Discovering America by Bicycle | PART 24: AMISH COUNTRY (Ohio to Erie Trail Part 3)

We leave our campsite in Rustic Knolls Campground on a dewy morning, heading north through Mt. Vernon, a lovely town worth detouring the few extra blocks for. There we join the Kokosing Gap Trail, a very scenic stretch of the Ohio to Erie Trail, under a spectacular arched bridge over which US 36 crosses, past many railroad relics and gorgeous scenery. The Mohican Valley Trail takes us across the famous Bridge of Dreams. Somewhere along the way we begin to follow the Holmes County Trail which, although still incomplete, carries us through the most pleasant landscapes imaginable. We take a rainy rest day in Millersburg before heading back on the trail. Holmes county has the largest population of Amish people in the world, and they always seem curious about our trip. We meet Larry Ramer at his home, where he has set up a bicycle rest stop and campsite for travelers on the Ohio to Erie Trail, and share a long conversation with him about what it means to live a positive life. The episode ends in Massillon, contested birthplace of American Football. Easily on of the most memorable stretches of our cross-country ride so far.

[@clevelanddotcom]

Great job, I'm glad you took the time to show the friendly couple that hosts the rest stop for cyclists as well as your conversation with him. I've heard great things about the Holmes County Trail and surrounding areas. Now I've seen it through your experience there. Many thanks. - John

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yup, Larry is an admirable fellow, such a breath of fresh air in a world struggling with cynicism. And the trail is so, so spectacular.

[@videojunkyful]

So glad you got to stop by and visit with Larry & Lois. I've gone to church with them for over 30 years. I know they were as delighted to share their space with you as you were to enjoy taking a break there. Blessings as you continue to experience the goodness out there.

[@lawrencegrace9302]

🙏❤

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It was a delightful visit for us as well as the many others I'm sure who have passed by. Inspiring in so many ways!

[@PumpkinVillage]

That was some beautiful country and even a nicer rest stop. That was so cool that someone would do that. Thanks for another view of America. Take care, Al

[@TheBicycleTourists]

This country is full of beautiful people. It does make me want to be a better person myself.

[@tracyklensch3259]

Definitely one of my favorite episodes! Beauty in the landscape and small town architecture, charm of the Amish and wow, how wonderful the kindness of the couple who created the biker's rest stop. So special! And I think I really want to someday find Smiley's! : ) I'm looking forward to seeing more glimpses of fall color as you continue along.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks! Yep, folks like Larry Ramer give me hope for our country and for the world. There is some great fall color coming!

[@deidrewallace9056]

Love you two. I look forward to each video as I plan my autumn rail trail rides.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Deidre! Autumn is the best time!

[@lawrencegrace9302]

I love your narrating and views. I would love to learn how to do something like this and how to prepare and what to take. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you Lawrence. As we get time, we'll be publishing videos on planning, mapping, packing, etc. It's not too hard, all things considered. In the meantime, I think there are a few other videos out there that can help . Thanks for watching!

[@dennispiciullo8060]

I am always looking forward to these videos! Tons of beautiful country, we have here. Keep it up!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you! Where are you located, Dennis? If you've mentioned it, I've forgotten.

[@riverbliss262]

As I enjoy these last few videos I realize I'm approaching the end of your journey. and I will miss it. You two are truly a delight and Roland your storytelling is so engaging. All the trails are so amazing, but yet it's those country roads where you connect with the people and their lifestyle. Bless you.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I agree. Trails are awesome, safe, serene. But the roads are where the culture is. We should have a series on our French trip, which is where we are now, soon after the US series wraps. Hope you follow!

[@mjavorsky]

I have enjoyed this series. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

So glad you're enjoying!

[@cherylbigoness7441]

Love this one so much, has to be my favorite so far! Love riding through Amish country! The scenery and people there are awesome 🥰 Thanks for another great video!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

What I love about riding - especially in places like this - is you spend the day with a great big smile and constantly oohing and aahing at the scenery and people around you. It makes your face hurt from smiling so much.

[@dondonner1095]

You both inspire me.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Awww shucks Don! Thanks!

[@charlietarr]

Thank you for this! Every aspect of this was wonderful including your relationship. I could listen to Roland read the phone book. I live in Columbus and it is like a roach motel! We say “come on vacation, stay on probation”. At least we have flat ground and a smooth bike trail! Oh yes you made so much extra work vlogging and editing! You the man!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Charles! Sometimes Ohio gets a bad rap but we enjoyed every mile. Great scenery, great people, and amazing riding. The vlogging is definitely extra work but a labor of love.

[@dforrest4503]

The Kokosing Gap Trail is my favorite, especially in the fall. I found your channel from a post on a Facebook group. I think I’m going to binge watch!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I hope to get back there some day. Midwest rail trails are the best. And Ohio has some of the best for sure.

[@user-vh1sh1xl5k]

Kudos to Larry Ramor and his wife for their hospitality at cyclist rest area! God bless their hearts!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I hold Larry in my heart every day. He inspires me so much!

[@JNNJR]

From much experience, it's a different encounter riding those trails when they are wet with all the horse droppings. ;) Glad you enjoyed the ride through. I ride a couple thousand miles from Centerburg to Millersburg there per year. We provide the free water in Centerburg at the church along the trail...

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks for the free water, even though we didn't stop ourselves. That would be a great trail to have in your backyard.

[@garyseckel295]

Watched again. So pretty!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Gary! I loved that stretch.

[@RichardWright3450]

Definitely one of my favorites. Love the longer interview with the host, and the fiddle playing.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Larry Ramer was an inspiration,

[@davkatjenn]

When you go through country like that you realize that Norman Rockwell America really did exist and still does there in Holmes County.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yeah, that truly is how it feels.

[@davkatjenn]

I had to watch this video; Holmes County is one of my favorite places in the United States. My wife and I bought our bedroom furniture in Mount Hope, just north of Berlin. Berlin is a wonderful town and it is perfect for a nice two day sightseeing trip by itself. I hope that you had time to stop at Heini's Cheese Chalet in Bunker Hill; that is always a "must stop" for us and for dinner, you can't get much better than Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek. One last "must see" is Lehman's store in Kidron. It was set up originally to cater to the Amish so they have a ton of things that are hand operated (like ice cream freezers). We try to come back to Holmes County about every 3-4 years at least. As for the roads, you can tell that you are in Amish country by the ruts on the edge of the asphalt made by the Amish buggies. I love it up there. It is a slice of Heaven right in the middle of Ohio.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Well, sadly we missed most of these icons you mention, but we did absolutely love our short time in Holmes County. Truly one of the prettiest places I've ever seen.

[@Flacama-ty3rk]

Neat finding this video I live in holmesvilles and had to take the trail to Millerburg every day for work. It’s a completely different experience at night

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I bet! You live in a beautiful part of the world.

[@dsa5394]

We live near Holmes County, never drive through on a Saturday. Also, doing the Holmes county trail and Kokosing on a Sunday is very interesting. The Amish are out with their electric bikes and buggies. The Amish are very varied, some sects have Electric bikes, some aren't even allowed pedals on their bikes. If you saw one driving a car, that was probably a Mennonite not Amish. The ones with Electric bikes use solar panels to charge them.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Good information here. Thanks for the clarification!

[@rustyh711]

Some of what you are calling Amish are Mennonite the Mennonite look a lot like Amish but are not as strict and drive cars and tractors and have electricity in there homes

[@TheBicycleTourists]

That actually explains a lot. We don't really have much for this kind of culture in Colorado, so it's a bit new to us. Thanks for the info!

[@lawrencegrace9302]

As well as German Baptists which we have here in Lima Ohio.

[@dorisleonardo1490]

So beautiful oh my love it 🚴‍♀️🙌❤️

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you Doris!

[@Biking360]

Wow! That looked like an awesome ride and my favorite video to date. Great to see such a welcome for cyclists too. A bit of a contrast to your previous experience, was it the last video or one before? I can't remember which now!! Ride safe :)

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Right. The ups and downs of bicycle touring! You never know what you're going to find. This area really was a surprise in so many ways. Around here, Ohio gets a bad reputation as boring. It's totally undeserved.

[@mediumrick7667]

Wife and I watched the entire France series with interest as we're planning a tour there for spring 2024. Now we're working our way through America series. Good stuff! In fact you've actually got us interested in a midwest tour for fall of next year. We might loosely follow your general route. Any opinions on a good starting place in the midwest? Prefer as few cars as possible. Was thinking of kicking off around Kansas City and generally working eastward, opting for quieter roads and rail trails. Any thoughts you have would be welcomed. And thnx for all the entertaining and informative vids.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

So glad you're enjoying these! It of course depends how far you want the trip to be, but I'm a big fan of our route, from KC all the way to the coast I cant think of any part of it I would change. The Hill Country of Indiana was kind of brutal hill-wise, but the scenery was out of this world. The road riding between the Katy Trail and the Ohio to Erie Trail was some of my favorite, as long as you stick with the back roads there are few issues with traffic. If you want to discuss specifics feel free to reach out and we can get into more detail. I just finished riding in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, there is a real nice loop there you can do with the Root River Trail, the Elroy Sparta Trail system, and the Mississippi River that I's be happy to share. In any case, safe travels!

[@mediumrick7667]

@@TheBicycleTourists Great! Thanks for the info.

[@mediumrick7667]

@@TheBicycleTourists What would be the best way to contact you, here in the comments, or by other means?

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Either here or you can direct message us at Roland & Julianna: Bicycle Tourists on Facebook

[@mediumrick7667]

@@TheBicycleTourists By the way, my wife and I did a 25 day tour in The Netherlands earlier this year. Essentially flat and outstanding bike infrastructure. I think you guys would really like it there and it would make for great videos. Just food for thought.

[@nelpoodle]

What time of year did you ride as you mentioned the heat and humidity. We did the GAP and C & O in June and it was humid. Planning on doing the KATY in October.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

This was last year, late September. The last heat wave of a very hot summer across the country. the Katy in October should be glorious.

[@rustyh711]

Can I ask you what your budget per day was for this tour

[@TheBicycleTourists]

You can, but I never budgeted it or tracked it. I meant to but never got around to looking back at the numbers. I knew we had to do this ride and that it would be a once in a lifetime kinda thing. So we just kinda bit the bullet.

[@rustyh711]

@@TheBicycleTourists Do you think it can be done on $2,000

[@TheBicycleTourists]

So many variables there. Which route? (Northern is probably 4000 miles roughly, southern route 3000). How many miles can you do fully loaded, so how long will it take to ride that far? Food: groceries or restaurants? All wild camping? Your question got me thinking. So I did a little math. If you rode the shortest route at about 3000 miles, knocked it out in two months, never stayed in a hotel or paid campground, and kept all other expenses like food, fuel, and bike repairs, down to about $30 a day, you could do it. It would definitely be on the primitive side, but when you think about people who through hike the Appalachian trail, I'm sure they do it on less.

[@rustyh711]

@@TheBicycleTourists Thank you so much for responding with good info I will have to work at getting a little more to work with but I like camping and cooking my food as much as I can and hope to use Warmshowers when I can I am plaining on leaving end of May 2023

[@TheBicycleTourists]

What route are you looking to take?