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The Birthplace of Aviation

Visian

look out!!!
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The Wright Brothers lived, worked and rode (bicycles) in Ohio, and in recognition of that, the National Aviation Heritage Area has recently been created in Western Ohio, not far from the Rally. There was a law passed to assist aviation-related organizations in an eight-county area in West Central Ohio preserve historic buildings, promote tourism, and develop educational and cultural programs.

The National Park Service's Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park features The Wright Cycle Company Complex and the Huffman Prarie Flying Field.

Near the same area is Carillon Park which houses a 65-acre outdoor museum with 24 exhibit buildings, one of which houses the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world's first practical airplane. There is a great web site that presents just about everything you'd ever want to know about the Wright Brothers.

As mentioned in a previous post Old Salt pointed out that the National Museum of the US Air Force is located in Datyon, just 80 miles south of the Rally. There is a great brochure online that shows you what can be seen.

The guy who took "one small step for man, one giant step for mankind" lived in Wapakoneta, Ohio. They named the Armstrong Air & Space Museum after Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. It's just 16 miles away from the Rally.

Does anyone know of some good roads to ride to these areas? It'd be cool to outline them and create some ride descriptions and GPS routes for those planning to visit.

Thanks!

Ian
 
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For the Air Force Museum (which is absolutely one of the best destinations for Rally-goers), I suggest taking 117 from the fairgrounds to Rt 33, then at Bellefontaine, take 68 south all the way to Yellow Springs Ohio (cool town, check out John Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge, and the funky downtown eateries and shops), then Dayton/Yellow Springs Rd southwest into the Wright-Patterson/Museum area.
Lots of nice stops on 68; Bellefontaine, West Liberty, Urbana, Cedar Bog, etc.You are following the Mad River valley on this route.
 
Mike, dont forget Young's dairy that is just north of Yellow Springs on 68. They have some awesome ice cream.
 
There are some nice country roads around Xenia. I have a buddy who worked for Greene county on their road crew. I'll ask him for some route suggestions.
 
lorazepam said:
Mike, dont forget Young's dairy that is just north of Yellow Springs on 68. They have some awesome ice cream.
Yeah, that was always a "must stop", especially with kids on board. Great place for "eye-keem".

The Winds Cafe' used to be in Yellow Springs, not sure if it still is or not. Lunch stop.
 
lorazepam said:
Mike, dont forget Young's dairy that is just north of Yellow Springs on 68. They have some awesome ice cream.

ice cream. awesome ice cream - now that is something worth riding for!
 
Mike_In_Lima said:
...I suggest taking 117 from the fairgrounds to Rt 33, then at Bellefontaine, take 68 south all the way to Yellow Springs Ohio (cool town, check out John Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge, and the funky downtown eateries and shops), then Dayton/Yellow Springs Rd southwest into the Wright-Patterson/Museum area.
Lots of nice stops on 68; Bellefontaine, West Liberty, Urbana, Cedar Bog, etc.You are following the Mad River valley on this route.

Thanks Mike. I plotted your route in Mapsource.... you can download a route file here. (Note the Ice Cream waypoint!)

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And... there are more than a couple of Round Barns in the area, too.

Ian
 
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