Overnighter - Loveland to John Bryan State Park (Yellow Springs)
Ride Date: May 1-2, 2021 (rain date May 2-3)
Ride Location: Loveland to John Bryan SP on Saturday, John Bryan SP to Loveland on Sunday
Ride Leaders: Bob Kissinger
Dave Schenck
Chris Potensky
Ride Cost: Campers will share the cost of campsite reservation fees, which are estimated to be $7-$16 per person depending on the number of campers per site. All other costs are the responsibility of the individual.
Ride Description: The purpose of this event is to introduce bike touring to riders who have little or no bike touring experience. The route is 53 miles one way on mostly flat, paved surfaces. Experienced tour leaders will share their knowledge about bike touring throughout the trip. You must register for this event, so please register early if you want to attend. We have two campsites reserved (max 12 adults), but will try to reserve additional sites if needed. If there are no additional campsites available, we will have to limit the registration to 12 attendees.
The group will meet at the East Loveland Nature Preserve parking lot on Saturday, May 1, for a 9am departure. We are allowed to park our cars there overnight. The route follows the Little Miami Bike Trail north towards Yellow Springs. A few miles before Yellow Springs, the route leaves the trail and follows local roads to the state park (campsites #42 and #44). The entire route consists of paved surfaces. We will not ride as one group. You will ride at your own pace, and take breaks whenever you feel like it. Riders have the choice of eating dinner at a Yellow Springs restaurant, or cooking dinner at the campsite. Note that it is a 3 mile ride one way from the campsite to the nearest restaurant. You could also cycle on the trail directly to Yellow Springs, order take-out, and carry the food to the state park. The campsite has water and pit toilets (no showers).
On Sunday morning, riders will either cook breakfast at the campsite before departing for Loveland, or have breakfast at a restaurant in Yellow Springs.
If inclement weather is forecasted for Saturday, the ride might be delayed one day (depart Sunday from the East Loveland Nature Preserve, return Monday).
There will be no SAG support for this ride. If you do not have the necessary gear to carry your camping/cooking equipment on your bike, then maybe you can convince someone to drop off your equipment at the campsite on Saturday afternoon, and pick it up Sunday morning. If you do not want to camp, then there are hotels/B&B’s in the Yellow Springs area.
Riders must have the tools for, and be able to perform, basic bike repairs, e.g. fix a flat tire.
This event is a perfect opportunity for an equipment check-out ride prior to our extended weekend trip planned for June 11-14.