E-biking around Gathland Park, Middletown MD, and the Poffenberger Stream valley

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36795796
29.5 miles. Picnic at Middletown Park, 15.6 miles into the route.

NOTE: HILLY AND GRAVEL. BRING EXTRA BATTERY.

Toilets in the beginning, middle and end of the trail.

This E-Bike lovers classic is a HILLY 28 mile ride through a beautiful area between Frederick, MD and South Mountain. Some highlights of the route include: ample parking with nice amenities at Othello Regional Park, historic Burkittesville, MD, Gathland State Park War Correspondents Memorial (with restrooms), lunch with covered picnic shelters, restrooms, and power outlets to charge batts in Middletown, MD, and there are a number of lovely scenic gravel roads that meander through some stream valleys. You'll cross two historic steel bridges (built circa 1880 and still in operation) on the gravel roads.

The gravel roads are hard packed and easy to navigate compared to many of the other gravel roads we bike on. All bikes should be able to handle these roads with no problem.

A NOTE ABOUT RIDING ON GRAVEL ROADS
If you are riding a new bike, are new to biking generally, or have little experience on gravel roads, you should plan on taking your time. Please understand that gravel roads must be respected and navigated with an extra level of care, or you can seriously injure yourself. The key is to just take your time. We are never in a hurry, and you should go at a pace you are comfortable with. All that being said, this is a great route for a beginner gravel rider, and only about 12% of the route is gravel.

The route with lunch at Middletown Park can be found here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36795796

Interesting history

https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=maryland/bennieshill/

https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=maryland/poffenberger/

https://www.nps.gov/anti/learn/historyculture/mnt-arch.htmp

https://2020.burkittsville-md.gov/history/

Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers

The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as www.ebikelovers.com generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.
Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files:
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/

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

Our bikes will always be in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip.

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