Saturday was a pretty lazy day…
And Sunday’s forecast is more of the same 
Looks like we’ll be leaving on Monday, tomorrow.
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Summertime, and the Livin’s Easy!
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Tagged Ohio to Erie Trail Tour 2012
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Wolf Creek Recreation Trail (#38)
The Wolf Creek Recreation Trail is split in two. The west end is great, the east end is abysmal. We first used this trail back in 2007 on one of our first bike tours. It was bad then and it is worse now. We said we would never ride that way again but since we were feeling tough and really wanted to get to the Tall Timbers KOA we gave it a try. We do NOT recommend this route. When you are inside the levies in Dayton it is bit tricky to find the trail head as you need to first cross the Great Miami River then cross the Wolf Creek to find a marker for trail 38. There is about a mile of paved trail before you are dumped into a dicey neighborhood where the bike route signs entice you to go the wrong way. The correct route is to turn right to get to the trail that follows Mcgee (?) parkway. The trail surface is littered with glass and there are deep cracks full of knee to thigh high weeds. The road was recently paved but the traffic was heavy, fast and aggressive. Even using the sidewalk a motorist nearly picked off Guy when he turned right in front of him. The “trail” ends and you need to ride on Wolf Creek Parkway for a few miles which is twisty and narrow, again with angry and aggressive motorists. Finally you arrive in Trotwood where there is a trail head rest area but the bathrooms were locked and the water fountain was not functioning.
From this point west the trail is perfectly smooth and maintained. It makes a great route to get around the area and it is a nice ride up to Verona.
We recommend using the Great Miami River Recreation Trail (#25) north out of Dayton then use the back roads that parallel US route 40 through Englewood to get to Brookville. We will use this route when we leave so I will add more details after we ride it.
– Carolyn
EDIT: As promised, here is the Route that we use through Englewood, with map!
The Creekside Trail (#2)
The Creekside Trail (trail 2) is a paved and smooth trail that connects Xenia and Dayton. The trail is in good condition and is easy to navigate. There is a great rest stop in Beavercreek with restrooms and cold water. The Creekside Trail ends in Eastwood Lake Metropark where you need to get onto the Mad River Recreation Trail (trail 8) to continue into Dayton. Traveling west was no problem but I remember being lost here another time when we were going east. The trail heads are on the south side of the lagoon. To get the Creekside Trail you need to under a stone arch and go out to road and cross diagonally to get on the trail going east to Xenia.
– Carolyn
Little Miami Scenic Trail (#1/3)
The Little Miami Scenic Trail is truly scenic with beautiful views of the river and is lined with wildflowers. Almost the entire length is under a canopy of trees providing deep shade and a windbreak. There are many small towns and rest stops along the way. On the southern end close to Cincinnati there are several road crossings that are extremely dangerous and require a full stop and lots of caution.
The trail is paved but is showing its age. There are lots of crack in the surface that make for a pretty bumpy ride–especially between Loveland and Milford. The cracks and holes have been marked with paint making them easier to see but I did a lots of standing through this section.
We do not remember this being a problem when we rode the trail last year and we suspect that the trail may have been damaged by all of the heavy rain last spring and summer.
Hopefully there are plans for repairs as this section is heavily used by packs of suburban moms and men on fast road bikes.
– Carolyn
Tall Timbers, Dayton KOA
Tall Timbers, Dayton KOA Review
Price: Varies. See link.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Link: www.daytonkoa.com/
Grade: A+
This is our third year staying at the Tall Timbers KOA just Northwest of Dayton. All three times have been on bicycle tours and all three times we stayed in the same Kamping Kabin – no, I’m not saying which one
While it is ostensibly a campground, to us, it feels more like a resort. Think like a State Forest Lodge, like Geneva, minus the huge hotel.
The grounds are impeccable. All of the large trees are trimmed neatly to a height of about 20′ or so. I guess its for access for all of the large RVs. Anyway, it’s striking. There are multiple gazebos, beautiful hanging ferns and neatly trimmed shrubs everywhere.
The staff is fantastic. You can tell that the summer help is actually trained in customer service and have a knowledge of the facility that allows them to act autonomously and with confidence. It’s kind of rare these days and is worth noting. Carol calls all the young girls that work here, “Golf Cart Princesses,” as they all scoot about in golf carts while doing their chores.
It’s obvious that the attitude here is infused by the owners.
(I know it sounds like I’m gushing, but this place really is that good.)
More specifics: lots of cabins – one room, two room, mobile home sized. There are easily 15 – 20 cabins. Lots of tent sites, lots of RVS sites. Wi-Fi across the entire property.
The pool is awesome. Always clear and well maintained. Lots of lounge chairs.
For kids they always have a ton of activities, Putt Putt, train rides, hay rides, playground, pedal car rentals…
They also have an excellent camp store with camping supplies, cards, gifts toys, and some food. There’s also a game room and pizza shop/cafe.
Our one room cabin is about $75 a night, weekends. It has a TV and a fridge, both new last year (2011).
Drawbacks?
You can hear I-70. Really, that’s it. Big deal.
In our book, this place is an easy A+
Carol will post directions on how to get here by bicycle without using the grievous bike trail through Trotwood. It’s about 15 miles off of the Great Miami Trail, but it’s worth it, especially if you plan on staying several days.
The Pool
Gratuitous Train Pic of the Day
Oh, and just for fun, how bout some breakfast?
Saturday June 2nd
Supposed to be a bit warmer today. In the 60s, but breezy. Sunshine right now and it’s nice. Yesterday was cold, dark and rainy all day.
Late in the afternoon we rode into town to get supplies, a little les than a ten mile round trip. We got rained on just a little. Not enough to pull out the rain gear.
When we’re here, we shop at McMakens, the local IGA.
Yes, that’s the liquor store just to the right of our bikes
Anyway, we stocked up on food and stuff. Across the street is a Dollar Store. Carol bought a cheap sheet set to fit the bed in our cabin.
I know, I know, but it sure made it a LOT more comfortable and warmer!
We are gonna be here for at least another day
Friday, June 1st
Brrr!
It’s only 53 degrees outside and breezy and no sun. It rained last night, so we’re pretty thankful to be in this little cabin instead of our tiny tent. Not looking like a day by the swimming pool…. I’m in bed in the sleeping bag! Tomorrow is supposed to be in the mid 60s. We keep getting these crazy weather extremes. Looks like we mite have a fire tonight
We both slept in today. That was nice. Here’s a picture of Carol cooking our brunch (bacon and eggs) at the outside kitchen gazebo.
Every time we stay here, we use the heck out of this kitchen.
Carol just got back from paying for today. The owner told her they cranked the pool temperature to nearly 80 degrees.
Cabin update:
A few people were interested in our little cabins. The KOA cabin is a luxurious 12 by 12 inside compared to the little cabin at Spring Valley.
KOA Kamping Kabin
5-31-12 update
Just finished gorging on Sarah’s pizza, wings and salad (and beer. Sam, you rock!). They’re garlic wings are spectacular!
Carol went to finish the laundry. I bet I’ll be asleep before she gets back…
Blog catch up
We stayed with Janet until Wednesday morning. Here was the view from her balcony. That’s fog over the Ohio River, six miles below.
We saw this cool snake on the trail out of Cincy.
Here’s a cool action shot of Carol as we were rolling into Frontier Campground for the night (after Cincy).
And here is our quaint little cabin. I actually measured it this morning before we left and the interior is 10 by 10.
And we met some new friends there, Pete and Joan from Philidelphia. They are fellow bike riders and have their own club, Ye Old Spokes!
And no trip to the Dayton area would be complete without running into our buddy Phil!
(Thanks for the advice!)
It’s funny, we have run into Phil every time we have come down here since 07. And never in the same place twice. Phil is Dayton’s bicycle guru. He routinely logs 11,000 a year!
This is a cool new 911 memorial being built along the trail at Beavercreek. The “sculpture” is a hunk of mangled steel from one of the buildings. Breath taking.
Oh… I almost forgot… Today I rode the Mad River Bikeway…
Here’s a shot of me bring our bikes down the levee in Dayton so we could hit the Wolf Creek Trail. It’s cool how they have the track for your bike tires, but you still need to be on the brakes the whole way down… At least with a loaded tourer.
More gratuitous train pictures from the town of Trottville
Sarah’s Pizza. Our favorite place in Brookville. Carol’s on the phone with them as I type
They used to have a really cool old sign, but the city insisted on “improvements.”
Oh this picture, below, is too awesome to leave out!
