Building A Web of Transportation and Fun

I used to be a Snob-Cyclist who was too cool for trails. I thought they were boring, straight and flat like the railroad beds that serve as their foundation. But that was before my experiment in oil-free vacations at the height of gas prices last summer.

One of my best friends lives in Cleveland and I hadn’t seen her for a while. So I packed a handlebar bag and 4 panniers (big bags that attach to racks over the front and back wheels of a bike) and headed north. I took my time, starting out early in the morning and finishing everyday by two o’clock in the afternoon. It took me 3 1/2 days to get to my destination but I got religion before the end of day one. Trails are more than a strip of pavement. Trails are a community. They are the super highways of non-motorized transport.

On the trail there’s always somebody to ask for directions when you get lost, somebody to talk to when you’re sick of your own company. The first night at my campground I got two dinner invitations from families who had come to Ohio just to ride our trail: one from Florida, the other from Illinois. Restaurants, gift shops, ice cream parlors, rest areas, campgrounds and bike shops have sprouted up all along the way. After I left the bike path for the open road just south of Columbus, I came to appreciate how much more comfortable it is to ride along in the shade without the worry of cars. It’s hot on that black top at the end of June.

My trip totaled almost 600 miles, about a third of it on trails. In the past, I’ve traveled the world and stayed in plenty of fancy hotels. But I’ve never had more fun and met more interesting people than I did pedaling to Cleveland and back. I can’t wait until trails connect neighborhoods and attractions all over our city and all over our state in one great big web of alternative transportation and recreation fun. The Ohio River Trail is for everybody. Let’s get it done.


Kathy Holwadel is Chair of Cincinnati Bike/PAC

Volunteer Opportunity: See you at the pig!

Calling all Ohio River Trail advocates and friends!

Come and visit us at the Flying Pig P&G Health Expo on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, Mary 2 at the Duke Energy Center. We will be handing out Ohio River Trail literature and spreading the word about the trail. If you would like to help out, please email Teresa at tlubic@gmail.com or leave a comment. It's going to be a great weekend for the Flying Pig and a great weekend to get the word out about the Ohio River Trail!

Ohio River Trail – The Perfect Accessory for the Object of My Affection

Usually it happens during those crisp fall mornings, when the sun-soaked tops of Cincinnati’s skyscrapers and hills start emerging from a fogged in Ohio River valley. My longtime love affair with the Queen City of the West is renewed, and after 20 years as a transplanted citizen, I remember what attracted me to this world-class beauty in the first place.

If only the object of my affection would get over its inferiority complex. I recall the day when my heart was broken – yet again – hearing an economic development expert describe Cincinnati as “a really great dog that just won’t wag its own tail.” 

So busy trying to reinvent itself all the time, and wondering what kind of city it wants to be, Cincinnati doesn’t spend enough time embracing what it already is.

Look in the mirror, my beloved, I beg of you. Instead of an extreme makeover, you just need to accessorize a bit more thoughtfully. Why not try on a beefed up transit system, or dedicate your self to enhancing outdoor recreation and green space? Tossed in with just a little imagination, much lesser places have transformed themselves into great communities with such ideas.

That’s why I support the Ohio River Trail, and other projects like it in our region. They celebrate and use what’s already here in abundance – a unique, historic community nestled amid scenic river valleys, and seasoned with interesting architecture, distinct neighborhoods, a strong arts community, and great people.

The big extreme makeover plans come, they go, and our city is still pretty much the same wonderful place. The Ohio River Trail is a simple idea with a potentially big payoff – one of those real life “build it and they will come” propositions.

The trail will connect neighborhoods, people and possibilities. It will improve our quality of life. People from here and elsewhere will be able to see our city and river valley from a whole new perspective. The trail will encourage individuals and families to get out, explore and be more active. Numerous case studies point to how greenway trails lead to healthier citizens and stimulate economic activity and private investment.

As a long time cyclist who does most of my riding on the roads, I’m often approached by people who say they would love to start bicycling, either individually or with their families. The hurdle is they’re uncomfortable riding – or at least getting started – on often-busy roadways, especially with the kids in tow.

The Ohio River Trail – and the regional trail network it hopefully will connect to one day – will encourage more people to get started by providing a safe, inviting riding environment. It will attract current residents, new residents, tourists and even businesses looking for world-class cities that offer high-quality-of-life amenities that appeal to young professionals.

When I moved here, it was because I picked Greater Cincinnati, not the other way around. I was taken by its natural beauty, old historic neighborhoods and proximity to my Hoosier roots. It’s why I support the Ohio River Trail, and would like you to as well.

 -- Nick Miller

Be the Final Link

Welcome to The Final Link, the blog of the Ohio River Trail campaign.

Our goal is simple -- build a trail from Lunken Airport to downtown Cincinnati. But, what we have to accomplish to meet our goal is no small task. We need to raise $4 million.

That's a lot of money, but together we can build it one inch at a time.

Whether you walk, bike or run, the trail will offer exceptional recreational opportunities while taking advantage of one of our area's greatest natural resources, the Ohio River. We hope you join us as we try to build the final link. And, we hope you consider giving to the campaign. Every dollar counts.

Soon, you'll be seeing posts from members of the campaign about why they support this project and what the Ohio River Trail will mean to our community. We'll update you on the progress of the fundraising campaign and any news about local, state and national efforts to build trails. We sincerely hope you join the conversation and tell us why you support the Ohio River Trail.

If you're interested in getting involved in the campaign to build the Ohio River Trail, please email us at OhioRiverTrail@gmail.com. We can't wait to hear from you.

-- Laura