Nearly 1,000 cyclist braved 100-degree weather yesterday to make it to Oxford during the 35th annual Great Ohio Bike Adventure.
Nearly 1,000 cyclists braved 100-degree weather yesterday to make it to Oxford during the 35th annual Great Ohio Bike Adventure (GOBA). Oxford is the second stop on this year's 150-plus-mile route, and today they're set to complete the Oxford loop.
The main route Tuesday takes bikers to Liberty, Everton, and Fairfield, Indiana before returning to Oxford, Ohio. On Wednesday, the cyclists will make a pit-stop in Reily Township before continuing on toward Hamilton.
Despite a heat advisory in Butler County from the National Weather Service, only a handful of cyclists have had heat-related issues. The GOBA Medical Director Kristen Braig, a volunteer and cyclist, said only five to 10 out of the 900 riders needed assistance for heat exhaustion on the road Monday, and there were no crashes unlike the day before.
"We actually carry first aid kits on the ride," Braig said. "So one of the kids who was about 12, we had gauze out and getting some bandages on him so he could at least make it back without dripping blood. He got scraped up pretty bad."
Braig said the key indicator that someone needs help is if they're pulled over on the side of the road. Even if they're just taking a break, Braig said the medical team asks everyone they're passing if they're feeling well.
Cyclists had many amenities at camp including a shower truck, tents, medical aid and entertainment. Photos by Taylor Stumbaugh
Vicki Bell, a Louisville Kentucky resident, rode 50 miles on Monday and said the heat caused her to make more stops and drink more water, switching between that and Gatorade. However, it didn't stop her from riding.
"[I do it] because I still can," Bell said. "It's just such an adventure and a challenge and you're just so proud of yourself when you're done."
This is Bell's third time riding GOBA, but she wasn't alone. Her partner John Falsetto from Denver, Colorado, was there with her for his second GOBA experience.
"When you're driving through the country and stopping in rural towns, it's something that you don't find in a big city because [not] everybody's in a hurry here," Falsetto said. "Everybody's friendly."
Bell agreed saying "We love the really small towns. We really do."
Unlike other bikers affected by the high temperatures, 14-year-old Iryna Reeves said she felt like the heat actually made her faster.
"I definitely like riding," Iryna said, "but I also like helping out with the medicine truck — lots of ice packs."
This is Iryna's fifth GOBA experience. So far this year, she's traveled 71 miles on a tandem bike with her mom.
"[Riding tandem] it's kind of like you can look around you and you don't have to pay attention to like, maneuvering the bicycle," Iryna said. "You just see everything."
Six-time GOBA rider James Amann said his aunt Jo Ann traveled here from Phoenix to ride with him, his brother Sam, his mom Vicky and his dad Joseph.
Amann said the family aspect of the ride keeps bringing them back. This is his aunt's first time so his mom rode with her, while the three boys rode ahead at their own pace.
"I don't know if there's any one specific moment [I like the most]," Amann said. "Just kind of spending time with my family, and you know riding a bike on the road is a lot of fun."
