Day 6 was our final day on the Ohio to Erie Trail.
After nearly a week of riding across Ohio, we woke up knowing that by afternoon we would be standing on the banks of the Ohio River, having completed the journey from Cleveland to Cincinnati.
The mileage would be relatively short compared to some of our earlier days—around 40 miles—but the day would prove memorable for a variety of reasons.
Some were encouraging.
Some were frustrating.
All of them were part of the adventure.
A Warm Final Morning
Unlike our first few nights on the trail, the weather was warm and humid.
I didn’t sleep particularly well at Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground. The humidity made sleeping uncomfortable, and my sleeping bag felt sticky against my skin.
By this point in the trip, I had learned another lesson for future tours: a sleeping bag liner would be worth every penny. It would provide comfort on warm nights and extra warmth on cold nights.
We packed up camp, loaded our bikes, and prepared for the final push to Cincinnati.
Before leaving, we said goodbye to Claude, the cyclist from Massachusetts we had met the previous evening. Like many of the people we met on the trail, our friendship was brief but memorable.
Through Morrow and Southward
The morning riding was enjoyable.
The trail conditions remained excellent, and we made good progress through the countryside.
At this point in the trip, navigation felt natural. The uncertainty I experienced during our first day in Cleveland was long gone. I felt confident reading Ride With GPS and following the route.
The trail gradually became busier as we moved closer to the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
That wasn’t surprising.
It was Saturday morning.
The weather was beautiful.
And we were approaching one of the most populated sections of the entire Ohio to Erie Trail.
Loveland and the Busy Trail
As we approached Loveland, Ohio, the trail became crowded.
Very crowded.
Cyclists, runners, walkers, families with strollers, and recreational riders filled the trail.
The trail itself is wide enough for two-way bicycle traffic, but many groups occupied the entire width of the path without moving aside for oncoming traffic.
Several times, I found myself forced toward the edge of the trail.
At one point, I was effectively run off my line by riders who seemed completely unaware—or unconcerned—that touring cyclists carrying heavy loads cannot maneuver as quickly as unloaded recreational riders.
It was probably my least favorite section of the entire Ohio to Erie Trail. It was a busy Saturday, but I’m still super surprised at how rude many of the cyclists were that last day.
The scenery remained beautiful, but the volume of people made the experience stressful rather than relaxing.
I found myself looking forward to getting through the crowds and back into quieter surroundings.
A Much-Needed Lunch Stop
By late morning, I was tired, hungry, and admittedly becoming a little cranky.
Several nights of imperfect sleep were catching up with me.
We stopped near the Little Miami area for lunch and a much-needed break.
I ordered a salad that accommodated my dietary restrictions, while Eddie enjoyed a bowl of chili and a salad.
After lunch, we found coffee. Eddie ordered a cappuccino. I ordered a latte. I kept trying to order the best honey-bee latte I’ve ever had. I think the Explorado Market in Fort Collins, CO, still has the best.
It’s amazing what food and caffeine can accomplish.
Within an hour, I felt like a completely different person.
The frustration I had been carrying most of the morning faded considerably.
One Last Bike Shop Stop
Earlier in the trip, Eddie had lost a mirror during a fall.
Fortunately, we found a bike shop along the trail where he could purchase a replacement.
It was a quick stop, but another reminder of how bicycle-friendly many communities along the Ohio to Erie Trail have become.
The infrastructure supporting cyclists continues to improve, making long-distance touring much easier than it once was.
Entering Cincinnati
Once we left the busiest sections behind, the ride became surprisingly easy. The day was getting warmer, and fewer people and cyclists were on the trail.
Most recreational riders had completed their morning outings and headed home.
The closer we got to Cincinnati, the more confident I became that we would finish without any issues.
One unexpected blessing came when we found ourselves riding behind a local female cyclist.
She knew exactly where she was going and happened to be making the same turns we needed. We biked together along the edge of downtown Cincy and parted ways 1/2 mile before the river and the end of the OTET.
Eventually, we climbed a long hill and passed her, but for a while, she served as an unofficial guide through parts of the city.
Crossing the Ohio River
The final miles arrived faster than I expected.
Soon we reached the riverfront.
We crossed the pedestrian bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky, officially leaving Ohio and entering Newport, Kentucky.
That moment marked the completion of our Ohio to Erie Trail journey.
From Cleveland on Lake Erie to the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
Mission accomplished.
Like many long-distance rides, the ending felt both satisfying and strangely anticlimactic.
For days, our focus had been on moving south.
Now there was nowhere left to ride.
Back at Reser’s Bicycle Outfitters
A short ride after crossing the river brought us back to Reser’s Bicycle Outfitters in Newport.
The van was exactly where we had left it.
No tickets. No problems. No surprises.
After nearly a week on the trail, that felt like a blessing.
We unloaded our bikes, removed our panniers, packed our gear, and prepared for the drive home.
The heat inside the van while loading everything was brutal, but eventually we had everything secured and ready to go.
The Drive Back
We left Newport and drove back to Eddie’s house in Kentucky.
The trip took just under three hours, including the change from Eastern Time back to Central Time.
When we arrived, we unloaded his bike and spent some time talking with Eddie and Naomi.
By then, I was exhausted. Physically tired. Mentally tired. But also grateful.
I left their house and drove south toward Bowling Green.
Christy had already ordered me a pizza from Blaze Pizza, which felt like the perfect post-tour meal.
After picking up dinner, stopping at Kroger for a few snacks and drinks, and checking into the same Best Western Plus where I had stayed before the trip, I finally got a full night’s sleep.
It was glorious.
Final Thoughts on the Ohio to Erie Trail
The Ohio to Erie Trail exceeded my expectations.
The trail itself is outstanding.
The variety of scenery is remarkable.
The small towns are welcoming.
The camping opportunities are plentiful.
Most importantly, the people we met along the way made the trip memorable.
From campground hosts to restaurant owners, fellow cyclists to local residents, Ohio consistently impressed me with its hospitality.
Not every moment was easy.
There were navigation mistakes.
Cold nights.
Battery anxiety.
Long climbs.
Busy trails.
And plenty of opportunities to grow in patience.
But that’s part of bicycle touring.
The challenges are often what make the memories meaningful.
Day 6 Statistics
- Start: Todd’s Fork Adventure Campground, Morrow, Ohio
- Finish: Newport, Kentucky (Ohio River Terminus)
- Distance: Approximately 40 miles
- Weather: Warm and humid, upper 80s
- Trail Conditions: Excellent
- Biggest Challenge: Heavy bike/walker traffic near Cincinnati
- Highlight: Crossing the Ohio River and completing the OTET
Lessons Learned
- Saturday mornings near major cities can bring extremely heavy traffic on trails.
- Food, coffee, and rest solve a surprising number of problems.
- Sleep quality matters more than most people realize on multi-day tours.
- Following local cyclists can sometimes make navigation easier.
- The final miles of a long trip are often emotionally different from what was expected.
- A sleeping bag liner would greatly improve comfort on warm nights.
- The Ohio to Erie Trail is one of the finest long-distance bicycle routes in the United States.
- The people you meet along the way often become the best part of the journey.
Completing the Ohio to Erie Trail was an unforgettable experience. From Lake Erie to the Ohio River, from Cleveland to Cincinnati, every mile added another story.
And, as often happens after a successful tour, I was already thinking about where to ride next.
Toby DeHay 