WB&A Trail: Northern End Down to the New Bridge + Option to Bike Full Trail

• Note: This Isn’t the same as the W&A trail, which is to the east of this trail.

**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride may get postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 29%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 14 mph (per Accuweather) **

This ride is for the northern side in Anne Arundel County. All Trails has some nice pics and info.

The long-awaited bridge over the Patuxent River was scheduled to be finalized Aug 23rd, 2024 but it failed the final inspection due to gaps on the side being large enough for kids to slip into. The gaps have been filled, but the official opening day hasn’t been announced. But I read - on May 16th - that the gates have been removed and we can now ride the full length of the trail.

TRAIL INFO
The Baltimore, Washington & Annapolis Trail was originally a railroad line and relatively a straight line from Odenton down to Bowie. It has existed as two unconnected trails, until the bridge over the Patuxent is completed. Artifacts & history can be found all along this trail. It features fields, bridges, and two corrugated iron tunnels. It passes through these towns: Lanham, Glenn Dale, Bowie, Piney Orchard, and Odenton.

The trail is split into the NE portion in Anne Arundel County (5.7 miles long) and the SW portion in Prince George's County (6.1 miles long) making it a total of about 12 miles long one way, but once complete, it will be about 13 miles total.

Map of the North trail: WB&A Trail - Anne Arundel County Trails | The Friends of AACo Trails (friendsofaatrails.org)

PARKING
Free parking is at the historic Odenton MARC station, built in 1872, making it 150 years old. We’ll meet up in the parking lot near the platform stairs. From there, we’ll warm up our legs with a short ride across to the trail’s starting point.

BIKE RENTAL OPTION
The closest bike rental shop is TrailWerks Cyclery, https://trailwerkscyclery.com/

THE PLAN

Expect a relatively flat trail and some street crossings.

OPTION A – ~9.0 one way
Arrive 10 minutes early so you have time to unpack your bike and get set up for the ride. Meet us at the platform stairs.

—We estimate that it will take about an hour riding down (we'll stop for water breaks and to regroup , etc. and 1.5 hours to return. —

OPTION B - ~4.5 one way
Participants can choose to turn back whenever they like and ride less mileage.

OPTION C: Longer distance
Cross the bridge and continue biking south until you feel like biking back. I believe the total length is about 13 miles.

—Speed limit is 12 mph.

Option to have lunch together at The Hideaway (see address below).

BATHROOMS
There are no bathrooms on the trail. But there are retail options at The Shops at The Village at Odenton Station, which we pass on the way to the train station. And there’s fast food options at the southern point’s retail shopping plaza.

OPTION FOR MORE SOCIALIZATION
If you’re interested in meeting for drinks or food with your biking friends, we recommend The Hideaway, 1439 Odenton Rd, which has outdoor picnic tables and a large parking lot. You can ride there as well as drive. It’s easy to see bikes from inside or outside and it’s only about a ½ mile from the train station.

WHAT TO DO & BRING

• All participants must wear a helmet while riding.
• All participants should stay on the right and pass on the left whenever possible.
• All participants should stop at road crossings and wait for oncoming cars to stop.
• Saying "passing on your left" and using a bell to warn walkers /bikers as you approach from behind is good practice (to avoid people moving out in front of you as you attempt to pass them).

Suggestions:
Water bottles, snack, bike chain, bike bell, bike gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, spare tire, change of clothes or items for wiping down before you get back into your car afterwards.

I will have first aid items (acetaminophen, antibacterial cream, bandaids, gauze, alcohol) in my backpack.

Participation is at your own risk.**