Ohio to Erie Trail 2023 bikepacking/touring

[@ottogoepel9057]

My compliments for no music. I clicked on a bike video and that is exactly what I got. Great job.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks. I've tried different formats over the years and I think I've arrived at what I feel is my "style". I want to impart what it's like to ride the trail, and while music works in some cases, when I'm riding I don't hear it (no headphones/earbuds) so I want to pass on the sounds of the gravel, birds, passing airplanes, etc. I also talk to my riding partners so that's why I'm a bit chatty :-)

[@ProducersGroupProd]

Thank You ! Great Video 👍😊

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Glad you enjoyed it! hope you can ride it someday. stay tuned for the Erie Canal (Empire) trail this fall. Cheers!

[@thegreatexaggerator9077]

Very well done, thank you for sharing!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for reaching out! More to come in the future. Might try some backpacking overnight adventures and some more rail trail several-day bikepacking stuff. So stay tuned. Cheers!

[@thegreatexaggerator9077]

@@AdventuresWithPaul I’m new to bike packing. I have C&O GAP and Ohio to Erie on my radar this year. One more thing, thank you for no music!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

The GAP/C&O is a great trail - you're going to love it. I just through-rode it again in 2023 (video on KZbin) and it's just such a great ride. I'm thinking about doing the route again, but West-East, and then linking trails together all the way to Minneapolis, so that should be a good long ride.

[@theogohioan1633]

I rode this in October of 2023 (south to north). For me, the trail told the story of the Midwest economy over the last two hundred years. Canals, farming, industry, the rust belt, tourism and breweries now...😊

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Interesting observation. I did north-south so I guess I was going back in time? :-). One of my plans is to do a counter-clockwise-ish tour in Ohio, re-riding this south-north, and then going west on the N. Inland Coast Trail, and then heading south the Dayton and returning to Cincy. Thanks for tuning in!

[@superdam318]

Very informative video...great narrative. . Love the orange Niner....I have one myself..

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Glad you found it informative. I find the Niner is a very good platform for touring long-haul. I can strap all manner of racks and gear onto it and it still rides so well. Recently swapped out the Apex 1 brifters and drop-bar for Deore and Flat-bar to see how that works out. So far so good!

[@larrybryant2811]

Welcome to Akron

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thank you! Stayed at the Blu-tique and got a take-out pizza from Half-Baked Pizza (the "Cuban" pizza BTW) - good stuff

[@douglaschamorro3642]

Thank you it was a great video. Looks like a trip I might want to take.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Go for it. Well marked, scenic. WHen you plan remember that sometimes it's hard to find dining options in towns (like Akron for instance on a Sunday night (although the pizza WAS really good)). If you're camping, you'll bring your food but it may be harder to find camp spots. Enjoy the trip - it wa a lot of fun. Up next in the fall - the Erie Canal (Empire) trail! Cheers!

[@IlyasMuhammad-fs7rm]

Awesome video!! I found it extremely informative and helpful

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks. Let me know if you get a chance to get out and ride the trail.

[@ReimaginedAdventures]

Excellent video !!!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

thanks! if you haven’t ridden the trail I hope you get the chance to do so. glad you liked it - I try to give the experience of what it’s like so hopefully that came across. Next bike trip will probably be the Erie Canal/Empire trail in the fall - stay tuned.

[@TravelingThru222]

That looks like one sweet ride, just subbed.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for reaching out - it's a good route, well marked, and the planners have done a really good job of linking together existing trails and low-vehicle traveled roads. Putting these long-distrance trails together (like the GAP/C&O, Erie Canal, OTET) really draws the recreational tourists to the area.

[@matts1978]

That poor cat broke my heart! But thanks for painting a real picture about what these longer trips are like

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Yeah - I wish I knew more about the cat's story, but alas, I do not. It passed by me so it didn't seem to approach me wanting/needing anything so I assume it was just announcing its presence in the morning.

[@BobInVT]

Looks like it was a fantastic trip! And great job on the video. And I love the song and the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The lyrics are so haunting.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks, BobInVT! Normally I put music behind the riding scenes but this time I tried going without the music, and overlaying the point-of-view shots of the trail on top of my monologue. Always trying something new.

[@ControlJanitorialBarrieI-lf1eh]

We were looking for a ride this summer. I think this might be it. Great video, thank you.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Right on! I plan to ride from Cincinatti - Massillon in June, and then head east to Pittsburgh to ride to Washington DC. So if the dates coincide, I may see you this summer!

[@micky30335]

Great video bud ,,,,some great artworks 😊

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

thanks. I’m finally able to start putting my university degree to use :-). I was torn between making this a long-form video or a two-parter, but ultimately chose to make the full video and then allow people to watch the length they want to watch

[@greatday2224]

I enjoyed your video. Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks! Hope everything's well in Cape Town (always wanted to climb Table Mountain but just haven't been to SA yet)

[@1dancier]

Well filmed. Cycled that trail to Zoarville then detoured to Pittsburgh and DC and eventually ended up on the West coast. The trails from Cleveland to Mt Vernon VA, were the best part of the ride.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for the compliment. Lucky that you got to then continue and go all the way to the west coast. That's my retirement ride to go from Portland ME to Portland OR

[@brianstroh6266]

That looked like a really nice route to ride .

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

It was! Give it a shot and try it :-)

[@MAGICHORSEMAN]

That's good that you were able to stay awake for the whole trip.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

yeah - it’s definitely easier riding a bike awake than it is sleeping

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Howdy, thanks very much for your video. I've ridden a bunch of rail trails, putting this one on the list. Rode part of the Alum Creek rail trail somewhere near Columbus years ago when I took a detour off the Northern Tier Route (ACA route). Love rail and canal trails. Happy trails!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for watching :-) Rail trails and paths are fun. I like linking them together for a (mostly) car-free route. It just tends to be a quieter, peaceful experience.

[@JoshEbersole]

That looks like a great ride. Kind of showcases all the different things to see in Ohio.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

It WAS a good ride. I'm going to return in June 2024 to ride from Cincinatti to Massillon, and then head East to Pittsburgh. Riding in the opposite direction will give me a different viewpoint on the trail. Plus, I'll get to see some of the sights south of Xenia which I rode in the dark last thru-ride.

[@dashcamcreate1587]

Very nice! I didn't realize that there are bike trails to travel that far. I'm getting into biking and need to find all the available bike routes in Cleveland Ohio.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

If you use the bike layer in Google maps you can see them all over the city in green. Light green for bike lanes and dark green for bike trails/paths. Ride on!

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Howdy, bike tourist here that saw your comment. There's a rail trail conservancy online with a list. GAP, C&O, Katy trail, Mickelson trail, Cowboy trail, they are peaceful routes separated from traffic mostly. Happy trails.

[@15or20]

What a ride! It's so much fun to see!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Lots to see! If you want to try a long-haul bicycle tour but don't want to ride on roads, this ranks up there with GAP/C&O, and Erie Canal (now Empire Trail)

[@NothingToSeeHere-mb3fw]

Nice bags! I have a few by Rockgeist as well! Thanks for filming and sharing. Planning on doing the NB route this year. Cheers, Bourbon!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I may be back and ride NB, then head west just below Akron and pick up the N. Inland trail out to around Bowling Green, and then head S to Dayton, and then Xenia, and back to Cincinatti. It's a good route, the trail designers have done a really good job with the route.

[@NothingToSeeHere-mb3fw]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Nice - I would be be heading east after hitting Cleveland to do the Erie Canal Trail from Buffalo to Albany. Yours sounds like a nice loop. Cheers!

[@Raveler1]

I really like this video, Paul! Great work on balancing the scenery and narration. As I'm preparing for my trip, riding the opposite way of you, I've come back to watch this video multiple times to get a better sense of what to expect. And I'm definitely parking at the Little Miami Golf Shop, $16 for the week is too good to pass up! Thanks for showing the location as well as mentioning your experience there.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Appreciate the compliment! When I'm shooting, I try and think through "now what would I want to look at?" and "what would I say if someone were riding with me?" (honestly though, I'd probably be quoting Austin Powers or singing 80's songs). But enjoy interacting with other riders. When you complete your trip, let me know how it was!

[@Raveler1]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Will do - I'll be posting videos from it, I'm sure!

[@wrpoulson]

West Side Market is open during the construction, they are restoring the outside of the building.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for the info! Maybe it was just Sunday morning it was closed. I did get my market fix in with Findlay market in Cincinnati and North Market when I rolled into Columbus. Some good Thai food in Columbus in the market.

[@IlyasMuhammad-fs7rm]

Will do Brother but I definitely plan on it 👍🏼

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Sounds good!

[@derfrechedachs6617]

I like your sense of humor 😂 and the effort you put into the footage - a lot of different angles and perspectives - good work and nice ride. Have subscribed your channel and I’m looking forward to your next adventure.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Awesome! If I ever sell tickets to a comedy stand-up performance, I know there will be at least one person in the audience :-). Planning through-ride of the Erie Canal (now part of the Empire Trail) in September so that will most likely be the next riding adventure. Of course, I may do a stealth-camp overnight on the bike between now and then.

[@FollowThomas]

Great to see familiar places again. I'm in Florida but just rode Ohio&Erie Canal Towpath myself to Cuyahoga Valley NP and back to Cleveland. I've never seen that kind of pink lighting in one of those tunnels you went through. I definitely need to go back and do the rest of the trail. Thanks for showing what I missed. 👍

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

The "Pepto Bismol" tunnel (not it's real name I'm sure) was just south of Akron downtown. Really nice cruise through that area if you can avoid the geese protecting their goslings. Don't know what your daily mileage is but I would suggest staying in Cedarville rather than Xenia - much nicer hotel options

[@FollowThomas]

@@AdventuresWithPaul I usually do about 60-70 mile days but after Cleveland I headed to Pittsburgh to do the GAP trail and ended up doing 118 on the first day and finished it up the next morning. That of cause is not my regular mileage when bike touring. I have Cleveland Ohio&Erie trail video up, check it out if you're interested. Thanks for recommendations. I'm hoping to get back soon, if not this summer then next.

[@Libdiddy]

@@AdventuresWithPaulactually it’s pretty rough area thru there , especially summit lake but I do love that part of the trail myself

[@MrSailor7x]

Steam Ships Rule! The propellers can be partially out of the water when the ship is running without cargo. But they would fill ballast tanks with water to get the ship heavy enough to float a little lower and fully submerge the propeller for maximum possible efficiency.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

And the collective intelligence of the internet doesn't disappoint - thanks for that explanation. I figured there was a reason it was sitting high in the water and this is it - it's unloaded. And yes - those old steamships rule. I didn't have good footage of the engine bay, but it's 4 stories tall so the original engine could fit in there. When it was replaced, the replacement engine is MUCH smaller so now it looks cavernous

[@spaceghost8995]

I rode Cincy to Cleveland in May 2023. It was all pretty good but that road section up near Fredericksburg was brutal with hills in 95° heat!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I was out there early May 2023 as well - maybe we passed on another! And yeah, that section on the road is completely exposed. It's a well-planned route but there's not a lot of refuge from the sun if it's really hot out.

[@johnsimms9015]

Nice video. I plan on riding most of this in the next year or two when I start my ride across the US. I plan on doing the C&O to Pittsburgh in one segment and Pittsburgh to Indianapolis or somewhere near the Illinois state line.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Great plan. The GAP/C&O is a great trail as well. From Pittsburgh, looks like you can ride the Montour trail all the way to Steubenville, then pick up the Cottoton Creek trail in Jewett and take that to Bowerton. From there, you could pick up the OTET in Millersburg. And when you do, make sure to stop in Broken Grounds - the owner is so awesome!

[@glenndjenkins]

Massillon is not pronounced like "penicillin", it is like "MASS - ah - lyn" :) No way for you to know! Thank you for this video. I have been planning to do this with a few friends in October. Really looking forward to it.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Well, rats! Those pesky mispronunciations. Just wait until you watch how I butcher Bolivar and Cadiz in my 2024 video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6S8ap6lfNShlbc. But, to be fair, a bartender in Cincinnati gave me the pronunciation guide so maybe she was just putting one over on me :-)

[@glenndjenkins]

@@AdventuresWithPaul ha, nice plug. I have been enjoying watching your adventures.

[@NoGoodHandlesComingToMind]

25:32, nice cat

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Yeah - he was quite vocal - caught me completely by surprise so I stopped my monologue and turned the video towards the cat. :-)

[@renegadetenor]

@@AdventuresWithPaul What did the cat want?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I think he was loudly protesting he has never been in an Ohio to Erie trail KZbin video. I gave him his first opportunity :-)

[@joeshmoe7967]

Wow! What a ride. Outstanding scenery, and your shot choices absolutely fabulous! Love the ambient sounds, especially the birds, although I don't mind music if it suits the shot and still aloows abient sounds to come through. Curious about what you shot with. 1 camera or a variety? Picture quality is very good. I have been dreaming of an epic trip, but haven't got to it yet. Videos like this add to my motivation. - Cheers

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

One camera to rule them all :-) - GoPro with the media mod attachment (has a shotgun-ish microphone which vastly improves sound). I shoot in 1080p so it gets full HD quality. I probably use about 80% of my shots, but I crop them so they fit into the story I'm trying to tell. And this story was to ride along with me. Thanks for watching!

[@colinfitzgerald4332]

Great ride! I am surprised by the lack of trail users though.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Maybe it was just early in the season.

[@colinfitzgerald4332]

@@AdventuresWithPaul hearing birds and other peripheral sounds was a big plus instead of music. Nice video.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

@@colinfitzgerald4332 Thanks for letting me know. If you've watched previous videos I did have music and I thought while it was nice it was more like watching a movie of the experience instead of being part of the experience. For this one I wanted viewers to feel what it was like riding the trail. What the views looked like. What the weather was like. What the sounds were like. WHile I've toyed with the idea of a drone, I decided against it because those are views you don't see while riding the trail. I find wide, sweeping vistas of the rider and the landscape beautiful - showing the smallness of the rider against the landscape - they are very cinematic. I really like the interaction with the rider, though, since I feel like I'm with them. So, that's what I do :-)

[@janlincoln5252]

We suggest you add The Paul Bunyan Trail and the Masabi Trail (both in Minnesota) to your trail adventures. Planning the TOTE trail next Fall. Do you recommend the North to South direction you did?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for the tips on the Masabi and Paul Bunyan Trails. I'm going to have to add them to my bucket list. With retirement I'm going to have a lot more time to ride. I have a route planned from Minneapolis routing to the Elroy-Sparta trail, south to House on the Rock (because why NOT visit a funky tourist trap) and then trails going into Madison and East to Milwaukee. Then I have to figure out to continue to Chicago or not. But maybe I can combine them with the Paul Bunyan from International falls riding south into Minneapolis to start the trip. Good thought for sure. Regarding direction, I chose this because I was driving from the south and wanted to ride back to my car at the southern terminus and have a shorter drive home after I rode. I will say from N-S, the ride goes through more remote parts out of Akron into the Cuyahoga Valley first, then through Akron, and then into smaller towns, and very rural area until you hit Columbus. Then, it's pretty remote from Columbus to about 15/20 miles out of Cincinatti. If you want the remoteness first, swith to S-N.

[@MalachiMarvin]

How did you get from Cincinnati to Cleveland? Looks like an awesome ride. Thanks for sharing!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Booked a 10' U-Haul truck one-way. Origin and destination was

[@MaryH-tp3ht]

This answers my question above

[@DeniseMorey-p9h]

Paul---thanks for this video. I have a boyhood friend who lives in Mt. Vernon---so I have put the Ohio-to-Erie trail on my list. When you are able---I'd appreciate it if you send me some info on the bike (Niner) that you were riding--and what you like best about the bike. Thanks, Rich and Denise

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Bike is a Niner RLT9 (steel frame) with a Tailfin rack system and a custom-made framebag. It normally comes with drop bars but I converted it to flat bars so I could sit-up more and navigate from the cockpit. The best thing about the bike is the rider - make sure they are excited to ride, to explore, to enjoy every aspect and adventure the trail has to offer. A positive attitude will overcome just about anything :-)

[@dennisdugger7975]

Love the video even more without music. Most beautiful and enjoyable. I would love to do that same tour in the same fashion as you with my son. How did you get to your start location from Cincinnati? Are there shuttles? We used a shuttle for our C&O Towpath/GAP adventure.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks for watching! It was a good trail and I'm happy you want to share that adventure with your son. I parked at LIttle Miami Golf Center and paid for an annual out-of-county pass for $16. Left the car there, rode to Cincinatti, stayed overnight, then picked up a UHaul and drove to Cleveland one-way, dropped off the rental, and then rode back to the car. There is a great resource on the trail page for shuttles and parking at www.ohiotoerietrail.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=146576&module_id=533398

[@renegadetenor]

Nice presentation, nothing crazy, good observations. I like previewing places I've thought of going for this activity. I might suggest that on the Edmund Fitzgerald map, that you make clear for the people that that event happened on Lake Superior, even though you're at a museum on Lake Erie. Not everybody recognizes the shapes of the lakes. Thanks for sharing!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Ah, yes, the big lake they call Gitche Gumee (another fact learned from the song). Good geography tip. Hopefully you'll get to ride the trail - they've done a really nice job of connecting regional trails together for this one. Look for my Erie Canal trip in the fall - cheers!

[@_NotHerRealName]

Thanks for the video. I’m in the Akron area and have rode most of this north of Columbus one day at a time. What were you riding? And where are those rings you rode through, please? Looked fun.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

For that trip, I had my Niner RLT9 I converted to a flat bar with aero-bar extensions, 1x11 drivetrain, and my beloved Brook leather seat. I can ride that for miles on end (or in this case, 326 miles end to end :-)). I found the rings in a park in Xenia OH. I thought, "That would be fun to ride through those." So I did. Cheers!

[@_NotHerRealName]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Thank you. I was just in Xenia a couple weeks ago at the brand new state park. Didn’t have my bike though.

[@jasonshaw2065]

Great shots, edit, and useful commentary. Are there any hilly sections or pretty flat? Thanks!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks. Finally able to put my video production university degree into play :-). No really hilly sections of note. There were a few hills on the road sections between Millersburg and Mt Vernon, but nothing that was maybe more than .5 mile long. Worse comes to worse, one could always walk them. When on the trails they are no more than about a 1% grade so easy to pedal along. The biggest hill day was the 54 miles into Columbus and that was only a little more than 2000' in those miles - most of those due to the Alum Creek bypass

[@jasonshaw2065]

@@AdventuresWithPaul that is super helpful. I hope you make the ride some day soon. Thank you!

[@Nickescaped]

Hi Paul, Thanks for documenting this nice ride. Mind if I ask which Niner model your riding? Did you encounter any spots along the trip which gave you concern for your safety? Thanks again for sharing.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Hey - thanks for watching! I rode my Niner RLT 9 that trip. The bike comes in a drop bar configuration but I converted it into a flat bar as I was looking to try out different bike positions. It’s a great-riding bike although I do tend to to use my newer (drop-bar) bike these days. Didn’t really have any areas that I felt unsafe, although I did want to get out of the Deerfield inn in Xenia as soon as I could - not the best hotel IMO

[@Nickescaped]

Thanks for that. Your video has inspired me to ride this same ride. Just looks great to me - the riding surfaces, the country surroundings, not a lot of people and the smaller towns. Will be getting a new bike this fall and am planning on doing this ride next year. ps I live on the east side of Cleveland and did not know of these trails in the greater Cleveland area. Most awesome! Thanks again and be safe out there.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

That is awesome, amigo! LOVE that it gets you out there to do the route. Make the trip yours and make memories on the way! Thanks for letting me know as I LOVE the feedback that in some small way I had something to do with your inspiration to get out there and enjoy the adventure.

[@mscm4592]

Wait - did you start in Cincy? The video then jumps to you leaving Cleveland?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Yeah - that was probably an error in continuity. I parked outside Cincinnati and then rented a one-way Uhaul to drive to Cleveland. I had some footage of the truck journey and decided not to go with it because it wasn’t too interesting. I then should have mentioned my one way trip. It’s funny because I dis joke about “if you’ve been waiting for this tour to start, that makes both of us “ :-). Cheers!

[@mattc5937]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Thanks for clarifying. I was confused as well. Looks like a lovely trip.

[@JodylovesOhioTrails]

Just a note, Massillon is MASS-a-lawn, not muh-sil-yawn. Glad you enjoyed your ride!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Ah, thanks for that. Now I'm immortalized in the video with an incorrect pronunciation :-). Strangely enough, I was pronouncing it the way you have it phonetically spelled, but a bartender in Cincinnati corrected me to the INcorrect pronunciation. Maybe it was all a prank....

[@JodylovesOhioTrails]

@@AdventuresWithPaul now that is a head scratcher from the bartender. I've also heard people stumble with Xenia (Zee-nah), but you did fine.

[@97JoMiller]

is there an app with navigation that will keep you on the trails and know where to go? I'm thinking this spring or summer I want to try to take this trip myself.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Sort of. For navigation, I use Ride WIth GPS app. You are able to download GPS tracks and then display them within the app and follow them. Here's the link to the official Ohio to Erie GPS route you can download from RWGPS. ohiotoerietrail.org/OTET_RWGPS

[@jackstring2003]

Paul, very nice biking videos indeed! But how do you get all the shots from a distance 1:17 of you riding ?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I have a GoPro grip that converts into a tripod. So hold it in grip mode while I take "selfie" shots, and set it up in tripod mode for 3rd person shots :-)

[@jackstring2003]

@@AdventuresWithPaul I have a GoPro and I'm trying to figure how you do this? You put the GoPro on the tripod, set it on the ground, and turn on video. Then you get on your bike, ride away from the camera, turn around and ride back past the recording camera, then stop and ride back to retrieve the camera. Those shots are really great but seem really hard to do?

[@normanhmath]

I loved your video . I've ridden every part of this trail from Cincinnati to Glenmont and I live in Columbus. I was impressed by how you got pictures of yourself riding, wondered if you have a drone as I have no way to get a view of my own bike rolling with my Samsung Galaxy S10. I was also impressed by how clear you picked up the cat meow when you saw that kitty on the Little Miami Trail. I was laughing as you talked about peace and quiet as you rolled the I-670 connector in my home town approaching Downtown Columbus. They are actually repaving the Leonard Ave part of that{ a little south of what you showed} and cyclists ride on the road. You had more real peace when you sat down on the Prairie Grass Trail just west of London. I'm surprised you did not feature any part of that Peter's Cartridge Factory detour where you have to ride up that nasty hill from South Lebanon then share the road with cars and trucks on Ohio Route 48. You may have avoided the NASTY part of the detour on US22-OH3 as I understand there is a residential road route you can use to beat that one. I didn't and that was a harrowing downhill with road cracks, potholes, essentially no shoulder straight to The Monkey Bar-Foster Ohio. You probably got to ride the new Beechmont Connector in Cincinnati- the Mariemont area which was tough before. I've had friends tell me they got on the US 50 Freeway there due to the poor signage, I only avoided it because I saw a Pedestrians Bicycles Slow Moving Vehicles Prohibited Sign only minutes after being on a properly signed OH BR 1, our Ohio to Erie Trail. Great Video and the part from Cleveland to Holmes County shows me what I can anticipate if I can ever put two wheels on the far north part of our trail . My partial trail rides are long, 210 miles is my longest ride on Strava and I got it the day I rode to Cincy then mostly back. A friend picked me up at Xenia {or it would have been 265} and my Glenmont ride 82.5 one way was a 165 mile day.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Wow. You've been all over and have a wealth of experience on the trail. I've only done it once :-). Yes, the climb to avoid the cartridge factory was tough. I made it up the hill, and then paced with the speed of traffic on 48 (I only know because there was an old pickup astride me in bumper-to-bumper with a broken exhaust system and was populating the air with gasoline smell). Thanks for picking up on the sarcasm along I-670 - I thought it was kind of funny talking about all the things that route was NOT. If you get to places farther beyond what you're riding now - post a video - I'd love to see it

[@joseph2535]

@@AdventuresWithPaul The official detour on the Little Miami Scenic Trail at Grandin Road/Peter's Cartridge factory seems to have been designed by someone who hates cyclists. You wouldn't catch me riding on US 22/Ohio 48! There's far less traffic to go up Foster-Maineville road to Cozadale-Morrow road to the trail. Alternatively, no one works on Sunday. Just sayin'!

[@BigBroseph71]

May I ask how you got from where you parked your car to your starting point in Cleveland?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Parked at the Little Miami Golf Center which is right on the route, rode the 12 miles into my hotel in downtown Cincinnati, rode 2 miles to the Uhaul rental center, drove to the Uhaul dropoff in Cleveland, and then 1.5 miles to my hotel in Cleveland. If you don't want all the driving, there are shuttle option(s) at ohiotoerietrail.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=146576&module_id=533413

[@RyanNiemer]

I'm only a couple hours from Cincy in southern Ohio. Do you know if you can ride ebikes on this trail?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I saw many eBikes as I rode the trail so my guess would be yes. There's a great resource which has a lot of information to plan a ride at ohiotoerietrail.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=146576&module_id=533398

[@kzarz0219]

Enjoyed the video. Were the bike paths relatively flat? Were they mostly paved or did you hit some areas with packed gravel? Thanks

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

A mix of all of that - packed limestone coming out of Cleveland through the Cuyahoga Valley and then mostly paved from Massillon to Columbus and on to Cincinatti. The GPS at ridewithgps.com/routes/43461112 shows the dashed-line area - that's packed limestone. There were some hills but more rolling than steep climbs. The linked page shows the elevation gain over the 326 miles

[@kzarz0219]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Thank you

[@vsstdtbs3705]

Video needed info about the bike. Was it a push bike, ebike, carbon or steel frame.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I’ll post another video directly about the bike. Rest assured though, it’s a pedal-operated machine and I am it’s only engine :-)

[@Michael-ch8hq]

Based steam ship appreciator

[@Michael-ch8hq]

Also awesome trail cat

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Cat was very vocal to be sure

[@kirkoa1]

For a non cyclist, how much did that bike help you go all that way? I will ride that trail from Westerville to Galena on an old Huffy and that’s enough for me! Is the Niner better in gearing or something? I am sure you are more fit than I also lol. I could probably make it on my Harley though…

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I think you nailed it with the "Harley" reference, meaning that with the right engine, you could make it. The bike will make a slight bit of difference, but making the distance is more about the engine than anything else. And my engine was good :-). Also, the gearing I have on the bike means it's more efficient on hills enabling me to climb in something more akin to 1st or 2nd on your Harley rather than 5th gear. As long as you're getting out and enjoying the trail, more power to you!

[@JonathanEdwards-y2g]

How do you get back your car?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Good question. The video doesn’t show me renting the U-Haul truck in Cincinnati and driving one way to Cleveland and the touring the lake freighter. I then rode back to the car. Super cool trip!

[@Waldijohnson]

Did you pay for a shuttle from cinci to cle?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Short answer -no. Long answer - we looked into it and I found renting a U-Haul one way was a less expensive option. That was when there were two of us. When it was just me the shuttle cost and bike transport compared to the I-Haul and gasoline for the trip was probably a wash

[@Waldijohnson]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Thanks for the reply man. I hope to make this trip soon myself!

[@chuckpierce3416]

What app do you use when touring?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Assuming it's the navigation app, I have RideWithGPS. I use an old iPhone 6 which I removed cell service from but still has the GPS chip. I use WiFi to download my maps offline and then I have navigation for the entire trip :-). Works for me but I'm thinking of buying a dedicated device like a Wahoo just because it's always on and lasts for 15 hours or so.

[@RonMagaw]

Easy on the setting up the camera and we watch you ride by

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Yup

[@mrunner7671]

Where did you sleep at?

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

That was an inn-to-inn tour. Specifics - Cleveland - Renaissance downtown; Akron - Blu-tique; Millersburg - Millersburg Hotel; Mt Vernon - Comfort Inn; Columbus - Courtyard downtown; Xenia - Deerfield Inn (not recommended)

[@MaryH-tp3ht]

Did someone drive your car from Cleveland to Cincinnati? Or did someone drive you and your bike from Cincinnati to the start point.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I used an old trick i've done in prior tours - renting a vehicle one-way from finish to the starting point. I park my car at the finish point and get a vehicle to the start point. In the past I've done mini-van or car rentals from airports, but this time went with a Uhaul for 5 hours instead. $100 + gasoline. The trail also has a shuttle service which will do the same for you as well. You can find details for that at ohiotoerietrail.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=146576&module_id=533413

[@tedolphbundler724]

@@AdventuresWithPaul Someday, you will be able to take the train from Cinci to Cleveland and have a cocktail in the lounge car. It is expected to be a 4-5 hour trip.

[@MaryH-tp3ht]

I did this trip-your video helped me believe I could do it. I took the shuttle from Cleveland to Cincinnati. I rode my recumbent trike and stayed at hotels. I bailed out after Massillon because of the air pollution warnings due to Canada fired and the smoke. I had investigated UHaul and other alternatives because of your comments. Once I decided to abandon the trip I arranged a UHail to get myself and my bike back to my Cleveland hotel. Thanks for your help-the video and rental. I kept getting lost getting out of Columbia’s, but finally made it.

[@MaryH-tp3ht]

This was my first solo tour. I’m 73 and so glad to be able to bike again. The tricycle adds some complications because of its size.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

@@MaryH-tp3ht Awesome - so glad you were able to complete what you did. Adventures on the bike are so much fun! May you have many more in the future. CHeers!

[@jeffdziak6455]

Are you by any chance related to folk singer, Peter MULVEY? I know he's a fairly serious cyclist.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

No relation I know of. There have been several people who have made the connection between us Mulveys and asked about the connection. My local Firestone shop has me confused with another Scott Mulvey and I continually get service notifications for his 2015 Silverado :-)

[@spartan70h48]

😐 No information on how you transitioned between Cincinnati where you left your vehicle and the start of the trip in Cleveland. That would have been useful information.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

I booked a 10' UHaul in Cincinnati one-way and dropped it off in Cleveland.

[@pppjourneyonabike5992]

Home run...hit outa the park.

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

Thanks, PPP! I'm planning on the Erie Canal this fall with my favorite riding buddy so looks like another video in the next few months for that. I might do some bikepacking/stealth camp overnighters in the meantime - I'll have to see what my schedule looks like. Cheers!

[@glenndjenkins]

Ah, another one. It is not the "SKY - oh - toe" River. it is the "SIGH - oh - toe" River!

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

The route is really good - you'll love it.

[@SolarizeYourLife]

Referring to Lake Erie trail??! Not Erie Pa to Cleveland Oh...yeah, pa is not as bike friendly like this trail...

[@AdventuresWithPaul]

sometimes I’ve seen this referred to as the OTET (Ohio To Erie Trail). it goes south to north from Cincinnati to Lake Erie over 326 miles. I chose the opposite direction so I could have a shorter drive back to my home when I ended the ride