Ohio’s largest bicycle tour will bring more than 1,000 riders through North Central Ohio this summer.
The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure begins June 20 in Norwalk and, after seven days of riding about 400 miles through Richland, Ashland, Wayne and Huron counties, ends June 27.
Key stops along the way will give riders the chance to explore Shelby, Wooster and Ashland, according to Aaron Stevenson, event director for Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, the parent organization for GOBA.
“Every year we change it up,” Stevenson said. “We go to a different location around Ohio and try to highlight some of those small towns that we’ll be coming through.”
‘Partnering with the Shelby Bicycle Museum’
GOBA 2026, the event’s 37th year, was designed to honor American 250, the 250th birthday of the United States.
“It is along the Ohio 250 Corridor and America 250 Ohio is our presenting sponsor this year,” Stevenson said. “We will be celebrating the nation’s birthday along the Ohio 250 Corridor.”
Participants will have time to ride around every neighborhood they visit throughout the week.
“These small towns in Ohio have some really great things going on,” Stevenson said. “We’re catching an incredible part of Ohio during this celebration. All these towns have something special going on to celebrate the 250th.”
The event’s stop in Richland County will be June 22 in Shelby, and will offer a history of the Shelby Bikes that were once manufactured by the Shelby Cycle Co.
“We will be camping at the Black Fork Commons Plaza in Shelby,” Stevenson said. “We’ll be partnering with the Shelby Bicycle Museum as well. They’ll have some bikes down there to display.”
‘A little bit slower pace’
Participants in the 2026 GOBA can choose to ride only a few days for 192 miles, all seven days “with short routes” totaling 310 miles, or the longest possible route extending to 419 miles.
“This is one of the most family-friendly touring bicycle options for folks,” Stevenson said.
Newcomers need not be overwhelmed by the prospect of riding with 1,000 other bikers.
“Most of the time these are not racers but bicycle enthusiasts and folks that enjoy bicycle touring,” Stevenson said. “It’s a little bit slower pace. Just take the time to enjoy the bike and those small towns.”
Motorists on Ohio 250 between peak hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 20-27 are asked to be on the lookout for GOBA riders.
“Share the road,” Stevenson said. “We will be as respectful as possible and use the shoulder … keep eyes open for our riders.”
To learn more, visit GOBA online at outdoor-pursuits.org/goba-2/.
Contact Zach Tuggle at 419-564-3508. Follow him on X at @zachtuggle.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure will take 1,000 riders on Ohio 250 tour
Reporting by Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
