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Ohio Rails-to-Trails - Review
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Trail |
Little Miami Scenic Trail Route 1, Xenia to Springfield |
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Location |
Xenia to Springfield in Greene & Clark Counties |
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Length |
18 miles, but entire Route 1 is about 96 miles |
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Surface |
Asphalt |
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Condition |
Overall, very good, with just few rough spots near Springfield. Some tree litter, but remarkably clear considering I rode 1 week after Hurricane Ike‘s 80 mph winds. |
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Restroom sites |
Xenia Station on Detroit Rd (Rt. 68), Yellow Springs Station Rt. 68,
Beatty Station RT.68 |
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Drinking water sites |
Xenia Station and Yellow Springs Station |
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Food accessibility |
Springfield and Xenia have many nearby restaurant
Yellow Springs has one on the trail near the station and others in town |
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Traffic |
Rte 68 crosses this trail several times and & can be heavily traveled so extra care should be taken at these crossings Most other cross roads appeared to be lightly traveled |
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Bike shops |
Village Cyclery in YS, and K&G Bike Center in Xenia |
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Highlights |
Much of this section is well shaded and rural, easy access to Glen Helen Nature Preserve and town of Yellow Springs |
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Parking access |
Xenia Station has a considerable number of parking spots, Yellow Springs has public parking near the station, just south of Rt. 68, & Beatty Station has many spots on Rt. 68 |
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Visited
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September 21, 2008 |
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Enjoyment Rating |
9 of 10, scenic, mostly rural, easy access to parks and towns |
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Website |
www.miamivalleytrails.org
www.co.greene.oh.us/parks |
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Concerns |
Just another warning about traffic in Xenia, & when crossing Rt. 68 |
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Positives |
Clean, well maintained trail, a pleasure to ride |
Commentary:
Xenia station is a dream come true for the rail-trail riding cyclist. Xenia station is a hub for 5 different bicycle routes totaling more than 140 miles. If you have the opportunity, it is worth spending a few days here. There are nearby state parks for overnight camping, cabins or a lodge stay. There are nice motels in Xenia, and there are a few bed and breakfasts. Three years ago, my wife and I stayed for two days at a real nice B&B, and rode a difference route each day from the hub at Xenia Station.
Route 1 is the longest completed trail in the state stretching 78 miles from Newton, just east of Cincinnati, to Springfield. And by bicycling 4 miles to Veterans Park in Springfield using streets & bike paths, a cyclist can connect up with the Buck Creek Trail adding 5.76 miles, or catch the Simon Kenton Trail adding 16.6 miles. All totaled from Urbana to Newtown is about 98 miles!
Location
Route 1 of the Little Miami River Valley Trails technically runs between Springfield in Clark County to Newtown in Hamilton County. It also passes through Greene, Warren, Clermont counties. I cycled from the Xenia hub in Greene County on this day.
Length, Surface, and Condition
As bicycled, Xenia to Springfield is 18 miles, equaling 36 on an out and back trip. There is available over 140 miles of asphalt trail if all routes are bicycled from the Xenia hub.
The Surface is asphalt, in very good condition and well maintained. There was some tree litter in a few areas, but I rode one week after the remnants of hurricane Ike came through with 80 mph winds. There were dozens of trees and limbs down along the trail, but all debris had been removed or pulled off the trail.
Restroom & Drinking Water sites
Xenia Station on Rt. 68 (Detroit Rd) in Xenia has water & restrooms
Yellow Springs Station on Rt. 68 has restrooms & water.
Beatty Station on Rt. 68 has a porta-pot. No water is available here.
Food
Xenia has several restaurants and fast food within 1-2 miles of the Xenia station hub.
Yellow Springs has on restaurant adjacent to the trail across from the station and a few other eateries within walking distance of the Yellow Springs Station
Traffic
Bicycle Route 1 crosses Route 68 several times and can be busy at times so care must be taken at these points. Most other road crossings appear to be relatively lightly traveled. Downtown Xenia can get busy and congested at the normal business rush hours, so stay on the trail which traverses sidewalks for a short time in downtown Xenia. In Yellow Springs, the station is bordered on the south side by Route 68 and on the north side by Dayton-Yellow Springs road, both can be very busy at times.
Highlights, Concerns, Positives, and Enjoyment
Much of the trail from Xenia to Springfield is rural with the exception of downtown Xenia, and through Yellow Springs. Often well shaded, the trail is a pleasure to ride as it is well maintained. Many bicyclists use the hub in Xenia so all these trail routes, 1 through 5, are busy. There are a few walkers, runners, and the occasional stroller with kids, but the pedestrian traffic on this trail seems less than many other trails I have visited.
This is an excellent trail system, and I have bicycled from Xenia on 4 or the 5 routes over the last 3 years. As with any trail there are sections which are in need of repair, but these are at a minimum from my experience. If I had to choose one place to send a rail-trail riding enthusiast, it would be to the Xenia hub.
-good cycling,
Mark |
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