BikeOhio1000

Today is May 29th and I have some unfinished business; the southern leg of the Western Reserve Greenway.  The Greenway utilizes the abandoned Penn Central 714 rail line and runs parallel with State Route 45. The southern end of the Western Reserve Greenway connects directly to the Garrett Wonders Trail as you enter the north end of Warren, Ohio.

My launch point today was from Champion, Ohio near the crossroads of Rt. 305 and Rt 45 at the Sunside Trailhead.

Nice parking lot with relief station, though no running water. I started my ride heading south. This section breaks form the typical rails-to-trails as there are some soft turns and a few subtle grade changes.  About 3-4 miles south of the Sunside trailhead, the trail transitions the the Garrett Wonders trail.

As you enter the north side of Warren, there are some on-street sections. The trail becomes more “urban” and there were several places with broken glass and other debris on the asphalt surface. You ride thru some industrial areas and areas of abandon/dilapidated homes and businesses.  Another mile and the trail ends (7 miles total from Sunside).

I turn and head north, riding past Sunside. You are in the canopy with some occasional breaks of open farm land: flat and straight. The trail is well maintained, though there was a short section that had about a dozen speed bumps (not sure why). It is 21 miles from the end of the Garrett Wonders Trail north to the Ashtabula-Trumbull County line.

I had rode 4-5 miles south of the county line last week before rain and thunder forced me to turn around. So I have completed the entire Western Reserves Greenway. My critique of the entire trail:

1. Very well maintained. Wide and smooth
2. That vast majority of time, you are in the secluded canopy which helps during the dog days of summer
3. There are trail markers on the Ashtabula section (not every mile) but none on the Trumbull section.
4. Nearly every crossroad identifies the road (for orientation)
5. Take advantage of the few spots on/near the trail to re-fuel
   1. Austinburg
   2. Orwell
   3. Rock Creek
6. Have fun

 

BikeOhio1000!!