Car Less Ohio

Promoting the bicycling lifestyle in The Buckeye State

Monthly Archives: August 2006

Kelleys Island Bicycle Tour

I took a two-day mini-tour by bicycle from my home near Akron, up to Sandusky to catch the ferry over to Kelley’s Island. I borrowed a Yakima Big Tow cargo trailer from a co-worker, to see how I liked touring with a trailer compared to panniers. I had a delicious and inexpensive lunch of pancakes and a ham and cheese omelette at Gramma Joe’s restaurant in Vermillion.

After the 90-mile ride to Sandusky, I found that the ferry there was shut down due to high winds. The other ferry was an additional 45-mile ride away, around Sandusky Bay. I hitched a ride with a generous local stranger, who drove me directly across the bay on the freeway, where it was just another five-mile pedal to the ferry at Marblehead. I will remember to call ahead to check the ferry status next time…

Once finally on Kelleys Island, I set up my tent and showered at the state park campground, which was very nice. I had a cheeseburger for dinner at the Kelleys Island Brewery, then a couple drinks with a few locals at the Village Pump Bar.

The next morning, I had pancakes and strawberries for breakfast at Bag the Moon restaurant, which was again delicious, and surprisingly inexpensive. I had to take the ferry to Marblehead again, where I caught a ride with a nice woman named Cindy back to Sandusky, and then pedaled home.