Pawpaws and pedals make a great combination, so this year’s festival features the Pawpaw Double Nickel, a 55-mile road bike ride through the hills at a really nice time of the year. Starting and ending at the festival, this ride will take you from Lake Snowden 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.

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.

The ride will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19. 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. Please note that there is also a vehicle-parking fee of $2.00 per day or a weekend pass for $3.00.

Helmets are required for all participants. There will be no rolling support so be self-sufficient (carry appropriate tools and water). For additional information about the ride, contact Peter Kotses at pete@athensbicycle.com.

via 2009 Ohio Pawpaw Festival.

Other rides that I might do are in this post.

The last organized ride I did was the MS 25 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, when I was around 14 years old.   I’m looking to get a few tours and charity rides in this year.  Here’s a list of a few bike tours that I’ve got my eye on.

• Tour de Forest. May 9, 2009.  45 miles
• Marietta River Rendezvous.  June 6 & 7.  120 miles
• Athens Quilt Barn Ride.  July 18, 2009. Various lengths.
• Pelotonia Bike Tour for Cancer.  August 28-30.  3 different routes.
• Sequatchie Valley Century.  Sometime in October (date not yet available on the website).  100 miles

For other rides in and around Ohio, take a look at the Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar.