OVERNIGHT HOSTS
Three communities will roll out the red carpet for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure as host towns, welcoming riders with access to food, family-friendly entertainment and special events. Watch each town’s page on this website for information about the activities and attractions as details become available. Any fees for food, events and attractions are not included with GOBA registration and are at riders’ expense. Here’s a brief look at the host communities:
SIDNEY: A downtown arts festival and kickoff party are planned for Saturday, June 18, as riders arrive for their two-night stay at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. Pick up your registration packet, then grab a bite to eat — in camp, at the party, or at one of the downtown restaurants. Take a self-guided tour around the historic courthouse square, and see other architectural jewels downtown. Get a good night’s sleep, then get ready to GOBA!
WAPAKONETA: Of course, any landing in Neil Armstrong’s hometown must include a visit to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, designed to resemble a futuristic moon base. But there’s lots more to see and do. The historic downtown along the banks of the Auglaize River includes a mammoth 1894 courthouse and a charming theater, built in 1904, that shows first-run movies. Nestled in a neighborhood east of downtown is the Temple of Tolerance, a backyard display of massive rocks and artifacts to create a place of quiet reflection. Beat the heat at the sprawling Wapakoneta Waterpark or indoors at one of the nation’s most active YMCAs.
TROY: This vibrant community about 20 miles north of Dayton will offer plenty to keep GOBA riders busy during their three-night stay. As on previous visits, GOBA will be camped in shady City Park along the Great Miami River, near downtown and across the street from Hobart Arena and the city waterpark. A short ride from camp, downtown Troy is bustling with restaurants and shops, while trails and parks along the river offer quieter diversions. Troy has a rich aviation history of its own, including WACO, a company that was the nation’s largest manufacturer of civil aircraft in the 1920s and 1930s. The WACO Air Museum features these vintage aircraft, and guests can ride in one of the biplanes.