BikeOhio1000

Tuesday, November 2nd, Westerville, Ohio. I have covered the Alum Creek Trail several times. On my last trip thru Columbus, I was completing the Ohio-to-Erie-Trail (Sept 2021). I noted in early post, that it was a sort of personal time trail as I complete the entire route in 2 days. Day 1 was Cleveland to Columbus. On that day, heavy rains had flooded several of the underpasses on the trail, which added some intrigue to the end of day 1.

Today is a brisk fall day, 50 F, after some early morning heavy fog. I start near the northern terminus of the trail at Alum Creek Park (North) on West Main St in Westerville. This is about a mile south of the Polaris trail head, easy to locate, good parking and just across the street from Westerville Fire dept and a beautiful and unique memorial to fallen firefighters, check it out.

Riding my Fuji Jari gravel bike today. The trail is well maintained, all asphalt, and very flat. There are only 4-5 actual street crossing over the 21 miles north to south. I lost count but over 3 dozen pedestrian bridges of varying styles. Being fall, the trail is leaf-covered in many stretches.

As I cruise along, the first miles, crisscrossing over Alum Creek, the area is residential and condos, though often hidden by the fall canopy. Near Easton, the trail opens up to a soccer field complex and a golf course. I pass thru Ohio Dominican University (baseball field in the foggy distance) and then into Bexley and thru Capital University (light construction in this area).

The trail will take you along the edge of several of the city parks of Columbus. Keep an eye on the directional markers on the trail as there are many “off shoots” that can be confused as the actual North-South trail.

The last 3-4 miles heading towards 3 Creeks is more secluded, away from the freeway noise. You end as you cross over Big Walnut Creek and enter Three Creeks Park. The ride has started north of I-270 in Westerville and finished south of I-270 on Columbus’s south side.

I really enjoyed the ride. I like the meandering aspect of the trail vs the straight and flat you sometimes get on pure rails-to-trails. The views change often. I really appreciate the work that went into the infrastructure of the trail. The bridges and underpasses that allow you to ride in a cathartic state, with little worries of vehicle traffic. Great job Columbus!! Keep on riding, BikeOhio1000.