What we’re about
The purpose of this group is to give our fellow Maryland bike riders opportunities to:
- explore familiar and new bike trails mostly in MD, and occasionally in DC, VA, DE, PA, NJ and NY.
- socialize and make new friends.
- have fun while exercising.
- travel with a familiar group to participate in day trips and weekend getaways for bikers
- travel with a familiar group to participate in larger bike events such as "Bike Philly"
- volunteer for bike events
- support bike advocate groups such as Bike Maryland and WABA.
Although most participants have been in the over 40+ age range, we welcome bikers of all ages, as well as all skill levels, gender identifications, ethnicities, races, etc.
Most of the events are for casual bicycle riding on scenic trails. We target rail and greenway trails, which are bicycle-friendly trails that tend to parallel old train tracks, canals, and rivers. Since trains did not do well on anything over a 3% grade, these trails are amazingly flat. They go through some beautiful areas and quaint towns, often where food and drink are plentiful.
We avoid streets as much as possible, although some of the trails may include a bike lane or shoulder for a small portion of the ride. Only a small number of routes use roads more than 25% of the time. Any route that is mostly on roads will be titled with "ROAD RIDE " so they can be easily identified.
Although we are mainly interested in "day trips," We also like to schedule at least one overnight each year.
Most rides will have distance options such as 10, 15, 20, etc., that you can choose from. And we'll range between 8 - 15 mph (some of us are slower, some are faster). This will make for a pretty laid-back ride and riders of just about any skill level should be fine. This is not about performance!
Group Fees
At this time there is no event fee or annual group fee. But please consider making a small donation to offset the $300 annual Meetup fee, the $80 annual Ride with GPS fee, and the huge number of hours the organizer's use to research destinations, check for trail construction, parking, writing, answering member questions, etc. in lieu of doing their personal errands.
Volunteer organizers are needed
If you’re in the mood to ride a particular trail and would like to let others join you, let me know and I’ll gladly add your event and put you as the organizer - even if there’s already a bike trip listed the same day. The more the merrier!
What do I need to bring?
Bike details: A proper-fitting bike that has had a maintenance check. Hybrids, mountain bikes, and road bikes (as long as they don't have the ultra-thin tires); the trails tend to be a mixture of asphalt, crushed limestone, and gravel.
Helmet: Required to be worn when seated/riding a bike.
Some other gear that is almost mandatory:
- Water (water bottles or a backpack style hydration system)
- Spare tube: Even if you don't know how to change a flat, someone in the group will be able to do it for you and it's MUCH easier to change a tube than to patch one
- Bike tools (a tire repair and patch kit and spare tube is always a good idea)
- Bike lock (we do stop for food and drink and the bike is not always in view)
- A payment method
- Good attitude (we're fun people!)
Other things to consider:
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small first aid kit
- Bike bag to hold everything
- Biking shorts (padded shorts may look strange to the uninitiated, but they sure do the trick)
- In cooler seasons, wear an upper layer that can be removed when you get warmed up.
- Please read our group rules
Please Note
We place limits on the number of riders that can join any single ride. Be aware of this when you join a ride. If you find you won't be able to make the ride, please move yourself from ‘Going’ to ‘Not Going’ ASAP and no later than 24 hours before the event start time to give others the chance to join. If you wait till the day of the event then you’re not giving others the time to take your place. Please don’t RSVP to an event just to add it to your calendar; only RSVP if you truly feel you will make it.
Make sure you get to the Meetup location before start time. Give yourself enough time to get your bike off/out of the car and ready by the start time (at least 15 minutes). Especially in summer, it’s too hot to stand around waiting for late arrivals to get ready. If you’re running late, please message the group on Meetup so we know whether to leave or wait a bit.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- C&O Canal: Timed ride 6-8 PMRiley's Lock, Poolesville, MD
I'm posting this for Puppy Dave. He leads several scenic bike rides with the Mid-Atlantic Outdoors group, usually on the C&O Canal.
This is a timed ride - you ride at your own pace for 50 minutes out and then return.
Use this link to check for updates: [Ride C&O Canal Towpath]
- Three Notch Trail (+ option to visit Solomons Island)John V. Baggett Park, Mechanicsville, MD
**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) **
Train or Bus Options
unknownPARKING & MEET UP SPOT
(Southern Trailhead): John V. Baggett Park: MD Route 235 to John V. Baggett Park at Laurel Grove, 26929 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville. Ample parking. Restrooms and water available April through October. https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/358247601.Plan to arrive by 8:45 so you have time to find parking, ready your bike, place water bottles, helmet, etc. and test your tires. We will try to find a shady spot near the parking lot to do check-in and the icebreaker question.
BIKE TRAIL SUMMARY
The trail is 11 miles long each way and 10 feet wide with asphalt paving. It is almost flat (just total of 187 ' elevation), as it once was a railroad. There are a few tree root bumps, but nothing to worry about. Road tires and thicker will be good. E-bikes and wheelchair riders are welcome to join us. The trail goes through forest and by some farms and is used by Amish horse and buggy drivers as well as walkers and bikers.SKILL LEVEL: Since this is mostly flat, all skill levels will enjoy this trail. Due to the hotter weather, we will ride an avg. speed of 10-12 mph and we'll take stops to regroup every mile or so. Faster riders are welcome to go straight ahead.
DISTANCE OPTIONS
Participants can choose to return at any point. These are just suggestions.OPTION A: Bike five miles up to Mechanicsville Rd, take a break, then return.
OPTION B: Bike eight miles up to the Charlotte Hall library. Take a break, then return.OPTION C: [Event leaders are doing this option] Bike the full 11 miles (+/- 440 ft elevation changes) then return. Plan to regroup at the Deborah Dr. intersection (mile 0) on the trail. We will take a break to fill up water bottles, stretch, socialize, etc. Then we'll return on the same trail back to our starting point. We’ll stop at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and the Ye Coole Springs Marker, located across the street (need to walk through a bit of grass). Read more at https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=135329. There was a historical marker for the first hospital in MD there, too. And take an optional .25-mile spur to the Farmer’s Market. And there’s the option to take a very short spur over to The Barns at New Market/Amish Market, 29133 Thompson Corner Rd, Charlotte Hall, MD 20659. Bring money and a backpack in case you need to carry items back with you.
BATHROOMS
There are several port-o-potties along the way. Bathrooms are located at:- Northern Senior Center: parking with 6 accessible spots and restrooms
- Charlotte Hall Library 37600 New Market Rd, Charlotte Hall, MD
- John V. Baggett Park (open April through October)
BIKE RENTALS
unknown
BIKE REPAIR
unknownOPTIONAL TRIP AFTERWARDS
If anyone is interested in doing one these options, let the other participants know so you can plan on going together.Walk the Three Bridge Loop trail (adjacent to the parking lot).
Visit Solomons Island. (16 miles drive). Park at Solomons Island boardwalk. Walk over to the Tiki Bar, The Pier, or Island Hideaway for lunch. Points of interest: Calvert Marine Museum and Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center.
Visit Leonardtown. (11 miles drive) Visit the nearby historic and quaint town on Breton Bay, Leonardtown, for food/drinks and touring. Stop at the Visitor Center, then walk around the town square for lunch at one of the dining options, then bike/drive over to the Leonardtown Wharf Park for a casual stroll on the paved waterfront or to just sit and relax some more before heading back.
Visit Historic Sotterly (open 10-4, $9-10 pp). This site overlooks the Patuxent River, has many features, six miles of trails, guided tours, and it has a UNESCO Slave Route Site of Remembrance. (one of 42 in the USA).
Historic Sotterly home page
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/ - Jones Falls Trail: Mt. Washington to Inner Harbor (option to train ride back)Jones Falls Trail NW Trailhead, Baltimore, MD
**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride could be postponed if the chance of rain is above 49%, or wind speed is above 15 mph or wind gusts are above 20 mph, or temperature is too hot and humid (per AccuWeather) **
Thanks to “Duct tape” Mike for helping us to get the details for this route.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER
This isn't a free bike touring organization. It's supposed to be a social biking group where everyone makes an effort to help out (offer suggestions, offer to organize or help lead a ride, help a rider, welcome new participants, etc.) and take time to get to know each other a little at the "regroup" stops.PARKING
The Jones Falls Trail's NW endpoint at Greenspring Avenue and Cross Country Blvd and Pimlico Road does not have a dedicated parking area. However, there are free street parking options nearby, particularly along Cross Country Blvd.MOUNT WASHINGTON TRAIN STATION
Mount Washington Light Rail Station (1.38 miles away)
5701 Smith Ave
Baltimore, MD 21209MEETING SPOT & CHECK-IN
Meet us at the trailhead: Greenspring Ave and Cross Country Blvd (Baltimore City). After everyone is checked-in, we will form an oval to do an ice-breaker question.SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. You should be fit enough to bike up gentle inclines. Be prepared to bike a hill at the start. You should be able to maintain an avg. bike speed of at least 10 mph on a flat trail, for at least 10 miles, during spring weather, to keep up (we bike slower when it's above 85*). We stop for about five minutes to regroup every 2-4 miles so people can catch up. If you don't catch up at the regroup stops, you will need to use a nav app to guide you. You have the option to bail out and use a Light Rail train to go back to the start along the way.
DISTANCE OPTIONS
Participants can return at any time they feel like. These are just suggestions:OPTION A: ~10 miles. Bike down to Druid Hill Park’s Lake, go around it, then return the same way.
OPTION B: ~13 miles one way. [The organizers plan to do this option] After biking to the Inner Harbor and possibly riding around the full paved harbor area, we will bike over to the Inner Harbor Light Rail Station to take the train back. Address: W. Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201.A one-way ride on the Light Rail costs $1.60 and we can bring our bikes on the train, unless the train car is too crowded (according to Google Copilot). You can pay with cash at the fare boxes on board, or use the CharmPass mobile app for added convenience
OPTION C: ~26 miles total, +/-1410 ft. Bike the full distance of the trail down to the Inner Harbor and stop at or near the Federal Hill Park and then bike back.
OPTION D: You can add miles by hopping on the Gwynn Falls Trail or meandering through the city.
BATHROOMS
Baltimore Visitor Center, Inner Harbor
BIKE RENTALS
Baltimore Bicycle Works
BIKE REPAIR
Baltimore Bicycle Works
Joe’s Bike Shop
5813 Falls Rd, Mt. Washington, MD.BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY
Trail Link Summary: See this Trail Link page: Jones Falls Trail | Maryland Trails | TrailLink
Baltimore County Department of Recreation trail information webpage: Jones Falls Trail | Department of Recreation & ParksThe trail spans ~ 12.4 miles one way along the Jones Falls Stream Valley connecting the Mount Washington Light Rail Station with the Inner Harbor. It offers a mix of urban and natural environments, with various amenities and scenic spots where you can take a break. It is generally well-marked with clear signs at key points, such as trail junctions and road crossings. It has a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The steepest segment is near Cylburn Arboretum with an elevation gain of about 236 feet over 2.9 miles.
We will regroup and socialize at these locations:
- Northwest Park. ~1.5 miles from the start.
- Cylburn Arboretum. ~2.9 miles from the start. Located along the trail, this arboretum provides a peaceful wooded area and scenic views
- Druid Hill Park: ~4.5 miles from the start.
- Round Falls (James W. Rouse Memorial Deck - overlook). After crossing the train tracks and turning right, there will be a spur trail we need to take to get to the falls.
Optional Points of Interest as we ride south: - Ma & Pa Railroad Roundhouse (on the left)
- Baltimore Streetcar Museum (on the left)
- Penn Station (on the left after turning right on St. Paul Street)
Then we need to turn left on E. Mt. Royal Ave
Optional quick stop to see nearby Fallsway Fountain (on the right after passing Biddle St.) Built in 1915 by the famous sculptor Hans Schuler, in neoclassical style. See a vintage photo here. - Get on the Fallsway Cycle Track. A 2.6-mile protected bike lane in Baltimore, MD. It runs along Maryland Avenue and Cathedral Street, providing a two-way cycling path on the east side of the road. The track is separated from traffic by a painted buffer, flex-posts, and a row of parked cars, making it safer for cyclists.
- Quick stop on the trail to see the nearby Pheonix Shot Tower (on the left). It was built in 1828 and was once the tallest building in the USA.
- We need to make about five directional turns after this.
- Go to the Baltimore Visitor Center, Inner Harbor, to cool off and use restrooms.
- Meander around the harbor to opposite of Federal Hill.
OPTION TO SOCIALIZE BEFORE BIKING OR TRAIN RIDING BACK Bring your suggestions.
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 light 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 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/
You should not hold the organizers, leaders, and other participants accountable for any injury that occurs during a meetup event.
