Recap: Eastern Ohio Back Road Biking Loop

I grew up in the small village of Adena in eastern Ohio. I hate to sound like a typical old-timer, but this was back in the days when we as kids explored all over our towns and beyond by bicycle, first on our BMX-type bikes then later on our 10-speeds. Like most people, I drifted away from cycling at age 16 after getting my driver’s license. I got bit by the bike bug as an adult in my mid-30’s. Things have changed a lot on the roads since then, with more big trucks from oil and gas traffic, more traffic in general, and more distracted and impatient drivers. Then along came this whole thing we call gravel riding, and the realization that the area of my old hometown is (and always has been) surrounded by a plethora of secluded gravel roads, with high-quality gravel and lots of challenging climbs. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Belmont County Tourism Council actually promotes some established gravel routes! Two of these routes are represented in the OGG library by the E OH Back Road 26 and the E OH Back Road 47 routes.

I live between Akron and Cleveland now, but often get back down to the eastern part of the state, as I still have family in the area. I first attempted the E OH Back Road 26 route in May of 2022, but aborted the ride a mile in due to a brake failure. I went back a month later to try again, and successfully complete the route. I returned and rode the E OH Back Road 47 route on Memorial Day of 2023.

Both the 26-mile and 47-mile loops begin at Barkcamp State Park. You might be tempted to park and start just inside the campground entrance, and you can very well do that. However, the “official” start of the routes is down the hill at the boat launch area. You’ll have a half-mile climb at the very start of your ride, but on the plus side, you’ll end with a half-mile descent. Also, there’s a convenient pit toilet located at the official starting spot. This is also located at the start of the Storybook Trail, and half-mile family-friendly hiking loop.

The Storybook Trail at Barkcamp State Park - not a bike trail, but located near the start of the E OH Back Road cycling routes.

There are some wayfinding signs along the routes, but not at every single turn, plus the directional arrows are sometimes ambiguous. So, I’d recommended loading your route into your GPS device, or use a paper map.

Sample directional signage on the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling routes.

You’ll have a few miles of pavement from the start, but the climbing kicks in right away. You cross over Interstate 70 at not quite the 3-mile mark.

A paved climb near the beginning of the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling routes.

The bridge crossing over Interstate 70 on the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling routes.

Some more pavement, then you pass through the village of Lafferty (no services), then more pavement, but then the fun begins around mile 9.25 with a turn onto the gravel Mt. Hope Road, which later becomes Butter Milk Road. In addition to some high-quality gravel, there are some nice panoramic views along this section. There are some interesting remnants of the area’s coal mining era, which reminded me of structures you might see at the entrance to the Sleestak caves in Land of the Lost.

A scenic view along the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Roads cycling routes.

A historic industrial remnant along the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling route.

Another historic industrial remnant along the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling route.

This stretch of gravel road ends in a T at Egypt North Road around mile 13. There’s another somewhat ambiguous wayfinding sign here. If you’re on the 26-mile route, turn left. If you’re on the 47-mile route, turn right.

Wayfinding sign at Egypt North Road on the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling routes.

The gravel on Egypt North Road is even a little more chunkier than the previous stretch.

A closeup view of the gravel surface of Egypt North Road on the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road cycling routes.

The 26 route crosses back under Interstate 70 (at Exit 204) around the 15-mile mark.

The Egypt North Road gravel continues for quite a good bit more on the 47 route. The 47 route passes through the village of Hendrysburg (no services), then runs along a stretch of pavement that you’ll probably find the least safe if you’re uncomfortable around car traffic. It’s on State Route 800 for about a mile and a half, a two-lane road with no shoulder. It gets better soon, though, as just before the village of Fairview, you’ll cross under I-70 at exit 198. There’s some more high-quality gravel and rolling hills after this, then around mile 30 you’ll be entering the village of Barnesville.

A gravel road west of Barnesville on the Ohio Gravel Grinders E OH Back Road 47 cycling route.

In Barnesville, you’ll find a gas station where you can fuel up on snacks and drinks, and use an indoor restroom. Most other businesses were closed since I was there on a holiday, but on a normal day, you might find a local pizza or sandwich shop if you’re looking for more substantial food than gas station fare.

There was one spot in Barnesville that was the only place where my Garmin Edge 530 GPS device failed to provide adequate directions. When you’re on North Lincoln Avenue, the street bends a bit to the right, then there’s a fork in the road in front of you. There are no street signs, and my Garmin didn’t give a clear indication of which fork I was supposed to take until after I (incorrectly) took the right fork onto East Church Street. The correct way is to take the left fork onto Railroad Street (keeping the old railroad station building as close to your left as possible).

The paved streets of Barnesville turn to chip-and-seal as you get into some of the outer residential neighborhoods, then more gravel.

The 47 route re-joins the 26 route around mile 37.3, or at what is mile 16 of the 26 route. More good gravel and rolling hills ahead, including Garrett Road, probably one of the steepest sustained climbs on both routes. A short bit after this, you’ll head into the village of Bethesda, at around mile 41 of the 47 route, or mile 20 of the 26 route. Similar to Barnesville, you’ll find the gas station open for refueling just about any time, and possibly a local place for other food if it’s not a Sunday or holiday.

It’s a mix of pavement and gravel for a couple of miles until you reach the village of Belmont (no services). Then a little more pavement until you make a left onto Barkcamp Hill Road, and you’ve got about a mile until you’re back where you started.

Around mile 24.5, there’s a slight downhill followed by a climb back up as you make a slight bend to the right. Right at the lowest point of this descent/climb, there’s a house on the left. During my first time through here (on the 26 route), a big dog ran from the yard and started to chase me, but he gave up as I started to sprint up the climb. He looked a little old and slow, and I didn’t see him a year later on my second time around, so maybe he had passed on by then.

For both the E OH Back Road 26 route and the E OH Back Road 47 route, I rode my 2012 (Generation 2) Salsa Fargo Ti (which I have since sold). For the 26 route, I was using Teravail Sparwood 29x2.25 tires. For the 47 route, I had switched to WTB Nano 29x2.1 tires. Both tires provided excellent grip and floatation on the chunkier sections of gravel, while still rolling pretty well on the pavement. I’m a big tire fan, so it’s not unusual to see me on 29x2.35 or even 27.5x2.6 tires on a ride like this. If you’re more of a traditional gravel tire person, you’ll be fine with something in the 38mm to 47mm width range.