Don’t want to camp? Check out these options …

Keep in mind – This region of Ohio we’re visiting for the 1st time in 34 years presents some challenges for those seeking hotel options. GOBA is first & foremost a tent (& floor camping) tour.

To mitigate the distance challenges on four nights, we’re offering/testing an on-site “Snooze Box” which has serviced other bike tours.  

HOTELS AND OTHER OFF-SITE LODGING

GOBA riders are welcome to take advantage of alternative lodging options, such as hotels and B&Bs in our host communities, at your own expense.

Any costs associated with such options are not included in your GOBA registration.

In addition to doing a hotel search in the Internet, we highly recommend you contact each of the local visitors bureaus for the latest on lodging availability, including B&Bs. Be sure to ask them the distance to the campground. We make no claims about the quality of these establishments. Most rooms are gone by early spring, even earlier in towns with very limited beds. We suggest you ask for written confirmation or a confirmation number and reconfirm these reservations before the tour.

You must make your own reservations and your own arrangements to get to and from these properties; GOBA will deliver your baggage in large luggage trucks to the designated campgrounds, but not beyond. Be sure to mention to the motel that you are with GOBA. You may ask these motels if they have a baggage shuttle service available. Or consider using Uber or Lyft services.

In order to get their necessities to their motel or other lodging, many riders bring a small pannier or backpack. Each day, they take just what they will need for the night from their larger bag and leave this bag in the campgrounds with a friend. They then can ride to their motel with a light load. In the morning, they ride with the pannier back to camp and load the overnight things back in the larger bag, put it on the truck, and are ready to go.

Hotels and other lodging are not necessarily on the free bus shuttle route in overnight communities, and the free buses DO NOT transport bikes.


HOTEL DISCOUNTS FOR GOBA 34 RIDERS

Several hotels in the GOBA overnight towns are offering discounts to riders, and more are expected to now that the towns have been announced. Use the web link or call the hotel directly and ask for the GOBA discount. Most properties limit the number of rooms available for the discount and have a reservation deadline. GOBA and the town committees have arranged the following discounts (prices do not include taxes). Click on the hotel name for a link to its website, or click on the reservation link in the description to go to an online form in which the discount and/or group codes are already entered.

*** Be sure to check this page regularly as more hotels are added ***

JEFFERSON

The closest hotels are 7 miles away at the Austinburg/I-90 Interchange. Holiday Inn Express – Geneva/Ashtabula is our partner hotel and is holding a block of rooms at $139+/night for GOBA riders. Use this registration link  and the Group Code = GOB

1831 Austinburg Rd., Austinburg, OH  1-440-2752020

You’ll also see 5-6 other hotel options at the same interchange; availability may be limited. Check the Ashtabula County Visitor’s Bureau for all options.

WILLOUGHBY

Four Points by Sheraton Cleveland-Eastlake is the GOBA partner hotel. It’s a 2-3 bike-friendly miles from GOBA camp

35000 Curtis Boulevard Eastlake, Ohio 44095

Use this registration link for a special group rate of $119+  Rooms must be reserved no later than Friday, June 9, 2023.

The Red Roof Inn Mentor/Willoughby is approximately 2-3 miles away and a good alternative. More options available via the Lake County Visitors Bureau.

KENT

Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center is the GOBA partner hotel. It is in the heart of downtown Kent and a 10 minute walk from GOBA camp.

215 S. Depeyster Street, Kent, OH

To reserve rooms at the special group rate of $129+, call 330.346.0100 or visit the website at www.KentStateHotel.com – use the group code GOBA23.

The closest alternative lodging can be found approximately 4 miles south at the Brimfield/I-76 Interchange. More options available on this list.

BURTON

The ONLY hotel lodging in Geauga County is the Punderson Manor Lodge and Cabins at Punderson State Park which is 5.5 miles from the GOBA camp. Accomodations range from standard rooms at $200 to cabins (which sleep 4-6) for $295/$315.

To reserve space, you’ll need to call the reservation line at 440-564-9144 and reserve a room using the group name – Outdoor Pursuits – GOBA Bike Ride.

For additional B&B possibilities, find a list at the Geauga County Visitors Bureau here.

AIRBNB & VRBO – Many cyclists are using Airbnb and VRBO to book rooms and spaces from local community hosts. Be aware that these properties are not commercial and will not offer shuttles or transports to/from the GOBAville luggage trucks. If you choose this option, consider the logistics mentioned above to shuttle via Uber or Lyft and/or to transport essential needs via backpack or pannier on your bicycle. Airbnb link here. VRBO link here

 

ON-SITE SNOOZE BOX

Check this out!!!!

Snooze Box provides unique and convenient accommodations for overnight events. They’ve serviced and sold out their beds for many major week-long tours – RAGBRAI, BRAG, and others.

Their hotel trailer offers 5 spacious 8’x10’ rooms each equipped with 3 beds, couch, and optional trundle for extra sleeping space. With the capacity to sleep up to 5 people in each room, the Snooze Box is perfect for friends, couples, or families. The trailer is furnished and equipped with the amenities you need to be comfortable. And, the week-long rental arrangement allows you to stay “unpacked” in your room all week! Now that’s convenient!

Check out the pictures & specs for the Snooze Box on their website. Choose “Events we Service / GOBA” and make your reservation via their site soon!

FLOOR SLEEPING

(Updated at 2/4/23)

Indoor floor sleeping is now available for purchase in all four GOBA overnight towns. You can register in the add-ons section of the registration page.

JEFFERSON: Concrete floor space in two auxiliary fair buildings at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. No air conditioning but good airflow via large barn doors on both ends. Limit 75  $10/night = $30.

If indoor space (air conditioned) becomes available in downtown Jefferson, we’ll post it for sale, and applicable cost, by 2/6/2023.

WILLOUGHBY: We have confirmed availability at the Willoughby United Methodist Church at $20 per person. The church is 1 block from the GOBA camp.  Limit 150 riders.

KENT: Indoor floor space will be in the ballroom/conference room of the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center. This facility is in the heart of the downtown area within a 10-minute walk from GOBA camp. Lock in your two-night package for $40. Limit 75 spaces.

BURTON: Floor space in an air-conditioned auxiliary building at the Geauga County Fairgrounds. Limit 60. Additional space w/out air conditioning is available and will be activated at a reduced fee if the above sells out.

Stringent fire regulations limit the number of spaces facilities can offer. All space is first come, first served. Walk-up registration may not be offered in some locations. Local nonprofit groups secure the facilities, and the fee you pay goes entirely to them, minus a credit-card processing charge.