Historic Ellicott City to BWI Loop Trail

**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride could be postponed if the chance of rain is above 49%, or wind speed is above 15 mph or wind gusts are above 20 mph (per Accuweather) **

Credit goes to HJ Park for suggesting this ride and helping me develop this spectacular new route.

PARKING
Parking lot A on Oella Dr.
If you can’t find parking in lot A, find street parking, or go to one of their other free parking lots nearby (B, C, D, E, F, and G - go across the bridge up Main Street and look for the blue and white “P” signs for the lots. The courthouse lot is one block above Main St.)

MEETING SPOT
Meet in Lot A on Oella Dr. 11:00, by the stairway.
BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY
This route starts in Historic Ellicott City, right off Main Street. To learn more, see Historic Sites. I recommend you arrive early so you can make sure you find parking and have time to get to the meeting spot on time. There are three distance options to choose from, but participants can modify their distance at any point. This route offers a wide variety of views - the Patapsco river, stone arch bridges, metal bridges, quiet country roads, pine tree forests, fields, and airplanes in action.

DISTANCE OPTIONS

OPTION A: 10.7 miles lollipop loop. A mix of low-traffic country roads with shoulders and a well-maintained hiker/biker trail in Patapsco State Park (we don’t need to pay to enter). We take Frederick Rd for .6 miles (wide shoulders ) then take River Rd (about 1 mile) to the park. Then take Grist Mill trail to the end, make a hairpin turn via Gun Rd onto River Rd. Take River Rd to swinging bridge. Bathrooms are here. Cross the bridge and return back the same way. This loop provides close-up river views and captures the beauty of Patapsco Park. You will cross two of its bridges and enjoy the river views most of the way. Bathrooms are across the swinging bridge (near start of Cascade Falls trail).

OPTION B: 22 miles. From the OPTION A turnaround point, this route takes you to the BWI Loop entry point before returning. (Participants may decide to return earlier). Take River Rd east and enjoy another mile of the rivers views. The road turns into Levering Avenue. Turn left on Main St, Right on Furnace Ave. Pass Elkridge Furnace Inn. Right on Race Rd. Left on Hanover Rd. If food is needed, you will pass a gas station on the way.

OPTION C: 32.7 miles total, 1643 ft 3:00 hours. Add the BWI Loop trail (12.5 miles), a well-maintained paved loop. Although, there were two short segmemts with some tree root bumps. This has two good stop areas to enjoy views and watch airplanes: Andover Park (picnic table and bike stand) and Friendship Park. Friendship Park has port-o-johns and bike repair stand. There is a Burger King opposite the trail loop.

BATHROOMS
-In Historic Ellicott City: The Visitor Center, lower level (back entry near Lot D on Main St) and at retail establishments
-In Patapsco Park we will pass a couple of park bathrooms
-At the BWI airport, there is a Burger King on the southeast side and port-o-potties are at Friendship Park.
BIKE RENTALS
To be added
BIKE REPAIR
To be added
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must wear helmets when on their bike

Participants MUST wear clothing/shoes that aren’t black or dark grey so they stand out from the road. White and yellow are best (for color blind) but any light color clothing will stand out.

Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers in case there is a sudden stop.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Yell “Passing on your left” before approaching people so they know you’re coming and/or use a bike bell.

• Slow down and wait rather than try to squeeze between oncoming traffic and people in front of you

Water bottles, snacks, biking gloves, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS)

OPTION TO SOCIALIZE AFTER THE RIDE
There is usually outdoor music being played in Lot D with seating outside the Marketplace Cafe. There's many other food options and places to picnic.

*Participation is at your own risk*