Portage County: A Base for Exploration...and a Trail Connector The BikePortage website is intended to help local and through-biking cyclists connect to local and regional trails via Portage County road routes. Many local trails can be linked to larger trail systems and long-distance cycling routes that are ideal for bike touring.
As I explore further afield, I've added numerous pages on various trails that are great destinations, but hard to reach by road from NE Ohio. Most are just 2-5 hours away by car. You can find more on these trails under the pull-down menu "Longer Trips - Cycle Touring."
Portage County is a nexus of local recreational trails and is also near a couple of road routes created by the Adventure Cycling Association. Off-road trails and the use of quieter roads are optimized on the connections featured here. While there are organizations planning future connectivity by trail throughout the region, this site is devoted to what is available TODAY.
Portage County is home to a couple of fine bike trails This page (click on above heading) describes The Portage (Kent to Ravenna), and the Headwaters Trail (Mantua to Garrettsville). Mostly quiet road connections between these trails and those in neighboring counties can quickly expand this network to Cleveland, Akron, Ashtabula, and New Philadelphia. Those willing to include longer road segments on trips can connect to the Erie Canalway Trail (beginning in Buffalo and ending in Albany, NY), the Great Allegheny Passage (starting in Pittsburgh and ending on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canalway in Washington, DC), or the Ohio to Erie Trail (joining the Towpath Trail near Massillon and ending in Cincinnati, OH). Nearby Adventure Cycling Association "trails" (mostly roads) include the Underground Railroad and Northern Tier Routes.
This website focuses mostly on local and regional trails and road connections between them. When I explore more distant trails, I add pages for those as well. I've also started to add links to popular stopping points for a cold brew, camping, lodging, etc.
Portage County is also a favorite for road cycling This page (click on above heading) includes some practical and safety tips on riding local roads. The townships along the southern and eastern borders of the county offer many quiet rural roads. A few favorite area loop rides may also be included in the future.