June 14-21, 2003

Jump on your bike and start training now for a week's worth of celebrations in June, 2003. Be a part of the fun as 3,000 cyclists get together to mark 15 years of GOBA, 50 years of Bob Evans Farms, Inc., 100 years of powered flight, and 200 years of Ohio statehood. The 2003 route will circle Dayton in southwestern Ohio, where the gentle terrain allows for a relaxed pace, and the surrounding communities stand ready to welcome you. Enjoy 8 days filled with cycling, festivities, food, and history made fun in a family-oriented environment.

Highlights:

NEW! for 2003: 5 days of cycling 45-55 miles from town to town and 2 days of optional loops l Terrain: gentle to flat (on January 30, 2003, general route profile available on www.goba.com) l Estimated mileage for the week: minimum: 250....maximum: 410 l Primitive tent camping at a mixture of fairgrounds and city parks l Opening day bicycle parade with costume contest l Traditional Song Contest

Saturday, June 14: Greenville

Check-in at GOBA headquarters, Darke County Fairgrounds. Bicycle parade with costume contest. Opening Ceremonies and Entertainment. Annie Oakley country. Garst Museum, featuring Annie Oakley & Lowell Thomas, Native Americans, early settlers. All this and more will prove Greenville the perfect launch site for GOBA 2003!

Sunday, June 15: Greenville to Troy (55 miles)

Flat and gently rolling. A day of inviting scenery, including miniature horses, a log cabin, a 150-year-old grain mill, and Amish areas. Home to the Annual Strawberry Festival earlier in June, Troy and its community park will be a sweet, shady rest spot for the night.

Monday, June 16: Troy (Layover day with options)

Optional cycling (flat to rolling): 59 mile loop, featuring a nature preserve, a covered bridge, a beautiful route, and visits to yesteryear. A day of options: cycle some more or take in the sights and sounds of Troy. Get the story of the Ohio Bicentennial bell. Dive into the local activities concocted especially for GOBA.

Tuesday, June 17: Troy to Xenia (53 miles)

Flat and gently rolling. Pack your swimsuit for today's ride (it better not rain!). Enjoy the leafy roads with eye-soothing views. A bite of history with your lunch at George Rogers Clark Park. Dip into an ice cream cone at the famous Young's Dairy. Professional bike races to delight one and all. The spacious fairgrounds in Xenia will be your home for the night.

Wednesday, June 18: Xenia, the Hub of Ohio Bicycling, and the Hub of GOBA 2003.

Optional cycling: century route or shorter loop. Optional trips: Choose from (1) Kings Island, (2) a Dude Ranch, or (3) a river float trip. Or try an exciting, easy jaunt on the excellent bike path system and delve into the celebration of "Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003".

Thursday, June 19: Xenia to Middletown (48 miles)

Flat to very rolling. Stop in Waynesville, the renowned mecca for antiques. Admire the meanderings of the Little Miami Scenic River. Steep yourself in Springboro's amazing legacy of havens for the 19th- century Underground Railroad network. Your overnight, Smith Park, is just steps away from the Canal Museum and the newly refurbished downtown.

Friday, June 20: Middletown to Brookville (47 miles)

Rolling with a few hills l Take a swim, but save time to admire pristine Germantown, "jewel of Twin Valley", complete with an old train depot and a log cabin. Feast your eyes on the views of the hills to the west from the county line l Follow the lovely Wolf Creek to Golden Gate Park in Brookville. Brookvillians have been waiting to welcome you back since 1998!

Saturday, June 21: Brookville to Greenville (46 miles)

Nearly all flat. Stow your tent and sleeping bag...gather up your new-found friends...turn your front wheel toward Greenville: you're on the home stretch! Take time to breathe in the hospitality of the food stops, the "antique" atmosphere of Arcanum, and the pastoral air surrounding Ft. Jefferson. Greenville will welcome you back with a celebration worthy of your week-long adventure.

Expect additional costs for food, lodging [other than tent camping], side trips and some activities. Details, sign-up forms, and prices will appear in the GOBA March and May Newsletters. Route details and mileages are approximate and are subject to change.

Request an application by calling 614- 447-0971, by visiting the website, www.outdoor-pursuits.org/goba/ or by writing to GOBA at P.O. Box 14384, Columbus, OH 43214. Brochures will also be available in the spring in Ohio Bob Evans Restaurants and selected bicycle shops. Application deadline is May 14, 2003. So, set your compass for southwestern Ohio and your alarm clock for June 14, 2003...GOBA awaits!