Across Ohio: Stories from the Ohio to Erie Trail
People, Places, and Miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie
Heading to Cincinnati to Ride
My bags are packed. The bike is tuned. The trail awaits.
Today, I begin a journey I’ve made five times before, a 326-mile ride across the state of Ohio on the Ohio to Erie Trail. My destination is Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie. But the journey begins in Covington, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.
Many people don’t realize Covington is considered a Cincinnati suburb—at least if you ask a Kentuckian. But for me, it’s more than just a starting point, it’s a place with memories.
Queen City Memories
37 years ago, I was on an 18-month consulting assignment in downtown Cincinnati. For the first six months, I lived in Covington. “Why would an Ohioan live on the Kentucky side?” my coworkers would jokingly ask with a laugh.
The answer was simple: convenience. It was close to work and surprisingly ideal. That changed when I-75’s “cut in the hill” began its long and painful reconstruction. Traffic chaos pushed me to a northern suburb, but Covington and Kentucky left their mark.
The Queen City has always had a distinct vibe that I love. Germanic, river city Porkopolis history, and beautiful neighborhoods across the Ohio River valley’s hills. It only makes sense that a cross-state trail begins here in Ohio’s southwestern corner and stretches near the northeast corner in Cleveland.
Riding It Again—And Again
This is my sixth crossing of the Ohio to Erie Trail, my second as president of the trail organization. Last year, I rode solo, drawn to the adventure and reflection that solo touring invites. Other crossings were shared with friends or on trail-supported tours.
The trail no longer hosts officially supported rides (those ended in 2022), but more than twenty commercially guided tours follow the route. It’s become a pilgrimage for rail trail aficionados and long-distance bike tourists.
Some cyclists I’ll ride with this year are alumni of past official trail rides who return annually. They’ve kept the spirit alive, naming the ride in honor of Tom Moffitt, a former president of the trail. Others are first-timers, discovering the magic of crossing the Buckeye State on two wheels.
Listening to the Trail
As trail president, I find great value in riding with the people who use it. Back home, my usual rides are on trails in Knox County and surrounding areas, where I often meet local and visiting riders.
From my years in the corporate world, I’ve learned that to deliver an exceptional experience, you first need to understand it firsthand. That’s why I make it a point to ride all 326 miles of the trail each year. For me, the journey isn't about logging the miles. It's about connecting with the people and experiencing it through their eyes.
Across Ohio: Stories from the Trail is a daily journal of this experience, not just told through my eyes as trail president, but also through the voices of the people riding beside me. Each day, I’ll feature one or two riders in a short Q&A format, asking them five questions:
What surprised you today?
What challenged or rewarded you today?
What will you remember about today’s ride?
Why does this journey matter to you?
What advice would you give someone riding it for the first time?
Their answers will speak to the spirit of the trail: camaraderie, challenge, discovery, and joy. I’ll also reflect on the places we pass, the people we meet, and what it all means for Ohio and the growing cycling community that rides this path every year.
The forecast is perfect. The road is calling. Join me this week as the journey and the stories unfold.
Thank you for the information and your perspective