The following routes are open to cars, so follow all traffic laws and stay to the right side of the road.

Cycle Path recommends taking a map when first learning these rides.  Athens County maps are free at Cycle Path.

Cycle Path also suggests that you ride with a friend or that you tell someone where you will be going and for how long. Also make sure that you carry some sort of identification with you and who to contact in case of an emergency.

Riding a bicycle can be dangerous.
Cycle Path recommends wearing a helmet, obeying all traffic laws and riding within your limits.
Ride responsibly.
	Some changes to Ohio Bicycle Laws took effect on September 21 st, 2006 see the details

Here are some popular road bike routes in the area
 
 

This is one of the most scenic and most challenging rides in the Athens area.  It is an undulating 63 miles with a section along the ridge above the South edge of Burr Oak Lake.  Follow the above link for detailed information on this epic ride.

Tom's Trillium Tour

There are five separate self guided tours from 25 to 100 miles through the rolling hills of Athens, Vinton and Meigs County. This makes for an excellent ride that you can adjust shorter or extend on the fly.

It is especially scenic in the springtime through the budding dogwood, redbud and wildflowers.

Athens County Quilt Barn Cycling Challenge

Local artist and cycling enthusiast, John W. Lefelhocz has created three self guided bike routes that travel past fifteen of the twenty-one Quilt Barns of Athens County.

The three routes vary in difficulty and length. The 30 mile “Chain Stitch Loop” has two larger climbs and many smaller climbs. The 40 mile “Two Tired Loop” isn’t very hilly until the last 15 miles. And the 66 mile long “Granny Gear Loop” is very hilly for the first 30 miles, but finishes on the flat Hockhocking Adena Bikeway for the last 16 miles.

Baker Center to Strouds Run:

Starting at Baker Center, go up Court Street toward town.

Go to the end of Court and make a left onto Carpenter/N. Lancaster St. Go up the hill to the third light and make a right turn onto Columbia Road (antique shop at the top of the hill).

Go 1.3 miles, over the overpass, and turn right at County Road 20.  Go 1 1/2 miles until you get to Strouds Run (beach area to the right). The pavement is good, and there are a few decent climbs.

Approximately 8 miles round trip

Athens - Mineral - Albany Loop:

Starting at Baker Center, go up Court Street toward town.  At the third light on Court, turn left onto Washington.  Turn left at the next light onto Congress. Turn right at the bottom of the hill (next light) onto W. Union.  Stay on W. Union (past UPS) it becomes State Rt. 56.

After approximately 10 miles of rolling hills, turn left onto Rt. 356. About 3 miles further you will enter the town of Mineral.  About 1.5 miles after Mineral turn left onto Rt. 681 to Albany.  Take 681 to 50, turn left to head back to Athens.

Turn right onto County Road 19 (at the auction building). Continue around to the intersection with 50 again.  Here you can take 50 to the right to get to the Richland Avenue exit or you can cross over and continue on County Road 19 until you reach 56. If you are going to Routes 56, turn right on 56; stay on it until you get back to Baker Center.

Approximately 30 miles

Baker Center to Carbondale:

Starting at Baker Center, go up Court Street toward town.  At the third light on Court, turn left onto Washington.  Turn left at the next light onto Congress. Go down the hill and turn right onto West Union.  It becomes 56.

Follow 56 one and a half miles past the intersection of 56 and 356.  Make a right turn at the sign for Carbondale (Rte 1A).  Follow  1A until the intersection of 691 and continue straight for one mile to the intersection of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway and turn right.

Follow the bikeway to Peden Stadium and turn onto Richland Ave. away from the river. Richland turns into Presedent Street. At the end of President Street, turn left onto Court Street and then right on Union Street (Baker Center on the left)

 Approximately 30 miles

Baker Center to Amesville-Trimble:

Starting at Baker Center, go up Union Street toward downtown.  Go to the end of Court Street and turn left onto Carpenter/N. Lancaster.  Go up the hill to the third light (N. Lancaster becomes Columbus Road).  Stay on Columbus past Rts. 33 and 13.  The road becomes RT. 550.  Stay on Rt. 550 until Amesville (approximately 15 miles).  Turn left onto 329.  After the long climb, and the steep descent, turn left (in Trimble) onto Rt. 13. One mile after Jacksonville turn right on to Truetown Road. Follow Truetown straight at the intersection of 685. Cross over 13 toward Millfield and follow Truetown until it intersects with 13 again. Turn left ont 13 and continue into Chauncey. Turn left to stay on Rt. 13. or turn right and follow 13 to get to the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.

If you are following State Route 13 to Athens, at the intersection of 13 and 550 (Columbus Rd.) turn right.  Take Columbus Road to Congress (first one-way street).  Turn right on Congress.  Go three lights and turn left onto W. Union back to Baker Center.

If you are following the Bikeway back into Athens, follow State Route 13 to the intersection with the path and turn left.  Follow the bikeway to Peden Stadium and turn onto Richland ve. away from the river. Richland turns into Presedent Street. At the end of President Street, turn left onto Court Street and then right on Union Street (Baker Center on the left)

Approximately 40 miles

Baker Center to Lake Hope:

Starting at Baker Center, go up Court Street toward town.  At the third light on Court, turn left onto Washington.  Turn left at the next light onto Congress. Go down the hill and turn right onto West Union.  It eventually turns into Rte. 56.  Stay on 56. Approximately 13 miles out at the top of an extremely steep hill, turn left onto 278.  Go down the hill and follow 278 for 4 miles until you see Lake Hope on the right.  Here you can swim, picnic, canoe and get fresh water.

If you return to Athens the way you came out, it is approximately 35-40 miles.

 For a longer ride, continue on State Route 278 through  to Zaleski.  When 278 ends, turn left on 50 towards Athens. At the intersection of Rt. 50 and Rt. 32 turn left and head toward Albany. After Albany, turn right onto County Road 19 (at the auction building). Continue around to the intersection with 50 again.  Here you can take 50 to the right to get to the Richland Avenue exit or you can cross over and continue on County Road 19 until you reach 56. If you are going to Routes 56, turn right on 56; stay on it until you get back to Baker Center.

Approximately 50 miles

If you have a favorite road ride and would like it included on this page let us know and we will be glad to publish your directions.

Cyclists Can Look Online at Local Road Conditions
	AthensRoads.com includes a map of every county road and the current road conditions and where construction is being done. It also indicates when roads are scheduled to be paved. Although the map does not include township roads, it does identify bridges that are on township roads and maintained by the engineer’s department. County Engineer Archie Stanley has said that he plans to eliminate gravel roads in the county within 10 years. “We’re moving to an all hard-surface road system by 2015,” meaning every road will either be paved or chip-and-sealed. Of the 368 miles of county roads, Stanley says that 30 percent of them are paved, between 10-15 percent are covered in gravel and the rest are chip-and-sealed. The site also has an online complaint form to allow residents to submit their suggestions about road conditions and also let the engineer’s office know what they think needs to be done.