WB&A Trail: Southern End up to Northern Endpoint

Note: This Isn’t the same as the W&A trail.

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

The long-awaited bridge over the Patuxent River was opened May 2025. This will be our first time starting from the southern end and riding up over the bridge.

SKILL LEVEL: This trail is good for getting a cardio workout and toning your thighs. It has some noticeable inclines and declines (esp. the climbing switchback segment approaching the northern endpoint after you cross the bridge - if you go that far) so you need thighs that are in shape to climb them or be ready to pedal stand/dismount and walk your bike up. Your brakes need to be in good condition too.

TRAIL INFO
The Baltimore, Washington & Annapolis Trail was originally a railroad line. It has existed as two unconnected trails, until the bridge over the Patuxent was completed in May 2025. 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 & SW portion in PG County, making it a total of about 12.5 miles long one way. I clocked 25.4 miles with +/- 1068 ft elevation changes when I did the trail starting from the northern end earlier this year.

The trail goes through a mix of landscapes, but overall, it has trees on both sides most of the way. The fun parts are going through two corrugated iron tunnels, over two bridges, and through a boardwalk section that goes over a marshy area.

Trail video: WB&A Trail by Thelsh Experience

PARKING AND MEETUP SPOT
Arrive 15 minutes early (9:45 am). Meet us near Jafe Cycling in the parking lot. After check-in, we'll do an icebreaker question.

DISTANCE OPTIONS
These are just suggestions. Participants can choose to return at any time.

OPTION A Bike up to the bridge and back. Distance Is about 6 miles to the bridge.

OPTION B Bike up past the bridge towards the northern trailhead. Turn around anytime you feel you’ve had enough.

The leaders plan to do the full length & back

**SOCIAL BREAKS **
Note: These are just suggestions. Feel free to take breaks wherever you feel like it.

1. ~ mile 6 at the river bridge (the downside for anyone continuing up north is that we’ll need to warm up our legs again while climbing the kicker right afterer the bridge 😩)

2. At the northern endpoint (gazebo)

3. At the river bridge on the return trip

4. Parking lot

If anyone is interested in social lunch, bring it up

BATHROOMS
There’s a McDonald’s at the start and retail options off of the northern end. There should be port-o-potties at Horsepen and Race Track Rd parking lots.

BIKE REPAIR
Jafe Cycling
BIKE RENTALS
NA

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
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 sudden 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](https://www.meetup.com/terms/)