3/18 200k Route Preview
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Alex Bachmann
Mar 6, 2023, 7:51:07 AM3/6/23
to Ohio Randos
On Saturday, I pre-rode the route for our 3/18 ACP 200k.
We have featured this route several times during my run as RBA. Not much has changed, but please note the starting location has moved from the Ramada to Xenia bike hub station. There is plenty of parking at the bike station, and a porta pottie. You will find me at the start and finish at the shelter in the middle of the parking lot. The restroom facility is closed for the season.
If you are seeking accommodation, I recommend the Hampton Inn on Progress Drive. The Ramada is now closed, and the other hotel/motel options in town are not great to say the least.
You will begin heading north on the Little Miami Scenic bike trail through downtown Xenia to Yellow Springs. Please use caution when crossing the road at the intersections through Xenia. You will have bike specific cross walks and a well marked route through the street, but that doesn’t mean cars will follow the law. Just past the police station, the trail switches from the left to the right side of the road and will you have to cross diagonally. Please follow the traffic crosswalks and do not illegally cut through the intersection.
After a long false flat to Yellow Springs on the trail, you will exit left and then right to begin heading north on rolling hill roads. You will have a series of small climbs culminating at the top of the valley crossing I70.
From here the route begins bending west and north. There are some punchy rollers and scenic views as you meander through North Hampton and then the small town of Thackery. This region houses several high dollar business and entertainment personalities, if you are lucky, as I was, you may see a private helicopter or jet flying by on your way to St. Paris.
The first control in St Paris is a marathon on your right. Note that it is nearly 40 miles from the start. It has a restroom. There are a few other restaurants in the area if you want to grab a bigger meal on your way back. I may or may not be present at this control on your way out, depending on the dispersion of rider pace. I will not be there on the way back.
After St Paris, you’ll begin climbing up and down until reaching Kiser Lake. This is my favorite section of the ride, which culminates in a long descent into the lake valley, then a climb up and out of it. The route differs ever so slightly after this point, so please ensure you are using this year’s version!
The route changes terrain on the other side of Kiser Lake especially after passing through the small Amish/Mennonite town of DeGraff. From here on, you may share the road with horse and buggie on your way to Russell’s Point. The Amish/Mennonite community in this area is much smaller than those on the central/eastern portion of Ohio, but is still numerous enough to see and feel their presence.
In the middle of the route, you will spend a brief moment on 235 (about 5 miles total) where the shoulder narrows and traffic picks up as you enter Russell’s Point. Please use extra caution here.
The marathon at Russell’s Point is a full service station with a restroom. Unfortunately the personnel here have historically been unkind to cyclists gathering in their parking lot. Please use the facility as necessary only after making a purchase, and perhaps consider a shorter stop. There will be no volunteers present at the turn around. There are several other small stores and restaurants in the area should you choose something else.
After that, you turn around and do it all over again!
This route is designed to be easier than our upcoming PBP prep series, but still features a few half mile climbs and some rollers peppered throughout the ride. The total climbing is estimated at about 3,500 feet. Strava recorded 3,800ft for me, and RWGPS said 4,400ft.
Your performance will most likely be dictated by the wind direction. Typical trade winds come in from the SW, meaning mostly headwinds and some tailwinds on the left turns heading back, but they were switched for me, which led to a faster finish.
We’ve had terrible luck with weather when hosting this route, so let’s hope Mother Nature gets it right this time!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35172516
-Alex B
Ohio RBA
We have featured this route several times during my run as RBA. Not much has changed, but please note the starting location has moved from the Ramada to Xenia bike hub station. There is plenty of parking at the bike station, and a porta pottie. You will find me at the start and finish at the shelter in the middle of the parking lot. The restroom facility is closed for the season.
If you are seeking accommodation, I recommend the Hampton Inn on Progress Drive. The Ramada is now closed, and the other hotel/motel options in town are not great to say the least.
You will begin heading north on the Little Miami Scenic bike trail through downtown Xenia to Yellow Springs. Please use caution when crossing the road at the intersections through Xenia. You will have bike specific cross walks and a well marked route through the street, but that doesn’t mean cars will follow the law. Just past the police station, the trail switches from the left to the right side of the road and will you have to cross diagonally. Please follow the traffic crosswalks and do not illegally cut through the intersection.
After a long false flat to Yellow Springs on the trail, you will exit left and then right to begin heading north on rolling hill roads. You will have a series of small climbs culminating at the top of the valley crossing I70.
From here the route begins bending west and north. There are some punchy rollers and scenic views as you meander through North Hampton and then the small town of Thackery. This region houses several high dollar business and entertainment personalities, if you are lucky, as I was, you may see a private helicopter or jet flying by on your way to St. Paris.
The first control in St Paris is a marathon on your right. Note that it is nearly 40 miles from the start. It has a restroom. There are a few other restaurants in the area if you want to grab a bigger meal on your way back. I may or may not be present at this control on your way out, depending on the dispersion of rider pace. I will not be there on the way back.
After St Paris, you’ll begin climbing up and down until reaching Kiser Lake. This is my favorite section of the ride, which culminates in a long descent into the lake valley, then a climb up and out of it. The route differs ever so slightly after this point, so please ensure you are using this year’s version!
The route changes terrain on the other side of Kiser Lake especially after passing through the small Amish/Mennonite town of DeGraff. From here on, you may share the road with horse and buggie on your way to Russell’s Point. The Amish/Mennonite community in this area is much smaller than those on the central/eastern portion of Ohio, but is still numerous enough to see and feel their presence.
In the middle of the route, you will spend a brief moment on 235 (about 5 miles total) where the shoulder narrows and traffic picks up as you enter Russell’s Point. Please use extra caution here.
The marathon at Russell’s Point is a full service station with a restroom. Unfortunately the personnel here have historically been unkind to cyclists gathering in their parking lot. Please use the facility as necessary only after making a purchase, and perhaps consider a shorter stop. There will be no volunteers present at the turn around. There are several other small stores and restaurants in the area should you choose something else.
After that, you turn around and do it all over again!
This route is designed to be easier than our upcoming PBP prep series, but still features a few half mile climbs and some rollers peppered throughout the ride. The total climbing is estimated at about 3,500 feet. Strava recorded 3,800ft for me, and RWGPS said 4,400ft.
Your performance will most likely be dictated by the wind direction. Typical trade winds come in from the SW, meaning mostly headwinds and some tailwinds on the left turns heading back, but they were switched for me, which led to a faster finish.
We’ve had terrible luck with weather when hosting this route, so let’s hope Mother Nature gets it right this time!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35172516
-Alex B
Ohio RBA
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