With fewer miles on the days’ ride, we started cycling a little later at 8am and it was a humid 73 degrees. It was just the three of us (Alan, Nick and I) as Sue joined a small group that included Sherry R, Mark V, Mickey M, and others. As the title of the day indicates, we traveled on trails and back roads to see three covered bridges.
At about the half way point we were in Yellow Springs again and stopped for coffee. On the return trip to Xenia, we stopped at Great Council State Park. It is located on the site of the Shawnee village of Old Chillicothe. The park celebrates and honors the history of the Native Americans and European settlers of the region. The interpretive center is modeled after a historic Shawnee longhouse.
We biked 30 miles and upon our return to Xenia, Alan and I headed to a local Penn Station for East Coast Subs. It was our first time to this chain, and we both enjoyed it.
Alan did a mini workout at the hotel fitness center while I enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie followed by a long hot shower.
A fellow coaster from 2018, Sarah Z, drove up from Cincinnati to join us for dinner. She didn’t ride the tour because her daughter just had a baby. After the days rider meeting, we gathered outdoors for a group photo.
Hyde Road Covered Bridge built in 2014.
Sherry taking a photo of a group of riders starting their ride. Sue is to the right of Sherry.
At the very start of the ride, we came upon Chris H and John S. This photo is of Alan and Chris.
Charleton Mill built in 2013.
Eleven riders were all at the Stevenson Road bridge at the same time, so we snapped a group photo. This bridge was built in 1877 and carried traffic until 2003. It is one the few Smith Truss bridges left in the United States.
Alan, Nick and I stopped in Yellow Springs for coffee/chai/juice at Dino’s Cappuccinos.
Just ten miles back to the hotel.
About half way to the hotel, we stopped at the Great Council State Park.
This statue of Tecumseh is just outside the interpretive center.
“A Panther Across the Ohio Sky" is a famous translation of the Shawnee name Tecumseh (or Tekoomsē). Born near present-day Xenia, Ohio, the legendary Shawnee leader was named after the celestial panther, representing a meteor or shooting star that streaked across the sky during his birth in 1768.
An example of a Wiikiwa, or bark house. It is representative of what a Shawnee home would look like in the 1700’s.
2018 Coasters, including Sarah Z who drove up from Cincinnati for dinner.
