Alum Creek Cycling & Car Camping Tour

A variety of paved bike trails in Columbus are waiting to be riden. Your choices include:

• Alum Creek- 24.5 miles from Westerville to Groveport, one way.

• Blacklick Creek Greenway trail 25 mile from Groveport (continuation of the Alum Creek trail) to Blacklick Metropark, out and back.

• Olentangy Trail 13.1-mile point-to-point trail near Powell, Ohio. 
• Scioto Greenway trail & Scioto Trail North bank trail, approx 6 miles, currently has some partial closures but hopefully will be open in September
• Camp Chase Trails. 17.4 mile out and back trail connects at southern terminus of Scioto trail, downtown to Galloway, Ohio.
• Richland B&O trail. This trail is easily accessible on the route to or from Columbus at midpoint at exit Rt 97, just south of the exit is a small parking lot/trail head with porta potty. This trail is 18.5 miles one way from Mansfield to Butler, Ohio. 

Camping in one location at Alum Creek State Park. We will set up camp and drive to various trails, returning to base camp at night.  Alum Creek State park is located just north of Innerstate 270 along Rt 71. Near Dublin/Worthington/Westerville area. Many hotels available for those who just want to ride with the group and not camp. Camper cabins available at the state park also. Alum Creek has a full service marina with boat rentals and a beach.

Camping reservations open up 6 months before the event, so on or about March 18 I will be making reservations for camping. I will reserve 3 sites for myself and others on a first come first serve basis. Additional sites can be reserved if needed. Max per site: 2 tents and or 6 people, 2 vehicles. No walk-ins, camping by reservation only. 

Questions: Jan Friswold, jan.m.friswold@gmail.com

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Hi all, Are any 1+ star riders interested in taking part in the Alum Creek camp and ride event?   I would like to do this, but don't want to ride by myself.

Ann Hsuser

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

8/27/24

Hi All,

An update for the upcoming trip to cycle the beautiful rail trails around Columbus, Ohio. At this point there are 14 cyclists planning on attending, (6 campers, 8 hoteliers).  

It is not too late to join the group! The trip is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18-Friday, September 20, 2024. Campsites or hotels are available. We are camping at Alum Creek State Park and the group is staying on sites K17, 19 and 21.  If you want to camp you will need to make your own site reservation at Ohio State Parks Reservations (reserveohio.com) . The hoteliers are staying in Sunbury, Holiday Inn. There are lots of hotel options in the area around Alum Creek. 

I have listed below the tenative ride plan i will be doing, however folks can plan their own routes and groups. These rides are all listed on the Silverwheelers Ride with GPS event page. Details on start locations are listed there.  

      I will also be bringing my kayak, for evening paddles. There is a marina at Alum Creek with rentals available. 

The rides have been posted to the Ride with GPS Silverwheelers Event Page. There are 4 rides posted. All ride starts are a 20-30 minute drive from the Alum Creek State Park Campground. 

Olentangy Trail with Sciota loop option. 34 total miles with start north of Worthington down past OSU and a downtown loop. This ride can be shortened  by starting at Antrium Park or by skipping the Sciota loop. I plan to ride this on Wednesday at about a 2 star pace starting about 11 am. 

Alum Creek trail starting in Westerville traveling south to Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Garden Garden, 31 miles out and back. Plan to stop at Franklin Conservatory for lunch and look about before returning back to start.  I plan to ride this trail on Thursday at a 2 star pace starting about 10 am. 

Sunbury to Mt Vernon OTET- out and back is 46 miles, or this could be shortened as desired.I plan to ride this trail on Friday, at a 2 star pace, leaving a bit earlier at 9 am.

Optional Richland B & O trail- 38 miles out and back. This trail could be ridden on the trip down or back from Columbus. Trail is accessible at the  off of I-71. This trailhead has a parking lot and is located midpoint on the trail. It is located just southeast of I-71 at the Rt 97 exit. Parking lot ajacent to the Bellville Dog Park at 641 SR-97, Bellville, Ohio 44813.

Thanks, please consider joining the group and let me know if you plan on attending.

Click below for Alum Creek Event page with route maps/cues:

Alum Creek Event Page