I got an early start as rain was again forecast. I headed southeast to get back onto the OTET past the section of the trail closed for US 22 bridge repairs.
There are more political signs on residential front lawns.
Crossing back over the Little Miami River at Loveland I immediately picked up the OTET.
I stopped to check my rear bags and happened to look northward. It’s only 305 miles to downtown Cleveland.
My sense is that each of the two dozen or so independent trails that make up the OTET are locally funded and maintained.
I stopped at the May Café in Milford for a sidewalk breakfast.
According to the café menu, my selection had “toasted focaccia bread topped with prosciutto, two fried eggs, feta cheese, arugula, diced tomato, extra-virgin olive oil, and spices”, plus a slice of watermelon.
It was definitely a step up from the usual Sausage and Egg McMuffin at McDonalds.
The OTET splits off from the Little Miami Scenic Trail just before the Ohio River.
Rats! A flat tire.
Fortunately, I have a spare inner tube and the tools needed to change it.
It could be worse. At least it’s not raining.
(A few minutes later . . . ) Double rats!
My original planning was to spend Saturday night in Cincinnati, rent an SUV, and drive back to Cleveland on Sunday. However, no rental company would rent me a one-way due to overwhelming demand. As an alternative, I had arranged with my son Manny to drive my car to Cincinnati to pick me up on Sunday.
When I texted this photo to Manny, he called asked if I wanted him to come a day early. Well, I wanted to complete the entire 326 mile trip, but I didn’t feel up to changing a tire in the rain, so yes.
Those who don’t believe in Divine Providence could call it blind luck, but in any case there is a bike shop 500’ from the Frisch’s Big Boy where I stood and watched the rain fall. After the rain stopped, I walked the bike to Smitty’s. They fixed the flat, and I texted Manny to meet me at the Great American Ballpark as I didn’t know exactly where the OTET ended.
The OTET eventually brought me to the Ohio River Scenic Byway, where I got my first view of the Ohio River.
New homes have been built near the river, presumably in a style that emulates the earlier housing that these homes replaced.
When it comes to building custom homes that emulate the earlier housing, I think this builder did an amazing job in emulating the earlier housing, all the way down to the plastic windows and peeling paint.
I rode the Ohio River Trail to the Great American Ball Park. Unfortunately, none of the people I asked could direct me to the exact endpoint of the OTET. (I leaned later it is about 800’ west of the park, at the J. A. Roebling Bridge.
When I arrived at the Great American Ball Park I turned north onto Joe Nuxhall Way. According to the ‘net, Joe Nuxhall was the youngest player in MLB history, having pitched during a World War II player shortage in 1944 shortly before his 16th birthday. He later had a 40+ year career as a Reds radio broadcaster.
Here’s a view of the monument to the dedicated to the founding of the Cincinnati Red Stockings baseball team in 1869.
I ate lunch in the food court across from the ball park while I waited for my private Uber driver to arrive
Well, that’s it. I hope you found at least something interesting in this series of blogs.
A.M.D.G.
Peace.
– Gary