We all have that “training ride.” That “go to” route when we need to go out and drop 25-30 miles; our fitness barometer. Today, I wanted to share my “gravel bike” training ride. Last year, when prepping to ride the Chesapeake and Ohio/Great Allegheny Passage trail ride from DC to Pittsburgh I felt I need to spend more time on the off-road trails, and also add some climbing as I would be rolling thru the Allegheny Mtns. The course I create was intense and diverse. It includes both on and off road sections. It includes some technical descents on loose gravel as well as nearly 1600 ft of climbing in 25 miles. My ride starts in Lake Co. on the Kirtland/Concord border. A fun point of interest within the first miles is “Gravity Hill.” Gravity Hill starts at the intersection of King Memorial Rd and Little Mountain Road, going north on King Memorial. Visually, you are certain it is a 1 mile, moderate uphill ride, but on a bike. it is easy to sense and the ease of the ride tells you are going downhill, easily reaching 30 plus mph when putting in a modest effort.
I roll thru the quite back roads of Kirtland Hills, Baldwin and up Sperry Rd. hill past the Holden Arboretum, a 3,500 acre nature preserve with gardens and hiking trails.
A 6 mile jig-and-a-jog brings me the Chapin Forest Reservation, a Lake Co. Park District facility. I enter off St.Rt 306 and immediately jump on the gravel trails which are part of the Buckeye Trail as well.
The trail meanders with some fun switch backs and changing up and down elevations. It is not uncommon to share the trail with walkers and horse-back riders. The trail peaks in elevation overlooking an abandoned quarry along with one of the best views in northern Ohio of Lake Erie. The trail is a cross-country ski venue in the winter.
Exiting Chapin Forest on Hobart Rd I head north, then east for a long 2 1/2 mile drag of a climb up Eagle Rd. A short distance after turning off Eagle to Booth Rd. I enter Penitentiary Glen Park. Some of the must see for first time visitors is the aviary rehabilitation area where local birds recover. Often you will see eagles, falcons, hawks and owls.
The is also a small scale steam engine train that runs on the weekends. Great hiking trails and another that is park of the Buckeye Trail. This is a fun gravel section as is it predominately downhill. You cross a creek, then up a short, steep section and back on the road. I past thru downtown Kirtland and past the Kirtland Temple (first temple constructed by the church of Latter Day Saints).
Back on the road, I travel along the Chagrin River. I few more uphill sections to home. 25 miles, 1,600 ft of climb, 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is one ride that I repeat nearly once a week. Lots of scenery, light traffic, and 5-6 climbs that raise the old heart rate. Hit me up and tell me about your rides. Check out the ride video below too. Thanks for checking out BikeOhio1000.
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