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Tempting Trails
Roll Into Summer with a Bike Ride
By Diane Jenks

Fresh off our stay-at-home orders, but still a long way from jumping back into our normal routines, biking has become a popular outlet for those craving a bit of sunshine and exercise. 

Northeast Ohio is beyond fortunate to have some of the most lovely protected bicycle trails anywhere.* There are three in particular that my husband Brian and I ride regularly and I’d like to share them with you.

• For a relatively short, shaded, flat, and extremely well-maintained, paved path, try the Maple Highlands Trail. It runs between Hambden, off of Route 6 at the Mountain Run Station of Geauga County Park District, south to Middlefield, and measures about 12 miles, one way. There is plenty of parking at Mountain Run, too. (The Maple Highlands Trail also runs north for a short way that will eventually expand into Painesville.) There is a great spot at about 8.3 miles to rest, have a snack, and even ride down a gravel path to Headwaters Park, where we often stop to watch people paddle and picnic, then take a photo or two before we head back to the trail and finish up the last few miles into Middlefield before turning around and heading back.

You can download a map of the trail on the Geauga County Park District website.

• Another one of our favorite rides is on the Summit County Bike and Hike Trail. Protected from traffic and also well-maintained, we usually pick it up on Aurora Road, just outside the Bedford Reservation and begin our ride south towards Hudson. You can also start anywhere along the trail, including Brandywine Falls, Peninsula, Boston Heights, Hudson, and on into Stow. 

The route is a bit more challenging as you head south from Aurora Road, but the scenery, quiet, shade and beauty of the mostly-secluded landscape are worth the extra pedaling effort.

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