Overnight bicycle trip ends at Camp Tuscazoar
Riders are aided by a following van carrying their equipment.
Ernie’s Bike Shop of Massillon will be the starting point for an overnight bicycle trip to Camp Tuscazoar on June 4 and 5. For those who love to ride but are wary of peddling a longer distance, this may be the perfect introduction to the many opportunities for long rides in Ohio.
“For riders who are new to more serious bike travel, this is a way to start and get the experience without a lot of planning,” trip host Bill Flaherty of Ernie’s Bike Shop said.
Flaherty has experience spending weeks in the saddle of a bike. Two years ago he rode his bicycle from the Canadian border to Mexico, a 2,500-mile trek.
For the Tuscazoar overnight trip, a van will accompany the group, carrying bulkier necessities and providing snacks and a drink at two stops along the way.
“You only need to come to the beginning of the trail in Massillon,” Flaherty said, “throw your sleeping bag into the van and start your ride. The van will carry their tents and other equipment.”
Two ride distances are offered: one a 3-mile family trip and the other the full 25 miles to historic Camp Tuscazoar near Dover. Riders will need to bring something that can be eaten with the addition of boiling water such as instant soup packets. Boiling water will be provided to riders both the evening of June 4 and again the next morning for coffee or tea or something heartier.
To participate, you will need to be in sufficient physical condition to make the 25-mile bike ride successfully. “We will be taking Boy Scout Hill near the end, so that’s something to keep in mind,” Flaherty said. “If you need to dismount and push for a while, that’s perfectly OK.
“This is a trip that enables novice riders to pull the trigger on a longer trip with confidence. If you’re thinking of trying a longer ride, this is an excellent way to prepare. And you make good friends along the way. By the time you’ve arrived at camp, you generally feel like you’ve known the other riders for years.”
In terms of equipment, a mountain or hybrid bike will answer the trail’s surface demands.
“You want a little wider tire,” Flaherty said. “Much of the trail is fine gravel, so a skinny-tire road bike is not a good choice. Many people ride a mountain/road bike hybrid, which is less punishing than the purer forms of either, allowing for some comfort over the longer haul. E-bikes are not permitted at Camp Tuscazoar so cannot be used for the route. Any bike you choose should be in good repair and with properly inflated tires.”
Last year’s inaugural trip sold out, and this year’s registration is available at Ernie’s Bike Shop in North Canton by calling 330-494-5323. The cost for the 25-mile trip is $39 per person, which includes the camp site, guides, van support, snacks, and hot water for meals and coffee. You’ll need a tent, food, water, tire repair kit and rain gear for yourself.
The 3-mile family ride is June 10 and 11 and costs $20 per family of two adults and their children.
The trips will follow guidelines set out by Adventure Cycling Association, which Flaherty recommends as a source of information to prepare for longer biking journeys.
“Our riders had a lot of fun last year,” Flaherty said. “This is about gaining a toe in the water experience to see if you want to make longer trips. It’s not about competing or endurance. You can cycle from the northern to southern edges of Ohio, and there are plenty of great bike routes. Our trip will be a good introduction to the experience.”