As part of the MVW's community service work the Club participates in the Ohio Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program. Three times per year the Wheelmen are scheduled to pick-up trash along a two mile section of State Route 65. The scenic highway is not only Wood County's premier road for cycling, it is also the route the Club uses for the venerable Breakfast Rides. All members are kindly asked to help with this project that gives back to the regional community we all call home. Please assist in keeping this beautiful "River Road" litter free. Check the Events tab above for an up-coming trash pick-up date.
Trash pick-up takes about an hour to an hour-and-a-half depending how many members are available to help with the task and how much trash is along the roadway. All members are to meet at the parking lot of Fort Meigs, and then with a minimum number of vehicles, drive to the various trash pick-up start locations. To cover the two mile area in the most efficient and effective manner a minimum of eight people are needed for the chore. The Club employs the following procedure to canvass the territory.
1. The number of attendees are to be divided, as equally as possible, into four separate groups: One, Two, Three and Four. Each group is then responsible for a half mile segment of the road. Each half mile segment includes both sides of the roadway, and each group returns to the mile marker from which they started.
2. Group One drives to mile marker 8. This marker can be found east of the Bowling Green Water Treatment Plant, which is located at the corner of King Rd. and SR 65.
3. Groups Two and Three drive to mile marker 9. This marker can be found about one-quarter mile east of the intersection of SR 582 and SR 65.
4. Group Four drives to mile marker 10. This marker can be found just west of the intersection of Cross Creek Rd. and SR 65.
5. Group One begins the trash pick-up task by heading west on the east-bound side [non-river side] of the road.
6. Group Two begins the trash pick-up task by heading east on the west-bound side [river side] of the road.
7. Group Three begins the trash pick-up task by heading west on the east-bound side [non-river side] of the road.
8. Group Four begins the trash pick-up task by heading east on the west-bound side [river side] of the road.
9. When Group One meets Group Two Group One crosses over to the west-bound side [river side] of the road and heads east collecting trash until they return to their vehicle.
10. When Group Two meets Group One Group Two crosses over the east-bound side [non-river side] of the road and heads west collecting trash until they return to their vehicle.
11. When Group Three meets Group Four Group Three crosses over to the west-bound side [river side] of the road and heads east collecting trash until they return to their vehicle.
12. When Group Four meets Group Three Group Four crosses over to the east-bound side [non-river side] of the road and heads west collecting trash until they return to their vehicle.
13. After each group returns to their vehicle they then return to Fort Meigs. The Club then regroups and makes a late start for the Breakfast Ride.
The map below shows the two mile segment for which the Wheelmen are responsible. The Club's area of responsibility extends from mile marker 8 [which is located just east of the Bowling Green Water Treatment Plant] to mile marker 10 [which is located just west of Cross Creek Road]. ODOT signs mentioning MVW are located at each end of the section.