Ohio bicycle tour to return to Wyandot County

COLUMBUS — The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure will make a stop in Upper Sandusky on June 20 in a route featuring north central Ohio, organizers announced this morning.

Julie Van Winkle, director of the 29th annual GOBA, announced the 2017 tour will run June 17-24 with an expected 1,500 riders starting June 17 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds in Findlay.

Cycling will begin June 18, covering an average of 50 miles per day, and will overnight in Tiffin on June 18 and 19, Upper Sandusky on June 20, Bellefontaine on June 21 and 22 and Kenton on June 23 before returning to Findlay on June 24.

“We’re extremely excited to have that group back,” Mayor Scott Washburn said. “It’s just a great thing, not only for the community itself but for the local businesses. There will be a huge influx of people, and the GOBA group is very good at patronizing local businesses when they come. We couldn’t be more excited to have them here.”

Washburn said the city likely will be nearing the completion of the yearlong sewer separation project about that time. City officials do not foresee any problems related to the construction, the mayor said.

Some of the attractions featured on the tour include Findlay’s Old Mill Stream Parkway, Riverside Park, the Hancock County Courthouse, covered bridges, Seneca Caverns, Van Buren State Park, Fostoria’s 1878 L&EW Train Depot, Glass Heritage Gallery, Tiffin’s 1928 Ritz Theatre, the American Civil War, Tiffin Glass and Mad River Railroad museums, National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Upper Sandusky’s part of the Shawshank Trail, Amish areas, Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, Mount Victory antique shops, Ohio Caverns, the Piatt Castles, Marie’s Candies, Kiser Lake State Park, Bellefontaine’s Orr Mansion, Simon Kenton Bike Path, Indian Lake State Park, Kenton’s Gene Autry Mural and the Sullivan-Johnson Museum.

The week will include the traditional bicycle parade with a costume contest and the gala opening ceremonies in Findlay; family-oriented entertainment each night; two layover days offering bicycle loops of 50 or 100 miles; optional excursions; and the popular GOBA Song Contest.

“GOBA-2017 promises gentle terrain, Ohio history brought to life, magical river views, the serene natural beauty of wildlife reserves and the desire to linger in the friendly atmosphere of the host towns along our route,” Van Winkle said in a written statement.

Taking place annually in June, GOBA features bicycle touring at a leisurely pace for approximately 50 miles per day for a week. The tour is an event of Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, a nonprofit organization.

In 2016, about 1,600 people from 40 states, the District of Columbia and Canada took part in the tour. Nearly 20 percent of participants are children traveling with their parents.

Over the past 28 years, GOBA has been instrumental in generating nearly $10 million in tourism revenues in the towns along the route.

Those interested in receiving registration information and tour details may request a brochure by calling 614-273-0811 or by visiting www.goba.com/wordpress/. Brochures also will be available by February in many Ohio bicycle shops.

Advanced registration is required by May 17.