May 8, 2018, the Little Miami Scenic Trail, southwest Ohio. I left Cleveland VERY early this morning and made the 4+-hour trip to the eastern Cincinnati suburb of Milford. I located the Milford Trailhead which sits at the St Rt 28 & 50 crossroads adjacent to the trails namesake Little Miami River. The Little Miami Scenic Trail is the third longest paved trail in the United States, running 78 miles though five counties in Ohio. It was 10:20 AM.
I was in Cincinnati to fulfil a promise to my nephew Kyle, that I would come see him play baseball, as he was a senior at West Clermont HS. His game started at 5PM, so I figured I could ride until 3-3:30 at still have time to freshen up and make it to his game.
I have traveled sections of the Little Miami Scenic Trail before, most recently, when participating in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, which is a 4-day Cincinnati to Cleveland, 328-mile ride to support the Hope Lodges. Great ride; very well supported and a tremendous cause (POHR.org). The trail is flat with some soft turns; well maintained paved surfaces, so the Cannondale EVO6 road bike was my ride for today.
Launching from the Milford trailhead, I initially headed south as goal number one was to touch the southern most trail head at Terrace Park. I crisscross the Clermont-Hamilton Co. lines several times meandering thru parks and the hamlet of Newtown. I grew up not far from this section of the trail so there were lots of familiar landmarks as I rolled thru Newton to the southern terminus at Avoca Park in Terrace Park (8 miles from Milford). Little underwhelmed, just a dead-end and a guardrail. There are plans for an underpass that would connect the trail all the way to the Ohio River near downtown Cincinnati. 
From this point I am headed north/northeast keeping the river on my left. About ½ way back to my Milford starting point I met a fellow cyclist, Steve from Hyde Park. He said he was playing hooky from work (with a smile). We were cursing 17-18mph. He said he usually rides at a faster clip but hasn’t been out much. I was happy with the pace. We rode together for 11-12 miles to near the south side of Loveland, where he peeled off. It was nice having some company for a while.
Loveland, WOW, not like I remembered it. Lots of cool shops right on the trail. As the trail continues, you are in the canopy so even as the temperature came up to the mid 80’s, you are in the shade. Leaving Loveland, I cross over from Clermont to Warren Co.
The trail passes under State Route 3 at Fosters, across the river from the Landen Mounds.
At this location the historic Peters Cartridge Company facility overlooks the bike trail. Such an impressive old manufacturing facility, kind of creepy. My guess it is in this isolated location in case of an explosion/fire or possibly for river access.
The Little Miami Scenic Trail continues northward, opposite the river from Kings Mills near Kings Island amusement park. I pass several canoe outfitter along the trail and I did see many out on the river enjoying a relaxing day on the water. The trail then passes through the downtown districts of Morrow.
This has been a rest stop on the POHR over the years. Nice little park, the old train caboose, rail station and a cool bridge. Photo opps! At Fort Ancient, the trail runs under the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge (I-71), the tallest bridge in Ohio.
As I continued from this point, the trail moves away from the river and more into farmland. As I hit the 41-mile mark from the southern trailhead, I checked the clock, 1:30. I sensed I might have gone a bit too far to make it back on time. As I mentioned up top, the trail will run another 35 plus miles to Xenia and on to Springfield.
I had average just under 16 mph for the 49 miles. I needed to hump it at 17 to make it back on time. Time to lay down on the aerobars and spin. With about 10 miles to go, I am out of water. No place to re-fill and sensing some calf cramping too. Rolled into the trailhead at 3:39. 82 total miles. No worries.
Lots of cyclist, walkers, and runners on the trail all day. One thing I didn’t do was to investigate that trailheads for amenities. Advice is take the opportunities to top off your fluids when you see them. Not always available when you need then (pretty much true wherever). Little Miami Scenic Trail, another gem for Ohio.
Post note: Made it to my nephew’s game; they won 9-0. 😊
BikeOhio1000 