Indiana Couple Moving to Xenia Because of Quality, Proximity to Paved Multi-use Trails

An Indiana couple is not only returning to participate in the 2012 Greene Trails Cycling Classic hosted by Kil-Kare Raceway and Greene County Parks & Trails but is also meeting with a realtor while here to make plans to permanently move to Xenia.

"We’re not going to a family reunion in Kansas just so we can come back to the Greene Trails Cycling Classic,” says Beverly Sievers of Avon, just west of Indianapolis.  “The quality of the trails in the region is just remarkable.  The people with Greene County Parks & Trails and throughout the community are incredibly helpful and so nice.”

Sievers and husband David Harrison truly know about the hospitality and caring of the community’s residents.

In 2010, Harrison suffered a cardiac arrest while participating in the Greene Trails Cycling Classic. Transported to a local hospital, Harrison and his wife experienced the warmth that defines Greene County Parks & Trails as well as the community.

“We were here in our pop-up camper,” Sievers says, “and I was so concerned about getting it down by myself and how I was going to get it home to Indiana.  Our male nurse overheard me and volunteered to help me on his day off to take it down and even volunteered to keep it at his house until we could make arrangements to take it back to Indiana.”

Siever adds that Greene County Parks & Trails Director Chrisbell Bednar checked in with her daily at the hospital.  “She even brought me ice cream during a particularly hot and humid day,” she adds.

Now recovered, Harrison is back on his bicycle and looking to move to Xenia in order to have daily access to the trails.

“We want a neighborhood that has direct access to the trails, is near a church and offers a safe riding environment,” Sievers adds.

The couple will be attending the 2012 Greene Trails Cycling Classic that will be held July 19 to 22.

Raising funds to maintain its 62 miles of paved trails in Greene County, Kil-Kare Raceway and County Parks & Trails are hosting Greene Trails Cycling Classic, a four-day biking event attracting more than 300 cyclists to Xenia and surrounding communities.

“We really want local cyclists to join us this year,” says Greene County Parks & Trails Director Chrisbell Bednar.  “We’ve added a special history ride on Sunday for those cyclists who want to enjoy a day on the trails with friends and family. Participants will be given a flyer sharing historical landmarks along the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Cyclists can also meet and enjoy fellow cyclists from across the state and nation who support our trail system in Greene County.”

Additional sponsors of the event at this time include Miami Valley Hospital Sports Medicine, National Aviation Heritage Alliance, K & G Bike Center, Five Rivers MetroParks, McDonalds-Detroit Street-Xenia, Hearthstone Inn, Clifton Mill, Hospitality Homes, Grinnell Bed and Breakfast, Biscuit World, The Donut Man, Stonycreek Roasters, Wickline’s Garden Center and Florist and Elmcroft of Xenia.

Greene Trails Cycling Classic is a fun, family-oriented get-away for both local and visiting cyclists. Trails are noted for being paved, level and predominately shaded. All rides begin and end at the campgrounds located at Greene County Parks & Trails’ Fairgrounds Recreation Center in Xenia.  Cyclists may design their own riding experience with choosing from one to four days of programming.

“Cyclists can choose to stay for one to four days,” says Bednar, “and choose their own accommodations ranging from tent camping on-site or within a recreational vehicle to a comfortable bed-and-breakfast to a local hotel.  Greene Trails is a wonderful family vacation for visitors and a great weekend for local residents as well.”

Many riders return to participate year after year based on the quality of the trails in the region.

“I have ridden long distances on bike trails all over the nation.  For one reason or another, probably because of my sheer love for the landscape of the Miami Valley, the Little Miami Trail is my favorite.  I can’t say enough about the Greene County Parks & Trails folks.  They were just great.  The event was very well managed,” says Tom D. Crouch, Ph.D., Senior Curator, Aeronautics, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

The four-day event begins with a ride on the Ohio to Erie Trail through Cedarville, South Charleston and to London that features the geocache challenge. Cyclists must have their own GPS unit. Participants may also take an off-trail tour.

That evening, an Italian meal will be served to provide appropriate carbo-loading for Friday’s 100-mile Century Ride.

Cyclists begin Friday with a pancake breakfast prior to the 100-mile Century Ride from Xenia to Miamiville on the Little Miami Scenic Trail.  Awards will be presented to cyclists who complete the ride.

In the evening cyclists will be provided with passes to Kil-Kare Raceway, which is conveniently located off Creekside Trail. Ice cream sundaes sponsored by Young’s Jersey Dairy of Yellow Springs will also be served Friday evening at the Fairgrounds Recreation Center, Xenia.

Saturday begins with a ride along Creekside Trail to Riverscape in Dayton with potential side trips to Island and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks and other local attractions.  Cyclists can end the day at the annual banquet with Century Ride Awards, slide show and popular Bingo tournament.

The last day of the event on Sunday offers the historical self-guided tour on the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Yellow Springs. All cyclists will receive a flyer detailing the historical landmarks along the trail.

Other amenities include naturalist-led hikes to the Wright Patterson AFB Museum or Wright Brothers Memorial Park; chair massages on-site for a small fee; bike repair on-site with K & G Bike Center; and commemorative event jerseys available for purchase.

Lodging options for out-of-town cyclists include camping on-site or at the Greene County Fairgrounds, as well as numerous bed-and-breakfast operations and local hotels.

Cyclists ride at their own pace and desired miles. Specific routes are supported for rider convenience and safety, including rest stops supplied with snacks and beverages. If purchases are made by cyclists while on the trail, Greene County Parks & Trails support teams will pick up and deliver the items.

Routes include on-trail, out-and-back trips, as well as extended rides on rural routes for designated days.  The broad network of trails provides an exceptional cycling experience, while alternate routes offer a unique experience for the more adventurous cyclist.

Registration includes campsite, SAG, fully-supported rest stops, purchase pick-up, breakfast daily and all evening entertainment including meal on Thursday and Saturday night (if registered for Thursday and Saturday).  There will be an additional $20 fee for registrations postmarked after July 6, 2012.

                        Adults                        Children (ages 5-12)
4-Day              $140.00                       $70.00
3-Day              $110.00                       $60.00
2-Day              $90.00                         $50.00
1-Day              $75.00                         $45.00
Non-riders     $70.00                         $45.00

*Greene County Residents $20.00/day adult      $5.00/day children

*Reduced Greene County Resident Rate includes all SAG, Rest Stops, Purchase Pick Up, Century Ride Award, Tent Camping and Breakfast.  Additional costs may include $10 per evening for entertainment; T-shirt, $15; and GTCC Jersey, $65.

A brochure and registration form is available on the website at www.gcparkstrails.com,
call 937-562-6440 or email rgregory@co.greene.oh.us.  Join the conversation on Facebook at Greene County Parks.