23rd Great Ohio Bike Adventure

[Roadtrip]

Hummmmm... this is VERY interesting. Sounds like a neat ride. I don't have nearly the miles or experience (nor the time off) to undertake something like this quite yet, but I lived in Marion (parents still live there) for quite a few years and traveled around the area (Delaware/Kenton/Bellefontaine) when I lived back home.

Marion area is QUITE flat, but it does get a little hillier as you had south toward Delaware... I never bicycled around the area, but there is a nice little bike shop called Rocky's Cyclery.

If you go, make sure to post pics and a trip report!!

Shannon

[Catrin]

I am pretty sure that I will be able to take off the time - we will have to see about the entry fee...but it is quite an attractive idea. I had thought about doing RAGBRAI this year - but I think that it is too early for that. This would be a good introduction to that type of event, then perhaps in 2012 I can make Iowa.

RAIN is also attractive this year, but I will have to see how my body feels as I build my mileage base back up. At least I am not starting at the same point I did last spring

[Owlie]

That looks like fun! I don't know if I could do 50 miles a day just yet, though.

[AnnieBikes]

I did GOBA in 2010 and it was a great ride! It was in a very hilly section of Ohio (south-central) and some people complained! It was also very, very hot. But I went with a friend and we had a blast. It was very well organized, and we did not have to move camp every night (two nights in two towns). The town people were wonderful and many churches had food and lots of it for a good price. The things to do in towns were fun and everyone went out of their way to be really nice. The towns always plan fun things to do and 2010 was certainly no exception. If I was not going to ride Bicycle Tour of Colorado, I would definitely do GOBA again.

Have fun and let us hear about it.

[Catrin]

I read where people complained about it being too hilly last year. I really would like to do this ride, but with getting a custom bike this year I probably won't be able to swing it - I suspect that it is very easy to spend more than you realize for food as the days pass... I do have that week scheduled off though, so I will be on the bike somewhere - either on this ride or on day trips in Indiana and Ohio

[TsPoet]

I have several friends doing this ride this year. I wish I had the nerve to take that much time off work, and A) tear my bike down, B) pack my bike, C) unpack my bike, D) build my bike, E) repeat.
I need to decide ASAP, there is so much chatter about this ride, it must be huge, if not it should fill up soon.

[OakLeaf]

I finally got the flyer. It's not going to be nearly as hilly as last year. So no one should be intimidated. Especially since there are two "optional" ride days.

I'm not sure how fast it fills up.

... but speaking of filling up, isn't ANYONE here doing TOSRV this year, being the 50th anniversary and all?

[KatzPajamas]

I did GOBA in 2010 and it was a great ride! It was in a very hilly section of Ohio (south-central) and some people complained! It was also very, very hot. But I went with a friend and we had a blast. It was very well organized, and we did not have to move camp every night (two nights in two towns). The town people were wonderful and many churches had food and lots of it for a good price. The things to do in towns were fun and everyone went out of their way to be really nice. The towns always plan fun things to do and 2010 was certainly no exception. If I was not going to ride Bicycle Tour of Colorado, I would definitely do GOBA again.

Have fun and let us hear about it.

Signed up to do GOBA this year. My hubby has done it 4-5 times in the last 10 years. This will be my second year of cycling and I just turned 57. Last summer I put about 900 miles on my Synapse, but 35 was about the most I could do in any one day. I am concerned about making it 50 miles several times in one week. Any advice on how to train for this week long trip?
I am planning to pack very light, but only have the advice of a man on what to pack... so would be grateful for any advice on that too.

[MichelleOH]

I am planning to pack very light, but only have the advice of a man on what to pack... so would be grateful for any advice on that too.

My Uncle has done GOBA for something like 15 years and loves it. You don't have to carry your own gear...they move it for you from town to town. My point is...I would therefore overpack. Have fun!

[Catrin]

Signed up to do GOBA this year. My hubby has done it 4-5 times in the last 10 years. This will be my second year of cycling and I just turned 57. Last summer I put about 900 miles on my Synapse, but 35 was about the most I could do in any one day. I am concerned about making it 50 miles several times in one week. Any advice on how to train for this week long trip?
I am planning to pack very light, but only have the advice of a man on what to pack... so would be grateful for any advice on that too.

I have no constructive advice outside of wishing you a great time! I really would like to do this, but not this year. I think that I will focus on doing this in 2013. I second Michelle's advice to over-pack as your gear will be moved for you

[goldfinch]

This seemed like an ideal ride for me plus we have a small camper my spouse could drive so I wouldn't have to tent. Tenting and me don't mix. But no pets allowed in the camper. So much for that.