Peninsula

AKRON

Dalton Canal Fulton

Apple Creek Massillon Glenmont Millersburg Mount Vernon Killbuck Danville Galena Centerburg Westerville South London Charleston COLUMBUS Georgesville Xenia Cedarville Corwin Spring Valley

Loveland Morrow Milford to Erie

Fall 2017 Newsletter #56

Progress Planned on the OTET To help fill this gap in the Ohio to Erie Trail, contribute online at www.fmcpt.com, or send a check to: FMCPT, P.O. Box 308, London, Ohio 43140.

At the time of publication, an ODNR Clean Ohio Fund grant for this segment is pending.

The Village of Galena has applied for Clean Ohio Trails funding (approval pending at the time of pub- lication) to continue construction of the trail on the north side of Galena (Phase 2), starting at Holmes St. OTETF has pledged $13,500 for this 1,775 linear feet of (l-r) OTET Executive Coordinator Lisa Daris; Brian Boldman, Execu- paved multi-use trail. tive VP of Stanley Electric US, Mike Michaels, President of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trail (FMCPT); Bill Dean, State Represen- tative, District 74; Patrick Closser, Mayor of City of London; Madison The Orrville Heartland Trail has applied for County; Bob Hacket, State Senator, District 10, and Bryan Dhume, Clean Ohio Trail funding (approval pending at the time Madison County Engineer (Photo credit: Michael Williamson of the of publication) to build a 2.4 mile trail between Orville Madison Press) and Marshallville. OTETF has pledged $15,000 towards this new section which, once connected, will become Madison County - Groundbreaking for a new part of the OTET. section of the trail between Maple and Walnut Streets in London took place on September 7, 2017. OTETF has pledged $7,800 (10%) of the construction costs for this segment in London, scheduled to be completed in 2018.

www.ohiotoerietrail.org facebook.com/OhiotoErie Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56

A Celebration in Glenmont New Mileage Marker Signs Thanks to the years of the easy 2% grade to strategic points along 1 South & West North & East 1

OHIO Route 1. New signs will hard work by OTETF the top of Baddow Pass OHIO

Ohio to Erie Trail Ohio to Erie Trail Ohio to Erie Ohio to Erie Trail Ohio to Erie OHIO OHIO Little Miami Trail Little Miami Trail Little Miami Trail Little Miami Trail go up in Galena at the Board Member Tom and then the descent OHIO

Beechmont Little Miami Trail 4.2 mi Milford Levy (end of Trail) Alexander of Glenmont down another 3.5 miles OHIO end of the Galena Brick Mariemont Ohio to Erie Trail 2 mi 3.2 mi Lunken Airport Miamiville Trail in the parking lot; and the Holmes County into Glenmont as you & Ohio River OHIO Trail Board, the 7 mile head south to north. A Trail Ohio to Erie Trail 6.7 mi 9.2 mi three signs along the Downtown OHIO Loveland Cincinnati Ohio to Erie Trail segment at the southern welcoming trail head All Services 12 mi 12 mi Heart of Ohio Trail in end of the Trail maintained by Great Parks of Hamilton County Trail maintained by Great Parks of Hamilton County Knox County including Holmes Centerburg and Mount County Vernon; and one sign in The OTETF Board Trail was Avoca Park of Great Parks opened the approved the expendi- of Hamilton County. All first of this ture of $8,000 to add five five signs will be installed September new wayfinding signs at before spring of 2018. just in time for is under construction the 2017 OTET Annual and will include a shel- Adventure Cyclists to ter, picnic tables and experience this beautiful restroom facilities. part of Route 1. Cyclists Glenmont has a grocery and hikers are enjoying store and a restaurant.

Dr. Thomas Moffitt III, 1948-2017 It is with deep sadness ations of trail users. Tom and a heavy heart we was a devoted educator announce the sudden in the greater Cincinnati and unexpected pass- area for over 45 years ing of OTETF Board of and as many of you may Directors President Tom know an avid cyclist. He Moffitt. Tom passionately completed several cross served as Board President county rides and rode the for over 16 years and entire length of the Ohio worked tirelessly to fulfill to Erie Trail a number of Ed Honton’s vision of a times including this past multi-purpose cross state September. Tom will be #OH2ERIE trail/greenway. Tom’s greatly missed by all who Congratulations to Joshua Autism Speaks. It received leadership and enthu- knew him. Godby, the winner of the the most likes on the siasm in working with Ride in Peace Tom. #OH2ERIE image contest. social media channels, local agencies and trail The image shown above winning Josh an offi- organizations to complete To view obituary: http:// shows Josh during his cial OTET jersey. A very the Ohio to Erie Trail will www.hodappfuneralhome. 9-day trip as he raised deserving winner! forever be appreciated by com/obituary/dr-thomas- awareness and funds for present and future gener- l-moffitt-iii/

page 2 Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56 OTET Adventure Ride Announcement Next year’s seven-day, registration, ranging from Day 4: (41 miles) six-night Ohio to Erie $500 to $650. Destination: Amish Trail bicycle ride is set for Country to historic September 8-14, 2018. Half rides from Cincinnati Millersburg, Reservations can be to Columbus: $225 Comfort Inn made through our web Columbus to Cleveland: Day 5: (38 miles) site at OhioToErieTrail.org $350 Destination: beginning in December. A unique aspect of this Massillon, New this year are half ride is that much of the Hampton Inn Riders of the 2017 Adventure Ride at rides from Cincinnati to costs are considered Sunbury’s Johnny Appleseed statue Day 6: (30 miles) Columbus and Columbus to be tax-deductable Destination: memorials, and shops. The to Cleveland. DONATIONS. After the Downtown Akron Marriott grand finale is a shared Tour Capacity: ride, the cost to produce Courtyard lunch celebration at the 40 riders the ride per individual is Edgewater Yacht Club. then subtracted from the This leisurely day allows for Daily Mileage: amount each participant stops along the Canal Path Ranges between 30 to 67, Return Transportation: donated. Riders receive a including our trail partner beginner to intermediate Available for a small fee to letter stating how much of bike shop, Ernie’s. level. Shorter days allow Columbus or Cincinnati. their payment was applied for a more leisurely ride, Optional: Venture into the Half tour riders who ride without services or goods additional miles on other Cuyahoga National Park Cincinnati to Columbus given in return. For exam trails, or site-seeing along - and ride the scenic train must provide their own the way. ple, riders in 2018 ended back to Akron. transporation back to up donating about 2/3 of Cincinnati. Terrain: their ride cost. Day 7: (40 miles) Cancellation Fees: Trail surfaces are fine for Destination: Lake Erie, Food and lodging are paid $100 until July 1 road bikes, hybrids and Cleveland mountain bikes. While 90% for by participants. $150 after July 1 of the trail is essentially Riders travel through the Weather: flat, there are some hills Cuyahoga Valley National For more information, September in Ohio is along the way but none Park, the ONLY National access our website typically dry with temps that are too long to just Park in Ohio. There is time or contact Tom at ranging from morning lows enjoy walking. to visit museum centers, [email protected]. of 45-55° to afternoons of Overnight Lodging: 70-80°. Riders stay at hotels at Itinerary: OTET Merchandise for the Holidays special rates. Day 1 (67 miles): Got a fan of the OTET on SAG (Support and Gear): Start in downtown your holiday list? Have Fully supported with a Cincinnati at Smale Park on they been naughty or luggage/bike vehicle, the Ohio River. nice? Either way, make mechanic and OTET staff. Destination: Xenia, Ramada sure they start the 2018 Participants only need to Inn season off with style! carry what they will need Day 2: (59 miles) Order an official OTET for the day. Support stops Destination: Downtown jersey or sticker for them. are about every 15 miles Columbus, Red Roof Inn Look for t-shirts to come with water and snacks. soon. Day 3: (51 miles) Pricing: Destination: Mt. Vernon, The cost is variable, the Grand Hotel depending on the date of

page 3 Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56

THE 326 CLUB OTET E-Bike Policy The 326 Club includes more than 70 people that have cycled, hiked, or other- The controversy to allow or not wise traveled the entire length of the Ohio to Erie Trail in a single trip since allow electric assist bicycles 2016. If you qualify for the 326 Club, please let us know and we’ll add your on recreational trails in the name and home state to the webpage. Meet two of its newest members below! state of Ohio is a very compli- cated one. As our population ages, there are many outdoor enthusiasts who love to experi- ence the trails but simply need a little support from the new electric assist bicycles. Two individuals used their assist bikes on the Annual OTET Adventure Rides in the past two years, and without, neither individual would have been able to take part. The OTETF Board of Directors recommend a compromise that ensures Name: Nicole Name: Leslie trail safety while also allowing those who need support to use Age: 32 Age: 54 electric assist bikes. The Board supports local trail partners Trail Experience: Biked all 326 Trail Experience: Biked all 326 who limit and monitor the use miles in 2 days, flip-flop style miles in 6 days as a participant on of e-bikes. Here is the OTETF’s the Annual OTET Adventure Ride. Segment 1: Mount Vernon to position on the use of electric Cleveland, 12 hours Month of Trip: September bikes:

Segment 2: Cincinnati to Mount Focus: Sight-seeing and Fitness The Board of the Ohio to Erie Vernon, 13 hours Trail Fund endorses legislation Bike: Felt V85 2016 – an adventure in Ohio that permits the use of Month of Trip: June road bike electric assist bicycles on trails to make the outdoor adven- Focus: Strength and Fitness Occupation: Scientist Officer for tures more accessible to those the US Public Health Service Bike: Fuji Sportiff - a road bike who need such assistance. Inspired by: The desire to have a We strongly encourage such Occupation: Musician, Composer goal that prioritized my health and legislation to limit such bike top speeds to 20 miles per Inspired By: The need to strike a wellness. The goal to complete the hour and we support local trail balance between the long hours 326 mile route was my 2017 New authorities to post speed limits I spend in front of a computer Year’s Resolution made to chal- on their own sections of the composing music and enjoying lenge myself to find greater work- Ohio to Erie Trail.” doing something life balance – and it physical. worked! 326 OH IL IO TO ERIE TRA page 4 Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56

4th Annual OTET Adventure Ride a Success! Thirty-seven riders from The average age of the eight different states took participants was 62. The part in the Fourth Annual shortest day was 35 miles OTET Great Bike Adventure and the longest 68. September 9-15. The cyclists pedaled from the The 23 men and 14 women Ohio River in Cincinnati were assisted by a volunteer to Lake Erie in Cleveland, staff including OTETF board dipping their tires in both members Tom Moffitt and bodies of water at the start Mike Groeber, the ride’s and the end of their adven- mechanic. Also assisting ture. The 326-mile ride took were Executive Coordinator seven days and six nights. Lisa Daris, Sandy Sanders

Mary & Ron Plumley of Columbus shared their excitement in Cleveland!

non-profit fund. Riders September 8-14, 2018. donated money to partic- The ride will be open to ipate. Approximately 40 cyclists but transpor- $17,000 was raised, topping tation back to Columbus the 2016 ride which raised and Cincinnati may close $8,000. some spots early. Watch the website for registration to Next year’s Adventure Ride open soon! has been scheduled for

Ladies of the OTET Annual Ride

Riders ranged in ages from of Hamilton, Ohio, Ron the late thirties to 78 years Overly and Bob Niedenthal old. In addition to those of Oxford, Ohio, and Terry from Ohio, riders came Kassnel of Loveland, Ohio. from Mississippi, New York, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, The ride was a major Colorado, Texas, Maryland. fund raiser for the trail’s

OTET volunteer Ron Overly and riders prepare 2017 Adventure Riders for a day on the OTET

page 5 118 Graceland Blvd. #146 Non-Profit Organization Columbus, Ohio 43214 U.S. Postage www.ohiotoerietrail.org PAID Coumbus OH Permit 5466

Send address and email changes to: [email protected]

Send telephone number changes to: 614-918-3636 #OH2ERIE

Board of Directors Executive Coordinator Bill Daehler, Franklin County, Lisa Daris Acting President Elizabeth Watts, Franklin County, Advisory Board Treasurer William Baker, Holmes County Mary Plumley, Franklin County, Melodee Kornacker, Franklin Secretary County Tom Alexander, Holmes County Greg Lashutka, Franklin County This string of characters is the Bruce Bailey, Franklin County Tom Offut, Lake County James Flaherty, Delaware County Charlie Ruma, Franklin County official Ohio to Erie tag used for Mike Groeber, Clark/Greene Jim Schneider, Greene County Counties Oliver Seikel, Cuyahoga County Ted Short, Wayne County Chris Haydocy, Franklin County social media posts. Sam Speck, Franklin County Sean McGurr, Summit County Ellen Tripp, Franklin County Don Mills, Hamilton County Stephanie Vesper-Gephardt, Post your photos with this Don Noble, Wayne County Hamilton County Jerry Rampelt, Franklin County Brad Westall, Franklin County hashtage and you might see Dan Ritchey, Muskingum County Wayne Roberts, Madison County your photo shared on our site or Ken Schneider, Cuyahoga County Bob Taft, Greene County in our newsletter! Jay Telzrow, Cuyahoga County Jack Williams, Ross County