Ohio to Erie Trail Day 1: Cincinnati to Xenia

Off and Rolling on the Ohio to Erie Trail

And we’re off.

Day one of the ride began with perfect weather, a cool, refreshing morning that transitioned into a sunny, mid-70s kind of day. We set out riding north from Covington, crossing the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge into Cincinnati, where we dipped our rear tires into the Ohio River to mark the official start of the journey.

The energy was high, and that enthusiasm carried us through the 70-mile ride. The night before, I joined a small group for dinner. Some were familiar faces I’ve ridden with before, and several new ones, all eager to cross Ohio by bike.

Riding With the Group

One of my goals for the day was to spend meaningful time with at least one rider, getting to know them over the miles. The group is about 15 to 19 strong, a larger size than typical touring groups I’ve encountered on the trail. Most of these riders connected through a Facebook cycling group, where many had first met on previous Ohio to Erie Trail rides. This time, they extended the invite to friends, and just like that, a new, bigger crew came together.

While I’ve stepped away from organizing group tours myself. Too much of my energy was spent managing dynamics. Today gave me a renewed appreciation for the camaraderie of a group ride. If today was any indication, this team gels well. There’s an unspoken understanding: ride your pace, enjoy the trail, and meet up when and where it makes sense.

The Mohawk Helmets

One of the highlights of the day was the Mohawk helmets. Jim, a seasoned trail vet and our unofficial wrangler, handed out bright, spiky Mohawk helmet plumes to many of us. I ended up with a bright orange one. At first, I wasn’t sure how others on the trail would react, but the response was overwhelmingly positive. Runners and cyclists smiled, laughed, and shouted well-wishes. The Mohawks also made it easy to spot fellow group members in busier sections of the trail.

Coffee, Conversation, and Camaraderie

Jim and Donna, both from Kentucky and veterans of this ride, were my first companions out of Cincinnati. Their open, warm energy helped set the tone for the day. Like me, they value the journey itself, especially when it includes coffee. While it’s tough to find a good cup at the start of the OTET, by the time we reached Loveland, a dozen of us gathered at a local coffee shop, enjoying a break and great conversation before heading north.

I headed out of Loveland with Rich and Brent. Rich is an accomplished bike tourist on a recumbent. Brent, a fellow central Ohioan, reminded me we had also ridden together on his first OTET tour. Our conversations spanned the trail, cycling, and family, making the miles fly by. Morrow, once a sleepy town on my past tours, was lively this time with a celebration of some sort at the repurposed train depot-turned-brewery.

Miranda’s: The Perfect Mid-Ride Stop

Morrow, 40 miles into the ride, was the perfect time and place for lunch. Many of our group joined us at Miranda’s, a small-town ice cream and sandwich shop. I hadn’t realized it had such a spacious back patio, complete with plenty of outlets for the many e-bike riders in our group. It was the perfect rest stop to recharge bikes (and riders) before the final push to Xenia.

Meeting Azah

Earlier in the day, I met Azah, who later joined Brent and me for a long stretch. After a quick smoothie stop in Corwin, Brent split off, and Azah and I tackled the final twenty miles to Xenia together.

Azah is from Findlay and had previously cycled short sections of the trail, mostly near Columbus and north of Xenia. Today was her first time riding this segment. We clicked quickly, and conversation flowed easily. It was one of those unexpected but welcome trail connections that make group tours special.

She was on a traditional pedal-powered bike, and I appreciated the steady pace we kept together, about 14 mph. I always remind e-bike riders that if you're cycling with someone on a pedal-powered bike, it's courteous to match their effort. We reached Xenia as friends, in high spirits, and grateful for the time together.

Reflections on Day One

This first day with this larger group reminded me of the joy that can come from shared experiences on the trail. Jim, the wrangler organizer, was clear from the outset. This isn’t a formal tour, and no one’s keeping score. People, connected through the Facebook group and prior tours, ride at their own pace, and organically link up for breaks, coffee, or lunch. It’s low-pressure and refreshingly simple.

Everyone I talked to today, including myself, were blown away by the beauty and condition of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The towns we passed through, Loveland, Morrow, and Corwin all added their own charm.

Tomorrow, we head toward Columbus, a shorter ride on a section of trail I know well. I’m looking forward to getting to know more of these fresh faces, the farmlands and small towns, and whatever unexpected moments the trail brings next.