Spring is finally springing up all over! If you want to enjoy some outdoor time and visit some historical places at the same time, you will love this event. You can go on a scenic bike ride that takes you through the old coal mining communities of southeast Ohio.

The Appalachian people of Southeast Ohio will benefit from your assistance. Little Cities of Black Diamonds promotes tourism, one of the last attempts to try to keep Southeast Ohio coal country alive, both educationally and financially for residents.

The bike tour begins and ends at Eclipse Company Town near Athens, Ohio during the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Appalachian Spring Festival on Saturday, May 12, 2007.

Ride 1 (Leave 8AM)
45-mile loop ride will take bicyclists on the Hock-Hocking Bike Path to Nelsonville then into the hills to Carbon Hill, Greendale, New Straitsville, Murray City and Buchtel.

Ride 2 (Leave 9AM)
32-mile loop ride will follow the same route to Carbon Hill but return via Buchtel.

Ride 3 (Leave 10AM)
19-mile ride from Eclipse to Hocking College and return on the bike path.

Basic registration is $20 and includes trail map, Little Cities of the Forest poster and lunch at Appalachian Spring Fest. A $30 registration also includes a Little Cities of the Forest t-shirt. To register or for more info contact Bob Eichenberg at bobeichenberg@yahoo.com or the Little Cities Council Office toll free at 866-394-3011 or email lcbd@ohiohills.com.

For More Information Visit http://www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org/