Place yourself in the role of an escaped slave and experience the dangers and triumphs on the Underground Railroad.  Join the Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure as we journey through Ohio following the footsteps of former slaves.  Although our journey will be less arduous, you will be exposed to the world of an escaped slave.  Our journey will take us past safe houses and museums and give us the opportunity to hear from the descendents of an escaped slave.  We will participate in a lantern tour re-enactment of the hunt for escapees in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Evening interpretive cultural events are also planned. 

Come join us as we follow the North Star to freedom.  Lots of history, plenty of good food will make the 2008 Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure –The Underground Railroad Tour- the tour to take.

Day 1
Sunday
(71 miles) We begin our journey in a former slave state.  As we pass through a town known as “Freedom Landing,” we will tour the John Rankin House and the John Parker House. Once in Cincinnati, we will have the opportunity of visiting the Freedom Center to help give you a better feel for the week and understanding of the route we are about to undertake.

Day 2
Monday
(65 or 100 miles)  Your trek today will begin on the Little Miami Trail.  This trail will take you to a town where no escaped slaves were ever captured or returned.  It’s estimated that some four thousand slaves traveled through Springboro on their treks to freedom between 1815 and 1864.  You will have the options of taking self-guided tours of this historic city.

Day 3
Tuesday
(65 miles)  Our path toward freedom takes us to Delaware.  The residents here played important roles in the Underground Railroad. Many residents helped runaway slaves find safety in the North from the slave owners. Many blacks felt safe in this welcoming community.  Our station for this evening will be Ohio Wesleyan University. 

Day 4
Wednesday
(65 or 110 miles)  History and cultural sites are great, but we’re here to ride.  On today’s route we will see the beauty of Ohio’s landscape.  For those cyclists who need to be further challenged, we will offer the Shogun Century.  This century route will travel though town of Butler on our way to Ashland.

Day 5
Thursday
(60 miles)  An easy ride to this evening’s safe house gives plenty of time to set up camp, enjoy a catered typical southern dinner, and then participate in a lantern tour re-enactment of the hunt for escapees in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.   

Day 6
Friday
(50 or 100 miles)  We will arrive in Oberlin, one of the most pivotal abolitionist centers in the country.  While there we will visit historical sites and dine at the opulent Oberlin Inn.  After dinner we will laugh at our fellow riders who are courageous enough to participate in our No Talent, Talent Show.  Before we settle down for the evening, riders can participate in a drumming ceremony on Oberlin Square.   (BYOD--Bring you own drum)

Day 7
Saturday
(35miles)   A short journey will land us in Sandusky, riders can top off the week by taking a trolley tour of safe homes in the City of Sandusky.   Our route will take you to the shores of Lake Erie to dip our wheels and celebrate freedom.

High Peaks Coffee
HubBub Custom Bicycles
Body Renaissance
Padre's Cycle Inn

Miles for the week: minimum 420 miles, maximum 540.

Route Map
Map to Parking Lot July 19th PDF Map or Google Map
Map to Maysville PDF Map or Google Map

The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) and The Center For Minority Health at The University of Pittsburgh for their work in creating the 2,000 mile Underground Railroad route.