B & A Trail: Glen Burnie down to Annapolis

**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 Options - ?

PARKING
Park in Sawmill Creek Park. Plan to arrive by 9:15 so you have time to ready your bike and gear by 9:30.

MEETUP SPOT
Meet near (or in) the pavilion, which is adjacent to a paved connector trail, at 9:15-9:30. After check-in, we’ll do an ice-breaker question. We’ll bike north easterly on the connector trail for about a minute Then we'll turn right onto the B&A trail. If you’re running late, post your ETA in the event comment section.

BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY
This route starts in Glen Burnie and goes south towards mile 0 in Annapolis. The organizers will stop approximately every 2 miles to regroup for a couple of minutes. Faster riders are welcome to go ahead, and we can meet up at the Earleigh Ranger Station for a social break and then again at Big Bean Café (pictured at the top) and mile 0.
SKILL LEVEL: All skill levels can enjoy this trail. It is mostly flat and well paved.
DISTANCE OPTIONS
Participants can choose to return at any point. These are just suggestions:
OPTION A: Bike ~3.5 miles south through the Planet Walk sculptures and then return.
OPTION B: Bike ~6.5 miles south to the Earleigh Ranger Station (~mile marker 7) and then return.
OPTION C: Bike ~8.5 miles south to the Big Bean Café and then return.
OPTION D: Bike the full 13.5 miles to the southern trail head and then return. (The organizers plan to do this option).
OPTION E: Add on the BWI Loop trail. This adds another 10.5 miles.
BATHROOMS
Bathrooms are located at local retail establishments near the trail and at the Earleigh Ranger Station at mile marker 7.0, where we'll be stopping to regroup and socialize.
BIKE RENTALS
BWI Bike Rental
Pedal Pushers Bike Shop
BIKE REPAIR
Trail Werks Cyclery

FOOD & DRINKS
There’s a lot of food spots along the trail- just 1-2 blocks away. Big Bean cafe at mile marker 10 has an extensive drink menu, snacks, and good reviews from bikers. I plan on stopping there for a break.
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/