The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure is an annual eight-day journey of fun and discovery for up to 1,500 riders of all ages.
The 35th annual edition is June 15-22, 2024
GOBA is a tour, not a race. Most riders find plenty of time during the day for sightseeing, snoozing on the grass and enjoying food along well-marked routes that have mechanical and medical support. Riding distances between host towns average about 50 miles per day, with sanctioned cutoffs that reduce the routes to about 20-40 miles. The tour makes a large loop, with cyclists riding as few as 159 miles or as many as about 400 miles during the week, depending on which optional routes and cutoffs they choose. The tour finishes in the starting town, where riders’ cars have spent the week parked in a secured lot.
During overnight stays and layover days, our host towns entertain us with family-friendly activities in camp, and some provide shuttle buses to events, attractions, eateries and services in the community. For those who want to pedal, optional bike rides are offered on layover days, including a 100-mile “century” challenge.
GOBA is primarily a camping tour; overnight tent camping is included with the registration fee. Each rider brings a large bag containing their tent, sleeping bag, clothing and other gear. Luggage trucks transport the bags to the next “GOBAville” — usually at a school, college, fairgrounds or park — where the amenities include shower trucks and indoor activity space. A GOBA vendor sells optional tent, towel and chair services, and GOBA sells car-camper passes. Indoor accommodations — such as hotels, dorm rooms and gym floors — often are available in the host towns, but riders must make their own arrangements. Watch goba.com for information.
A highlight of GOBA is the delicious and reasonably priced food that’s sold along the routes and in the overnight host towns by civic, social and church groups as a fundraiser. Many restaurants also are eager to serve GOBA riders and may offer discounts.
Follow these links to learn more about GOBA:
