Most of the rides within Ohio that are covered on other Ohio pages (or segments of these routes) can be done as day trips or quick overnights. This page focuses on bicycle touring over longer distances. While driving to the trailheads for all of these longer routes is an option, it is also often feasible to ride there. All safety issues related to road riding apply. Wear bright colors, use flashing rear lights, and follow all traffic laws. Use road connections and links at your own risk.
Destination Trails (click on headings to see individual pages with more detail) The Ohio to Erie Trail (Cleveland/Akron/Massillon on to Cincinnati, OH) Easy to access via trails from the Portage County locations suggested here. Mostly (90%) trails (paved or limestone) as of 2024. A new trail segment is under construction west of Kilbuck.
The Erie Canalway Trail (Buffalo to Albany, NY) The Western Reserve Greenway will get you near the Lake Erie coast from Portage County. It's all road riding (125 miles) from here to Buffalo, then mostly trails from Buffalo to Albany with a few significant road connections, especially through Syracuse. This is part of the Empire State Trail, which includes routes along the Hudson River from Albany. The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and Chesapeake and Ohio Canalway (C&O) (Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC) Difficult to access safely via road from Portage County due to missing trail segments from Monaca, PA south along the Ohio River, and from Dover, OH (Towpath Trail) heading east. While routes exist, all involve high traffic areas or lots of hills. Until the Ohio River Trail is finished above Pittsburgh, I recommend starting your eastbound trip in Pittsburgh (Mile Zero) or nearby Homestead.
North Bend Rail Trail This rough trail extends east from Parkersburgh, WV. Expect coarser gravel over much of the route. A couple of State or County parks offer comfortable camping.
Greenbrier River Trail Cass, WV is at the northern terminus. It is ~78 miles to the southern terminus at MM 3.
Ghost Town Trail Part of a network of Trans-Allegheny Trails, this segment connects Black Lick Township with Ebensburg, PA. It intersects with the more urbanized Hoodlebug Trail at it's western end.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bike Touring: Q: What do I need to bring? A: The short answer is "it depends." For self-supported campers (you carry all your own gear) go to the Tour Planning page
If you are willing to pay an outfitter or tour operator, you can just bring your wallet for lunch and have your luggage transported from last night's hotel to tonight's B&B.
Other folks do "credit card" trips, travel light (just a few changes of clothes) and stay at motels, B&Bs, or hostels.
If traveling for a week, campers often travel "fully loaded" with up to 40-50 lbs of camping gear. Traditional touring usually involves carrying gear in panniers (saddle bags) on front and/or rear racks. Trailers are another option. "Bikepackers" travel light (no more than 15-20 lbs of stuff) with gear nestled in smaller bags within the bike frame or hanging off handlebars and seat posts. Combinations of all the above are common. I've run across families where a parent is schlepping four panniers and a loaded trailer with a total of 100+ lbs of gear, kids and dog.
Q: How far do I need to be able to ride each day? A: This is entirely dependent on whether you can find campsites or accommodations within the desired range of miles traveled.
If you wish limit yourself to a 30-mile day, make sure you can find a place to sleep at about 30 mile intervals, give or take 5 miles. If you can ride longer distances you will often have more options.
If camping with small children, even shorter distances can be best. The C&O Canal is ideal for this with campsites generally at 5-mile intervals from Cumberland, MD to near Washington, DC. Keep it fun and they may want to do it again.
Training for several weeks (at least) before any longer trip is a good idea. Just ride... a lot. Make sure you are comfortable riding multiple days in a row and make sure you can ride at least 75% of the distance of your longest planned day without serious discomfort. Your fanny is usually the first body part that will let you know you haven't trained enough. That "muscle" needs to be broken in. "Seat time" is an important facet of training.
Personally I've found roughly 50 mile days (+/- 5) are comfortable when "fully loaded") and allow me time to stop along the way and relax in camp before dark. Sometimes I go 30 miles if starting or ending a trip at noon, or 80 miles due to some unforeseen detour, mapping error, camp closure, etc. Some folks can do 100 miles a day. "Whatever works for you" is the correct answer!
Q: Do I need a special bike? A: Again the short answer is "it depends."
For trips carrying little or no stuff on paved surfaces, most any bike will work. Even if you think you would like to explore fully-loaded bike touring, I'd recommend doing a couple of short overnights first, before you invest in a new bike.
If you are planning longer trips that involve mostly camping, or otherwise carrying a lot of equipment, your bike should be able to accept racks and/or bags. Many bikes already have fittings on the frame that allows them to be adapted for some sort of touring. You will also need appropriate gearing if you will need to get all that equipment over hills or travel off-road.
While you may not need a special bike for some touring options, you may wish to purchase tires that are specific to your needs. Tire choice become important when you are carrying weight and/or riding on unpaved surfaces (limestone, etc). The chunky, knobby tires that come on mountain bikes can be replaced with smoother-treaded tires for use on roads and groomed trails. Wider tires on any bike do help support the extra weight and are especially appreciated if traveling off pavement. If you are riding in the rain, some sort of fenders or mud guards will be appreciated as well. Tire width may be limited by bike fork clearances and rim width.