Recap: Walhonding NE Gravel 39
Quick stats
14 cyclists
39 miles (small group of us did 41 because of a wrong turn)
4100 ft climbing
Mix of dry gravel and pavement
No mechanicals
Temps in upper 30’s to low 50’s
Partly cloudy
Lots of farm animals
Multiple longhorn farms
Bigfoot with an AK sculpture
Snack stops along the way
Start point was originally Army Corps of Engineer office, 36007 State Route 715, Warsaw, OH 43844 but the gate was locked so we parked in the gravel lot below the dam further east off 715.
Gravel was packed and fast. Vistas and climbs are numerous. There is a climb with 10-20% grade later in the ride that seems like a wall. We passed numerous longhorn farms and regular farms. One longhorn farm had a trinket on each of the fence poles. We stopped to check them out. Highlight was finding a wooden lawn ornament in the shape of Bigfoot with an AK.
Some of us missed a turn and added a few miles to the route.
Ray founded Ohio Gravel Grinders in 2012. Ray moved to Columbus in 2007 and jumped into bicycle event organization and advocacy by launching Bike the Cbus, Columbus’ only city-wide bicycle tour, currently organized by Yay Bikes! He developed Columbus Rides Bikes! blog and companion Facebook group with over 3000 members to support the Tuesday Nite Ride. Ray has been instrumental in organizing charity rides, including Ride the Elevator, Night of 1000/1001 Tacos, and Yelp on Two Wheels to support many organizations.
Ray enjoys long gravel bike rides in the woods and lunch with coffee outside. He has been featured on a number of podcasts. Check them out on the Featured On section. Honey Stinger Ambassador