So I’m headed off on my annual baseball roadtrip with my dad in the coming weeks. This year, we’ve selected Cincinnati.
A couple of questions, as I know there’s a decent-sized Cincinnati group on the board:
-I’d like to take advantage of our strong Canadian dollar now: any good tri shops you might recommend?
-Won’t have my bike, but will definitely bring the runners; any running routes that are a must-do?
-Where’s the ballpark? Is it downtown or on the outskirts?
-Any hotels you recommend, ideally near the ballpark or a good running route?
Matt, I moved to Cinci 2+ years ago and previously went to school in the area. To answer your questions:
1)The best tri-shop in the area is Wheelie-Fun Multisport. Bob, Dave, and the rest of the staff will treat you right and they know their stuff. The shop is located in Lebanon, OH and you can get directions from their website (http://www.wheeliefun.com/).
2)With the temps has hot as they have been, shaded running routes are recommended. I’m limited on the number of running routes I know because most of my runs are done at lunch around my work campus out in the burbs. I would recommend running on the Little Miami paved bike trail because you’ll be in the shade 95% of the time. There are some offroad trails in the area (Ceasar Creek state park, possibly East Fork state park, maybe some others…I need someone else in the area to comment on that).
3)Ballpark is downtown, right on the river
4)I do not have any hotel recommendations, sorry.
Enjoy the trip. Eat some Montgomery Inn ribs and/or Skyline Chili and play some corn-hole while you’re in town (I still don’t know why corn-hole is so popular in this city).
Mt Adams has some interesting hills if you want that, and it is close to downtown. take some fluids though, as it’s downright dangerously hot and humid right now.
the ballpark is downtown; on the river.
my favorite hotel is The Cincinnatian, but across the bridge in KY might be more affordable but also nice options. call The Cincinnatian though, as you might get a good deal, and it’s a great place with alot of interesting design and history. Plus there is The Cricket and you can relax with a beer at night and it’s a good scene (slightly older, but i dig it nonetheless).
wheelie fun will be far for you if you’re staying downtown. so i recommend a run shop called Meters and Miles, that is in Northern Kentucky right in the heart of many exciting things in Newport. Additionally there is a swim shop there in NKY but i cannot recall the name of it! Campus Cyclery is my home bike shop, and while it is mostly roadie with some tri, it is close to downtown–actually it is just uptown near University of Cincinnati in Clifton Heights.
Cincinnati can be confusing in terms of streets and where to go, so i was trying to advice you for as little driving as possible. but if you don’t mind the driving, wheelie fun will be pretty much your sole source for triathlon.
Oh, and if you like beer and stuff, The Hoffbrau Haus in Newport is a ton of fun–and really freaking good too.
Wheelie Fun (great shop) is about 40 mins north of downtown - a bit far. Running routes: I’d head east and north into Mt. Adams and run around there. GREAT views of city from about 600 feet up with some shaded streets. You WILL get lost though, so be prepared.
I also like the Cincinnatian hotel - very nice. Playing the Padres I think, right?
Have a great time! I also highly recommend the Hoffbrau Haus in Newport on the Levee - real German Oompa music with huge steins of beer and people dancing on tables (Cincy is a real German city).
Lebanon is at least 40 miles away. that is why i recommended the other shops.
as for routes, you can run on the river. there is a trail that starts out of the Montgomery Inn Boat house, and runs alongside the river, it is interesting and safe.
Also, you can run across the Purple People Bridge into Northern Kentucky, and cross over the mounded levy and run alonside the river and back.
plus Mt Adams as i already mentioned.
the biggest thing i can tell you is to take hydration. mt adams is especially easy to get lost–even locals will tell you this–and it’s super hilly so you will be exerting yourself.
the last reco i have for you is to look up Flying Pig marathon, and you can get the route and run part of that course…obviously, you can get as much mileage in as you want this way.
Really excellent advice guys. The Cincinatian it is, along with Campus Cyclery, Mt. Adams/the river for running, and Hoffbraus Haus for dinner. Any recommendations on a good barbeque joint?
Can’t tell you how much I appreciate the advice. As for getting lost while driving, good thing my dad’s car has Navi.
BBQ - you MUST go to the Montgomery Inn (boathouse). It is just about 1 mile away down Pete Rose Way just east of the stadium. Anyone you ask will know where it is. AWESOME ribs.
You MUST go to Graeters if you like ice cream. I grew up on it, and miss it terribly now that I don’t live there anymore. It is THE BEST ice cream anywhere!