Saturday Ride East, Old Port Washington Road, August 21

[WGingerichParticipant]

This Saturday, August 21, we’ll be riding the historic Old Port Washington Road from Millersburg to Port Washington. The Road was originally an old buffalo trail but when the Ohio and Erie canal was built in the 1820’s the farmers in Holmes County began to used it to transport their products south to Port Washington, located on the canal. In 1832 the road was designated Route 20, and thereby became the first state highway in Ohio.

One of the appeals of this very small 30-mile-long, partially gravel road is that it takes us into the back country of southeast Holmes county, literally through farmyards in several places. The terrain is rugged and the road closely follows the natural contours of the land, often along ridges that offer stunning panoramic views of the country. I think you will find it an exhilarating yet nostalgic ride. NOTE: If you aren’t comfortable riding gravel I have planned an alternate route that bypasses the unpaved sections yet still gives a good feel for the original route (I’ll bring maps).

We’ll take I-271, I-77, Rte 21 and Rte 585 down to Smithville where we’ll turn directly south. Our rest stop will be the Marathon on Apple Creek Road just south of US 30 (arrival around 11:30 AM). From there we’ll take small roads through Fredericksburg and Holmesville to Millersburg where the Old Port Road begins.

The Tents of Grace Café in Gnadenhutten (our usual lunch place) is now closed, so this will be a “bring your own lunch ride.” The Marathon on Apple Creek Road has a Subway and a variety of to-go food that you can pick up if you like. We’ll end the ride at the Port Washington Park on Bremmer Street where covered sheltered areas with picnic tables and restroom facilities are available. We should get to the park right around 1 PM.

The ride will leave Bob Evans in Macedonia promptly at 10 AM, Saturday, August 21. Come at 9 AM for breakfast (excellent service!). The weather this week is calling for showers so the gravel sections of the Old Port Washington Road shouldn’t be too dusty!

Hope to see you Saturday!

Here are the GPS routes and tracks: Old Port Wash Rd 20210821

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