Also, the Dayton Cycling Club (daytoncyclingclib.org) lists daily rides that are going on at that time. You do not have to be a member to join in any of these rides, and there is no cost except conversation.

If you decide to come to our area of the world please let me know and I will be glad to help with as much information as I can.

Many of us also ride the back country farm roads in this area and would be glad to provide you with maps or ride with you and show you many of the great small towns with super food stops. October is also a great time to visit the Miami.

Again, let us know your plans.

Xenia was flattened by a tornado in about 1974 with many people killed. Beverly or rtool, were either of you around for that?

My mother, sister and several other family members of my family lived in Xenia at that time. I had moved to Dayton a couple years earlier. Fortunately most of my family survived with little damage other than a brother-in-law who lost a beautiful three story home in an older section of town. He tore it down, built a new one and sold it. Luckily no one was hurt as they had moved to the basement before the storm hit.

They've been hit with a couple tornadoes since 1974 but none were as devastating as the 1974 storm.

Here's a view of the trails around Xenia. (green markings) As you can see there are several in the area and most are connected.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=214657

I'm originally from Mansfield over 200 miles away and there was mail found in our area from Xenia after that tornado hit. Truly a horrible storm.

Nice looking place, putting it on the bucket list. I have worked in Mansfield (2000), Circleville (2009) and Athens (2008). We have friends in Belfontaine...

Aaron :)

put pedaling to / lunch at clifton mill on the to do list while you are there


http://www.cliftonmill.com/

lots of lightly traveled roads in and out of clifton, oh

I never actually set foot in Xenia but did ride thru on Amtrack within days of the 1974 tornado. It was a pretty horrific scene along the railroad tracks with overturned tractor trailers and debris everywhere. The town has become a mecca for recumbent riders, particularly trike riders. There is an annual trike get together in the Spring. From what I have read, it gets bigger every year.

Keep us posted on dates, I may get a wild hair!

Uh,,, It's been long day. Just for a second, I thought it was "Xena". And I was going to ask what Xena the warrior princess had to do with this.:innocent:

Xenia is definitely on Mrs. Grouch's "to do" list. Vegas comment about Xenia being a recumbent and trike Mecca was iceing on the cake. We're considering two alternative plans.

Plan 1 is to drive to Xenia on Friday, October 7, ride for 2 or 3 days and return on Monday or Tuesday.
Plan 2 is to drive to Xenia on Monday, October 10, ride for 2 or 3 days and return on Thursday or Friday.

If everything else was equal I'd opt for plan 2 because we're going to spend the previous weekend in Iowa for a family reunion. If some other 50+ riders wanted to join a not-too-fast recumbent tandem team over the weekend, that would sway my thinking.

You obviously haven't met Mrs. Grouch.

Enjoy! Rode in the GTCC this summer and had a great time. The trails are very well maintained.
Yellow Springs got to about 1964 and then froze in time. Very cool place. Eat at The Ole Tavern. Young's Dairy is accessable from the trais with only about 1-2 miles on roadways, turn off trail is clearly marked.
If time allows I recommend a visit to the Air Force Museum located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Also check out what may be happening at Five Rivers Metro Park.
I grew up in Xenia, but no longer live in the area. I can tell you if you want something to do in the evenings you'll need to drive to a neighboring town (city).
+1 on getting the map.

My wife and I recently spent a few days riding the Xenia trails and can tell you where the good restaurants are also our itinerary if you ride like we do. We typically ride 12 to 15 miles in one direction, have lunch, and ride back.