Ohio-to-Erie Ride - Day 2

London to Columbus - 9:45 am

I had a somewhat earlier start on Day 2, but just barely. I needed plenty of sleep and didn't want to pass up breakfast at the B & B. Even with that I would have been off sooner, had I not taken the time to chat with the proprietor about his fine establishment (and other matters). Oh well. Even I know there's more to a journey than simply reaching your final destination. So again I violated Lesson #1. But with more sleep under my belt and fewer miles to cover on Day 2, I felt it was a fair trade.

The weather forecast, apparently upset by my touring plans, now called for a chance of rain for the remainder of the tour. Just two days earlier there was virtually no rain forecast for this period. So much for meteorological progress in the 21st century.

I rolled onto Main Street and decided to stop for some gatorade as I had already grown tired of the powdered stuff. I jogged over a block or two while heading south through town, spotted a gas station where I filled my bottles and added a couple of candy bars to my energy bar stash for the road.

Generally I seek out the side streets when riding through towns and the more peaceful rural lanes in the country. The quiet secondary roads are always my ideal, when they can be found. This ride was challenging in that I had to balance bike friendly roads with a fairly direct route. Fortunately, this tour provided more pleasant lanes than I expected.

Here's the most direct route to the Bed & Breakfast and back onto the Ohio-to-Erie Trail: From the trail's endpoint at Midway Street in southwest London turn left on Midway, right on High Street and left on Main Street. Total distance is not more than a mile. The ride back to the trail is about 1/2 mile. You head south on Main, then left on Center Street. Center becomes Rt. 665 heading out of town on London's east side.

Ohio-to-Erie plans suggest the trail will pickup again at Maple Street in the future, so be sure to check for a new completed trail section before leaving London. Maple is just off of Center Street on your way out of town. Turn left on Maple and have a look at the future trailhead where the former rail line crossed the street.

I rode out of London on Rt. 665 and hoped for light traffic that morning. The road was a bit narrow and slightly rolling which created some blind spots here and there. I suppose that's what kept me ill at ease. Some roads just don't have a good feel about them. Though traffic was sparse, I was glad when I made a left on Lilly-Wilson Road and headed north. Soon after the road bent eastward and became Lilly Chapel Road.

The road route I had chosen travels through Lilly Chapel and Georgesville before reaching southern Columbus, Ohio where I'd hook into the next existing trail system. The road names sometimes varied from their monikers on my maps, so be sure to take good maps if you attempt this ride. Lesson #5: Don't scrimp on the maps. You don't need to carry a road atlas. I used a number of different map resources. I chose a map program to make copies of key points along the trail (city maps, confusing junctions, road routes etc.), put them in proper sequence and snapped a rubber band around them. I also packed a few trail maps and an Ohio map with secondary roads.

My pace was earnest as Mother Nature turned on some swirling gusts to make me rethink my quaint plan of traveling with the prevailing winds. At least I was dry for the moment and enjoyed a pleasant ride, albeit not an easy one when pushing into the wind. The road had flattened and straightened considerably since I turned off of Rt. 665. Traffic was almost nonexistent and the pavement was good. I must have been entranced with my progress as I avoided any long stops or Kodak moments.

Passing through Lilly Chapel, not much more than a crossroad with a few buildings, I caught something moving toward me out of the corner of my eye. Reflexes pulled my muscles taut in readiness for a sprint as I rose from my saddle to stomp the pedals. I turned to see two well-fed pups happily loping after me in what started as a pursuit, but ended in a lazy romp and tussle with each other in the middle of the road. I slowed and watched the tan and black enjoy their play, now completely oblivious to my turning wheels. I chuckled, my spirits leaving the road for a moment. I toyed with the idea of getting a few snapshots, but quickly realized the stupidity. Though there were no cars in sight along this long, straight stretch, I didn't want to keep their attention in the road, so I continued on.

The day was warm, but less so than the day before as overcast skies shielded me from the sun. The only glitch was the changing winds that often teased me by changing directions when I did, just to continue blowing in my face.

At some point along the way, Lilly Chapel Road became Alkire Road. I rode through Georgesville looking for a carryout but had no luck. Not much more here than in Lilly Chapel.

10:35 am

Just before leaving town the road descended into a small valley. At the bottom I pulled into the Darby Creek MetroPark parking lot and took my first break. At the far end of the lot canoers appeared to be readying themselves for a river journey. I used the facilities to replenish my low water supply and added the wonderful gatorade powder of which I was so fond. With hydration stores replenished, I headed up the small grade out of the modest river valley. Next destination: Columbus, Ohio.

Overcast skies were the order of the day and I was calm and into the tour. Only the occasional roadside puddle served as a reminder to the previous day's thunderstorm adventure. Though a threat of rain now loomed over the rest of my tour, it would no longer take me by surprise.

The road slowly rolled and turned and would eventually flatten as it made its way toward Columbus. Traffic was light, when there was any to speak of. These were definitely my kind of roads.

Up ahead I saw a couple of guys on road bikes coming toward me. This would prove to be an unusual sight during my trip and the first cyclists I encountered on the road. Upon getting closer I noticed they had matching jerseys; perhaps a couple of teammates out for a training ride. I suddenly became aware of the camouflage of bike bags on my road machine. In that moment I felt out of place, like a roadie disguised as a tourist, as I realized they were doing what I normally did on two wheels. It made me smile and I waved as I approached the first rider. He waved back while the second guy appeared to start to make a gesture of some sort... perhaps... or maybe he just had a tick.

I decided to follow Alkire Road into Galloway, so I made a left at the Kunz Road intersection. (If you continue straight the road becomes Bausch Rd.) I then made a right at the first intersection in Galloway -- still riding on Alkire (strange, I know) -- and headed toward Norton Road.

As I neared the big city the tarmac improved and traffic began to increase. I narrowed my focus on my route and the traffic and pedaled into the city limits around 11:15 am.

A quick break was in order so I stopped at a gas station/quickie mart near Lone Eagle Street. Two of my three bottles now empty, I noted that the distances between water stops had been just right that morning. I grabbed a few snacks and as I was checking out, the young clerk noticing my cycling clothes asked, "Where are you riding to today?"

"Mt. Vernon today, but I hope to be in Cleveland in a couple more days" I answered. She seemed genuinely surprised at the scope of my trip which in turn surprised me. I thought it quite routine, especially when one considers how commonplace cross-country bike trips are these days. But then, not everyone thinks like a cyclist.

Back on Alkire I rolled eastward into town. Traffic thickened as I moved closer to major arteries. At Holt Road I waited about 15 cars back at a red light. For someone who hates riding in traffic, this was a bit intimidating. But I made it through and soon passed under I-270 near Demorest Road. Here the congestion lessened again as I continued on toward Rt. 3 where I would only be about 4-5 miles from the next trailhead.

Focus firmly on road, I approached the busier Rt. 3 where I would be northeast bound again. With my game face on, I readied myself for the narrow two-lane stretch. As I turned left onto 3 I was handed a gift from above: a newly paved road with a generous 2-3 foot wide shoulder. The boon was more than a built-in bike path of new asphalt; it included a debris free path. The paving had been so recent that gravel and other goodies had not yet collected at the side of the road. Lucky me!

The shoulder took me all the way to Central Avenue at Mound Street. Here the road pivoted slightly left as it became Central and passed under I-70.

Flat or slightly downhill grades allowed me to traverse the next several blocks fairly quickly. It was a straight shot down Central Avenue and then left on McKinley Avenue as traffic waned once again. The brief westward jaunt on McKinley was to hop over to Grandview Avenue where the trailhead would be just around the corner.

I spotted a sign for Grandview that directed me to turn left and follow a long, sweeping on-ramp-like turn that deposited me onto Grandview heading north over the I-670 bridge. After rolling down the north side of the bridge I ignored a trailhead on my right and continued on toward Dublin Road. I had a hunch that this trailhead near Watermark Drive had not yet been connected to the Olentangy-Scioto Bikeway. My hunch proved correct.

At Dublin Road I turned right riding east as I approached the trailhead. There is no sign to draw your attention to the entrance, so I snapped this photo to provide a target for trail access.

The key is not to ride past the sign above that reads, "Twin Rivers Dr -- Next Left." The trailhead appears on your right just before the sign.

I took this second shot of the trailhead facing west toward Grandview. This gated trail section is not likely to be opened until the trail extension over to Grandview is completed.

2:00 pm

At 28.3 miles into my ride I had reached the Columbus, Ohio trailhead and finished one of two long stretches of road riding I would face on the Ohio-to-Erie Trail that day. The road route from London was more than satisfactory, despite some pesky winds that worked hard at holding me back. The lanes into Columbus had a few pockets of heavy traffic, but that was to be expected.

For those who may be puzzled by my choosing to ride the Olentangy Trail, I should mention that the Ohio-to-Erie plans to utilize the Alum Creek Trail instead. But it's a work in progress at the time of this writing, so the Olentangy was a better choice. Particularly since it runs parallel to the Alum Creek and has a connecting bike lane over to Westerville where the Ohio-to-Erie makes its way out of Columbus.

After a short break I turned down the trail and toward the river in search of the main bikeway. Damp spots along the trail suggested rain earlier in the day. My late start that morning was working out well after all. After ducking under a bridge, I turned left on a connecting trail and crested a small rise to reach street level. I took out my maps to try to distinguish connectors from the main trail and find its exact access point. That's when good fortune smiled on me for a second time that day. I asked the first couple I saw if they could direct me to the Olentangy Trail. They said they could do better than that. They offered to ride north on the trail with me, as it was on their way home.

Their offer was music to my ears. Not only was I glad for their company, but I knew from experience that navigating a trail through a large urban area is a tricky proposition. And when Eric informed me that the trail was closed at the OSU campus due to construction, I knew our meeting was divine intervention.

I put myself in the capable hands of my two guides as we chatted and cruised northward on the Olentangy Trail. I became the carefree tourist, taking in the sights and sounds along the trail with no navigational worries. Eric and Nydia led the way along a brief construction detour that took us directly past the OSU Football Stadium. I'd never seen it in person and was completely awestruck as we coasted by the walls of the historic edifice. I felt the urge to stop and snap some photos, but was not willing to risk disturbing the kismet of this fine day.

We parted ways at Clintonville with Eric giving me some navigational pointers for further along the trail. Lesson #6: Trail maps are not infallible and sometimes omit important details such as connecting routes between trail sections. As trails through metropolitan areas tend not to be contiguous or well-signed, be prepared to do a little trailhead searching. Unless, like me, you are lucky enough to ride through with some local cyclists!

My apologies for not recording the exact junction point onto the Olentangy Trail. Hopefully the Alum Creek route, when completed, will provide a more contiguous route that's less prone to road and bridge construction closings.

I settled back into a comfortable solo groove and made my way past Antrim Lake.

There's an interesting bit of trail traffic control in place here. The Olentangy Trail scoots by on the outside, while the path next to the water is for walkers and joggers that wish to circumnavigate the lake by trail. It's a popular recreation area.

I soon reached my turn off at Wilson Bridge Road. Even with all the parks along the trail it's not difficult to find. Just turn right after you pass the skate board ramp that's next to the trail. You'll pass a few tennis courts before arriving at the small parking lot that marks the end of Wilson Bridge Road. I had to ride through the grass from the ramp since the trail was blocked due to construction. (Note that the Olentangy Trail continues north to Worthington Hills Park.)

The Olentangy Trail was in fine condition. Much of the 14 mile section I rode was resurfaced or updated. I don't recall seeing any sections in need of repair.

I took a break and loaded up on water before continuing back onto city streets. The easterly ride along Wilson Bridge Road led me past Rt. 23 and Worthington Galena Road before delivering me to the Shrock Road bike lanes. This route looked simple on paper, but I found myself consulting my trusty maps at least twice along the way. I turned left onto Schrock where it would be another 4 miles or so to State Street in Westerville where the next trailhead waited nearby.

Now into early afternoon, the traffic along Schrock was moderately heavy. I was thankful for the good bike lane and the small, descending rollers that sent me along at a good clip.

The intersections were more precarious, however, and I soon found myself pinned to the curb while cars were turning right at a crossroad directly in front of me. I needed to continue straight and should have stayed off the curb enough to discourage this practice. Unfortunately not having bike messenger skills is a detriment in such situations. Next thing I knew I was watching the light turn as drivers lined up to continue pinning me down. I picked up my bike and stepped over the curb and moved to the sidewalk. In a ridiculous move I tried to make the crosswalk a split second before the light changed. I didn't make it. Thankfully, the cars spared my life and honked their displeasure at my idiotic stunt. Lesson #7: Know your weaknesses and don't press your luck.

I came to a stop where the Schrock Road bike lane ended just short of State Street and put my foot on the curb. Now it was my turn to be the victim of an idiotic move. I knew this intersection was trouble as I had previously scouted it by car. It was a real bottleneck. I had to cross over to the single left turn lane that was filled with cars that couldn't make the light and kept waiting as a handful or so were set free on each green. I waited till I saw a small opening and made my move and fell in line. Unbeknownst to me, this little maneuver may have incensed the driver behind me. When the light turned green I quickly started into the left turn. Approaching the halfway point I noticed the turn opened into two lanes, so I made a beeline for the curb. At this exact moment I heard a car lock its brakes just behind me and to my right. In an instant I was next to the curb as the car swerved around to my left. The driver laid on his horn and shouted something unintelligible out the passenger window, then darted off. I was livid and shouted something stupid after him like, "Why didn't you just run me over you stupid #@*!!" He'd almost run me down by trying to pass on the right in the middle of a turn. Lesson #8: Expect the unexpected.

Adrenaline fueled the anger that ruled my body as I made my way to the trailhead near Cherrington Road. I turned right onto the bikeway and coasted to as stop still seething. My tour had almost come to an end twice in a span of not more than 15 minutes.

2:15 pm

I took a break, calmed myself, adjusted my attitude (ah, shades of Day 1) and continued on.

I had reached the Westerville Trail 49.5 miles into my ride. It provided a pleasant but brief 2.2 mile jaunt through the last of this dense metropolis around Columbus. I poked along, reluctant to hurry ahead to wrangle with more traffic.

2:45 pm

I came to a stop at the end of the trail at Maxtown Road and scouted for a place to eat a late lunch. I settled on Pizzano's Pizza & Stromboli across the street.

After a hearty meal my spirits lifted and I looked forward to getting out of the city and back on the Ohio-to-Erie. I briefly rode west along Maxtown and turned right (north) on State Street. This is also Rt. 3, which had taken me into southern Columbus earlier that day.

A very short ride northward led to the proverbial fork in the road. Bear left and you stay on Rt. 3 north. Veer right and you travel on the Old 3C Highway. My next trailhead was a rail-trail caught in the middle of this fork like a piece of uncooked spaghetti. To reach it I stayed on Rt. 3 for a couple of hundred yards until a dirt footpath revealed itself on my right. I coasted over to the edge of the road and turned into the unmarked trailhead.

I had hoped to find some pleasant surprises during my journey and this gem of a trail proved to be a big highlight. Shrouded by trees and thick foliage that border each side of the bikeway, the trail would be completely invisible to the outside world if not for the few roads that dissect its green path.

The contrast of environments was so strong that when I stepped off the busy road and onto this trail I felt I'd gone through a portal that transported me to another place entirely. A wonderful place with beautiful landscaping, an excellent asphalt surface and immaculate maintenance that define this pristine pathway.

The trail conjoins a park no less impressive than the bikeway. McNamara Park makes a wonderful rest stop. Unfortunately I'd just had lunch, so I settled for filling my water bottles there and taking some photos.

This rail-trail, to my knowledge, has no official name. I could only find a reference to Genoa Township, so I'm using that name here. Of course it is an official piece of the Ohio-to-Erie puzzle.

After a much too short 3 3/4 miles, the trail deposited me onto Plumb Road where I turned right (east) to the Old 3C Highway nearby. Just past the 56.5 mile mark on Day 2's journey I turned left (northeast) onto this scenic stretch that winds around a portion of the Hoover Reservoir.

Traffic was light and the roads were good when I pedaled into the small burg of Galena, Ohio. I knew this was my last chance to refill my bottles for some time, but I was eager to keep moving so I didn't stop.

The Ohio-to-Erie will eventually make its way through Sunbury, but that segment was not finished during my ride, so I continued straight across the bridge that's a stone's throw from the center of the village. I turned left on Vans Valley Road and stood to climb a small rise. Later the road flattened out and became reminiscent of the terrain out of London earlier that day. I found this, along with no traffic, comforting and settled into a steady pace.

By the time the road reached Rt. 37, the overcast skies darkened a bit to the west and it had begun to sprinkle. I stopped at the crossroad and considered my options. I had planned to jog westward to pickup Longshore Road (Twp Rd 45, I believe), but the horizon encouraged me to amend my plans. So, I turned right instead and then left (north) onto Rt. 605. As it turned out, this route had new asphalt and was a bit more direct, but I think I sacrificed some more pleasurable roads on this little detour.

Just over 2 miles down 605 I made a right on Hartford Road and was back on my planned route. The sprinkles had faded and the wind gently pushed me along my easterly path.

Hartford Road had given way to the name Foundation Road, most likely when I crossed into Licking County. A breeze continued to shuttle me along for the most part. My plan of sailing with the prevailing winds no longer seemed absurd. When I came to Clover Valley Road I jogged right followed by a quick left and was once again aboard Foundation Road heading into Hartford.

The odd truck or two that skirted by suggested that this may be a rural truck route during weekdays. The open land seemed quite drab to me, but then the overcast skies and the occasional stiff crosswind may have had something to do with that. Road weariness that inevitably sets in as the saddle hours accumulate was also a factor I'm sure.

I made a left in Hartford on Fairgrounds Road and headed northeastward once again. In case you haven't guessed by now, my route was intended to roughly parallel Rts. 3 & 36 into Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 3/36 is a more direct ride, but not nearly bike friendly enough for my taste.

Fairgrounds morphed into Johnstown Road and kept a fairly straight line, although a slightly undulating one. The small rises proved a nice change of terrain as I continued toward Bangs just outside of Mt. Vernon.

I passed through Five Corners which seemed a handful of scattered old abodes in the middle of nowhere that had no aspirations for anything more. Further along I passed through Milfordton, at least according to my map, but I don't remember it. The area seemed quite remote with little traffic and that alone delighted me.

Just before Bangs the road began to descend and turn. I picked up speed and enjoyed the curvy decline past a stately old church and a driving range (out here?) until the fun came to an end at Rts. 3/36. Here I had to make a right on the rural highway and take it about a mile until I could jump off by turning right on Thayer Road. This brief ride south was just to cut over to Henry Road to resume an eastward tack.

Henry was a wide, smooth lane that seemed more suited for the city than in this rural setting alongside a small creek. Yes Virginia, there is a nicer ride into Mt. Vernon.

I turned left on Kinney Road and headed due north toward Mt. Vernon. I munched down an energy bar and swigged the last drop of my water supply knowing I was nearing my destination.

5:20 pm

At the 86.9 mile mark I entered Mt. Vernon where Kinney meets Rts. 3/36. No sooner had I turned right onto Hardcourt Road than I leaned right again at another fork, this time riding toward Rt. 13 on Columbus Road.

Columbus came to an end at Main Street (Rt. 13), just south of the town square. From here it was less than a 1/2 mile to the Russell Cooper House, my next B & B. The route is: left on Main, cross the bridge, then right on Gay Street and another right on East Gambier Street. The B & B will be on the left-hand side.

The last leg from the Genoa Township Trail involved 30.9 road miles, a bit longer than the roads from London to Columbus, and hopefully the last long road ride for the rest of my journey.

I checked in around 5:50 pm, secured my bike for the night and showered. I reconnoitered the grounds while waiting for my girlfriend to join me for the night. She would be bringing my mountain bike and fresh supplies for the next two days of my tour.

I had expected Day 2 to be the least enjoyable stage. I imagined a stressful day due to all the road miles and the navigation into and out of the megalopolis that is Columbus, Ohio. While my ride through Westerville did indeed tilt the stress-o-meter, the rest of the day had been quite enjoyable and surprisingly free from rain.

Day 2 Stats:

Total Miles = 87.41   Trail Miles= 20.15   Road Miles= 67.26
Saddle Time = ~5:25:00
Start: 9:45 am on Main Street in London
Finish: 5:50 pm East Gambier Street in Mt. Vernon
Ohio-to-Erie Miles = 180.55