If I was traveling other areas - say
through WV - yes I'd gear myself a bit differently.
My plan is to ride the perimeter of the state of Ohio - so the only hilly sections would be along the OH/PA line from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, and from the Ohio River valley in Cincy up to the Dayton area. Everthing else is flat-flat-flat! Flat along the Lake Erie shoreline, flat following the Ohio River from East Liverpool all the way to Cincy, and flat from Dayton on north along the OH/IN border.
Another of my 'bucket rides' is the GAP and C&O from Pittsburgh to D.C., but that is also following railbeds for the most part - flat again!
"A man has got to know his limitations!"
