OTET (Ohio to Erie Trail - Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland)

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

I’m wondering if anyone has ridden from Cincinnati to Cleveland on their e-bikes. If so, what words of wisdom do you have to share? Also, would you mind sharing your itinerary? Were hotel reservations needed ahead of time? Thank you for any assistance anyone can provide.

 

[Tars Tarkas]

I have no help other than to suggest you edit the subject line, or at least explain what OTET means.
that might explain why no one else has replied.

Google maps let's you choose bikes as your transportation mode. that might be a starting point.

TT

 

[6zfshdb]

If you are referring to the Ohio to Erie Trail, you might take a look at the reviews on the traillink.com website. Although the reviews and descriptions are free, you need to be a member to access the detailed trail maps.

Ohio to Erie Trail | Ohio Trails | TrailLink

Ohio to Erie Trail spans 293 from Edgewater Park, 7600 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway (Cleveland) to Smale Riverfront Park,166 W Mehring Way (Cincinnati). View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink.

www.traillink.com

I'm planning to ride a portion of the trail this spring, and I can confirm from friends that some sections are impassable when muddy and require on road detours. Much depends on trip timing and weather conditions.

Although improvements and extensions are planned, a good portion of the trail requires on road riding. Notable trail gaps exist in the 293 mile trail at London, Galena, Danville, Glenmont to Killbuck, and Fredericksburg to Dalton.

 

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

If you are referring to the Ohio to Erie Trail, you might take a look at the reviews on the traillink.com website. Although the reviews and descriptions are free, you need to be a member to access the detailed trail maps.

Ohio to Erie Trail | Ohio Trails | TrailLink

Ohio to Erie Trail spans 293 from Edgewater Park, 7600 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway (Cleveland) to Smale Riverfront Park,166 W Mehring Way (Cincinnati). View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink.

www.traillink.com

I'm planning to ride a portion of the trail this spring, and I can confirm from friends that some sections are impassable when muddy and require on road detours. Much depends on trip timing and weather conditions.

Although improvements and extensions are planned, a good portion of the trail requires on road riding. Notable trail gaps exist in the 293 mile trail at London, Galena, Danville, Glenmont to Killbuck, and Fredericksburg to Dalton.

Thank you. Please let me know how you make out with charging on the ride. We would probably be riding in the fall, so hopefully, spring flooding wouldn’t be an issue. I watched a YouTube video where one guy encountered a lot of flooding and mentioned at some points it was up to his thighs. At least he wasn’t riding an e-bike!

 

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

I have no help other than to suggest you edit the subject line, or at least explain what OTET means.
that might explain why no one else has replied.

Google maps let's you choose bikes as your transportation mode. that might be a starting point.

TT

Will do. Thanks

 

[Brian-s]

Check out this link
https://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/
You can get maps and ideas for where to stay. And I suggested trail links is a great source. Just remember when using traillink that the trail is a combination of a multitude of county Metro Park trails and other trails and some roads, so they might not have one complete list like the official page has.

I am slowly working away on the ohio to Erie trail also. However I'm doing stages I did Cleveland to Mount Vernon last year, staying at a campground in Wilmington just off the trail do more sections of it this year.

Good luck

 

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

Check out this link
https://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/
You can get maps and ideas for where to stay. And I suggested trail links is a great source. Just remember when using traillink that the trail is a combination of a multitude of county Metro Park trails and other trails and some roads, so they might not have one complete list like the official page has.

I am slowly working away on the ohio to Erie trail also. However I'm doing stages I did Cleveland to Mount Vernon last year, staying at a campground in Wilmington just off the trail do more sections of it this year.

Good luck

Thank you. I definitely plan to order their trail guides. We are doing the GAP from Pittsburgh to Cumberland in June and had to book sleeping accommodations back in December. A couple of places we were looking at were already booked then! I like riding until I feel like stopping instead of having the pressure to get to a certain place. On the other hand, it’s nice to know there is a place waiting at the end of the day! I‘m hoping there are enough hotels along the way that we don’t have to make reservations ahead of time. Enjoy the trail!

 

[6zfshdb]

Thank you. Please let me know how you make out with charging on the ride. We would probably be riding in the fall, so hopefully, spring flooding wouldn’t be an issue. I watched a YouTube video where one guy encountered a lot of flooding and mentioned at some points it was up to his thighs. At least he wasn’t riding an e-bike!

I carry enough battery for a day's ride, which is usually less than 80 miles. That way, I can charge overnight wherever I'm staying. B&B's along or near the trails I ride tend to book up well in advance. I have better luck booking hotels within a mile or so of the trail.

I don't have much info on the OTET yet but here's my take on the GAP Trail:

I've done the GAP 3 times, and do portions of it every year. It's by far the best ride east of the Mississippi.

I do the GAP in 3 days. When starting in Pittsburgh, I ride the 60 mile section to Connellsville and stay at the Comfort Inn, which is right on the trail at milepost 89. https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/connellsville/comfort-inn-hotels/pa895

I ride 45 miles on day 2 from Connellsville to Rockwood, milepost 44, and usually stay at the Rockwood Trailhouse B&B. https://www.rockwoodtrailhouse.com/ . As you noted, this one books up well in advance. Camping is also available in Rockwood at the Husky Haven Campground. https://www.facebook.com/huskyhavencampground/ Take some time on this leg to explore the bridges & falls at Ohiopyle, and the bridges & tunnel at Pinkerton.

Day 3 is the 45 mile stretch from Rockwood to Cumberland, milepost 0. This section is the most scenic with the Salisbury viaduct, Keystone viaduct, and the Big Savage tunnel. If I'm planning to continue on to Washington DC on the C&O Canal towpath trail, I stay at the Hampton Inn in Cumberland, which is adjacent to the trail https://www.guestreservations.com/h...q8iISsqf6ZJx3B5NixcagXDWQEBfc3cxoCSLYQAvD_BwE

The 150 mile C&O Canal Towpath Trail , which connects to the GAP, is another "must do ride" IMO.

A good link to conditions on the GAP: https://gaptrail.org/?utm_source=Gr...EMAIL_ID]&mc_cid=6d97b52c26&mc_eid=f7355bc41a

I also recommend getting a copy of the GAP 2024 trail guide, which was just released: https://gaptrail.org/before-you-go/trailguide/

 

[Brian-s]

I've heard a number of people comment great things about the gap. I've had the Boston bridge trail access highlighted on my places to go for 2 years now hoping by the end of the year I'll be able to start it. But have to do my buckeye trail first

 

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

I carry enough battery for a day's ride, which is usually less than 80 miles. That way, I can charge overnight wherever I'm staying. B&B's along or near the trails I ride tend to book up well in advance. I have better luck booking hotels within a mile or so of the trail.

I don't have much info on the OTET yet but here's my take on the GAP Trail:

I've done the GAP 3 times, and do portions of it every year. It's by far the best ride east of the Mississippi.

I do the GAP in 3 days. When starting in Pittsburgh, I ride the 60 mile section to Connellsville and stay at the Comfort Inn, which is right on the trail at milepost 89. https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/connellsville/comfort-inn-hotels/pa895

I ride 45 miles on day 2 from Connellsville to Rockwood, milepost 44, and usually stay at the Rockwood Trailhouse B&B. https://www.rockwoodtrailhouse.com/ . As you noted, this one books up well in advance. Camping is also available in Rockwood at the Husky Haven Campground. https://www.facebook.com/huskyhavencampground/ Take some time on this leg to explore the bridges & falls at Ohiopyle, and the bridges & tunnel at Pinkerton.

Day 3 is the 45 mile stretch from Rockwood to Cumberland, milepost 0. This section is the most scenic with the Salisbury viaduct, Keystone viaduct, and the Big Savage tunnel. If I'm planning to continue on to Washington DC on the C&O Canal towpath trail, I stay at the Hampton Inn in Cumberland, which is adjacent to the trail https://www.guestreservations.com/h...q8iISsqf6ZJx3B5NixcagXDWQEBfc3cxoCSLYQAvD_BwE

The 150 mile C&O Canal Towpath Trail , which connects to the GAP, is another "must do ride" IMO.

A good link to conditions on the GAP: https://gaptrail.org/?utm_source=Great+Allegheny+Passage+News+and+Alerts&utm_campaign=6d97b52c26-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_03_25_02_51&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6d97b52c26-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]&mc_cid=6d97b52c26&mc_eid=f7355bc41a

I also recommend getting a copy of the GAP 2024 trail guide, which was just released: https://gaptrail.org/before-you-go/trailguide/

Thank you so much for sharing all of your info.

I carry enough battery for a day's ride, which is usually less than 80 miles. That way, I can charge overnight wherever I'm staying. B&B's along or near the trails I ride tend to book up well in advance. I have better luck booking hotels within a mile or so of the trail.

I don't have much info on the OTET yet but here's my take on the GAP Trail:

I've done the GAP 3 times, and do portions of it every year. It's by far the best ride east of the Mississippi.

I do the GAP in 3 days. When starting in Pittsburgh, I ride the 60 mile section to Connellsville and stay at the Comfort Inn, which is right on the trail at milepost 89. https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/connellsville/comfort-inn-hotels/pa895

I ride 45 miles on day 2 from Connellsville to Rockwood, milepost 44, and usually stay at the Rockwood Trailhouse B&B. https://www.rockwoodtrailhouse.com/ . As you noted, this one books up well in advance. Camping is also available in Rockwood at the Husky Haven Campground. https://www.facebook.com/huskyhavencampground/ Take some time on this leg to explore the bridges & falls at Ohiopyle, and the bridges & tunnel at Pinkerton.

Day 3 is the 45 mile stretch from Rockwood to Cumberland, milepost 0. This section is the most scenic with the Salisbury viaduct, Keystone viaduct, and the Big Savage tunnel. If I'm planning to continue on to Washington DC on the C&O Canal towpath trail, I stay at the Hampton Inn in Cumberland, which is adjacent to the trail https://www.guestreservations.com/h...q8iISsqf6ZJx3B5NixcagXDWQEBfc3cxoCSLYQAvD_BwE

The 150 mile C&O Canal Towpath Trail , which connects to the GAP, is another "must do ride" IMO.

A good link to conditions on the GAP: https://gaptrail.org/?utm_source=Great+Allegheny+Passage+News+and+Alerts&utm_campaign=6d97b52c26-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_03_25_02_51&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6d97b52c26-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]&mc_cid=6d97b52c26&mc_eid=f7355bc41a

I also recommend getting a copy of the GAP 2024 trail guide, which was just released: https://gaptrail.org/before-you-go/trailguide/

Thank you for sharing your information regarding the gap. We are looking forward to riding it. We are hoping to get several longer rides in this summer.

 

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

I've heard a number of people comment great things about the gap. I've had the Boston bridge trail access highlighted on my places to go for 2 years now hoping by the end of the year I'll be able to start it. But have to do my buckeye trail first

I look forward to hearing and learning from everyone’s rides!

 

[6zfshdb]

You might enjoy this video called "The Great Ride", which documents a trip from Cumberland to Pittsburgh on the GAP. It shows what to expect along the trail:

 

[Finger Lakes E-Bikers]

Thank you. Yes, I’ve watched this one along with several others. I enjoy the videos that people put on YouTube. Thank you again for your suggestions.