Presents:
Ohio Freedom Trail and Farm Country Tandem Tour
August 15th through 22nd
The tour package includes:
- Six (6) days of riding
- Seven (7) nights lodging
- Four (4) dinners
- Four (4) afternoon Wine & Munchie 'Happy Hour' get-togethers
- Maps and cue sheets
- Baggage transfers
The tour will be limited to ten (10) couples on tandems.
Total cost per Couple is $2350
Registration and Waiver forms
Ohio Freedom Trail and Farm Country Tandem Tour
Sunday August 15th to Sunday August 22nd
Ohio’s open countryside, gentle rolling terrain, and small communities provide excellent tandem riding. Come ride with us along quiet country roads, with fields that are wide and glorious. While creating these routes, we saw a 10-point buck, a red fox, and an amazing variety of birds! Communities actively support cycling, identifying connector roads into the heart of their towns. Ohio, once on the frontier of the fight against slavery, abounds with historical and cultural sites from station houses on the Underground Railroad, where slaves could escape to freedom, to the nations oldest private, historically black university. “The real heroes of the story are the fugitives, because they're the ones who took the major risks”, said historians of the Underground Railroad. You can also learn about an ancient Indian people that carved the landscape, creating numerous geometric mounds and traded with other native people as far away as the west coast. Tandem routes follow country roads combined with options using excellent, paved bike trails, following deep streambeds and historic railroad ways. Enjoy the modern motels that we stay at, with continental breakfasts and many with swimming pools.
Day 1 arrive in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a lively midwestern city with lots of history. Its past reaches back to as early as 700 B.C. with ancient First Nations settlements. If you arrive early, drive over to Westcott House (see link for times). The house, fully restored and hailed by many as a forgotten architectural treasure, is Frank Lloyd Wright's only Prairie Style home in Ohio. Visit the Pennsylvania House, an 18th century inn and tavern, or the Springfield Museum of Art.
We will be staying at the Hampton Inn, rated in the top 2 (of 14) local hotels and positioned nicely for biking south out of Springfield. The breakfasts are very nice, too. Greet fellow tandem riders and catch up with friends at our Happy Hour and group dinner.
Day 2 Springfield
Rides of 37 or 45 miles
Ride south from Springfield into the gentle farm country of Ohio. Visit the site of the original Wilberforce University and the current location of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center.
Wilberforce University, the nation's oldest private, historically black university, was founded in 1856. Wilberforce University originated before the Civil War, when the Ohio Underground Railroad supported the escape for all those blacks that sought their freedom in the North from the yoke of slavery. One of the destination points of this railroad became Wilberforce University. As the Underground Railroad provided a route from physical bondage, the University was formed to provide an intellectual Mecca and refuge from slavery's first rule: ignorance. History tells us Wilberforce had 5 Underground Railroad stations within it, during the years of those seeking freedom. Wilberforce continues today as a vibrant college, at a nearby site.
The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center (NAAMCC) brings us understanding of African American history and culture from African origins to the present. The NAAMCC stands at the site of the original Wilberforce University, with a major historical plaque out front. Central State University, next to the National Afro-American Museum, is an outgrowth of Wilberforce University.
Services are available 0.1 miles from the NAAMCC.
Take the extended route to South Charleston via the bike path and see the old Railroad Depot, with water and rest rooms near by for bikers. Visit the local restaurant Chillicothe Street Pizza (54 S Chillicothe St) and take a break.
Day 3 Springfield to Jeffersonville
Rides of 36, 39, or 47 miles
We leave from Springfield on country roads and past expansive farms, with Jeffersonville as our destination. The medium route passes through South Charleston, with services at the Old Depot and restaurants. The Jeffersonville area has many fast food restaurants, both close to the motel and at the local Factory Outlet Mall.
As you ride, imagine crossing this open farmland as a fugitive, without major rivers to follow and with only the North Star to guide your way. The North Star was known as “follow the drinking gourd” by the fugitive slaves, and was the major guidance for crossing these wide expanses of fields.
Join us for Happy Hour this evening, followed by a group dinner.
Day 4 Jeffersonville
Rides of 35, 44, 57, or 70 miles
Today’s ride passes through the open farmland of central Ohio. "You can see for miles and miles" as the song says. The cornfields are immense and the farmhouses attractive. The rides showcase the scenic beauty of fertile farmland, and are amongst the flattest rides you can find. Or enjoy a day off and enjoy swimming in the pool or shopping in the humongous Prime Outlets factory outlet mall.
Day 5 Jeffersonville to Kings Mills
Rides of 49 miles
Passing through the deep Fort Ancient Valley River Gorge, today’s ride offers stunning views and breathtaking natural scenery. From about 200 BC to AD 500, the Ohio River Valley was a focal point of prehistoric Indian culture, which created earthen structures in geometric squares and circular mounds. We pass by Majestic Springs Golf Course, where restrooms, drinks, snacks, and possibly burgers can break up the trip. Take a break at the Morgan’s Canoe Livery, with services and food. Hike the Fort Ancient trail up to the earthen walls and explore the museum. Evidence suggests that Ft. Ancient earthworks were used for a variety of ceremonial and social activities. The site is the largest prehistoric hilltop enclosure in the
United State, with 3
1/2 miles of walls.
The trail to Fort Ancient is just beyond Morgan’s Livery. Cross a large, old, overhead span railroad bridge as you go into Morrow, where services are at the BP Gas Station (rest room, food, pizza). Don’t miss Miranda’s Old Time Ice Cream Shop on Main Street.
Day 6 Kings Mills Bike Trail South, Kings Mills – Springboro Loop
Rides of 28, 40, 42, 50, 54, or62 miles
Great combinations of all roads and road/bike trails options give you lots of choices for tandem riding today. Springboro had a group of citizens, willing to do civil disobedience, to support fugitive slaves. Travel along streams and through gentle farmlands to reach Springboro. Learn about its history with
Springboro’s self-guided tour of the more than 25 Underground Railroad sites throughout the community. One of the stations was the Jonathan Wright House, built in 1815 by Springboro’s founder, now a bed and breakfast. The home was once an active stop on the Underground Railroad. During recent renovation, the owners replaced a second-floor wall with Plexiglas to allow visitors easy view of one of the home’s secret hiding spaces. Tours of the home and lunches are available with prior arrangement. Contact the Jonathan Wright House, 80 W. State St. in Springboro, at (866) 748-0801. Or eat at one of Springboro’s restaurants.
Enjoy shopping, including stopping by the Wooly Bully for great wool and needlework. For a shorter route, bike south through Loveland to Miamiville. Enjoy Loveland Dairy Whip (611 W Loveland Ave) for soft ice cream.
Day 7 Kings Mills to Springfield
Rides of 55 or 58 miles
This is our final day of the tour. The return to Springfield is along gorgeous streams and through lovely country. We pass close by Xenia, a beautiful town with fine architecture, shopping, and restaurants. Enjoy, when you reach Springfield, the stories of the tour at the Happy Hour and group dinner. Go to the Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market to find a reminder of the past or a memory for this trip. The Antique Show is going on Friday to Sunday, August 21 and 22 at the Clark County Fairgrounds at 4401 S. Charleston Pike, about two miles past the motel in Springfield.