Ohio Trekker

Just a couple of pics from our ride today. This is an over-look at the Gorge, Tinker's Creek is visible to the right of the one photo. This creek runs down under an aquaduct on our Canal Trail in the valley below. This area is so picturesque but especially in the fall.

Ohio Trekker

These pictures are from our ride yesterday, one of them shows the train sitting at the train station across the bike trail, located in Gambier, Ohio, at the base of the valley from Kenyon College. One of my sons is on the engine, the shot up the trail shows the station, lights and train all together. Further up the trail we saw the house in the picture. It sits up the hill looking down over the valley where the bike trail runs. Probably not even bikers. And who say's farming doesn't pay!! LOL The little guys did 30 miles with me on this trip and it was a glorious day. The colors of the trees are a little past it but the views were still stunning!

kerk

Awesome! Great day for a ride.

shaharidan

very nice, looks like a good ride

RonH

Looks like fall has arrived. Great pictures and lovely fall colors in the trees.

Ohio Trekker

HEH,

Glad y'all enjoyed the pics. The "train" trail is Kokosing Gap trail about 2 hours south of here. I had been on it earlier in the year with my older son, but it was one of our favorites this year, so we went back with my younger son too. It is one of the best trails I have ever been on as far as condition and maintenance. The entire trail was spotless, and it is entirely volunteer operation, I have a donation heading off to them this week! It's kinda fun, they have brooms, dustpans, and garbage can liners in the restrooms/rest areas, with a sign that reads something like "this is a volunteer supported trail, if the restroom is not up to your expectations, please clean it for the next person" or some such thing, I just laughed so hard I can't remember the exact phrasing, and it was spotless or I would have taken them up on the chance to "volunteer".

The gorge trail, funny enough is about 1/2 hour ride from my house on the trail. This was the first time I had taken the trail that far, worried about the hills with my kids. They both did well, although walked up a couple of hills, and amazingly enough, the hills weren't as bad as I anticipated personally!! This weekend was my 1200 mile mark since July so the scenery was sort of a celebration.

I particularly like sharing the fall colors, (even though they seem past it) for the folks who don't get to see the seasons change. Except for our "valley" the area doesn't have too many spectacular "vistas" as I have seen others post, but the colors kinda make up for it!!

Ohio Trekker

shaharidan,

Where abouts in PA is Drexel? Did a ride around Pymatuming, (south end) and have a trail we do from Titusville to Oil City along Oil Creek that is just specatcular this time of year. You on the West side of the state? And if so, any other cool trails???

Inkwolf

Very cool pictures! Looks like you're in a lovely area.

ngateguy

Makes me miss Ohio in the fall we just don't get the same colors here

lsits

Ohio Treker,

I lived in Ohio from '68 to '76. I have lots of family there. My sister went to college for a couple of years at Mt. Vernon Nazerene College. I know there's some beautiful scenery there, especially at this time of year. I remember a bike ride I took with her from Bucyrus to Mt. Vernon. Shortly thereafter, I joined the Navy and stopped riding for about 30 years. Do you ever get up around Clear Fork? (I think that's the name. There's a ski slope there.)

Anyway, your pictures got be reminissing about my younger days. I would like to get back and do some riding there. if I can work up to it, I might try the TOSRV next year. My brother-in-law rides it every year.

Cheers

Ohio Trekker

Since this trail starts in Mt. Vernon, you know what it's like. I know Clearfork, and had hiked the area including Mohican extensively. There is another trail that runs from Mansfield to I think it was Butler that is very near Clearfork as is Kokosing, I pass one to get to the other. It's about an hour, hour and a half from here which is between Akron & Cleveland on the boundry of the National Park. My area has far more steep hills than the rolling areas down there, so it's worth the drive for a rec ride on the weekends.

Want to do the TOSRV, but not sure I want to deal with the quantity of riders who do it every year. I did a ride that encompasses part of the TOSRV route and can't imagine enjoying it as much with crowds, but some of the hills were sure fun.

Although I envy the left coasters for the weather but, I would really suffer without the change of season here. Have a friend in LA area and send her leaves and pictures of fall every year.

lsits

Ohio Treker,

I did the Rosarito to Ensenada ride last month. Around 12,000 participants. The TOSRV would be about 1/3 that size.

I miss the change of scenery, too. However before I get too nostalgic and move back, I remember what the weather is like around January and February. Here in Southern California the wind chill factor gets down to around 50 degrees in January versus about -20 degrees in Ohio?

ngateguy

I lived in Cleveland from 68-77 (remembere the freeze of 76 thats what got me to move back here) back when it as the mistake by the lake and Kusinich was on the city council as an 18 year old and then mayor I am thinking of doing the Rosarita ride with my brother next year but that sounds awefully big we have 8000 for the STP up here and that can be a zoo.

Ohio Trekker

LOL It's still a mistake on the lake but with some awesome bike trails. If you lived here you know the metro-parks unless you weren't biking at the time. As for Kucinich, look at the bright side, now you can vote for him for president, cause I sure as h*** know I'm not! 76-77 was the same time we had that horrendous blizzard. Remember it only too well, at the time the natural gas shortage had schools closing and everyone in a panic!!

Isits that's still a lot of people to me. I think camraderie is great, but too much is just too much. With the exception of my kids or when I'm riding solo the folks I take-up and ride with are plenty for me! Never was big on "organized" events, and kinda laughed when I read what I think it was Ngateguy posed the question about folks who depend on those type events. It's fine for them but I prefer a little solitude, or the ability to socialize with a few others on a ride where I don't have to worry about over-crowding, the "pack" mentality as well as some concern I have about the skills or lack thereof of some of the folks I have seen participating in organized rides. But seriously, how long does it take to climb a hill waiting behind 1000 or so poseurs as they bunch together grunting, panting and groaning on their flashy bikes with flashy clothes and no climbing endurance or stamina at all, just not for me! I may have to resort to my granny when the going gets tough but at least I can get the h*** out of the way!! Give me a ride with a few folks who have bikes they ride, and clothes that are comfy and I'm perfectly content, and probably a lot safer!!

As I said earlier, I do envy the weather some of you folks on the left coast "endure", but in reality is -20 windchill really all that bad?? DANG TOOTING, who am I kidding. I'll be thinking of you when I'm on the trainer dreaming of being able to get out and ride without having to wear 20 pounds of winter gear!!

lsits

Ohio Trekker, (I remembered the second 'k')

I can understand your preference for solitude. Most of my riding (>90%) is done by myself. This past week I have been getting up at 3:00 am and going for a 45-minute ride. Talk about owning the road.

The Rosarito to Ensenada ride was my first organized ride. The start was pretty chaotic, but after about five miles or so, the riders began to spread out. On the hills, the slower riders kept to the right and the faster ones were on the left. Not sure about posers, but I saw my share of expensive bikes and US Postal Service jerseys.

I look at organized rides as a treat for myself and as a goal to reach. Three months ago I never would have thught I could ride 50 miles. Reached that goal. If I decide to do the TOSRV, that will be 200 miles in two days. It will also give me a chance to take a week (or two) off work to visit my friends and family in Ohio.