September 8, 2003

WHAT BETTER WAY TO ENJOY OHIO'S FALL COLOR THAN BY
CYCLING ON A DESIGNATED BICYCLE TRAILWAY

Fall Color News Releases Best Drives Best Photo Ops Best Biking Best Hiking Fall Events Lodges and Cottages Why Leaves Turn Ohio FallColor website

COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio has hundreds of miles of designated bicycle paths, running through some of the state's most picturesque terrain, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

There's no better (or healthier) way to enjoy the state's much-anticipated Fall Color touring season than with a ride on one of these special trails. Fall's sunny days and crisp temperatures are especially suited to cycling. Bicycling at a speed of six miles per hour burns about 240 calories every hour. Besides the fitness aspect, bicycling is a fun, social activity for families and groups of friends.

Ohio's designated bike trails are growing in number each year, making cycling one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the state. For enthusiasts who want to get out and enjoy the beauty of Ohio's colorful countryside this fall, ODNR offers a list of "rides" that promise to invigorate the body and stimulate the senses.

NORTHEAST

• Cleveland Lakefront State Park (Cuyahoga County) - More than 15 miles of paved path along the Lake Erie shoreline from Edgewater Park to Euclid Beach.
• Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail (Cuyahoga/Summit counties) - Following some of the most scenic sections of the historic canal route, this 20-mile trail runs from Cleveland's southern suburbs through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and into downtown Akron.
• B&O Trail (Richland County) - Eighteen miles of trail between Butler and Mansfield follow the old B&O Railroad right of way through fields and woodlands.
• Kokosing Gap Trail (Knox County) - This 14-mile paved path follows the Kokosing State Scenic River from Mt. Vernon to Danville, through the college town of Gambier.
• Mosquito Lake State Park (Trumbull County) - Five miles of interlocking loop trails are moderate and suitable for beginning and intermediate mountain-bike riders.
• Sippo Valley Trail (Wayne/Stark counties) - A 9.5-mile trail links downtown Dalton to the City of Massillon. The trail traverses beautiful woodlands, farm fields and meandering streams and has gentle grades that accommodate a variety of activities.
• Metroparks Bikeway (Mahoning County) - The 11-mile bikeway runs from Western Reserve Road in Canfield Township to the Mahoning/Trumbull County Line in Austintown Township. The trail offers a variety of scenery for hikers, skaters and cyclists.

NORTHWEST

• University/Parks Trail (Lucas County) - This 6.3-mile paved all-purpose trail runs from King Road in Sylvania to the University of Toledo campus. A connector trail also takes users to the Toledo Metroparks' Wildwood Preserve.
• Marblehead Trail (Ottawa County) - Lake Erie provides the backdrop for two miles of ballast trail on the scenic and historic Marblehead Peninsula.
• Wabash Cannonball Trail (Fulton, Henry, Lucas counties) - South leg runs 17 miles from Liberty Center to Maumee. North leg runs 17 miles from Fulton County Road 5 to Wauseon.
• Celina to Coldwater Trail (Mercer County) - Travels 4.5 miles along the western edge of Grand Lake St. Marys between the towns of Celina and Coldwater.
• Indian Lake State Park Bike Trail (Logan County) - A paved 2.5-mile bike path follows the southwestern lakeshore between Old Field Beach and Russells Point.

SOUTHWEST

• Little Miami Scenic Trail (Clermont, Clark, Greene, Warren counties) - Seventy miles of paved bikeway parallel the Little Miami State and National Scenic River between Buck Creek State Park in Clark County and Milford in Clermont County. The path traverses some of Ohio's most beautiful and pristine countryside.
• East Fork State Park (Clermont County) - A two-mile loop trail for novice and intermediate mountain-bike riders.
• Hueston Woods State Park (Preble County) - Trail markers direct novice bikers to the easier sections of the park's 12 miles of mountain bike trails. Old-growth forest is a feature of the park landscape.
• Creekside Trail (Greene County) - This 10.6-mile trail begins at the Xenia Station and runs to the county line in Beavercreek. The trail is bound by two wetlands that provide extraordinary views of rare plants and animals and crosses a 140-foot bridge over Shawnee Creek.

SOUTHEAST

• Lake Alma State Park Trail (Vinton County) - A one-mile paved trail circles picturesque Lake Alma, beginning at the park entrance and ending at the exit.
• Adena-Hockhocking Trail (Athens County) - Connecting the Hocking Riverfront in Athens with Nelsonville, this 16.5-mile bike path follows the river as it winds through hills and valleys.
• Dillon State Park (Muskingum County) - Twelve miles of interlocking loop trails are color coded for beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain-bike riders.

CENTRAL

• Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) - The south bike trail is a two-mile loop around low hills and meadows suitable for novice cyclists.
• T.J. Evans Trail System (Licking County) - A 14.3-mile trail between Johnstown and Newark through rolling countryside.
• Blackhand Trail (Licking County) - The paved, 4.2-mile trail is a cool, scenic ride along the Licking River through beautiful Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve.
• Olentangy/Scioto River Bikeway (Franklin County) - Twenty miles of paved bike trail parallels the Olentangy State Scenic River to the Delaware County line.
• For updated information on this year's Fall Color season across Ohio, visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com and click on the bicycle path icon.

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For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860