Cross Island Trail (Kent Island) + Optional Beach Visits

**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
Terrapin Nature Park
191 Log Canoe Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666

If the parking lot is full, park on the adjacent road.

MEETUP SPOT
Meet us at 10:15 near the map kiosk at the trailhead or paved area with the bathrooms. After check-in, we will do an intro and ice-breaker question.

BATHROOMS
Clean and spacious permanent restrooms at Terrapin Park and the indoor restrooms at the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center. Port-o-potties at the Jackson Creek Public Landing beach (last stop before turning back)
BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY
The Cross Island Trail + Connector trail is about a 7.5-mile long route (asphalt and boardwalk). It was completed in 2001 and is part of the American Discovery Trail. It goes through two shady forests and fields. It crosses several saltwater creeks and swamps on wooden bridges, which over views of the rivers. It has a couple of road crossings. It offers trail benches and nearby restaurants.

The first half of the trail is asphalt and passes through woods, so the trail is shaded by a canopy of large trees. The second half will start to have more boardwalk than asphalt and it won’t be shaded. The trail crosses several small creeks which offer a change in scenery. After we cross the Kent Narrows drawbridge, we’ll be riding mostly on low wooden bridges over swamps for what seems like a mile.

TYPE OF BIKE: Any kind of bike frame and tires. 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.

SKILL LEVEL: All levels can enjoy this trail. It is well marked and mostly flat (only +/- 243 ft elevation changes)

PACE: It’s up to you. HOWEVER: The event organizers have fairly fit legs (avg. 10-16 mph). 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 and the speed limit is usually 15 mph on trails.

· 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 time. These are just suggestions. The time to complete the ride depends on if you take all the breaks with us or do a speedier version.

Option A: 7.5 miles one way, total of 15 miles, 250 ft elevation changes. Bike the planned distance with the organizer(s) to Jackson beach and back. Stops include the visitor center, observation tower, Ferry Point Park, Jackson Creek beach, and Kent Narrow Marina area.

Option B: Bike a shorter distance. For example, go to the Chesapeak Heritage and Visitor center with us, (5 miles out) and return.

Option C: Bike a longer distance. For example, go over the bridge to Grasonville and explore the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

RETURN TRIP
We will return the same way we arrived (unless someone has a better suggestion!).

OPTION TO VISIT TERRAPIN PARK BEACH BEFORE OR AFTER
There is a dirt trail near the trailhead that takes you to the beach, which is on the Chesapeake Bay. It may be crowded.

OPTION TO VISIT HISTORIC STEVENSVILLE
If interested, meet us in the quaint town, Historic Stevensville (about two miles up the road) after the ride, where we can walk around and check out the historical park, a little cafe, ice-cream shop, and antique shop.

Meet us at the caboose parking lot (415 Love Point Rd).

TRAIL AMENITIES
There are several gas stations just off the trail where you could get drinks and snacks, if needed.

BIKE RENTALS
There is a bike rental shop near Piney Narrows Yacht Haven.

OPTION FOR GROUP LUNCH
If you're interested in going for a group lunch just let everyone know. Suggestions are welcome.

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 do 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/