By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Cyclists filled Bucyrus Friday as the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure made its final stop for the 2014 GOBA event at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.
In its twenty-sixth year with alternating routes each year, the 2014 GOBA selected Bucyrus as the final overnight destination before finishing the 2014 GOBA route in Mansfield Saturday.
The fairgrounds looked more akin to a campground as 1,500 to 2,000 cyclists from all over Ohio as well as out of state participated in the 2014 GOBA event.
Colin Cech from Alexandria Virginia rode the in the GOBA event with his father.
“My dad has gone to the GOBA twice before. The first two times I was in school for finals, and I kept hearing about it so I had to come this year.” Cech said.
“I enjoy the group of people from all over the country getting together and just go biking together. It is just amazing to me,” Cech continued.
Now living out of state, brother and sister Pat O’Brian and Kathey Jackson returned to the Ohio for the event which included Bucyrus as a destination point for the first time since 1992.
Jackson, who currently lives in Dover, Delaware, was a Wynford Graduate participated in the first GOBA event in 1989 with her mother.
“We saw where GOBA was going, he was born in Mount Vernon, my first job was in Coshocton, and we both graduated from high school from here, so we said this is the one,” Jackson said.
O’Brian, a graduate of Bucyrus, made the trek back to Ohio from Washington D.C. said he enjoyed the people along the ride.
“It’s like a 2,000 person party for 350 miles,” O’Brian Said.
Riders had to brave rainy conditions in the early afternoon of the Bucyrus leg of the 2014 GOBA, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves along the way.
“The spiritual element just builds everyday as you are exposed to this beautiful Ohio countryside hour after hour mile after mile.” Steubenville, Ohio resident Beth Miravalle said.
After reaching the fairgrounds many cyclists descended to downtown Bucyrus with shuttles running between the fairgrounds, and downtown Bucyrus.
The Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce set up a booth in the Merchants Building of the fairgrounds to help out of town participants in the GOBA find their way around the Bucyrus area.
“We currently have shuttle buses running constantly between the fairgrounds and downtown, and everyone seems to be having a great time,” Bucyrus Visitors and Tourism Bureau Director Barb Glowaski said.
While some cyclists chose to visit Bucyrus’ establishments some riders elected to eat at the food court at the fairgrounds. The annual GOBA concert and song contest went from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and cover band Cherry Blonde provided entertainment from 7:30- 9:30 p.m.
At the fairgrounds GOBA offered many amenities to the riders including a massage therapy tent. In its twenty-fourth year with GOBA, Licensed Massage Therapists from all over the state helped riders ease cramps or tightness in joints and muscles.
“I was a member of the National Massage Team working sporting events when my name was given to Tom Barlow from GOBA,” Massage Therapist Evonne Herkert said.
“Some of the riders may have pushed themselves too hard come to the tent, and the next morning when they wake up the riders will feel rejuvenated,” Herkert Continued.
GOBA Cyclists will begin to depart Bucyrus for the final destination of Mansfield between 5:30 and 9 a.m. today. Prior to leaving cyclists as well as the public are invited to Chris Lakes’ all you can eat pancake breakfast.
For a photo gallery of GOBA’s visit to the Crawford County Fairgrounds visit the photos section of crawfordcountynow.com