Two Wheels with a Charge Day 1

Cincinnati to Xenia: A taco salad, random encounter, and new perspective as a trail guy

Crossing the Ohio River at dawn

It was a perfect morning on the trail leaving Newport, crossing the river into Cincinnati, and heading the wrong way. It was photo time at the start of the Ohio to Erie Trail. I turned and cycled eastward on a beautiful riverfront completely transformed over 35 years.

I worked in downtown Cincinnati 1988-1990. What is now a many mile spectacular riverfront park with the Ohio River Trail passing through was a concrete jungle with two stadiums surrounded by parking lots and decks. It was an island separated from downtown Cincinnati by I-71.

Milford has this beautiful trailhead

I headed north on the Little Miami Scenic Trail and  found myself midmorning in Loveland where I took a well deserved break from the intensifying heat. Too early for lunch. I cycled north. With 40 miles under my tires and temps in the 90s, my body told me it was time for lunch and a respite from the heat.

Enjoying shade and a break in Loveland

I steered my bike into the bike rack along 2 E-bikes at a trailside Mexican restaurant in Morrow. A couple was enjoying the shade of the restaurant patio. I knew that was where I was headed. I was immediately welcomed with ”I think I know you”.

The wife mentioned that she watches YouTube videos of the Ohio to Erie Trail and was pretty sure that I was in several. I confessed I was and told them I was president of the trail. That encounter would be one of the highpoint of my day.

This is a typical view for today

They are exactly the reason I advocate for trails. They were in their partial retirement years. They reiterated several times that “they are new to this” and are “discovering what it’s all about”. They traveled from Columbus to Loveland for a few days to see first hand what they saw on YouTube.

Flashback to a very hot July afternoon when I found myself on a shady Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Akron. I was on a weight loss journey and looking for something different in terms of exercise. A friend suggested that I cycle the towpath trail. I dragged my husband along for a 8-mile ride that amazed me that such a thing existed and could be so enjoyable. I was transformed and began seeking out other trails and learning where the trail went. Every weekend became an escape into nature and fitness on trails .

The grain bins in Spring Valley tell me I am almost to Xenia.

Back to the Morrow Mexican restaurant.  The words that the Columbus couple were speaking echoed my words from my trail ride 15 years ago. They got a taste of what trails offer and how their E-bikes add to that experience. They became part of the trail tribe.  I am sure they will be riding on and exploring more trails in the days and years to come.

 These random encounters fuel my leadership and advocacy of the Ohio to Erie Trail and for cyclists of all abilities and ages. There is a world out there that many know nothing about like I did not know 15 years ago. This world was discovered on a bike for me and E-bikes for them. 

At the southern terminus of the Ohio to Erie Trail

Many studies have shown that enjoying the outdoors is beneficial to your health and happiness. A trail is not just a means to get from point A to point B. I have shared this many times. The experience of visiting a trail is not in what is at the start or at the end but everything in between. It’s at every corner you turn discovering something new that you have never seen.  It is the aroma of nature and the outdoors. It’s being a little healthier and happier.

Thank you to these two newbie bike and trail tourists. It saddens me that I jotted their names down to share but lost them. I hope that they see this and know that they made an impact on my day and added a little fuel to my ride north to Cleveland.

Roebling Suspension Bridge

Today’s miles: 71

Tour miles: 71