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 Old Kepi - Post Civil War - Vintage Antique Montana KOP Hat M. C. Lilley - Ohio US $41.01 
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 OH2 ....post Civil War OHIO State Seal Button US $19.95
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 OH3 ... post Civil War OHIO State Seal Button #2 US $14.95
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 INDIAN WAR PERIOD RIVETED CAVALRY BUTTON 3 PIECE M.C. LILLEY & CO. COLUMBUS OHIO US $34.95
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 OH3 ....post Civil War OHIO State Seal Button US $9.95
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 OH5 .. post Civil War OHIO State Seal Button US $4.95
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 OH6 .. post Civil War OHIO State Seal Button US $4.95
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War Ohio
Ohio Dem attacks Josh Mandel's Iraq War military service
Biking in Ohio - The Heart of It All
Biking in Ohio - The Heart Of It All
Ohio's Growing Manmade Resource
To most Ohioans, summer is a time to take vacations, spend a little time outdoors, and somehow avoid the intense Ohio heat and humidity. To an estimated 4 million Ohioans, though, summer has become a time to enjoy one of our state's greatest assets: more than 3,000 miles of designated bike paths.
We all know that bicycling in Europe is extremely popular. In fact, it is estimated that between 12 and 15 million people witness some portion of the Tour de France every year, which means it is the sporting event with the largest attendance in the world. But did you know that bicycling's popularity in the United States has been growing steadily ever since the time that Orville and Wilbur Wright had their bicycle repair shop right here in Dayton, way back in the 1890s? In fact, since the 1980s, bicycling in the United States has experienced a resurgence in popularity, from coast to coast.
In his study released earlier this year, Rutgers University professor John Pucher found that during the past two decades, the number of bike commuters in the U.S. rose by 64% from 1994 to 2009. He also found that bicycling for transportation (versus for pleasure) has grown from 43% of all bike trips in 2001 to 54% in 2009.
Understandably, bicycling is growing fastest in large cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, and Portland. The study showed, though, that the cities that have seen a boon in bicycling have seen that boon, not because of greater population or increased gas prices, but because those cities have consciously worked to grow bicycling. In some manner or another, those cities have implemented a comprehensive range of efforts, including infrastructure, programs, and policies to promote cycling.
Back in the 1980s, a broad plan was created by the Association of American State Highway and Transportation Officials, and others, for an interstate highway system just for bicycles. "U.S. Bicycle Route 1", as it was called, was to run from Florida to Maine and "U.S. Bicycle Route 76" was to cross the country from Virginia to Oregon. Unfortunately, only two short stretches were constructed and the plan stalled. However, renewed interest in the plan by 42 states now has the ultimate goal of developing a nationwide system of bicycle routes. The good news is that Ohio is one of those 42 states.
About the same time that the national plan was being formed for an interstate bicycle highway, Ohio's government officials, residents, and bicycling enthusiasts worked together to form plans for various intrastate bike trails throughout Ohio. The largest of these planned trails was an off-road trail that was to run from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. It was called the "Ohio to Erie" Trail. Today, the Ohio to Erie Trail spans the state of Ohio from Cincinnati to Cleveland following lands formerly owned by railroads and canals. Such trails are often called rail trails.
Once complete, the Trail will connect four of Ohio's metropolitan cities (Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron and Cleveland), a dozen large towns and numerous small villages – all using easily accessible, paved trails that are completely separated from highways and automobiles.
Along the way, the Trail passes through rural areas, farmlands, nature preserves, and regional parks giving the adventurous a hearty helping of nature's finest. At the edge of rural areas, meadows and woods give way to exciting urban centers, allowing a bicycler a contemporary taste of Ohio's culture and arts.
Bicyclists, hikers, equestrians, and other groups such as bird watchers and nature lovers have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Ohio as the Trail weaves its way across the state. In the winter, the Trail becomes a snowshoe and cross-country ski trail. For those with mobility impairments, construction designs call for full compliance with ADA guidelines.
Heather Bowden is the Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Her goal as Coordinator has been to encourage and grow the use of non-motorized transportation throughout the State, whenever possible. When interviewed for this article, she explained that for the last 20 years, her division has focused on developing the "Ohio to Erie" Trail. Ms. Bowden was proud to announce that as of July 2011, approximately 75% of the 300 mile length of the Ohio to Erie Trail is open and in daily use, and that 90% of the right-of-way has been acquired to continue expanding the Trail. Ms. Bowden also stated that the goal of the state is to have the Trail completed within the next ten years.
The next time you or your family has a day with nothing in particular planned, why don't you consider dusting off your bikes and heading out on an adventure down one of our state's many bike paths. Along the way, you can re-live the canal and railroad history, or experience the Amish, Revolutionary War and Civil War history that has helped shaped Ohio…that has helped shape us. Wherever you bicycle to in our great state, there's no doubt that you'll see firsthand why Ohio really is the "Heart of It All"!
Some of Ohio's More Interesting Bike Trails:
The Little Miami Scenic Trail – This is a rail trail that runs through 5 southwestern Ohio counties. As of 2008, it was the longest paved trail in the United States, stretching 78 miles from Springfield to Newtown. The multi-use trail is used by bicyclists and hikers as well as by the occasional horseback rider. Over 350,000 people made use of the trial in 2005.
Most of the trail runs along a dedicated, car-free corridor that is maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The right-of-way for about 50 miles of the trail runs in an unusually straight line through four counties and averages 66 feet in width. Elsewhere, the corridor ranges from 8 to 10 feet in width.
The Holmes County Trail – The Holmes County Trails is a treasure not many communities have the opportunity to share with their neighbors and families. Labeled as the first Trail in the nation to accommodate Amish buggies, the unique and scenic Holmes County Trail now has 15 miles of it's 29-mile trail open from Fredericksburg to Killibuck.
One lane of the trail is paved with asphalt for biking, roller-blading, walking, running, and wheelchairs, while the adjoining buggy and equestrian trail is paved with "chip and seal" for horse-drawn vehicles and horseback riding. Upon completion of the 29-mile trail, Holmes and Knox counties will have an uninterrupted trail of over 50 miles which will give trail goers one of the most unique recreational facilities in the Ohio to Erie Trail System through Ohio's heartland.
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route – The Adventure Cycling Association, a nonprofit organization that promotes bicycle touring, has put together a 2,000-mile Underground Railroad Bicycle Route which roughly traces the network of paths and hideouts that were used by slaves seeking freedom and the abolitionists who ferried them along. The cycling association has mapped the route from Mobile, Alabama, to Owen Sound, Ontario, with stops along the way that illustrate the story of the internal slave trade and its complex escape paths.
Locally, the group has begun promoting day trips along the route, starting with an area around the Ohio River, which was the pivotal demarcation point between the slave state of Kentucky and the free state of Ohio. The route makes its way through Ripley and past the brick farmhouse where John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister who was among the most legendary "conductors" on the Underground Railroad, lived from 1829 to 1863 with his wife and 13 children. Nearby towns include Redoak (church used for abolitionist meetings), Georgetown (childhood home of Ulysses S. Grant), and other sites. Just across the river, one can bicycle to Washington, Kentucky, where Harriet Beecher Stowe once witnessed a slave auction on the courthouse lawn that later inspired her vivid description of a slave auction in "Uncle Tom's Cabin".
The National Road Bikeway in St. Clairsville – Approximately 3 hours (by car) to the east of Dayton is the only bicycle rail trail in Ohio with a tunnel. The tunnel is a massive 532 feet long and 40 feet high and is truly a sight to be seen. During tunnel restoration for the bikeway, which took place in 1997, planners made sure to maintain the cave-like interior to the tunnel. Interior lighting reflects 90% of the light down onto the trail and just 10% up to the ceiling. Pedaling through this portion of the bikeway is an experience unlike any other in Ohio, according to those who have been there.
Relevant Websites
Miami Valley Trails: www.miamivalleytrails.org
Ohio Bikeways: http://ohiobikeways.net
Ohio to Erie Bike Trail: www.ohiotoerietrail.org
About the Author
John Meehling is a criminal and family law attorney in Dayton, Ohio with the firm of Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues. He is a very active bicycle enthusiast, tennis player and golfer. He can be found on most summer weekends bicycling along any one of Ohio's beautiful trials with his two young children, Andrew and Emma.
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during the revolutionary war how would you get from Philadelphia to ohio?
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Trick question Ohio did not exist
