Three Covered Bridges and Thurmont Trolley Trail - ROAD RIDE

**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 29%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 14 mph (per Accuweather) **

Note: This is a more challenging ride due to more elevation changes than usual. Only sign up if you know you can complete it.

DESCRIPTION
Join us for a cycling adventure in Frederick County where we'll get the feeling of stepping back in time while riding through historic covered bridges (originally built in the 1800's), riding on the historic Thurmont Trolley Trail (it is currently about 1.3 miles long) and passing through the historic Main Street.

This route is moderately hilly and on country roads, so you need to have biked at least 15 miles as well as done some hills within the past 7 days to be able to comfortably complete the shortest distance option. And you need to feel comfortable biking single-file on country roads without a shoulder.

We did this ride last year and only encountered about six cars on the 23-miles option. Local drivers seemed used to seeing bikers in their neighborhood but we still recommend wearing neon tops and use flashing lights.

You should be able bike an average speed of at least 14 mph on flat trails to keep up. Although we will stop to regroup and to take 2 minute breaks, we won't wait, and I don't expect anyone else to wait, more than two minutes for slower riders to catch up on this particular event. You will need to use your nav app to complete the ride if you fall too far behind.

PARKING & MEETUP SPOTS FOR ALL OPTIONS: Thurmont Library (it is open on weekends). Meet us in the parking lot near the Trolley Trail entrance.

ELEVATION: Ranges from 780 to 1098 ft.

DISTANCE OPTIONS

Option A: 15.6-mile out and back trip, +/- 780 ft, to the Utica Mills Covered Bridge.
-Bike from the library down to Utica Covered Bridge. Option to go on your own into the Utica District Park for bathrooms and rest before returning. It is one mile to get there, so you add two extra miles for this option.
-Bike back to the library.
Ride with GPS: Option A map

Option C: 23.4-mile loop, +/- 1098 ft (without Utica Park stop).
-Bike from the library down to Utica Mills Covered Bridge. (Option to go on your own one more mile down to the Utica Park for bathroom or water).
-Then bike up 11 miles to Loys Station Covered Bridge. Option to take a rest stop at the park.
-Then bike northwesterly up to the Roddy Road Covered Bridge. Option to take a rest stop at the adjacent park.
-Then bike south to the Thurmont Trolley Trail on the way back to the library.

Ride with GPS: Option C map

SEGMENT DISTANCES
Distance from Thurmont Library to Utica Mills Bridge: 7.6 miles
Distance from Utica Bridge to Utica Park: 1 mile
Distance from Utica Mills Bridge to Loys Station Bridge: 8.8 miles
Distance from Loys Station Bridge to Roddy Road Bridge: 4.2 miles
Distance from Roddy Road Bridge to Thurmont Library: 2.8 miles

We will stop to regroup and rest along the way.

BATHROOMS
There are covered pit toilets at each of the three parks by the bridges. It is optional to stop. Participants can choose to skip taking a break with others at each rest area.

REQUIREMENTS
A helmet must be worn while seated on a bike.
A fully charged cell phone with nav app installed.
You must be comfortable following a nav app/cue sheet on your phone.

NEW: Wear light color/neon color top or bottoms. Avoid grey and black so you stand out from the road.
Post when you have returned to your car in the event.

BIKING ETTIQUETTE FOR THIS ROUTE
- Many sections of roads won’t have a shoulder. Please ride single file and notify others of oncoming cars by yelling “car up” or “car back”

- If you’re going to pass another biker, yell “ passing on your left”
- Don't make sudden stops on the road. Instead, yell "slowing down" and pull over onto the side.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Extra drinks/water, snacks and packed lunch (there are picnic tables at each of the three parks nearby each covered bridge).

Backpack, sunglasses or visor, sunscreen, biking gloves, change of clothes, washcloth, spare tire, tire patch, tire pump

Clothing (this is just a guideline).
If weather forecast is below 60*F layer with long-sleeves under a jacket (consider windproof), long comfy pants (add tights if it's below 45*F), and thicker gloves, thicker socks and windproof shoes.

If weather forecast is above 60*F, you may feel comfortable with a T-shirt and shorts, thinner gloves, thinner socks and shoes.

Electrolytes to avoid cramping. If you get leg cramps after long bike rides, consider having Mg and salt the day before as during the ride and the day after.

Use a flashing light on your helmet or on the rear of your bike.

OPTIONAL TRIP IDEAS
See/slide the biggest wooden slide in Maryland at Mount Tabor Park in Rocky Ridge, afterwards. See the article This Giant Slide Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

OPTIONAL SOCIAL EVENT AFTERWARDS
Food options nearby: Thurmont Country Kitchen, Simply Asia, Mountain Gateway Family Restaurant, Fratelli's NY Pizza, Taco Bell/KFT, McDonald's, Los Amigos

**PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK**