Gravel Grinding 101

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Ross County, OH, US

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Route Overview

Ohio Gravel Grinders

Crushing Gravel Across the Great State of Ohio

33 mi.

2,804 ft.

Scioto Trail State Park offers scenic views, gravel roads, and plenty of hills to climb. Don't worry if you're a beginner - you're never be too far from the starting point. Take a shortcut back to the car or extend the fun a few more miles. This ride has options!

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Route Details

Scioto Trail State Park is one of Ohio Gravel Grinders favorite locations. This park offers scenic views, lots of gravel, and long gradual climbs. If you're new to gravel rides, or simply out of shape from winter, this is a great place to start!

The park is located 15 minutes south of Chillicothe on OH-104/US-23. Enter the park; follow OH-732/Stoney Creek Rd up and over before making your way down to the valley. @poi[Ample parking is available](2675728) at Stewart Lake. A shelter house and pit toilets are available year round.

## Route
* Not much time to warm up.... Rubber meets gravel in less than 1 mile. This just so happens to be the @slice[steepest climb](d,1056.88,2728.45) of the day. You're welcome!
* Now that your heartrate is up, the next few gravel miles should be a breeze! You'll be racing along the ridgetops and before you know it you've descended back down to the valley floor.
* Time to spinout on the tarmac! Ugh, I know. But this is Ohio, finding gravel **and** hills together isn't easy. If you've ever ridden [TOSRV](www.tosrv.org/) you might recognize this @slice[part of the route](d,10844.2,13123).
* The next 6 miles are *all gravel*. Yay! It starts with @slice[a gradual climb](d,13123.49,16038.61) that gains 440 ft. over 2 miles. This is followed by another 4 miles of beautiful ridgetop riding!
* Don't let @point[this intersection](d,22599.11) confuse you. Take a left and follow the tarmac for a @slice[buttery smooth descent](d,22550.4,26390.87).
* What goes down must go up, right? It's time to pay for that sweet descent! Another @slice[tough climb](d,28715.34,30576.36) followed by more ridgetops riding.
* We're back at @point[that intersection](d,22599.11) again. Head **up** the hill on the tarmac this time.
* Starting from the @poi[fire tower](1072661) you will enjoy some fast descents and fairly easy climbs.
* Don't forget to stop at the @poi[scenic overlook](1072662) and take in the view of the valley below.
* This @slice[last section](d,46141.27,50988.95) has you climbing past Caldwell Lake before reaching the firetower for the second time. It's all downhill from here so there's no excuse for not climbing the fire tower this time!

## Shortcut Options
Everyone needs somewhere to start. And everyone has bad days on the bike. The design of this route gives you options to shave off mileage where it suits you. There is no shame in taking a shortcut. *We've all done it!* 
* @point[Mile 5.6](d,8983.56) - Take a quick left and you're back at the car in no time.
* @point[Mile 14.1](d,22724.31) - Turn right on George Hollow Road to bypass the bottom loop.
* @point[Mile 22.3](d,35809.35) - Turn right and enjoy the pedal free ride to the bottom.
* @point[Mile 28.8](d,46315.59) - Just keep going straight and you'll be done in less than 1 mile.

## Routes Variations
Ohio Gravel Grinders ride at Scioto Trail State Park more than any other location. We've ridden every road forwards and backwards. Here are some of our route variations. But don't be afraid to make your own!
* [GVL_SciotoTr1](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4116652)
* [GVL_SciotoTr2](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3772979)
* [GVL_SciotoTr3](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6576323)
* [GVL_SciotoTr4](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7367739)
* [GVL_SciotoTr5](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/14869760)

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Gravel Grinding 101

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