MOUNT VERNON — Jerry Rampelt is tired of eating Clif Bars.

“It is 250 calories of stuff,” Rampelt said, shaking the wrapper. “Right there.”

Two days and over 150 miles of biking later, his distaste for energy bars comes as no surprise.

Rampelt, executive director of the Ohio to Erie Trail, joined cyclists Erick Palmer and Nick Harpster on the Modern Day Christopher Columbus Adventure in Ohio bike trek.

“These guys are eating a ferocious amount of power bars and gel packs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and water. I’ve got it, I keep feeding them and they keep eating it,” said handler Len Fisher.

Partnered with Waste Management, the men will bike approximately 305 miles from Cincinnati to Cleveland in three days. The riders are hoping to raise awareness to the public about Ohio’s trail systems. During Tuesday afternoon’s stop in Mount Vernon, the trio was half- way done with the journey.

“The one thing about this ride, is, that their ages added together doesn’t equal mine,” said Rampelt, 61.

WiredViews, a Web application company, will capture the data of their trip through a GPS unit attached to Palmer’s bike. The images will be super imposed onto existing maps in order to create new ones that show the trek the bikers took. It will allow individuals who have an interest in biking on Ohio’s trails see what routes are available.

“The biggest thing to me is just awareness of the trail systems,” said Harpster. “It’s a hidden gem is what it is. If this entire trip would do nothing more than put it on the map for people to see where it is and how they have access to it, then it was 100 percent worthwhile. It’s a great way to enjoy an afternoon, whether you are taking a long trip or short trip. And they are beautiful, too.”

Earlier this year, WireViews project Manager Sandy Collins was discussing the Ohio/Erie Trail with her husband, Dan, director of industrial sales for Waste Management. Right away, Dan knew the perfect guy to ride the trails. He approached Palmer about the trip, who eagerly accepted.

“I’m pretty fortunate to work for a company like Waste Management and their dedication to volunteerism,” said Palmer.

“Where else do you go that lets you take three days off of work to ride a bicycle? And they give us cool gear; check us out,” he said, tugging on his uniform.

In 2006, Waste Management sponsored Palmer to climb Mount Rainier in Seattle, Wash.

“That was sweet, it was unbelievable. Three days long, on the side of a mountain, it was really cool. It was ironic how many Buckeyes were out there. Even the guides were from Ohio,” said Palmer.

Palmer, 31, a landfill manager for Waste Management, has been teaming up with Nick, 25, for endurance sports the past few years.

“Our No. 1 priority at Waste Management is safety, so I requested for Nick to go with me. He has done endurance races with me. He has seen me talk to bushes and pass out and vice versa, so it kind of helps,” said Palmer.

Upon completion, the Ohio/Erie Trail will be the longest paved trail in the United States. Kim Marshall, director of the Knox County Park District, is excited about the role Knox County plays in its development. The Kokosing Gap Trails are among the best known and scenic routes in the state of Ohio, and she is looking forward to the completion of the Heart of Ohio Trail in Centerburg, another important part of Knox County’s trail system.

“We are proud to assist both the Ohio Erie Trail Coalition and proud to know that we are such a critical linkage. We are pretty much the halfway point in the state on this incredible trail,” said Marshall.

Fisher is driving the support vehicle for the cyclists. A trailer hitched to the back of the car holds their bikes and equipment. Fisher drives ahead of the men in order to scout area routes, and assists them with any needs they may have. If the terrain calls for an uphill or rough climb, the team stops so it can change to “beefier” bikes, as the riders like to call them.

The trio stayed over night in Millersburg on Tuesday,and plan on arriving in Cleveland by this evening. This itinerary gives Rampelt plenty of opportunities for more Clif Bar breaks.

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