Ohio to Erie ride begins

Cincinnati's rapid growth in the early 1800's and its important location along the busy Ohio River earned it the nickname "Queen City"  

Steve, Julia, Annie, Tom

Our friend, Gary Jackson, drove all four of us plus four bikes plus 18 Ortlieb bags from Rootstown, Ohio to Cincinatti.  The city is a very busy place today and is filled with folks of all ages who are here to run the Flying Pig Marathon.  Before setting off on our route we eat a picnic in the river-side park and watch the very entertaining dog division of the race.  

We see dogs and people of every shape and size racing on the 2.5 mile route through the city.  

Tire Dip

We have to do the requisite tire dip in the mighty Ohio River and then set off down the trail through the city.  The trail soon turns to city roads until we eventually return to a quiet bike path and head into Milford, Ohio.  Many trails come together in Milford including the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail.  We are camping tonight in a county park right by the Little Miami River.  The cost is $5/tent and the park is conveniently located directly across the river from the Little Miami Brewing Company.   The beer there is great and they also have wood-fired pizza and a taco truck.  There is a ton of outdoor space and it's mostly filled with families.  There are kids playing on the wooded hillside and a couple of young girls making posters to cheer on tomorrow's marathon runners. 

Steve is a hiker/trail runner/cyclist so he is familiar with a few of these trails

Here is the brewery hangout space.  No one seems in a hurry to leave too soon.  The sun is out and it is a beautiful evening.  

Look across the river and you can see our tents nestled in on the bank.  Tomorrow we plan to ride 50+ miles to Xenia, Ohio.  There will be rain tonight but tomorrow is supposed to be clear and sunny.