June 11 Millersburg to Mt Vernon

 


After 20 years of cycling trips, today was the best day either of us could remember.  Of course we are old and our memories are disappearing. Regardless of its status, we had great weather and fantastic cycling.

Our morning started with an early breakfast only 3 blocks from our hotel.  We were surprised to find anything, let alone a restaurant that opened at 6 a.m.  It was only a short ride (down hill) from our hotel to the trail. This trail is a continuation of the bike/buggy trail we came into town on the previous day.  Our ride west was flat, straight, and thus fast.  The trail only lasted 7 miles before it ended and we had to cycle on the road.  It could have been a continuation of the trail because we did not see any cars.  This section was about 7 miles long and had gentle rolling hills that allowed easy cycling.  Near the end of this segment, we heard the “clip clop” of horses gaining on us.  We were going 12 mph but 4 buggies passed us with no trouble.  They were filled with Amish families.  When we got to the next trail, the buggies were stopped at a trailhead picnic area.  While they waved, no one offered to let us join them.  So we got on the trail and headed up the mountain.  The trail was a buggy/bike trail on a former railroad right-of-way.  We climbed for 3 miles on a slope that allowed us to pedal at 10 mph with ease.  Along the way, many more buggies passed us but we did not see any other cyclists.

As we crested the mountain we saw still more buggies going in both directions.  Our descent on the other side of the mountain was equally as gentle as our climb. Thus, no screaming downhill ride.  This trail ended after 12 blissful miles.  We next transitioned through a small town and then got on our last trail for the day.  No buggies were allowed but rather lots of walkers and cyclists joined us for a car-free ride.  Along the way, we cycled over the Bridge of Dreams, a covered bridge that crosses the Mohican River. This 370-foot bridge is the third longest covered bridge in the country.

We are staying in the town of Mt. Vernon.  It was platted in 1805, and named after George Washington’s estate. The town was also the location of Johnny Appleseed’s first orchard.  The town was winner of Ohio Magazine’s 2018 Best Home Town award,  In the town we visited the Woodward Opera House, the oldest opera theater of its kind in the United States. The theater, after many years of renovation and restoration, has been transformed into a local cultural and performing-arts center.

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