South Island Trail, Kent Island, MD

**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride may be postponed if the chance of rain is above 40%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 14 mph (per Accuweather) or if temperature is above 96*F at noon **

Credit goes to Howard Eckert for suggesting this trail and providing details and photos.

DESCRIPTION
Join us for a cycling adventure on Kent Island, just to the east of Annapolis. Consider bringing or wearing water shoes so you can enjoy the beaches.

The South Island Trail is a paved, fairly flat trail that runs parallel to Route 8 on Kent Island. It is 6 miles long and runs from Metapeake Public Beach down to Romancoke Pier Park. The trail is paved the entire way and runs parallel to Roanoke Rd (Route 8). It winds through forest and fields and offers water views.

BATHROOMS
There are bathrooms at both ends of the South Island Trail.

PARKING AND MEETUP SPOT
There is public parking at Metapeake Public Beach.
Meet us at the trailhead.

OPTION A – 12 miles total, +/- 130 ft
South Island Trail only:

OPTION B - 31 miles total, +/- 327 ft
South Island Trail + Extension (road cycling to the southern point of the island).
The road that branches off of Romancoke Rd is a two-lane road with no shoulders, but it is lightly traveled and a nice ride.
BIKE RENTALS
NA
BIKE REPAIR
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 dark 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.

OPTIONAL GROUP LUNCH
If interested in having a group picnic or group lunch at a retail establishment afterwards, let us know.

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/