Bicycles roll into city

NORWALK — The Huron County Fairgrounds looked a little different Saturday morning. Instead of fair crowds, livestock shows or grandstand events, the grounds were filled with bicycles, helmets, tents, registration tables, food vendors and riders preparing for a week on the road. The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, also known as GOBA, rolled into Norwalk over the weekend as hundreds of cyclists arrived for the 2026 edition of the statewide bicycle tour. The ride, presented by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, runs June 20-27 and follows Ohio's U.S. 250 corridor, with host communities including Norwalk, Shelby, Wooster and Ashland. It is not a race; Rather, it's designed as a bicycle vacation, with riders moving from town to town, camping along the way and taking part in activities planned by host communities. Aaron Stevenson, events director for Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, said GOBA has been operating in Ohio for decades. "This is our 37th year of doing this, so we have a little experience," Stevenson said. Each year, GOBA moves to a different section of Ohio. This year's ride connects several north-central Ohio communities while tying into the America 250-Ohio Commission's celebration of the nation's upcoming 250th birthday. Stevenson said riders checked in Friday, with a community ride Saturday in partnership with Firelands Rails to Trails. The Saturday ride offered shorter options before the official first day of GOBA on Sunday. The fairgrounds served as a temporary home base for riders, many of whom camp during the tour. Volunteers helped with registration, vendors served food and drinks and cyclists moved throughout the grounds with traditional bicycles, recumbent bikes and other cycling setups. Stevenson said about 800 riders were expected for this year's event. Michael Kahrl, board president for Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, said he first took part in GOBA about 20 years ago and was drawn to the mix of bicycling, adventure and affordability. "What I loved about it was it was a lot of bicycling and adventure for vacation, for a great price," Kahrl said. Kahrl said the event also gives families a chance to spend time together in a setting that is different from a typical vacation. Children who come along often learn to handle more responsibility, from riding with a group to helping set up camp. "They learn to do a lot more stuff on their own," Kahrl said. He said some families begin bringing children at a young age, using trailer bikes and buggies before children are old enough to ride independently. "Usually by the time they are 12, they're on their own bike and they can do the whole thing," Kahrl said. Safety is also an important part of the culture around GOBA. Stevenson said riders are required to wear helmets, and visibility on the road is emphasized throughout the event. "We're here to share the road with the drivers," Stevenson said. "We're not here to cause any kind of disruption." At the fairgrounds, riders and visitors moved between registration, vendor areas and campsites throughout the morning. Some riders posed with their bikes. Others grabbed a coffee, checked maps or prepared for the day's ride. For Stevenson, GOBA brings people into Ohio communities and gives them a way to experience those towns from the seat of a bicycle. For Kahrl, the value is in the memories made along the way. "You can bring your whole family," Kahrl said.