Biking this summer is not cancelled…read more
In fact, unless one is extra susceptible to the plague, cycling is recommended. To bath in sunshine key in building a strong immune system, to improve fitness key in successfully fighting off infection, and to raise serotonin key in bating off anxiety caused by the media's panic-porn are three reasons to take Freddie Mercury's advice to "get on your bike and ride."
Of the many outstanding bike trails in Columbus the Olentangy River Greenway is my top choice. As multi-use trail, it garners excellent reviews for runners, biker, and rollerblades alike. My ranking has not changed since my review in 2014. I update to include the northern stretch I had of yet to explored then.
The origin is behind The Hills market there off Rt 315, Worthington Hills, beside Rusty Bucket and that weird coffee shop Subway place. Going south, it hugs the river going by the boulders of Worthington Hills Park and off into the woods of Olentangy Parkland. There are many splits, bypasses, off-trails, and alternate surfaced byways in this area to spice up your ride.
Going under the rumbling ramps and bridges of 270 will reveal Olentangy Park with a skatepark attached. From there the trial breezes through Highgate Park, then up the grasses of John Galipault Field to 161, across the river, and down into the woods near the Olentangy split. Here it spans next to 315 until Antrim park, where a large quarry sparkle.
From there the trail once again hugs the highway. This section can be noisy with the varooms, and clonks, and rumble of the gas hogs flying by. But soon the greenway lightly sways away following the bends of the river into scenic greenery, wooden bridges, under ancient trees. Nearby, a new connector way to Bethel has recently been built, a convenience for me who lives nearby.
Coming to Henderson Road is beautiful in the juxtaposition of the low rusted bridge and rustic background. Down the other side is Whetstone ravine with the correspondingly named school and park. Found here is a pedestrian bridge, an urban relic connecting to the quiet environs of the Knolls to the west--often I connect to the trail via it. South are trail leading to the Park of Roses, a Japanese pond, and shelter houses. On the trail is a maze of prairie grass that you can spend some time exploring. Staying on the greenway leads to Northmoor Park, a great place for a rest and a cool view of the river.
From here the trial runs over the back streets of Clintonville by Rockwellian houses and quiet yards. Crossing North Broadway, it swoops down a back alley by a picketed fence with WB cartoons painted on it. A left at the river and it becomes pedestrian only again. Here it goes over the former grounds of the Olentangy Park, once the largest amusement park in the nation.
Crossing over the river brings OSU Nature Reserve and Union Cemetery. Going under Dodridge takes you to a darker ravine. A side loop leads to a photogenic gothic staircase climbing to Hudson.
From there it runs by Tuttle Park, under Lane Avenue, and by Ohio Stadium. Beyond the University hospital the scenery becomes more desolate. A look out plaza shows the inside plumbing of the city, with 315 on ramps above the river it is so ugly its scenic.
Keeping on you reach Harrison West and Side-by-side park. You have a choice: turn left and hit a ramp under 3rd Ave. that will take you through a tunnel and off into the final stretch, or go straight to Harrison Park and over a reused railroad bridge, right at Goodale St, down a ramp onto the original trail. Here it will turn more urban, graffiti take the place of nature for viewing pleasure. This stretch runs under train tracks and highways with a romantic darkness, like the feel of the Lost Boy film or a Doors song.
This will take you to route 33 where it terminates. I usually go on to the connected Scioto trail from here. The diversity of sights, neighborhoods, and different feels is what makes this trail my favorite.
