The 19th annual Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure will visit western Ohio next summer, bringing an expected 3,000 riders to the area surrounding Celina.The GOBA tour will begin June 16 at Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina, and travel until June 23 — about 50 miles a day — with overnight stops in Van Wert, Wapakoneta, Troy, and Versailles, before returning to Celina.
Two layover days will include optional loops of 50 or 100 miles, bringing the travel for bicyclists to a total of 265 to 425 miles during the event.
The trip, billed as a family and tourism-enhancing event, is operated by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits with sponsorship by longtime sponsor Bob Evans Restaurants.
“GOBA’s mission is to organize a yearly one-week bicycle vacation, in order to inspire independence and nurture personal growth; to learn about Ohio, it’s (sic) people, geography, and history; to provide inter-generational recreation; to enhance the image of bicycling in Ohio; and to raise funds for bicycle-related projects in Ohio,” said the GOBA Web site. “GOBA has been described as ‘an adventure on two wheels with 2,999 of your closest friends.’”
WHAT YOU’LL SEE
Some of the attractions featured on next year’s GOBA tour include Grand Lake St. Marys; Wassenberg Art Center; Van Wert Historical Society; Central Fire Museum; Delphos Canal Museum; Miami-Erie Canal; Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum; Indian Lake State Park; Bicycle Museum of America; Lookington Locks; Johnston Historic Farm; Greenville’s Garst Museum; and other historic sites, covered bridges and nature areas.
During GOBA, riders also will travel on world-class bicycle trails.
The week’s activities will include the traditional GOBA bicycle parade and the gala opening ceremonies in Celina. At the various overnight stops, family-oriented entertainment will be provided, as will options for a boat excursion or a trip to Dayton’s Carillon Park and the National Air Force Museum. Participants will get to watch professional bike races. They also will be able to enter the GOBA Song Contest.
GOBA COMMUNITIES AWAIT
“The people of the host towns of GOBA 2007 are eagerly awaiting the riders’ arrival,” said Julie Van Winkle, tour director. “Many of them have had the GOBA experience in previous years ands enjoyed showing the best their towns have to offer. And the terrain in western Ohio is equally hospitable, making this event a real draw for families wanting a great vacation together.”
Indeed, people in towns along the route should be waiting eagerly. Organizers said that over the past 18 years, GOBA has generated an estimated $8.5 million in tourism revenue in towns along the route, as well as providing access to Ohio’s rural sights and sounds to people from all over the country. In 2006, 2,500 people from 33 states and Canada took part in the tour.
“Ohio as a state is a cyclist’s dream … with quiet back roads and trails coupled with surprising attractions tucked into welcoming corners,” Van Winkle said.
To register call (614) 273-0811 or visit www.goba.com.
Brochures also will be available in the spring at Bob Evans Restaurants in Ohio and at bicycle shops. Application deadline is May 16.
Reach Repository Living Section Editor Gary Brown at (330) 580-8303 or e-mail gary.brown@cantonrep.com
