Pawpaw Double Nickel Road Ride
Saturday, Sept. 19

Ride 55 . . .

September in Southeast Ohio is a good time to enjoy a country ramble and celebrate the harvest of the pawpaw. Hence the Pawpaw Double Nickel Road Ride, a 55-mile road ride through the hills at a really nice time of the year. The ride starts and ends at the 11th Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival on Sat., Sept. 19, taking you from Albany, Ohio, on a circle tour around Zaleski State Forest. Enjoy challenging climbs, ridgetop views and sweet downhills, all along the Raccoon Creek Watershed. A fully stocked aid station awaits you just past the halfway point.

Ride 20 . . .

Does 55 miles sound like too much riding and not enough pawpaw partying? Opt to do a shorter loop of approximately 20 miles that still features plenty of climbing but can be conquered in less time. No aid station will be available for this loop, but we can guarantee a downhill for every climb.

More Fun . . .

Athens Bicycle owner and pawpaw lover, Peter Kotses, planned out both routes, which feature quiet roads and beautiful scenery. Be sure to set aside some time to enjoy the festival after you’re done riding. Activities include a pawpaw cook-off, a pawpaw eating contest and the ever-popular pawpaw beer garden.

New announcement! The Athens County Bike Polo Association will be playing an exposition bike polo match at the festival at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Bike polo is an excellent spectator sport, and heckling is welcome!

To Register . . .

Rider registration will be at the festival from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – get started on the ride any time during those hours. The aid station will be set up until 2 p.m.

The self-guided, self-paced ride is included in the price of the festival admission fee ($5 for one day, $8 for the weekend), and includes a map of the ride, marked turns on the roads, and the aid station. There is a $2 vehicle-parking fee.

Don't Forget Your Helmet . . .

Helmets are required for all participants. There will be no rolling support so be self-sufficient (carry appropriate tools and water).

For More Info . . .

For additional information about the 11th Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival, visit http://www.ohiopawpawfest.com/. For additional information about the ride, e-mail Peter Kotses at pete@athensbicycle.com.