The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Bike Me to the Moon / Western Ohio

May 12th to May 19th

Ride Director: Donald Brumbaugh
Ride Driver: Greg Corwin
Report by: Elaine Peart

On May 12, 2018, 28 avid cyclists and aviation knowledge seekers converged in Huber Heights (a suburb of Dayton), Ohio to begin their aerospace and cycling adventure.  This was the inaugural ride entitled “Bike Me to the Moon” and we had no idea there was such a plethora of aviation history in one area!  Our ride leader, Don Brumbaugh (aviation enthusiast), planned scenic cycling routes as we learned about aviation history from the Wright brothers to space exploration and everything aviation in between.  Throw in a couple of bike museums, historical forts and our trip was very educational and inspiring for all.

The group met in Huber Heights and received an overview of the week’s travels, many of us knowing only one or two others.  Little did we know what a great bunch of bicycle enthusiasts and knowledge seekers we were and how many friendships would be formed?

The first day of cycling (36 miles) included touring Dayton and visiting 2 aviation sites, the Air Force Museum of America and Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop / Aviation Museum.  Ida Nystrom loved the Air Force Museum so much she visited it 3 times during our stay!  Please direct all AFM questions to Ida.  Some folks also decided to climb the hill to the Wright Brothers’ Memorial which presented breathtaking views from above.  Also notable on this ride was the numerous bike trails available to our team.  The Miami River trail was very extensive.  Traveling in downtown Dayton on Mother’s Day Sunday was awesome because it seemed we had the whole town to ourselves.

On day two it was time to leave Dayton and head to our next stop in Greenville, a 45 mile trek.  As we left the confines of Dayton and its amazing trails we encountered Ohio’s secret weapon to thwart bicyclists – WIND!  No matter what direction you turned there was wind for everyone.  And who ever heard of wind when you ride toward the east?  There were headwinds and side winds, but the team was strong and cycled on.  Ralph Neidhardt commented that he was riding through a tornado.  On route there was a detour and most of us followed the detour signs.  However some of us thought the detour was just a suggestion.  Once we went down the hill to the bridge construction there was no way we were riding back up the hill to follow the detour.  Those who bypassed the detour sign carried their bikes over the closed bridge and past the construction workers.  For a break from the wind many of us stopped at Huston’s Restaurant in Arcanum.  We overwhelmed the staff as we took refuge from the elements and the restaurant called for reinforcements to come into work.  Service was friendly, the food was tasty and reasonably priced.  Marsha Menendez remarked they should raise their prices.  We began to realize how friendly the Ohio natives are when one of the patrons came up to Don and called him by name.  Don looked confused, and asked “How do I know you?”  Only to find out the man was playing a joke on Don.  The man was sitting with a table of jokesters who saw Don’s name on his bag and dared one of the men to approach Don.  Our next stop was at Brumbaugh’s Fruit Farm for dessert.  Again tasty reasonably priced goodies fueled us for the rest of our journey.  And no, Don was not related to the establishment. 

On day 3 the team’s first educational stop for the day was Fort Recovery, a historical fort where we learned about the expansion and development of the US territory.  As we started out from Greenville we left town quickly and ventured out to the countryside, passing farm after farm after farm, causing Ida Nystrom to say she had enough of farms by the end of the trip.  Some of our team plotted to release some turkeys (they looked like they wanted out!) from the many turkey farms we passed along the way and others vowed never to eat turkey again.  We were on autopilot as we made our way to Fort Recovery due to heading 21 miles without any turns on OH 49.  No need to think and helpful for those who did not have enough coffee that morning.  Our Fort Recovery speaker was extremely informative.  She presented us with interesting facts regarding the fort’s history, persons of interest and did not once need any note cards.  After our tour we had a drone shot of our group (shout out to our webmaster and technology expert Greg Corwin, SAG driver par excellence).  Once on the road again we made our way to Celina.  As we entered Celina we rode next to Grand Lake.  Several of us got caught in a downpour as we approached the hotel and could not appreciate the view because of the torrential rain.  Rumor has it Don Atkins was one of the smart folks who found refuge in a Trek store.

Most notably two of our team members were celebrities as they made the front page of The Daily Standard with an article entitled “Passing Through”.  Janet Linden and Bob Ludecke were interviewed as they passed through the town of Coldwater on their bikes.  The article was front page material!  However, unfortunately (as Janet pointed out) below the fold  .

From the article: Janet Linden of Farmington, Connecticut, and Bob Ludecke of Southington, Connecticut, ride into downtown Coldwater on Tuesday afternoon on State Route 219. They are part of a Bicycle Adventure Club group that traveled from Greenville to Celina on Tuesday on one leg of a 248-mile trip that started in Dayton and included stops in Greenville, Celina and Sidney on its way back to Dayton.

https://www.dailystandard.com/archive/2018-05-16/pictures/34344/

Day 4 was the Wapakoneta 46 mile loop day and / or possible rest day where we could visit the Neil Armstrong Museum and pass his childhood home. The Temple of Tolerance was also an option for the day.  It was built in the back yard of Jim Bowsher, a Wapakoneta resident, as a “rock refuge” for all.  Some of our team members, including Pat Elson and Blanca McCelvey, decided to see the sites sans bikes.  Who knew Uber, Lyft and taxi service was not available in Celina?  Luckily the hotel arranged a personal driver for the intrepid folks and they did not miss out on the sites.  Dick Simmermacher had ties to the area.  In his early days he worked on a local farm and arranged a visit with the family.  Dick and Pat enjoyed their lunch and reminiscing about old times.  As we toured St. Mary’s several of the team were welcomed by the town mayor, attorney and resident historian, Kraig E. Noble whose family history dates back to the early settlers of the region.  At the Neil Armstrong Museum Greg got goose bumps when he saw the space suit that walked on the moon.  He remembers watching this historic moment on a black and white TV when he was 4 ½ years old.  (Way to make most of us feel old, Greg.) 

On the road again for a day 5 adventure of a 36 mile trek from Celina to Sidney.  The highlight of the day was the Bicycle Museum of America.  It was hard to believe a gem of a museum with so many different, rare and interesting bikes were located in the small town of New Bremen, Ohio.  The team was amazed to view historic bikes and learn the history of bicycle evolution from our knowledgeable tour guide.  The museum was the new home to bikes from the former Schwinn museum, the Schwinn family and also bike advocate, Robin Williams.   A few brave souls tried the historic big wheel bicycle, but chose to return to their own bikes for the rest of the ride.  After the bicycle museum the riders encountered our old friend, Mr. Wind.  The riders felt the strong gusts from every direction they rode.  As a bonus, in addition to the wind, most of the riders where chased by a not so friendly dog or dogs.  Of all the people I interviewed only Karen and Ed Hass did not meet the dog.  Perhaps the dog was more courteous to the BAC Chair?  At happy hour the team celebrated Marnie’s birthday with a cake, candles and a song.  Marnie’s birthday wish was to make it to her next birthday.  No problem there because she biked over 78 miles which was today and tomorrow’s ride combined.  An accomplishment which was nothing to sneeze about.  Joining her for the trek was Karen and Ed who wanted to outsmart the following day’s weather forecast. 

Our last day of biking was one of the best rides according to Boyd Peart, a trip from Sidney to Dayton to pick up our cars and return back to Sidney for our farewell dinner.  Many of us were watching the weather forecast and decided to get an early start.  Manny and Marsha Menendez were first out the door to beat the elements and they succeeded.  The Menendez team was on fire that morning and I know they don’t drink coffee.  The route was well planned and it was amazing to see how far you can travel on bike trails around the Dayton area.  The day was perfect for Kerrie and Charles McCarville who love trails.  Kerrie always follows the “Honeymoon Rule” which is “Always take a trail if there is one available”.  You will have to ask her to clarify when you see her on the road.  The skies were cloudy and weather cooler, and the trail protected us from our friend the, wind which made for pleasant riding conditions.  Boyd and Elaine Peart and Marsha and Manny Menendez visited 6 historic sites along their travels and secured for themselves an Aviation Trail water bottle for their efforts.  Our farewell dinner was held in a nearby Japanese restaurant, a treat and memorable time for all.  Boyd was grateful for the waitress who helped him order his delicious dinner.  It was a bittersweet time as we said our goodbyes, shared some laughs and memories about our trip.  Acquaintances gathered together one week earlier, but many friendships were formed on the roads around Dayton.

Insights and Tips from the Inaugural Bike Me to the Moon Bike / Western Ohio Bike Trip

Blanca McKelvey:      Beware of the buckeye pancakes!

Pat Elson:                    Make sure you ride the Miami River Trail.

Ida Nystrom:               Loved the Air Force Museum of America!  There are a lot of farms in Ohio!

Don Atkins:    Loved meeting people from all over the country.  Especially liked there was a strong representation from Texas.

Jim and Kit Fogel:      Enjoyed forging their own routes and made it to the Indiana / Ohio border (as directed by one of the friendly Ohio natives.

Cam and Don Secrist: Were touched by the friendly nature of the Ohio people when they visited a General Store and were invited into their house to use the bathroom.

All:      Ohio people are very friendly and courteous to bikers – even the truckers.

All:      Beware of the wind!  It is true the wind can blow in every direction in Ohio except maybe a tail wind.

All:      Loved the happy hours each night.

All:      When stopping at the Air Force Museum knives and water bottles are prohibited.

All:      Ohio and Aviation history are synonymous.

Karen Hass:    If you love BAC rides consider leading one of your own.