Well maintained, easy ride.

I parked at the train station in Trotwood and rode north west to the end of the trail in Verona and back. Trail is in good condition with places to take a break. The trail goes through the country and is very scenic. If you’re looking for a nice easy enjoyable ride this is it.

This is a trail of considerable contrast. The central part of the current trail encircles Austin Landing, a mixed-use retail district that includes retail stores, restaurants, motels, office buildings and contemporary apartments. There is lots of traffic in and around this mall as commuters enter and exit Interstate 75 at adjoining Exit 41. The trail along Austin Pike (or Boulevard, in front of the Mall) is very busy. At each intersection between trail and roadways there are crossing buttons at the crosswalks. However, with the exception of the crossing at the intersection with Springboro Pike none of these buttons work. You’ll just have to wait for the automated timing for the crosswalk signals to activate in order to cross these streets and highway ramps. My suggestion is to avoid riding along Austin Boulevard as much as possible by riding the portion of the trail that loops around Austin Landing.

There is much less traffic as you move toward either the current eastern or western end of the trail. To the east you will ride around the Miamisburg Soccer Association soccer fields and then through the Medlar Conservation Area. The conservation area is a preserve of over 400 acres that contains mature woods, fields, shrub-scrub habitat and wetlands that protects some of the last quality open space in southern Montgomery County. When you enter the Medlar Conservation Area after coming from Austin Landing it’s like you are in an entirely different world. The trail meanders through this preserve as it makes its way toward the Great Miami River Trail on the eastern bank of the Great Miami River. Once you enter the Medlar you will quickly become aware that you are dropping in elevation. That's not so bad if you are only traveling westward, but challenging if you know you will have to climb back out to return to your start. Fortunately, the planners of this trail put in enough switchbacks into this portion of the trail to make the climb reasonable for most adult riders. Young children would find this climb difficult.

The trail east of Austin Landing runs for about 2 miles along Austin Boulevard/Pike. This portion of the trail is less developed and mostly residential. It passes by Dayton Wright Brothers Airport, a small public civil aviation airport, and ends near Robert F. Mays Park in Washington Township, Ohio. This trail is intended to connect the Great Miami River Trail with the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The trail will be extended further east into either Greene or Warren County depending on the route selected to connect it to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. When this connection between the two river trails will be completed is unknown at this time.

I rode 3.3 out-and-back miles on the Pickaway Trail near Circleville, Ohio on August 26th. This rail trail currently is listed at 2.5 miles in length but not all of it is paved. I started at the Canal Road trailhead and headed west. When I reached Ohio-104 the paved trail ended but a sign on the other side of the road stated that the trail beyond this point was under development. It looked like a gravel driveway so I decided to cross and check out the current level of development. Well, the driveway turned out to be exactly that and as it curved to the right it became obvious that the grassy opening straight ahead was what was the undeveloped trail. The trail map on TrailLink.com shows the trail continuing westward until it reaches Sisk Road. While I was curious what more I would find if I continued, the sound of thunder told me to call it quits and get back to the car. The paved trail appears to be brand new — a very smooth ride. The trail is arrow-straight throughout its current length. The trail runs through corn and soybean fields and is tree lined in parts and wide open when running through the farm fields. My one complaint has to do with the positioning of the bollards to keep motorized vehicles off of the trail. I feel that the spacing between posts is a bit narrow and could be hazardous to cyclists who may not be paying attention.

I ride the southern segments regularly. A good mix of small towns, urban, and scenic areas. The section along the canal to Rentchler forest is one of my favorites. Hopefully, construction on the Third Street Bridge in downtown Dayton will be finished soon, as the trail is closed on both sides of the river.

Did a 50 mile out and back from trailhead start off highway 32. I’d say 80% in the shade even in the heat of the day. A few places to get water. Lots of places to eat right off the trail. Pretty easy to ride hard, not a lot of traffic. I’m not a big trail rider but this one is pretty good.

The Jim Simmons Memorial Trail in Marysville, Ohio is a recreational greenway that traverses park land along Mill Creek which connects to different streets in a large residential area of the city. It also connects the neighborhood with Marysville High School. There is a large bridge that crosses over US-36 that enables students to access the Marysville High School campus. This local paved recreational/commuter trail is in very good shape. If I were a Marysville resident I would like to see this route extended just a bit further east along Mill Creek from Schwartzkopf Park in order to connect to McCarthy Park. The Marysville Disc Golf Course is found in Mill Valley Park. Look for disc golf "holes" on both sides of the trail in that area.. Also look for the bald eagles' nest around mile marker 2.75.

This trail is very nice for a local recreational/commuting trail, and although it is not a rail trail, it is a trail that would be worthwhile checking out if you are in the Marysville area.

My wife and I did the section from Middletown to Miamisburg today. Parked at Carmody Road lot and traveled to downtown Miamisburg. Total time was 5 hours, however this includes a lunch break, sightseeing in Miamisburg and a historic log cabin. Scenic and well maintained we highly recommend this trail! Plenty to discover and enjoy!

I love this trail, but it is inundated with ATVs and dirt bikes. I’ve stopped walking it because it. Almost been hit several times now.