taleswapper

We're trying to get across the US using Adventure Cycling's Northern Tier, but we're starting in DC instead. I've found some nice stuff to get us as far as East Liverpool, Ohio (halfway between Wheeling, WV and Youngstown, OH).

I was wondering if anyone had any idea of the condition of roads in Ohio and suggestions for a route from East Liverpool up to the Northern Tier route; I'm thinking west of Cleveland will be best.

-->John

mike

Ohio! Groooooaaan. You would be well advised to get in a plane and fly over Ohio, Illinois, and Western Minnesota.

If you choose to bike it, be sure not to fall asleep at the handle bars. :sleep:

Moose

I'm dissappointed that someone out there finds my beautiful state boring. We have hills, forests, rivers, wetlands, valleys, gorgeous fall foliage, wildlife, farmland. If you were bored you must have been blindfolded and being pulled by a car! IMO Ohio is a great state for cycling.

Please post a reply Taleswapper if you still need a route.

mike

Sorry about the snoot on Ohio. It has some nice things to see, I guess. What would you recommend as the most "bicycle delightful" straight line through Ohio?

Hey, anyway, here is a book I found that describes Bed and Breakfast accomodations in the Midwest - mostly Ohio. It was recommended as a biker friendly resource

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...818296-1940032

Moose

Thanks for the kind response to my rant Mike, I'm sorry if it seemed a little inflamatory. This was the first thread I read on my first visit to the forum, and I was compelled to respond immediately. I must say your comments here gave me a bad first impression of you. But after lurking around and reading many of your other posts, I've found you are one of the greatest contributors here. You're insightful, informative and witty. I especially admire your committment to restoring discarded bicycles.

I live and ride mainly in the northeastern part of the state(which I indeed find quite delightful). I'm new to LD touring and not fully qualified to make any recommendations on an exact route, but I'll say that the farther north you go there'll be more development and less hills. So if you're a nature nut that likes to climb, stay on a southern course. Conversely, if you like easier pedaling and a wider variety of towns and cities, go north.

mike

Thank you for your kind words as well, Moose. Yes, you are correct that northern Ohio would be nice for bicycling. I should have clarified that in my remark. I have been to Ohio several times. Every time I visit a place, I either bike it or ask myself, "what would it be like to bike here?) The central part of Ohio seems so flat and so hot in the summer that it was not inviting. In contrast, though, the northeast has wonderful bicycling attractions like Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hale Farm and Village, and the HUGE Jamie's Flea Market.

So, that said, Ohio isn't all that bad. Like any place, you have to plan your routes well.

taleswapper

Well, we're back from Minneapolis. We got across Ohio in May using some nice cue sheets/maps from Columbus Outdoor Pursuits (and some help from a couple of Walmart Ladies in East Liverpool). We followed the Cardinal Trail, which is a bike route on roads that is fairly well marked with signs in the middle of the state, and the K & N routes.

I can't honestly say whether Ohio was a nice place to bike because it rained the entire time. But we did get help from a nice bicycle shop guy named Bud.

-->John

(The maps can be ordered at: https://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/main/news/forsale.htm)

ststephen65

hocking hills area is my fav........stay the hell away from northwest ohio...yuck! although def the quickest and most direct route to get thru ohio would be RT30 but i wouldnt recomend biking on it on account to the 1800 semi trucks you will be sharing the road with

jamawani 

If you stay south of Canton and Mansfield you should be fine -
Maybe connecting up with the Northern Tier at Monroeville on the Indiana border.
I've biked the backroads in central Ohio twice on tours - going diagonally, not E-W.
The Mohican Hills are really nice - and most backroads in central Ohio are very nice.
AAA puts out detailed maps of various sections of Ohio with all the backroads.
Call the Columbus office and ask.

ststephen65

hey be nice to canton.......canton south fo life

otofreq

I realize that this reply is to an old post, but I am hoping that you would be will to share the information you offered to Taleswapper with us.

My wife and I are planning our tour from Grand Rapids, MI to Washing DC. When are thinking about beginning the Ohio segment at Montpelier,OH and aim for the Great Allegheny Passage in PA. If it is not too much trouble could you provide some information regarding a safe road plus rail trail route that would work for us. We ride a tandem.

Thank you so much,
Don and Candie

Lobelle@Juno.com

jamawani 

Have you considered the historic Lincoln Highway - the first transcontinental highway?
The Ohio sections have almost all been bypassed by newer four-lane stretches of US 30.
There are strip maps of all parts in Ohio.

https://www.lincolnhighwayoh.com/preface.html
Each section is listed in the left column.
Strip Maps and mileages are clickable on the bottom of each page.

You can connect with the Northern Tier in the super bike-friendly town of Monroeville, Indiana.

You will need to find an alternate route from Lisbon to Canton as the new highway has not been built and the old road carries oodles of traffic. OH 172 is one option. Similarly, west of Canton the stretch from Massillon to East Union is tricky. There is a bike trail from Massillon to Dalton, but then you are forced onto 4-lane US 30 - - thus taking Wooster Rd/ Church Rd might be better.

On the west end, I think taking the pre-1928 route thru Ada and Lima may prove more interesting. You will need to continue west on Dixon Rd into Indiana to get to Monroeville. (They demolished the Old Lincoln Highway Bridge just off Dixon Rd that is in the photo - since it was a dead-end stub, I cannot understand why.)

Anyhoo, given the endpoints you mentioned - I think this historic route would be a good choice.