402 total miles on the bicycle for the whole trip.
The gear I packed weighed a total of ~30 pounds. 15 pounds of that was in my backpack on my back and 15 pounds in my bag on my bike rack. The only thing I brought that I wish I hadn’t was a “long john” shirt that I donated to a Goodwill along the way.
This is a picture of all the gear I brought with me. The only thing not included in the picture is the jeans and shirt that I wore around town.
I did not bike the entire way. I used public transportation in some places. Used the bus to travel to the east side of Columbus the first day. Used the bus system for most of my travel around Canton / Massilon. Took the Amtrak from Cleveland to Sandusky, and rode the bus from Delaware to Columbus.
The tow path trail is indeed continuous from Dover to Cleveland. I was impressed.
The only major gaps in dedicated bike trails along the entire distance from Columbus to Cleveland is from Columbus to Centerburg and then between Millersburg and Dover. Otherwise, dedicated bike paths cover the entire distance. Google Maps has them accurately mapped out with green lines.
Of the 200 miles between Columbus and Cleveland, less than 50 are not covered by bike trails. The other 150 miles are on dedicated trails where no cars are allowed!
The wind indeed shifted as it was forecast to do. This was the worst day of riding of the trip. Tired, with a headwind and more traffic that any other of the days. Fortunately, it ended with a home-cooked bowl of soup!
Departed Sandusky for home around 1400. Should have left earlier to take advantage of the tailwind. It was huge and forecast to shift the next day. Rode until sunset making easy miles with the wind at my back!
Long shadow. Riding to sunset for the tailwind!I was happy for the tailwind, so I took a selfie. I can ride my bike with no handlebars!
Spent Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday and Monday in downtown Cleveland.
Sunday, spent an hour at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then spent most of the rest of the time watching sports at the Corner Alley downtown. What better to do in downtown Cleveland than watch sports all day? Browns and Bengals both won in overtime!
Monday, tried to go to the Science Center, but it was closed Mondays for the season. Tried the library just to check it out, but it was closed for Columbus Day. Gave up and watched sports at the Corner Alley again. Cubs beat the Cardinals, Mets beat the Dodgers, Ronda Rousey won another fight, Chargers lost to the Steelers. Mostly a good day in sports. Left that night on the Amtrak for Sandusky.
The Science Center was closed, but I took this pic by Cleveland Browns stadium, AKA “First Energy Stadium.”
Finished a great visit in Akron. Rode by Lebron James’ house. Rode north on the tow path downhill from “high” Akron to the lakefront. Took Jeff’s advice for the route into Cleveland and ended at Air BNB with my host Dustin in Ohio City. First experience with Air BNB. Awesome!
Light ride from Hudson to Akron, Cousin’s house to cousin’s house . Went to Bob Evans in Akron for breakfast food. Delicious!
This is the picture with my cousins that I lost when I put a pattern password on my phone and forgot it a half hour later. Pic never had a chance to back-up. Gone!
Bussed around Canton looking for a laundromat, found one, dried clothes and was on the trail in Massilon around noon. Skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Finished at cousin’s house in Hudson, Ohio.
I didn’t see a single person from New Philadelphia to past Zoar. This bridge on the Zoar Valley Trail crosses the Conotton Creek near the Tuscarawas River. There is not a midget trying to steal my bike. That is just my backpack.
The first section of the trail was a little rough but certainly passable. Saw locks 10 through 7. Almost nobody on the trail. Literally didn’t see anybody from 7 to noon. Checked in to the McKinley Grand in downtown Canton.
Parked next to Amish buggies at the Wal-Mart buggy parking and ate breakfast at the Subway with the Amish. Fixed a flat and my bike pump. Got stuck behind horse-drawn buggies along the way. Apparently horses get tired going uphill just like cyclists, I was glad to slow down behind them! Saw more cows and horses than people. Navigated the hilly township roads from Millersburg to New Philadelphia and successfully avoided most traffic. Hung out in downtown New Philly for the evening and watched the Yankees eliminated from the playoffs. Found a campsite late at night near the beginning of the tow path bike trail to Cleveland.
