Day 5 marked our final overnight stop on the Ohio to Erie Trail.
After several long days in the saddle, we were beginning to feel the accumulated miles. We had learned our rhythms, developed our routines, and figured out what worked—and what didn’t—when traveling across Ohio on loaded e-bikes.
Today’s ride would take us approximately 58 miles from Prairie Grass Trailhead in London, Ohio, to Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground in Morrow, Ohio.
It would also become one of my favorite days of the entire trip.
A Warm Morning at Prairie Grass Trailhead
Unlike the first few nights of the trip, the weather had changed significantly.
The cold nights around Peninsula and Turkey Hollow were gone. Instead, we woke to warm, humid air and sticky tents.
I hadn’t slept particularly well. The combination of humidity and a sleeping bag that was too warm for the conditions made for a restless night.
That experience reinforced something I had already begun thinking about during the trip: I need a sleeping bag liner. On warm nights, I could sleep in the liner alone. On cooler nights, it would add warmth to my sleeping bag. It seems like one of the easiest upgrades I can make before next year’s ride.
As usual, we packed our gear, loaded our bikes, and rolled out shortly after breakfast.
Another Day on the Trail
The riding itself was pleasant.
The trail conditions remained excellent, and we continued making our way south toward Cincinnati.
By this point in the trip, I felt much more comfortable navigating with Ride With GPS. The stress and confusion I experienced in Cleveland felt like a distant memory.
I had learned to trust the route, pay attention to turns, and move through unfamiliar areas with confidence.
Sometimes experience is the best teacher.
Arriving in Morrow
One of the things I love about bicycle touring is discovering places I would never otherwise visit.
Morrow, Ohio, was one of those places.
It’s a small community with a charming downtown area, local businesses, and a slower pace of life that feels refreshing after spending time in larger cities.
We arrived in the afternoon and made our way toward Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground.
Before the trip, I had spoken with Fred, who manages the property. The Ohio to Erie Trail website recommends calling ahead, and I’m glad I did.
Fred provided all the information we needed, including where to camp and where to find electricity for our bikes.
Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground
Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground is unlike any other campground we stayed at during the trip.
The property is primarily used for community events, concerts, and the annual Todd’s Fork Revival.
Cyclists are welcome to camp free of charge.
The primitive bicycle camping area sits near the entrance, marked specifically for bicycle travelers. A creek runs through the property, fields stretch in both directions, and a small stage sits at the far end of the grounds.
Electricity wasn’t available directly at the campsite, but Fred showed us where to plug in our bikes near the stage.
We charged the bikes, secured our gear, and headed into town.
Looking for Water and a Shower
One challenge at Todd’s Fork Adventure is that there isn’t water available at the campground itself.
When I asked Fred about water, he simply told me to head into town.
That led us to one of the most memorable surprises of the entire trip.
We stopped by a local bicycle repair shop owned by Isaac Shelton. While talking with him, we explained that we were camping nearby and hoping to find a place to clean up.
Isaac suggested we visit a restaurant across the street called Fresh to Morrow.
Then he casually mentioned something unexpected.
“They have a shower.”
At first, I thought he was joking.
He wasn’t.
Fresh to Morrow
Fresh to Morrow turned out to be one of the hidden gems of the Ohio to Erie Trail.
The restaurant is owned by Ryan and Brad and operates as a true farm-to-table establishment. Much of the food comes directly from Ryan’s nearby farm, and their commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients is obvious the moment you walk through the door.
Even more surprising, they maintain a shower specifically for cyclists traveling the trail.
After several hot days of riding, that shower felt absolutely amazing.
I honestly can’t overstate how much better I felt afterward.
Clean clothes, clean body, and good food can completely change your outlook.
Hillbilly Hibachi
After cleaning up, we stayed for dinner.
I ordered the Hillbilly Hibachi and was blown away.
Because of my dietary restrictions, eating while traveling can sometimes be difficult. Ryan was incredibly accommodating and made sure my meal was gluten-free and dairy-free.
The food was fresh, flavorful, and easily one of the best meals of the entire trip.
We spent quite a while talking with Ryan about cycling, farming, sustainability, local food production, and his restaurant.
It’s clear that Fresh to Morrow is much more than a business. It’s a passion project built around serving people well.
If you’re riding the OTET and passing through Morrow, I highly recommend stopping there.
Meeting Claude
When we returned to camp that evening, another cyclist had arrived.
His name was Claude, and he was from the Boston area.
Since I was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, we immediately had something to talk about.
Claude was completing his own cycling adventure and planned to continue beyond Cleveland toward New York.
Like many of the cyclists we met on this trip, he had fascinating stories and a unique perspective on long-distance touring.
One of the unexpected joys of bicycle travel is how quickly conversations form around shared experiences.
By the end of the evening, it felt like we had known Claude much longer than a few hours.
Our Final Night on the Trail
As darkness settled over Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground, I realized our trip was nearly over.
Tomorrow we would ride into Cincinnati, cross the river into Kentucky, and officially complete the Ohio to Erie Trail.
Part of me was ready to be done.
I was tired.
I hadn’t slept especially well for a couple of nights.
I was ready for my own bed.
But another part of me wished we had a few more days.
The simplicity of waking up, making coffee, riding bicycles, and meeting new people has a way of slowing life down.
That’s something I always appreciate about these trips.
Day 5 Statistics
- Start: Prairie Grass Trailhead, London, Ohio
- Finish: Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground, Morrow, Ohio
- Distance: Approximately 58 miles
- Weather: Warm and humid
- Trail Conditions: Excellent
- Biggest Challenge: Heat and lack of sleep
- Highlight: Fresh to Morrow and meeting Claude
Lessons Learned
- Small-town America often provides the most memorable experiences.
- A hot shower can feel like a luxury after several days of camping.
- Fresh, locally sourced food is worth seeking out.
- Calling campgrounds ahead of time eliminates a lot of uncertainty.
- Good conversations with strangers often become favorite memories.
- A sleeping bag liner would significantly improve comfort on warm nights.
- By Day 5, the adventure starts feeling normal—which is often when it is almost over.
Tomorrow would be our final day on the Ohio to Erie Trail as we rode the last miles into Cincinnati and officially completed the journey from Cleveland to the Ohio River.
Toby DeHay 