Biking the Ohio River Way
Photo by: Volodymyr Golykov
While experiencing the Ohio River Way National Water Trail from the water itself is unparalleled, there’s more than one way to travel along the river. Recently, three avid cyclists: Volodymyr Golykov, Caitlin Sparks, and Braden Arestides, cycled from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Louisville, Kentucky, to mimic a section of the Ohio River Way Challenge by bike.
The two-day, three-state adventure followed the twists and turns of the river, winding through towns, restaurants, museums, and fog-draped mornings that make the route an unforgettable experience for cyclists.
Day 1: Start in Cincinnati
Cincinnati to Madison 99.5 miles
Coffee, Museums, Ferry Crossings, and Overnight Camping
The journey began at Roebling Books and Coffee in Covington, Kentucky, where caffeine fueled an early morning start. A few miles later, they crossed to Ohio aboard the historic Anderson Ferry, one of the oldest continuously operating ferries in the region, where a thick silver fog lingered above the river.
They followed the river’s rhythm westward, crossing into Indiana near Elizabethtown, OH, and passing through Greendale, IN’s charming downtown and the Lawrenceburg riverfront, where the view opened wide toward the water. From there, a shady riverside trail led them into Aurora, IN, then onward to Rising Sun, IN, for a classic lunch at the Main Street Diner, a family-owned local favorite.
In Vevay, IN, they took a well-deserved break to explore the Life on the Ohio River History Museum, home to a vast collection of river history. A long search led them to the hidden mural of Harlan and Anna Hubbard, the couple who famously lived simply along the Ohio River.
By evening, they reached Madison, IN, just as the Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art was packing up for the day. After dinner downtown, they climbed the steep, secret Hatcher Hill Trail under fading light to reach Clifty Falls State Park, where they camped overnight beneath the trees.
Day 2: Onward toward Louisville
Madison to Louisville 89.75 miles
Historic bridges, hidden trails, and scenic views
The next morning began with a quick, exhilarating descent back into Madison, IN, for breakfast at Analog Coffee & Records. As they crossed the Milton-Madison Bridge into KY, the river below was again shrouded in fog.
Following hidden side roads past the Trimble County Generating Station, they discovered one of the most scenic stretches of the entire trip—fresh pavement, cool shade, and winding river views. A stop in Westport, KY, provided a quiet riverside park complete with swings overlooking the water.
Photo by Caitlin Sparks
From there, the road climbed to La Grange, KY, where they grabbed lunch and explored a few local trails before looping back toward the river. The final miles carried them across the I-265 bridge, one of the only interstate crossings in the area with a dedicated bike trail, offering stunning views of the Louisville, KY, skyline from Jeffersonville, IN.
Reaching the end of their bike journey in Louisville, KY. Photo by Caitlin Sparks
A ride across the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge delivered them into downtown Louisville, where they capped off their 190-mile journey with dinner at Sicilian Pizza & Pasta.
Reflection on the Route
While Golykov says the route had its challenges, he stated, “In exchange, you get a lot of fun, entertainment, scenic views, and family-owned restaurants in historical towns along the Ohio River.”
“This trip was not about getting from point A to point B; it was about exploring everything in between and trying to visit as many points of interest as possible, learn about the river, see it from different angles, visit places it connects, and meet people who live there. Definitely the best format to travel.”
He adds, “Maybe next time we will give ourselves even more time to enjoy more places along the river. And unlike paddling the river, where you have only one road (the river itself), there can be almost infinite variations of the route for bikes, and every next ride can be different and feel like a completely new experience.”
Building the Future of Cycling Along the Ohio River
Recently, the Ohio River Way received funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop the Ohio River Trail Comprehensive Plan, a project that will create a safe, connected, and scenic cycling route linking river towns across Ohio’s southern border. The plan will serve as a roadmap for expanding cycling access, safety, and community connectivity along the river corridor, making journeys like this one possible for more riders in the future.