Day 23 - June 2, 2023. Mt. Vernon, OH - Millersburg, OH

A short(ish) ride of about 40 miles today, so lots of time to meander.  I would guess that we were on roads (vs bike trails) for a total of about 10 miles.  Bike trails today - Kokosing Gap Trail, Mohican Valley Trail, Ohio to Erie Trail, Holmes County Trail.  All quite lovely.

First stop - we all headed back to the dog fountain for some group pictures.


Somewhere along the way we acquired a "trail angel" who stopped traffic for us in a couple of spots where we had to cross busy streets on the way to our first trail.  Here are some of our folks taking the road over the bridge out of town.


Onto the Kokosing Gap Trail.




Our trail angel (Eileen, who is a WT alum) met us at Gambier where there were some old trains on display.





Passed this lovely stone arch.





Thanks to intel provided by friends of one of our riders, we went about a mile off route at about mile 17 to Weaver's Farm and Furniture for amazing fresh-baked pretzels; yum!  Also - lots of beautiful Amish furniture, decor, and quilts.  Animals too, but I just took a picture of the greeting goat.









Bridge of Dreams at about 21 miles.



We are firmly in Amish country this afternoon.  The trails had a bit more variety - some through rock cuts, some on the level, some raised, and some raised through swampland.  




We had a section from about mile 29 to mile 37 where we were on the road between trails.  The song "sign, sign, everywhere a sign" was running through my head.  Almost like Ohio was apologizing for not having a trail for us to ride on.





Back on to the Holmes County Trail at Killbuck for the last 5ish miles.  There was a lot of swampland on either side of the trail.  I saw a heron and a deer just off the trail but they moved before I was able to get my camera out.  Lots of turtles in the swamp.  Some on the trail too.  Also - over the last number of trail days there have been lots of bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks, and all manner of birds singing at the top of their lungs.  







And - lots of small bugs and tree fluff and dust in the air.  I have learned to not wear my contacts through this terrain.  My eyes have been very irritated the last few days.  Much better today without the contacts!

I pulled off the trail early to swing by the local WalMart to see the e-bike charging stations.  Apparently quite a few of the local Amish or Mennonites ride e-bikes now and this is where they charge them up.  There were some cyclists in there as I went by so I didn't want to disturb them.  Instead, I got a picture of the hitching rail.


After hotel check-in, a group of us rode downtown to the Millersburg Brewing Company for rehydration.  Right across the street from the old courthouse.  Oh - and when I was locking up my bike, I noticed that I had several bald spots on my rear tire.  Oops!  Sent Cindi a text.  She was at the bike shop so was able to pick up a new tire for me.  And - she installed it when I got back to the hotel.  She's the best!!


Another great day today.  More of the same tomorrow.  I hope.....


Millersburg, Ohio

Population 3,151 (2020).  In 2000 the median household income was $33,809.  Millersburg is in the heart of Ohio's Amish Country and is the county seat for Holmes County.  In April 1892 a black man was lynched in Millersburg.  He was said to be the only black man in the county.  


Stats for the day:

Distance:  71.4 km / 44.4 miles

Elevation (Garmin):  350m up / 386m down.  1148' up / 1266' down.

Elevation (RWGPS):  504m up / 553m down.  1653' up / 1814' down.

Weather:  18C - 35C.  It actually felt cool when I took out my first bag shortly after 7.  Didn't last long!  Another glorious day with a bit of a headwind to keep us cool(ish).




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