E-biking on the beaches of Kent Island

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38660175
28 miles. Flat. Plenty of toilet stops. Picnic at Terrapin Nature Park, 10.6 miles into the trail.

This is the very first E-bike Lovers island ride! Specifically, we'll be biking the entirety of the Cross Island trail, which is a paved multi-use trail on Kent Island. The highlight of the ride is Terrapin Nature Park, where we'll take some packed earth trails straight down to the sand beach, which is open to the public, and has an incredible view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Wear shoes that are appropriate for walking in the sand!

Please find the routes listed below...

long version, 28 mi, 400 ft elevation gain, 0.1% sand, ~8% packed earth, ~5% gravel
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38660175

short version, 21 mi, 300 ft elevation gain, 0.1% sand, ~10% packed earth, ~6% gravel:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38660135

The routes are identical up until the very end, where the longer routes takes an additional loop out through the marshy flatlands in a more remote part of the island. The routes are extremely flat and will be appropriate for any type of bike and will not be taxing on your battery, assuming you walk your bike through the sand. The road to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (our parking location) is a short, well-maintained gravel lane.

Terrapin Nature Park's trails are very easy to ride on, and even a road bike would be fine; however, there is a very short section of the trail that is actually on beach sand! Most bikes will not be able to ride through the sand, but it's easy enough to walk your bike.. the sandy portion of the trail is only about 50 yards. You could technically just turn around before the sandy part, but you would miss the best view of the Bay Bridge, and also... what fun would that be :)

Pack a lunch, as we'll stop somewhere in Terrapin Nature Park for a relaxing break with the sounds of waves gently crashing in the background. Believe it or not, there are multiple port a pots (year round) on Terrapin Beach. Typically, this is not a very busy area.. it truly is a hidden gem.

The Cross Island trail itself is an extremely smooth paved trail with tons of rest rooms along the way. There are a lot of board walks on the trail, and you'll ride over water, past marshes, and through loamy wooded areas.

The parking area is at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, which has a restroom year round. Do consider visiting the environmental center before or after the ride, which is a really fun place all on its own.

You will cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on your way to Kent Island, which has a toll, but the tolling is entirely automated now, even if you don't have EZ-Pass.

Terrapin Nature Park:
https://www.qac.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Terrapin-Nature-Area-97
This award-winning 276-acre nature park features a 3.25-mile oyster chaff walking trail, which meanders through wildflower meadows, wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands, and sandy shoreline. The trail provides a unique vantage point for viewing an incredible variety of waterfowl, wildlife, and plant species. A gazebo is located along the sandy shoreline afford a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Park benches located along the trail provides a brief respite for the weary. The trail, which wanders over several bridges, across marshlands and through woodlands, features two observation blinds overlooking the tidal ponds. The trail connects to the County’s Cross Island Trail system. Nearby parking for the Cross Island Trail system is available at Old Love Point Park.

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center:
https://bayrestoration.org/

Cross Island Trail:
https://www.qac.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Cross-Island-Trail-134

Chesapeake Bay Bridge:
https://mdta.maryland.gov/Bay-Bridge

The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up.

For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun.

As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome.

DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.

See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer