Road Soldiers Cycling Club®

Scooter & Wheelchair Owner's Group

Sandusky, Ohio

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RSCC/SWOG NEWS

The Veteran Newsletter

29 July 2008

The RSCC/SWOG recently ventured upon a new venue, the Western Reserve Greenway Trail, which is located in picturesque Ashtabula County. The trail extends the width of Ashtabula County from the north in the City of Ashtabula running south to Orwell and into Trumbull County. In all, the trail will be at least 46 miles in length.

We had to start our journey on a cool, sunny day somewhat north of Orwell due to the construction efforts on the last several miles, six in all, of the Ashtabula segment of the WRGT. At Callender Road, north of Orwell, we met up with the Ashtabula Metroparks Volunteer Bike Patrol, under the leadership of Chris Martello. Accompanying her were other Bike Patrol members: Paul Martello (Chris’ spouse), Chris Gerhardt, Joe Mirabell, Darrell Bulvony, Mary Neary and Dr. Arlene Rice, DDS. These folks, in their bright chartreuse jerseys, accompanied our riders on this inaugural trek on their home trail.

Permission for use of the WRGT was obtained from Charlie Kohli, President of the Ashtabula County Metroparks Board. He was key in making things happen in the local area for our Sandusky veterans to have an outstanding day on a new trail. Our hats are off to Charlie, Chris and the other local people who worked hard on this project of bringing the Road Soldiers and SWOG to a new county. Carl Feather, reporter for the Ashtabula Star Beacon Newspaper was present to cover the event, too.

The trail is long, well paved and maintained asphalt ribbon that is usually tree-lined. Several watercourses are encountered on this rails-to-trails conversion. It is almost string straight and is gentle in gradient. The local folks say that it is spectacular in the fall when the leaves turn color, but one has to time a ride very well so that one avoids a literal sea of leaves that prevent riding! I guess that the leaf fall is quite heavy??? Anyway, when the RSCC/SWOG returns to this trail, we’ll try to time it for a fall ride to see the autumnal splendor!

Eventually, when this trail is completed through Orwell, and links completely with the Trumbull County segment, it will run down to Mahoning County. There, it will hook up with the Mill Creek Bikeway, a.k.a. the Mahoning Bikeway and run down to Canfield and beyond. Ultimately, it will connect with the Columbiana County Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail that will extend itself to the Ohio River. What a time that will be when one can ride from Lake Erie to the Ohio River on a dedicated bike/hike system!

We ended our ride at the Old Austinburg Staging Area near where I-90 crosses over the WRGT. From there, we drove over to Geneva to the Geneva VFW Post #6846 where we were treated to a delicious roast beef sandwich dinner by the post and its auxiliary. Gene is the President of the VFW Auxiliary and had her gal-pals up for the occasion. Mel Deams and Steve Cycyk, Post Commander, proved worthy hosts of the event at the post. The VFW post is a spacious and inviting building, and unit crests and ship crests of local servicemen and women adorn and surround the hall.

If one is looking for a most pleasant and enjoyable ride, the WRGT is certainly one of them! One has to plan for amenities, such as rest rooms, as they are less well scattered along this trail than some of the others. I suspect that this is because this is a “work in progress.” When more development comes about, this will be one of Ohio’s premier rides. It’s worth the drive and the effort to ride it.

Yours in wheelin’ about,

Lance N. Franke, Staff Liaison, RSCC/SWOG

29 July 2008

A & B HOBBIES & CYCLES
1202 W Washington St
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
419-625-4242
The folks at A & B Hobbies & Cycles always give discounts to the veterans at the Ohio Veterans Home.

bikeforums.net

Fremont Cycle & Fitness Always gives us a discount too.
Corner Of State & Ohio Ave
Fremont, OH 43420
419-332-4481