The Route (this approximate schedule is subject to change)

06:30 

Arrive: Parking lot at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Delaware

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07:00  

Leg One: "Scioto Sprint" (29 miles) - Ending at the Marion Tallgrass Trailhead

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09:05 

Leg Two: "Hannibal" (17 miles) - Ending at the Daughmer Prairie State Preserve

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10:20 

Leg Three: "Huckleberry" (11 miles) - Ending at the Benton General Store for lunch

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11:50 

Leg Four: "Republic" (18 miles) - Ending at the Republic Micky Mart

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13:05 

Leg Five: "Hämmer Drop" (27 miles) ending at the Margaretta Twp Fire Department

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15:05 

Leg Six: "The Horn" (17 miles) ending at the Marblehead Lighthouse

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16:00  

Finish line (3 miles away from the lighthouse), arrive at Lakeside East Gate

NOTE:  Approximate times include include rest breaks, lunch and buffers for possible mechanical issues

Once outside of Delaware, the route continues through tree-lined, streets along the river into Propect and then Green Camp.  We will bike through gentle hills and farmland the first rest stop st the end oof the Marion Tallgrass Trail.  Experienced bikers can go as fast as they want once we are all outside of Delaware ("Scioto Sprint") but must wait at this stop.

Following a ten minute break*, we will leave the Tallgrass Trail together and will be police-escorted along busier, two-lane roads most of the way to the second break area. After a ten minute break, we will be leaving on semi-busy, two-lane roads into Benton. 

After a twenty-five minute lunch in Benton, we will be on semi-busy, two-lane roads to Republic.** After another ten minute break, we will leave for Castalia along the same semi-busy roads.  This leg is nicknamed "Hammer Drop" because it is the most difficult section of the ride. It is hot, possibly windy, and tedious.  Be ready for it.  

Once in Castalia, we will have a 10-20 minute break and receive a safety briefing before crossing the Sandusky Bay Bridge - it's on a major, four-lane highway.  We will enjoy our last police escort as we carefully ride this busy, four-mile stretch. It is exceptional that we have received permission and support from law enforcement to use the highway - otherwise it would be thirty more miles around the bay!

After exiting the highway, we will enjoy quiet roads as we bike the perimeter ("around the horn" as the locals say) of the Marblehead Peninsula on relatively quiet roads.  Our last stop is at the picturesque lighthouse.  We will take our time before leisurely and triumphantly biking through the village of Marblehead - and onward to Lakeside's east gate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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