Independence Day weekend found our family visiting my parents in Xenia, Ohio. Usually, we make this trip over the Christmas holidays, and since we were going out this time in warm weather, I made sure to bring my new Quickbeam along.
One of my cycling goals on this trip was to explore some of the bike trails in and around Xenia. I had been north to Yellow Springs (mainly to go to Youngs Jersey Dairy) several times, but had never ventured south of town.
Another goal was a bike shop visit. Ever since I heard about Cycles Gaansari opening in Dayton, I'd wanted to pay them a visit. Two years ago they were closed over the Christmas Holiday. Last Christmas they were moving to their new location just south of Dayton in Springboro, OH. I was hoping this trip would be the charm.
I decided to join the two goals by riding south on the trail until I got close to Waynesville, and then cut west to Springboro. The Quickbeam would be a good bike for the ride, using the 17t fixed cog I had recently added. I had also switched brakepads to Kool Stop salmon, and they weren't completely adjusted, giving loud squeals every time they were applied.
| Friday morning dawned cool and clear, after miserable heat and humidity earlier in the week, and tremendous thunderstorms the night before. |
| Shade and water trailside in Xenia. |
| Heading south towards the courthouse, the trail runs between Rt. 68 (N. Detroit St.) on the right and Shawnee Park on the left. |
| Xenia Station. Restrooms, water, tourist information and the hub of several trails. |
| The entrance to the station. |
| Parking, wide trails and plenty of bike parking around the station. The sun was in a poor position to take pictures of the farmers market which is here on Fridays. |
| Back on the trail, splitting the roadway. The houses on the left look like early 20th Century kit homes. They used to be worker housing for the Hooven Allison Factory, which is just behind them out of the picture. Hooven Allison was a big cordage maker and employer in Xenia until they sent the jobs overseas. |
| Soon enough I was into the woods south of town. Cool in the shady green tunnel, with only a few other riders out. |
| Hey! No Cars! Actually these guys were clearing up a significant amount of leaves and sticks downed by the storms the night before. There was evidence further on that they had cleared at least two trees across the trails. Kudos on the fast response. |
| Soon I passed through Spring Valley. The store visible on the far left looked to have refreshments. |
| You see a wonderful variety of trail users, recumbents, trikes, families, clubs, and tourists. I love seeing all the riders. |
| A local gang tired to block my progress. Shouting was ignored, but they didn't know what to make of the brake squeal. They really started to move. In a second several of them were airborne, flying along next to me. They eventually figured out to split to the sides and let me by. |
| There were other locals out. I didn't bother this guy. |
| The woods were interspersed with open fields. |
| I took note of this business in Corwin, where I left the trail to catch Rt. 73 over the Little Miami River to Rt. 42. I took 42 a few hundred yards south to Lower Springboro Rd. Just before I turned onto Lower Springboro, I was victim of the first assault I've ever been subject to while on a bike. Something struck me in the back, suprising me, but not painful, and I saw a half empty plastic soda bottle skittering off into the woods. The car passing was a red buick with two occupants, and I gave them the traditional salute, and that was that. A bit disappointing on the otherwise excellent ride. |
| Lower Springboro Rd. climbs out of the river valley through farms and fields. |
| Some pretty nice homes out this way. |
| At Rt. 48 there was construction. I rode up close to see if I could cross, but it was very busy, so I took the detour south to Bunnell Hill Rd. Hmm, a road with hill in the name. I though this area was supposed to be flat. Fortunately, the hills were worse in the other direction, but since Rt. 48 was closed by construction too, all the traffic was routed along here, and I had no shoulder. |