CLEVELAND

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 Photo Credit: Tom Bilcze Morrow CINCINNATI Milford to Erie Trail

Fall 2018 Newsletter #58 Moffitt Memorial Ride Memories The Moffitt Memorial Ride of 2018 will be one to The first morning’s stop of day one was at Fifty West remember for the 40 cyclists who joined us for the Cycling. The friendly staff welcomed riders with annual adventure on September 8 –14. The tour snacks, refreshments, and the last chance to stock up started under dry conditions in Cincinnati, but those on raingear before heading into Hurricane Gordon’s conditions weren’t meant to last. The first two days effect on Ohio. Loveland, Ohio offered respite from of riding were a testimony to safe surfaces as the trail the rain for the first lunch stop for several riders. grew extremely wet from over an inch of rain in a However, many riders forged on, eager to get out short period of time. of the rain and into Xenia where Rails to Trails Con- servancy hosted a warm reception for riders at Devil Wind Brewery. Food, local brews, and the opportu- nity to get dry were most welcome as the cheers for riders marked their arrivals.

Hurricane Gordon’s rain continued into Columbus, but on day 3, sunshine, warmth, and homemade muffins greeted everyone at the first stop outside of Columbus at the Westerville depot in Hanby Park. As the group traveled through Centerburg and Mount Vernon, Heart of Ohio Trail and Kokosing Gap Trail board members, a Knox County Commissioner, a former Mount Vernon City Council member, and Riders summit on the a hill in Wayne County during the 2018 Moffitt Knox County Park District representatives welcomed Memorial Ride riders to the trail with snacks and water! continued on page 3 www.ohiotoerietrail.org facebook.com/OhiotoErie Fall/Winter 2018 Newsletter #58

Progress Along the Trail Friends of Madison the trail previously used Glenmont’s trail- Completion is scheduled County Parks and the roadway, connecting head now includes a for 2021. Trails celebrated the the Indian Ridge parking shelter, picnic tables The 5 mile Riverside Drive opening of a new area to the existing trail and restrooms thanks shared use portion of segment of the trail in at Darby Creek Drive. The to a generous donation the Ohio River Trail will London, Ohio, this past section from the canoe from an OTET board hopefully be transferred summer. Madison County access parking area member. to Oasis rail corridor once has funded almost 90% of to Indian Ridge will the City of Cincinnati, the the construction cost of remain a compacted Southwest Ohio Regional this section that extends gravel surface for the Transportation Authority about 1/3 of a mile. They foreseeable future. (SORTA), Great Parks of are still fundraising for the Hamilton County and last $7,000. The Sullivant Georgesville Ohio River Way complete In Knox County, the Connector along difficult negotiations with segment between Bridge Sullivant Ave and Genesee & Wyoming of Dreams to the Holmes Georgesville Road Railroad. County line was repaved is finished with the Preservation Parks in September. The park- exception of a 300 of Delaware County ing lot area was also foot section located Riders enjoy the Glenmont trailhead will pave the trail section improved to make it ADA south of the trail and shelter while on the Moffitt Memorial ride. between Cherry and compliant handicap vehi- the RR crossing. This Walnut Streets and the The Licking County cle/van accessible. last section will be built Sandel Legacy Trail in Area Transportation Study in 2019. This connector Sunbury. Paving will be The new Battelle Darby (LCATS) has secured eliminates the one mile completed by fall 2018. Creek Metro Park connec- roadway along Industrial funding through a Dis- tor in Franklin County Mile Road. trict 17 NRAC (Natural Negotiations are is now under construc- Resources Assistance continuing by Delaware tion. It will extend paved A 2.4 mile segment of Council) to make public Preservation Parks for the Trail within the Heartland Trail is access improvements, land south of Meredith the Metro Park, replac- currently under construc- including parking State Road. Preservation ing the segment where tion and is scheduled Parks is putting in wo The to be completed Village of Galena primitive campsites off has cleared and paved by the end of the trail at Char-Mar about 1 mile from Miller November 2018. Park. Delaware County Park to Heathermere subdi- This section of trail Friends of the Trail (DCFT) vision north of the village. from Forrer Rd. is working on a grant (just north of the Great Parks of Ham- request with Preservation Orrville Industrial ilton County will begin Parks for 2019 funding. Park) to the Village construction in 2019 of Marshallville was Cuyahoga County to connect the Beech- funded through has multiple projects in mont Bridge to the 4 $500,000 of Clean the works that wll elimi- mile Lunken Trail which Ohio Trail funding, nate roadway miles in the will connect to the Ohio and local funding downtown Cleveland area. River Trail on Riverside including an OTETF Stay tuned for how these Drive. This connection will contribution of projects will affect the substantially change the $15,000. OTET route and its north- Early construction stages of the OTET route from streets Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park ern terminus location! Connector to the Trail. page 2 Fall/Winter 2018 Newsletter #58 Moffitt Memorial Ride Announcement Next year’s seven-day, A unique aspect of this ride Day 6: (30 miles) six-night Ohio to Erie is that much of the cost is Destination: Trail bicycle ride is set for considered to be a tax-de- Downtown Akron September 7-13, 2019. ductable DONATION. Marriott Courtyard Reservations can be made After the ride, the cost to This leisurely day through our web site at produce the ride per indi- allows for stops OhioToErieTrail.org begin- vidual is then subtracted along the O&E ning in December. from the amount each Canal Towpath participant donated. Riders including our trail Tour Capacity: receive a letter stating how The OTET Southern terminus is where partner bike shop, the adventure begins! 45 riders much of their payment was Ernie’s. Daily Mileage: applied without services Distances range from 30 or goods given in return. Optional: For extra miles, to 67, beginner to inter- For example, riders in 2018 venture into the Cuyahoga Moffitt Memorial (con’t from page 1) mediate level. Shorter days ended up donating about Valley National Park and allow for a more leisurely 2/3 of their ride cost. ride the scenic train back The group stopped by to Akron. ride, additional miles on Food and lodging are paid the Knox County Depot other trails, or site-seeing for by the participants. Day 7: (40 miles) to view the poster of the along the way. Destination: Lake Erie, historical train route that Terrain: Weather: Cleveland this segment of the trail September in Ohio is typi- follows. Trail surfaces are fine for Riders travel through the road bikes, hybrids and cally dry with temperatures Cuyahoga Valley National The Grand Hotel was a mountain bikes. While 90% ranging from morning lows of 45-55° to after- Park, the ONLY National favorite lodging spot in of the trail is essentially Park in Ohio. There is time noon highs of 70-80°. Mount Vernon where flat, there are some hills to visit museum centers, riders were treated to a along the way that are Itinerary: memorials, and shops. The lovely view of the down- typical for Ohio cycling. Day 1 (67 miles): grand finale is a shared town square from the None are too long to just Start in downtown lunch celebration at the enjoy walking. Cincinnati at Smale Park on Edgewater Yacht Club. balcony, luxurious rooms, “tea time” in the lobby, Overnight Lodging: the Ohio River. Return Transportation: Riders stay at hotels at Destination: Xenia, and an extravagent Available for a small fee to special rates. Hampton Inn breakfast like no other. Day 2: (59 miles) Columbus or Cincinnati. SAG (Support and Gear): As the riders headed Destination: Downtown Cancellation Fees: This ride is fully supported into Amish country, the Columbus, Red Roof Inn $150 until April 30 with luggage transfers, trail widened and horse Plus+ $250 until May 31 on-route vehicles, a and buggies became a mechanic and OTET staff. Day 3: (51 miles) $350 until August 7 Last day to cancel: common site. The section Participants only need to Destination: Mt. Vernon, of the trail just south of carry what they will need the Grand Hotel August 7 Glenmont, completed in for the day. Support stops Day 4: (41 miles) fall of 2017, was a high- are about every 15 miles For more information, Destination: Amish light of the ride. Riders with water and snacks. access our website or Country, historic contact climbed up a ridgeline to Pricing: Millersburg, Comfort Inn [email protected]. the Baddow Pass for 3.5 The cost is variable, Day 5: (38 miles) miles and then coasted depending on the date of Destination: Massillon, downhill into the idyllic registration, ranging from Hampton Inn continued on page 5 $700 to $800.

page 3 Fall/Winter 2018 Newsletter #58 Moffitt Memorial Ride Memories

Holiday Gift List Don’t forget to get your t-shirt makes the perfect favorite cyclist(s) gifts from gift! To order: Fandom our OTET Shop. Our new www.ohiotoerietrailshop.com 4.3 oz. 60% combed ring- After riding the Moffitt Memorial, Al Burnard spun cotton/40% polyester became one of the trail’s biggest fans! ♥ ♥ ♥

Don’t forget about our jerseys and stickers avail- able in the shop too! page 4 Fall/Winter 2018 Newsletter #58

Moffitt Memorial THE 326 CLUB (con’t from page 3) The 326 Club includes more than 100 people that have cycled, hiked, or other- small town of Glenmont, where wise traveled the entire length of the in a single trip since a feast of local food fare awaited 2016. If you qualify for the 326 Club, please let us know and we’ll add your at the trail head, compliments name and home city and state to the webpage. Meet two 326 members below! of Tom Alexander, OTET board member.

Small town charms continued as the tour traveled through Mill- ersburg and Dalton, with stops along the way at local restau- rants, general stores, bakeries, craftsman furniture stores, and coffee and ice cream shops. Name: Jimi Nixon On day 6, Ernie’s Bicyle Shop in Sherry Clouser, 49 of LaGrange, Massillon opened early so riders Age at time of trip: 47 Ohio and Hannah Clouser, 22 could visit while they enjoyed of New York City biked the trail Trail Experience: This was my first! in a single 6-day trip. This moth- breakfast from the Blue Heron I trained for several weekends to er-daughter team started in Cafe next door. insure that I could do high mile- Cincinnati and ended in Cleveland! The tour switched to an urban ages, but due to cooler weather, To celebrate, they each got a terrain in Akron before riders the trip turned out to be easier bike tattoo. The memories, and enjoyed the beauty of the than some of my single day trips. the tattoos will last a lifetime! Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Their trusted Fuji bikes got them Month of Trip: September 7 – 8, through the many miles, which Many riders pushed on to make 10 – 11 (9/9 was a layover due to were often wet from rain - it rained the most of this day with an rain) every day! They took a little longer adventure on the Cuyhoga Valley What made you decide to bike than planned, due to the rain, and Scenic Railroad that returned they especially enjoyed the histori- them to Akron, where they dined the entire trail in one trip: Wanted the cachet of cycling the cal Millersburg hotel. at one of the many local restau- OTET. rants in the area. Lodging along the way: Camping, The final day was a low mileage including the Bridge of Dreams in day, giving riders plenty of time Brinkhaven. Another stop at the to arrive at Edgewater Park, Quarry in Massillon was planned, where they joined the final lunch but aborted. and celebration at the Edgewater Yacht Club, compliments of an Model/Type of Bike: Jamis 25” El OTET board member. Cheapo model road bike. Happy to say it held up nicely and I didn’t Riders hailed from Ohio, even have to change a single tire! Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Biggest challenge on the trip: Nebraska, and Texas. Although Riding the remnants of Hurricane their time spent together was Gordon on Saturday. Also fell for brief, their memories of the ride the first time ever on some leaves and comraderie formed will last that day. On the other hand, I a lifetime. made my best time that day. 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 President Chris Haydocy, Franklin County, Advisory Board Vice President William Baker, Holmes County Don Noble, Wayne County, Melodee Kornacker, Franklin Treasurer County This string of characters is the official Ohio to Erie Mary Plumley, Franklin County, Greg Lashutka, Franklin County tag used for social media posts. Secretary Tom Offut, Lake County Tom Alexander, Holmes County Charlie Ruma, Franklin County James Flaherty, Delaware County Jim Schneider, Greene County Post your photos with this hashtag and you might Ted Short, Wayne County Mike Groeber, Clark/Greene Sam Speck, Franklin County see your photo shared on our site or in our news- Counties Bob Taft, Greene County letter! Sean McGurr, Summit County Ellen Tripp, Franklin County Bob Niedenthal, At-Large Stephanie Vesper-Gephardt, Don Mills, Hamilton County Hamilton County Jerry Rampelt, Franklin County Did You Know? Brad Westall, Franklin County Since 1998, $14.7 million from the State of Ohio’s Dan Ritchey, Muskingum County Ken Schneider, Cuyahoga County Clean Ohio Trail Fund and the Recreational Trail Jay Telzrow, Cuyahoga County Program have been allocated to the Ohio To Erie Elizabeth Watts, Franklin County Trail and its connectors! Thank you! Jack Williams, Ross County