We started our ride today from the Cascade Locks Trailhead, across the street from the North Akron Depot of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. From there, we rode north 14 miles to the Peninsula Depot in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where we caught a train back to our starting point. Then we got back on our bikes and rode south this time for 11 miles, through Akron and on to the Wolf Creek Trailhead in Barberton, before backtracking that same 11 miles to where we began. Whew!
The biking begins!
Cascade Lock
Boardwalk section of the Towpath Trail
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park for approximately 20 miles. In the 1960s, there was so much industrial waste being dumped into the Cuyahoga River that the river actually CAUGHT ON FIRE multiple times. Local citizens petitioned the government for help, and in 1974 the area received protected status as Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. It was said at the time that it would take at least 100 years for the river to recover. In the year 2000, with the river's recovery accomplished, the recreation area was promoted to a national park.
Entering the national park
The Beaver Marsh area of the park was once a junkyard. The government purchased the land in the '70s and was contemplating a parking lot when beavers returned to the valley and built dams that flooded the area. In the '80s, the Park Service and volunteers began cleaning up the debris, and today it's a scenic wetland full of wildlife. We spotted some painted turtles, a couple of moss-covered snapping turtles, and a muskrat swimming around.
Beaver Marsh, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Mossy turtle
Cuyahoga River
Approaching Peninsula from the south, the Towpath Trail crosses over the Cuyahoga River and Lock 29. We stopped for a stroll through the now-dry lock, where a connected aqueduct once carried boats over the river.
Tom overlooks the aqueduct
Lock 29
In the early afternoon, we caught the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad at the Peninsula Depot to shuttle back to our starting point in Akron. The railroad has what they call an Explorer program, where you can catch a ride with your bike for only $5.00. Without a bike, the cheapest seat is $18.00. What the heck?! A great deal for cyclists, and it saved us 14 miles of backtracking. There are train depots further north, but they're currently closed for erosion remediation.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Enjoying the ride
Arriving back at the North Akron Depot, we saddled up once again and rode south through downtown Akron and into the 'burbs. It was an interesting ride. Some of the canal-side houses were pretty fun.
Riding through Akron
Defiant ducks
Wooden Indian watches over the canal
Our kind of party house
We rode as far as the Wolf Creek Trailhead on the south side of Barberton before turning around. On our way back, we stopped at R. Shea Brewing and Missing Falls Brewery, which share a building in the Canal Place complex near downtown Akron. Canal Place is a vast commercial complex in what was once a massive B.F. Goodrich plant. Built beginning in 1871, this was once the largest rubber plant in the world and is the reason why Akron is nicknamed "Rubber City."
Missing Falls Brewery
Finally back at Cascade Park, we loaded the bikes on the car and walked across the canal to Lock 15 Brewing for a burger and chicken sandwich. I went out on a limb and ordered something wacky to drink, “Akron Cereal Beer,” which was made with actual Golden Grahams cereal. Interesting...
Dinnertime