G
Garrison Hilliard
Guest
Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Bike the trail
This riverside path is the perfect place for a leisurely ride through the trees
KATIE KELLEY | CIN WEEKLY
To bikers, the Little Miami Scenic Trail looks like a miniature road, right down
to the painted yellow lines. (Photo by Meggan Booker/CiN Weekly)
ABOUT THE TRAIL
The Milford to Loveland portion of the trail is just a small part of the 72-mile
Little Miami Scenic Trail that runs all the way to Springfield. The flat, paved
trail follows an old railway line. For trail maps and other places of interest
along the trail, visit www.lovelandbiketrail.com or www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks
/parks/lilmiami.htm.
Spring is in the air and the cicadas aren't here (yet). So it's a great time to
get out your bike and head to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Whether you make it
a family experience for Mother's Day or go with a group of friends or a date,
riding the trail gets you out of the traffic and back to nature without even
leaving the Tristate.
One great thing about the flat trail is that it is accessible for bikers of all
skill levels. In the past I've ridden it with a friend who hadn't biked in a
decade. And I recently made the 18-mile-round-trip Milford-to-Loveland portion
with a former member of the Miami Cycling Team.
THE EXPERIENCE
The parking lot in Milford was crowded as we set off near noon on a Saturday. I
realized as soon as I got to Milford that I'd left my bike lock and bike bag at
home. (Unlike me, you should look at your bike before loading it into your car.)
The trail - which resembles a miniature road, right down to the painted yellow
lines - seemingly disappears into a heavily tree-covered area from Milford. "In
the heat of summer, it's a great place because it's about 70 percent shaded,"
says Martin Schickel, owner of the Loveland Bike & Skate Rental. But remember,
if it's chilly before you start, expect it to be even colder on your ride.
The first part of the trail has the roughest pavement - there are even yellow
warning signs. It's not too bad on a mountain or hybrid bike, but the grooves
are torture on inline skates.
As you ride along the trail, note the beautiful natural scenery. You may see
squirrels, deer, geese or even wild turkeys. Several portions of the trail pass
close enough to the Little Miami River that you can see it through the trees.
We saw multiple skaters, bikers, runners, walkers (with dogs) and even horses
before we reached the underpass of I-275. Take note that you may hear gunshots
around mile 1.5. Don't worry: my biking expert assured me there was a shooting
range nearby.
Depending on your speed and how many breaks you take, you'll probably hit
Loveland in about an hour.
STOP AND SNACK
After spending the majority of the nine miles on a tree-covered path, coming
around the bend and seeing Loveland is a bit of a surprise the first time. The
Loveland area of the trail bustles with people most weekends. There are several
food choices available, depending on your appetite.
If you're ready for a meal, try a turkey sandwich with potato chips or carrot
sticks ($4.95) from Loveland Mill, on the left as you come into town. Or,
Schickel recommends the restaurant's fruit smoothie if you just want a snack.
"We're a great place to stop because we're casual," owner Peggy Tannis says. You
can feel comfortable eating there with your bike clothes on. "(Plus), we do have
the outside (eating area)," she adds.
If you're finishing up at Loveland, you might want a cold beverage at Paxton
Grill, just across the street from Loveland Mill. Or take the kids to get a snow
cone at the Trailside Ice Shack, farther up on the right.
Nisbet Park lines the west side of the trail. It has a playground along with
plenty of benches for resting. In case you think of bringing your pets, know
that no dogs are allowed in the park. There's also a relatively clean restroom
facility and drinking fountain available. Stop and see the Loveland Firefighters
Memorial honoring 9/11 on the park's edge, too, before hopping back on your bike
and heading back to Milford.
----
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
• Announce passing to others; pass with caution
• Ride on the right; pass on the left
• Yield to other users of the trail
• Be especially careful of small children or those who are slower on the trail
DON'T FORGET
• A helmet (be safe!)
• A lock for your bike
• Water (it’s not readily available on the Milford-Loveland part of the trail)
• Money to buy snacks
• Sunscreen (parts of the trail are sunny)
• A cell phone (useful to call someone to pick you up if you get a flat or if
you fall and get hurt)
BIKING EVENT
Already done a lot of biking and ready for something fun? Check out the upcoming
Pedal Paddle Parties.
Taking place at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 5, and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, the
events include a 4.5-mile bike ride from Loveland to Foster and then a 1- to
2-hour canoe trip back to Loveland for a cookout around the campfire. (Your bike
will be transported back.)
The cost is $29.50 per person. All ages are welcome. Visit
www.lovelandbiketrail.com or call (513) 683-0468.
http://www.cinweekly.com/content/2004/05/05/0505rec_bikeloveland.asp
-30-
Bike the trail
This riverside path is the perfect place for a leisurely ride through the trees
KATIE KELLEY | CIN WEEKLY
To bikers, the Little Miami Scenic Trail looks like a miniature road, right down
to the painted yellow lines. (Photo by Meggan Booker/CiN Weekly)
ABOUT THE TRAIL
The Milford to Loveland portion of the trail is just a small part of the 72-mile
Little Miami Scenic Trail that runs all the way to Springfield. The flat, paved
trail follows an old railway line. For trail maps and other places of interest
along the trail, visit www.lovelandbiketrail.com or www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks
/parks/lilmiami.htm.
Spring is in the air and the cicadas aren't here (yet). So it's a great time to
get out your bike and head to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Whether you make it
a family experience for Mother's Day or go with a group of friends or a date,
riding the trail gets you out of the traffic and back to nature without even
leaving the Tristate.
One great thing about the flat trail is that it is accessible for bikers of all
skill levels. In the past I've ridden it with a friend who hadn't biked in a
decade. And I recently made the 18-mile-round-trip Milford-to-Loveland portion
with a former member of the Miami Cycling Team.
THE EXPERIENCE
The parking lot in Milford was crowded as we set off near noon on a Saturday. I
realized as soon as I got to Milford that I'd left my bike lock and bike bag at
home. (Unlike me, you should look at your bike before loading it into your car.)
The trail - which resembles a miniature road, right down to the painted yellow
lines - seemingly disappears into a heavily tree-covered area from Milford. "In
the heat of summer, it's a great place because it's about 70 percent shaded,"
says Martin Schickel, owner of the Loveland Bike & Skate Rental. But remember,
if it's chilly before you start, expect it to be even colder on your ride.
The first part of the trail has the roughest pavement - there are even yellow
warning signs. It's not too bad on a mountain or hybrid bike, but the grooves
are torture on inline skates.
As you ride along the trail, note the beautiful natural scenery. You may see
squirrels, deer, geese or even wild turkeys. Several portions of the trail pass
close enough to the Little Miami River that you can see it through the trees.
We saw multiple skaters, bikers, runners, walkers (with dogs) and even horses
before we reached the underpass of I-275. Take note that you may hear gunshots
around mile 1.5. Don't worry: my biking expert assured me there was a shooting
range nearby.
Depending on your speed and how many breaks you take, you'll probably hit
Loveland in about an hour.
STOP AND SNACK
After spending the majority of the nine miles on a tree-covered path, coming
around the bend and seeing Loveland is a bit of a surprise the first time. The
Loveland area of the trail bustles with people most weekends. There are several
food choices available, depending on your appetite.
If you're ready for a meal, try a turkey sandwich with potato chips or carrot
sticks ($4.95) from Loveland Mill, on the left as you come into town. Or,
Schickel recommends the restaurant's fruit smoothie if you just want a snack.
"We're a great place to stop because we're casual," owner Peggy Tannis says. You
can feel comfortable eating there with your bike clothes on. "(Plus), we do have
the outside (eating area)," she adds.
If you're finishing up at Loveland, you might want a cold beverage at Paxton
Grill, just across the street from Loveland Mill. Or take the kids to get a snow
cone at the Trailside Ice Shack, farther up on the right.
Nisbet Park lines the west side of the trail. It has a playground along with
plenty of benches for resting. In case you think of bringing your pets, know
that no dogs are allowed in the park. There's also a relatively clean restroom
facility and drinking fountain available. Stop and see the Loveland Firefighters
Memorial honoring 9/11 on the park's edge, too, before hopping back on your bike
and heading back to Milford.
----
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
• Announce passing to others; pass with caution
• Ride on the right; pass on the left
• Yield to other users of the trail
• Be especially careful of small children or those who are slower on the trail
DON'T FORGET
• A helmet (be safe!)
• A lock for your bike
• Water (it’s not readily available on the Milford-Loveland part of the trail)
• Money to buy snacks
• Sunscreen (parts of the trail are sunny)
• A cell phone (useful to call someone to pick you up if you get a flat or if
you fall and get hurt)
BIKING EVENT
Already done a lot of biking and ready for something fun? Check out the upcoming
Pedal Paddle Parties.
Taking place at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 5, and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, the
events include a 4.5-mile bike ride from Loveland to Foster and then a 1- to
2-hour canoe trip back to Loveland for a cookout around the campfire. (Your bike
will be transported back.)
The cost is $29.50 per person. All ages are welcome. Visit
www.lovelandbiketrail.com or call (513) 683-0468.
http://www.cinweekly.com/content/2004/05/05/0505rec_bikeloveland.asp
-30-
