Bike Ohio, on Road or Off

Here's a pleasant surprise: the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) isn't all about cars and orange barrels. For proof, you need only transport yourself to ODOT's Biking Ohio pages at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/bike/default.... to find terrific resources on bicycling throughout Ohio. Maps, contact information and links to increase awareness and promote use of the extensive bikeways, bike trails and bike lanes in Ohio are provided.
I had no idea there were so many cross-state bike routes! Check out the routes (and great maps) from Cincinnati to Toledo, from Cincinnati to Marietta, from Cleveland to Cincinnati, from Richmond, WV, to Moundsville, IN, and the Cardinal Trail, from Richmond, IN to Petersburg, OH--just to name a few.

Mountain bikers welcome
Although mountain bikes are NOT welcome in many state and local parks, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) does allow them on designated all-terrain vehicle trails and on specially-made single track trails in some state parks. Such trails are ready and waiting for you and your nubby, wide tires at a dozen Ohio State Parks, including Alum Creek in Delaware County, Beaver Creek in Columbiana County, Deer Creek in Pickaway County, and even on Kelly's Island. Visit http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/ for info.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources/Division of Forestry also permits mountain biking on designated all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails in six state forests. Perry State Forest, for example, offers sixteen miles of trails. Scioto Trail State Forest, which rambles over parts of both Pike and Ross Counties, offers up more than 30 miles of dirt trails and 25 miles of shared gravel trails. (Mountain bikes are expressly prohibited from all other trails and fire roads in Ohio's State Parks and Forests.) Visit http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/ to learn more.

For Road Apes* and Long-Distance Types
This is the 16th year for the MS Pedal to the Point, a benefit bike tour from Cleveland to Cedar Point and back that covers 150 miles in two days. Are you up for it? Go to http://www.mspedal.org/index.php to find out how to join, then start conditioning!

The 41st annual Tour of the Scioto River Valley leaves Columbus on May 11th, and returns--after 200 miles of pedaling!-- the very next day. Tour info at http://www.tosrv.org/
May the wind always be at your back...

For more information about biking in Ohio and other outdoor activities in the state, visit http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/main/new..., where you'll find many great resources, including books. (Regular readers know I have a hard time NOT finding books online!) I highly recommend Ohio Trails and Greenways 2001. This Rails-to-Trails book is a yearly statement of the work and progress of trail development in Ohio. For $15, you get the progress report, detailed maps for rail-trails, and overview maps for long distance trails including the Buckeye Trail, American Discovery Trail and North Country National Scenic Trail.

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