Biking Picnic on the NCR Trail

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Let's start summer right with a relaxing social ride through Gunpowder Falls State Park on the North Central Railroad Trail just north of Baltimore. Scroll down for some good trail photos and all the details.

The NCR Trail is a lovely pastoral gem passing through a canopy of trees framed by rock formations, woodlands, farms, and the adjacent Gunpowder River. The trail runs almost flat along the river in Maryland for 20 miles, and then continues for another 20 miles over the Mason-Dixon line all the way to York, PA. It's beautiful and interesting the whole way, and is richly green and shaded in summer months.

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The NCR Trail isn't just thick with natural beauty, but with hsitory as well. The trail features historic train whistle markers and the remnants of small towns that were once rail stops for local farms shipping their produce to Baltimore. Abraham Lincoln rode an NCR train past Ashland on his way to giving the Gettysburg Address. And later, a train transported the deceased president's body back to Illinois on the same route after his assassination.

Bike riders get a nice feel of connecting with nature and history as the NCR trail takes us on a journey through an inspiring natural environment back to another time while watching as life continues along the trail today. Very cool...

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THE RIDE

Our ride will start at the Paper Mill Rd. parking area on the NCR trail and proceed 11.5 miles to the only falls. It's not Niagara Falls, but it works! Along the way, we'll pass some interesting rail crossroads towns and the "New Wishing Well" with its small mountain of of frogs and fairy creatures, as well as cold drinks and snacks.

The total ride length is 23 miles. This is an up and back ride, so nobody will be left stranded as we collect everyone on the way back. It's a recreational ride on a natural surface trail, so the ride pace will be approximately 10-11 mph, which is normal for most people.

The NCR Trail has a smooth packed-stone surface best suited for hybrid or mountain bikes with wider tires. Leave your road bike with skinny tires at home. Casual riders can handle this ride, but you must be able to pedal for three hours with a few rest breaks. There are porta-potties along the way and real restrooms 6 miles from our starting point at Monkton.

HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDERS

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THE PICNIC

On the way back, we'll stop for a fun picnic at Monkton which has picnic tables, restrooms, and a nice garden area. Plan to pack your picnic goodies and refreshments to take along on your bike. There is a store in Monkton selling veggie sandwiches and drinks if you need them, but it often requires a wait. So bring something tasty to eat with a refreshing drink while socializing with your Second Half Rally compatriots. Our picnics at past events have been awesome because there are no rules. People just bring what they want, and there's always plenty to go around. Please be discreet with your beverages as this is a public park.

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Driving Directions

From the Washington Beltway, take I-95N to I-695N (Exit 49B - Baltimore Beltway) to I-83N (Exit 24) going toward York. Take Exit 20A from I-83 going right on Shawan Rd. for one mile to York Rd. (MD Rt. 45). Then right on York Rd. to first traffic light at Ashland Rd. Turn left on Ashland Rd. and follow it less than one mile, bearing left as it becomes Paper Mill Rd. The Paper Mill Rd. parking area is located on the left as soon as you cross the NCR Trail (white lines on road) after the bike shop on the right. Check Google maps to zoom in, get a street view, and see how the roads work to get you there.

As this an outdoor event, we need good biking weather for it to succeed. I'll post an update here on Sunday morning before 10 am if we need to cancel or change plans. Call Jake at 703-798-8435 with any questions.

Hope to see you there!

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