MA & PA Heritage Trail

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

TRAIN OR BUS STOPS
unknown

PARKING ADDRESS
Annie’s Playground
864 Smith Lane, Fallston, MD

Endpoint is Friends Park (or a little north of the park)

PARKING AND MEETUP SPOT
Park at Annie’s Playground parking lot 11:00-11:10. We’ll meet in the lot area at 11:10. After check-in, we’ll do an icebreaker question.

BIKE TRAIL INFO
Link to the trail map: [Ma & Pa Trail.dgn](https://www.mapatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Revised-Ma-Pa-Trail-Map-with-RR-Tracks.pdf)
Trail pictures: Ma & Pa Trail: Bel Air Section, Maryland - 1,318 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY
This route starts at the southern end point at Annie’s Playground. The organizers plan to bike the full distance to the northern endpoint. Total known distance: ~8.0 miles, 557 +/- ft.

The MA & PA Heritage Trail is located on portions of the former Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad corridor in Bel Air and Forest Hill, Maryland (Harford County). It offers a scenic, gently rolling ride along a historic rail corridor, blending wooded landscapes, bridges, and interpretive signs that honor Harford County’s railroad legacy.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Ma & Pa Railroad was formed in 1901 from a merger of two lines connecting Baltimore, MD to York, PA. It was known for its winding route, rural charm, and small-scale operations. Passenger service ended in the 1950s, with freight service continuing briefly through Bel Air and Forest Hill before ceasing. Community efforts began in the 1990s to convert the abandoned corridor into a multi-use trail. The Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, Inc. was formed to steward the project and preserve its legacy.

Points of Interest

• Annie’s Playground: A vibrant community park named in memory of Annie Cumpston, featuring sculptures, murals, and a large play area. It marks the southern trailhead.
• Heavenly Waters Park: Offers scenic stream crossings and boardwalks through wetlands and old-growth trees.
• Williams Street Station: Centrally located in Bel Air, this trailhead includes interpretive signage and access to downtown amenities.
• North Avenue Station: A quieter segment with wooded views and historical markers.
• Blake’s Venture Park to Friends Park: The northernmost section (under construction as of late 2024) will complete the full ~8-mile trail, connecting Bel Air to Forest Hill.

Along the route, you’ll find interpretive signs detailing the railroad’s history, environmental features, and community efforts. Volunteer trail monitors help maintain the path and share stories with visitors

· Endpoint: Take Creek Park Rd north, cross North Ave, continue north to the watershed pond.

TYPE OF BIKE: Any kind of bike frame and tires, skinny road tires aren’t recommended due to some reported gravel segments. Ensure it is the correct frame size for your height so you can get maximum output. Participants are responsible for ensuring their bike tires, brakes, and chain are in good condition and they have a spare inner tube on hand. Organizers can try to help but aren't responsible for everyone's bike conditions. Surface: Crushed stone, boardwalk, and dirt sections

SKILL LEVEL: All levels can enjoy this trail. It is well marked and mostly flat, although there are reports of a couple of tight turns.

PACE: It’s up to you. HOWEVER: The event organizers have fit legs (avg. 10-18 mph). And some of us like to do a cardio workout at some point. We make stops at tricky points on the trail and /or to regroup every 2-4 miles. Since paved trails can sometimes be crowded, we don’t have expectations of being able to go very fast.

· If you prefer a faster pace than the lead riders, you can make stops to wait for them to catch up.

· If you’re not sure what your avg. speed is, be prepared to use a nav app to ride solo in case you don’t catch up to us at our stops.

DISTANCE OPTIONS
Participants can choose to return at any point. These are just suggestions.
OPTION A: Bike 3.25 miles up to Liriodendron Park.
OPTION B: Bike 6.25 miles up to Blakes Venture Park.
OPTION C: Bike the full trail, ~8.0 miles up to the northern endpoint above Friends Park. The organizers plan to ride this option.

BATHROOMS
Mile 0 - Edgely Grove Farm
Mile 1: Heavenly Waters Park
Mile 6: Blakes Venture Park
Mile 7.75: Friends Park

BIKE REPAIR & RENTALS
Newport Cycles. Address: 18 Newport Dr A, Forest Hill, MD 21050
Bike Doctor Bel Air (has rentals as well). Address: 2108 Emmorton Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015

FOOD & DRINK INFO

• Vagabond Sandwich Company, BelAir: Eclectic menu with local ingredients and trail-themed décor
• Ma & Pa Trail Snack Shack (seasonal pop-up): Occasionally found near trailheads with water, granola, and fruit
• Chick-fil-A & Panera Bread (Bel Air): Convenient for quick meals near the Williams Street trailhead
• Coffee Coffee (Bel Air): Cozy café with espresso, pastries, and trail-friendly snacks
• Savona (Bel Air): Gourmet deli and wine shop with sandwiches and picnic fare
• Independent Brewing Company (Bel Air): Local brews and outdoor seating—great for post-ride relaxation

OPTION TO SOCIALIZE AFTERWARDS
If you’re interested in group café, picnic lunch, retail lunch, just post in the comments.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Bring: 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). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat.

Clothing: Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you fall, your skin is protected. Avoid wearing all black, all grey, all dark brown, or all dark blue, which blends in with pavement, especially while riding through a shady segment. Consider wearing something lighter to help others notice you.

REQUIREMENTS
Participants must wear tightly secured helmets when on their bike.

Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:

· Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them.

· Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop.

· Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel.

· Slowing down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction.

· Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps

· When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc.

· Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground.

MEETUP POLICIES
Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. Participation is at your own risk.

An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies, esp. section 6 “Release” and section 8.2 ” Limitation of Liability,” found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/