The Great Ohio Bike Adventure set to roll through Oxford
Hundreds of bikers will arrive in Oxford Monday, June 17, for the Great Ohio Bike Adventure (GOBA). The bikers will enjoy the Oxford loop and all the community has to offer Tuesday, June 18 and then leave for the Hamilton loop on Wednesday, June 19.
GOBA is a time for Ohioans and more to explore what the state's small towns have to offer. The weeklong trip will take 900 cyclists through three counties in southwestern Ohio — Darke, Preble and Butler — and four cities — Eaton, Oxford, Hamilton and Arcanum — in a varying 159 to 397-mile loop.
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, headed by Director Jeff Stephens, plans GOBA each year. He said one purpose of the event is to provide safe, full service outdoor, mostly cycling, adventures where people get together and create lifetime memories.
"[The second purpose is] to allow these, let's call them smaller communities, to showcase what they have and to attract people into their communities and show off [their] hidden gems," Stephens said.
This year, the theme for the ride is "The Doughnut Quest." Butler County's tourism board promotes the Butler County Donut Trail, a route containing 13 donut shops where people can get their donut trail passport stamped to receive a t-shirt. The board also provides donuts from shops cyclists pass or almost pass and brings them to a rest stop for everyone to enjoy.
"We're just kind of providing an opportunity and trying to push our people into some of the local donut shops they pass," Stephens said.
According to the GOBA website, the 2024 bicycle route will include a weekend-only option for cyclists who don't want to or can't do a full week on GOBA. Riders can experience the Buckeye Bridge Ride on Saturday, camp in "GOBAville" at the Preble County Fairgrounds Saturday night and then enjoy the loop ride on Sunday.
This is the third time GOBA bicyclists have stopped in Oxford. The first was in 1998, when the riders camped at the former Talawanda High School property on Chestnut Street, where Chestnut Fields now is. The Second was in 2016, when they set up their tents on Miami University's campus outside Millett Hall. This year, however, they will be at the Tri Community Center and Park.
Casey Wooddell, the director of the City of Oxford's Parks and Recreation, said Oxford's main role is to offer cyclists places to stay and camp for the two days they're here. Parks and Rec will also coordinate entertainment including live music, outdoor games, food trucks and family activities.
"We're kind of acting as a liaison to GOBA, and also as a host for them," Wooddell said.
He also noted that this is the first time Oxford has been involved in planning the event.
"It's definitely new and exciting," Wooddell said, "[But,] it also creates a lot of questions and challenges that we've never faced at the same time."
Some of those challenges include safety measures in place for the bikers, not only in Oxford, but along the entire trail.
Stephens said they've specifically chosen routes with their cyclists ages and experience in mind. The routes follow low traffic rural roads, and support and gear vehicles will stay in touch with the riders via a network of communication devices. If problems occur, Stephens said help is no more than a few miles away, and every rider will have the GOBA hotline number on their wrist.
"We've got out stuff together when it comes to safety," Stephens said.
He also said the model for this event is different than other cycling events across the country because it's intended for families and a core element is supporting the local communities.
"We have a lot of families where there are three generations out here from a single family, and folks come from around the country," Stephens said, "because it's a safe, full service adventure."
