September 5, 2018 8:30 AM and I am in Dayton, Ohio; more specifically, Beavercreek. I had arrived late last night to my daughter Sarah’s home as I had drove over from a family visit in Indianapolis. Speaking in Indy, if you are in the Indy area and need a great bike mechanic, look up “the Big Daddy Bicycle Company.”
https://bigdaddybicycleco.com/ The Cannondale EVO6 all tuned up, though by summers end, a new drive-train will be will be in order. Ready to roll.
So back to SW Ohio. The greater Dayton-area/Miami Valley boast more than 250 miles of paved trails, and I am here to check some out. I have my heart set on a century ride, even with the temps being in the low to mid 90’s the past few days.
My first leg will be on the Creekside Trail (Greene Co.) and Creekside Recreational Trail (Montgomery Co.); same trail with a modest name change from county-to-county. I launch from 5th 3rd Gateway Park in Beavercreek which is nearly the trail’s midpoint between Xenia to the east and Eastwood Park to the west.
The entire trail is approximately 17 miles. From Gateway Park, it is 10 miles to Xenia (which is on my end of day menu). I head west crossing over the interstate on a pedestrian/bike bridge and into Montgomery Co. Perhaps a mile down the trail I reach a “T” intersection. I know from my map to turn right. I later find out that turning left is the beginning of the Iron Horse Trail which runs to Kettering.
The trail runs from canopy to open space and back. Lots of soft turns but flat. There are a few street crossings as well until I reach Eastwood Park.
At Eastwood Park, the trail transitions to the Mad River Trail.
The trail running into downtown Dayton runs southwest. The Mad River Trail is another 7 miles. Very comfortable and visually appealing as I cruise along the river’s edge. The Mad River Trail terminates near downtown Dayton at an area called RiverScape, near Deed’s Park.
My next connection is the Great Miami River Trail, taking the northern section with plans to go to Piqua. This was a great scenic ride. River views with bridges and running waters, to woods and back. There was a section that took me away from the water, thru an industrial area and then thru Kittyhawk Golf Course before returning to the river.
I pass thru Vandalia and then north into Miami Co. to Tipp City. I top off my water bottles here at Canal Park and plan to take a detour into town on my way back thru. Along the trail you can see remnants of the Miami-Erie Canal.
As I come into the town of Troy it seems the trail has a fork and my map is limited. I take the eastern (right) fork. It takes me through some woodlands and over a cool bridge before coming to a trailhead termination parking lot. No signs indicating anything like trail to road, etc. I take a small break, then turn and head out. As I return to the fork, I contemplate trying the western fork route, to see if I can make it to Piqua, but I decide with the temp now at 96, I will start heading back south.
As I return to Tipp City, I hop off the trail and ride thru the charming “Old Tippecanoe Historic” downtown area. Such a nice place. I eventually spot a DQ, and stop from a cone, a chili dog, and a large cup of ice. (yeah, yeah but the chili dog was so good.)
I head back to the trail and ride south back into Montgomery Co. I wanted to make another detour to the Taylorsville Dam. The area that is now Taylorsville MetroPark was once one of the busiest crossroads in the country, the meeting place of major transportation arteries — the Old National Road, Great Miami River, the Miami-Erie Canal and railroads. The dam is primarily a huge earthen structure but there is a spillway on the river. Nice photo op. The southern skies are turning grey and I feel a few raindrops.
I continue my southern ride reaching downtown Dayton and the Riverscape area, where the Mad River connects to the Great Miami River. Trending condo’s overlook the river. I take a short detour and ride some river’s edge trails and up to the city streets.
A rumble of thunder in the distances gets my attention. I back track and hop on the Mad River Trail. Just as I am transitioning to the Creekside trail, the skies literally open up. Serious downpour. I know I only have a few miles to go so I push on with no immediate cover in sight either. A half mile from my car the rain stops like a light switch. I get to my car and the parking lot is dry. Crazy. My odometer says 89 miles. The heat sucked more energy than I had anticipated. Being soaked, a 20 mile round trip to Xenia wasn’t too appealing. I called it a day.
Great day of riding and just scratched the bike trail surface here in the Miami Valley. I will be back soon.
Thanks again for following BikeOhio1000. Ride On!!
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