| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
62.30 miles
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Altitude Gain:
1,328 ft
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Avg Speed:
15.16 mph
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Route:
Little Miami Trail
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 0 bpm
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: Look 585 Carbon Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Light Rain 48 F NE wind @ 8 mph |
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Left the relative warm of the south last night and drove through a huge rain storm to get to my ride today on a rail to trail near Cincinatti, OH. The trail was advertised as 78 miles long and runs along the Little Miami River and starts in the eastern suburbs of the city. Arrived at the Avoca Park trailhead and got suited up for a cold and rainy ride. Temperature was in the mid forties and I knew a large rainstorm was headed in my direction as I had just driven through it to get here. Trailhead was pretty nice and there was even a park police car in the lot when I got there so I felt at least a little secure that my truck would still be there when I returned. Plan was to ride until it started raining then turn and head back. Was surprised in the first mile of the ride by the sighting of an albino squirrel on the trail. Trail headed out of the suburbs to the east and north and ran upstream and parallel to the river. Trail surface was really smooth and what few blemishs there were were clearly marked with orange paint or cones. The trail obviously receives high maintenance even in the off season. Speed limit on the trail is twenty miles an hour which is quite reasonable. There are several stores, bike and running shops, camping cabins, and even a couple of canoe rental places along the trail. The stores cater to the cyclist as there were quite a few welcoming signs, several cycling related scuptures and numerous bike racks convientently located just off the trail. I ended up riding thirty two miles out to the Fort Ancient trailhead which is the location of several indian mounds and pre- historical Hopewell Indian earthworks. Didn't have time to check out the earthworks as I needed to get back before the heavy rains arrived and I would have to start to worry about hypothermia. Even in the off season the trail has a few scenic attractions in addition to quite a little wildlife though that was mostly foraging squirrels and bounding deer. Was impressed by the river itself, a huge abandoned? factory and a couple of large bridges. Only encountered a few runners and walkers on the way out but I imagine that the trail is very busy during the season. Rode the last hour in a steady rain and was surprised to pass several rider traveling in the opposite direction later in the day. Probably had to cross a dozen or so roads on the outward bound leg and was surprised that traffic will stop and let you go even when the stop sign is located on the trail, which is not always the case as in a couple of spots, cyclists have the right of way. Really is one of the best cycling trails I have ridden on although nothing I have seen comes to the level of the trail outside of Las Vegas in Henderson, NV. Will probably stop and ride the trail whenever I am in the area and am anxious to explore the forty mile section I was unable to hit.
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