USA visit including some cycling and a vintage Schwinn!

[netman]

A couple of days went by and then the opportunity arose for another quick explore of the local area. This time I thought I'd roll down into Springboro and then see where the road took me from there.

12.52 miles
620ft elevation gain

Rollin' into Springboro...

Not much to see or do here until I took a left into Rotary Park...

And what a great idea - a haven for passing cyclists! Check this out

A bike work stand and tools...

A pump...

A cyclists' vending machine (no really!!)

Full of essential supplies...

And a map of local cycle routes...

I was already heading away from the Great Little Trail and was saving the Great Miami River Trail for another day, so decided to head South East towards the Little Miami Scenic Trail before looping back around to home.
For any (like me) initially slightly confused by the use of the name Miami in Ohio, they were a Native American tribe living in the area. The name Miami derives from Myaamia, the tribe's name for themselves in their Algonquian language of Miami-Illinois. They lived in many areas over many years, but between 1720 and 1763, lived in the 'Miami River Locations' in Ohio.

To be continued...

 

[netman]

Part 2...
I headed out for 4 or 5 miles until I found nice place to rest for awhile and contemplate life...

Got waved at by a chap in a lovely 30's classic car, plenty of wide careful passes by other drivers and smiles and hellos a-plenty. What a friendly area!

Just one more photo from the ride back to where I'm staying...

Next time... the Great Little Trail and the Great Miami River Trail.

 

[netman]

After my last ride, I thought it was time to change the rear tyre and tube as it really didn't look great, so happily removed the wheel, changed the tube and tyre with no problems until I went to tighten the axle nuts - uh-oh... one decided to cross-thread when I tried to tighten it up! Tried everything, extra washers, no washers, trying to find a bit of thread to bite on to, but no - it appears the axle had turned to cheese.

So, it was off to the previously mentioned K&G to see if my new friend there could help. Luckily he could and I had it back a couple of days later with a new axle fitted - not only that, but I was only charged for the part - Justin had done the labour in his own time - what a star!

8.11 Miles
299ft Elevation Gain

Just exploring around and checking my route out towards the Great Miami River for when I had more time. Picked up the Great Little Trail, but it's just a shared use path alongside a dual carriageway, so didn't take any pics!
Not much time to ride on this day, as we went to visit the USAF Museum, so a couple of pics from there and a couple of my daughter and son-in-law's dogs, Summer & Autumn!

 

[netman]

20.09 Miles
666 Feet Elevation Gain

Finally found half a day to explore a little further (still not far in cycle touring terms though I know ).

Rode out to pick up the Great Little Trail again, and this time headed further out to the West towards the Great Miami River and the Great Miami River Trail that follows the River's east bank for 77 miles (just small portion of that for me today!) from Middletown up to Piqua.

Once away from the more built up areas, I picked up a lovely path through a park...

Followed shortly after by a Nature Conservation Area, with around 3 miles of shared use paths - absolutely gorgeous with lots of lovely descending!

This took me down into the River valley and I was able to pick up the River Trail...

Following the trail towards Franklin...

Stopping to soak up the views...

And then in to Franklin... to find some lovely old cars and houses...

Before heading back away from the river towards Springboro again. Cycled through another lovely park before a nice leg busting climb out!

Next up - final ride in the USA (for now!)...

 

[Fredo76]

What a wonderful way to see some of the country, and a very nice part, from the looks. I'm glad you are receiving courtesy and hospitality.

You are seeing a sample of what many of us now long for and miss terribly, what we were, and to an extent, still are. I hope we can keep it together.

Love your thread. Perfect transportation! Have you got long white socks, for a picture?