MORE
May 1st, 2005, 01:05 AM
By Wendy Super
Ahhh, summer is on its way soon and what better time to be outside savoring the sunshine, breezes, trees, and scenery! Time to forget about the driver who cut you off on the beltway during rush hour traffic and hit the trails, mountain bike style!
Whatever your reason to explore the trails, the Washington-Baltimore region offers quite a range of off-road terrain for the novice, intermediate, or advanced mountain bike rider. Here are a few suggestions on now to get started, with a focus on Maryland trails.
<img align=right src="http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/1/1038347380.jpg" alt="Patapsco Birds Eye View" hspace=10/>Beginner riders can start with Fairland Park in Laurel, Maryland, which has mostly hard packed, easier trails and a few small hills. Black Hills State Park in Germantown, Maryland is also great for the novice rider, which offers rolling hills, singletrack trails, and park roads for gentler riding.
Intermediate riders can enjoy the Patapsco Valley State Park McKeldin area in Marriottsville, Maryland. These packed dirt and gravel trails are wider in most spots and the park offers sizeable hills for those who want to tackle a more challenging ride. Schaeffer Farms in Germantown, Maryland is part of Seneca Creek State Park and a regional favorite among mountain bikers, with fast tight trails, lots of logs and hills, creek crossings, and some jumps.
The most advanced riders take pleasure in the rougher terrain of Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon area and Gambrill State Park in Frederick, Maryland. Avalon is one of the most popular spots and offers rugged, difficult terrain and twisting singletrack with many obstacles on which to practice maneuvers and tricks. Gambrill provides the best challenge of them all, with rocky, steep, and unforgiving terrain that can quickly deplete both strength and energy from the most serious riders.
Necessary Riding Equipment
When cycling, the most important gear to have is a helmet. Protective glasses are also imperative, as tree branches can endanger the eyes or the rider in front of you may kick up some debris. Padded gloves and padded cycling shorts are highly recommended if you will be in the saddle for more than 30 minutes. Other essential items to have when riding are the following tools and supplies: Chain tool, spare inner tube, tire levers (to help lift off the tire from the rim when changing a flat), inner tube patch kit, mini pump, and small allen wrenches that fit your bike. Make sure you also take water and a snack for energy while riding.
Riding Safety and Etiquette
If you have to ride on the road, ride with the traffic, not against it. Use the proper universal bicycling turn signals when turning and stopping to let motorists know your intentions. Obey all traffic signals, as bicycles are legally classified as vehicles.
Once you venture in the woods, stay on the trail to avoid erosion. Stay off wet trails: The deep ruts you’ll leave create permanent damage. Yield to all pedestrians; slow down and let them know you are approaching by verbalizing your presence. If you are riding with a large group of people, it is common courtesy to let hikers and other cyclists know how many in your group are behind you. Most important: if you see horses on the trail, get off the bike immediately, communicate with the horseback riders for any special instructions, and walk past the horses with caution, speaking softly in a reassuring way to let the horse know that it is not in danger. Horses can get spooked very easily by bright colors, certain noises, and shiny objects. The last thing you want is a scared one-ton animal barreling out of control toward you.
Mountain Biking Organizations and References
To enhance the mountain biking experience, there are several organizations you can join that provide a tremendous amount of resources, information, and benefits for riders. Since you’re reading this on the MORE website, you probably already know about the club’s rides and advocacy and discounts on gear. Also consider joining IMBA, the national mountain bike advocacy group that works with local clubs like MORE to develop knowledge of trail building and give back to the land by helping with trail maintenance. By joining with others, you’ll make new friends and discover new places – and have some of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.
If you would like more information on mountain biking trails, parks, and maps, the following references and links are a great place to start.
Places to Ride
Fairland Regional Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1206)
Laurel, MD
http://www.pgparks.com/places/parks/fairland.html
301-699-2407
Schaeffer Farms (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1205)
Germantown, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/senecaguide.html
301-924-2127
301-924-1998 (trail conditions hotline)
Black Hills State Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1201)
Germantown, MD
http://www.dirtworld.com/trails
(then click on Black Hills State Park link)
Patapsco Valley State Park, McKeldin area
Marriottsville, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ mckeldin.html
410-461-5005
Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon area (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1212)
Elkridge, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/avalon.html
410-461-5005
Gambrill State Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1208)
Frederick, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/gambrillguide.html
301-271-7574
For information on additional mountain biking trails in Maryland, you can go to http://www.dirtworld.com/trails and click on any one of the links.
In addition to the above references, I highly recommend a book called The Washington Baltimore Mountain Bike Book, by Scott Adams and Martin Fernandez. It contains information on places to ride, including maps, trail descriptions, and directions to the different parks. The book also includes helpful tips on bike maintenance, safety, equipment, and riding techniques.
Well, now you’re all set with no excuse not to ride! With a little practice, you’ll be launching over obstacles in front of you with the grace of a cheetah. (Well, maybe a little more practice than that.) Now, if only you could perform such maneuvers in rush hour traffic…
Ahhh, summer is on its way soon and what better time to be outside savoring the sunshine, breezes, trees, and scenery! Time to forget about the driver who cut you off on the beltway during rush hour traffic and hit the trails, mountain bike style!
Whatever your reason to explore the trails, the Washington-Baltimore region offers quite a range of off-road terrain for the novice, intermediate, or advanced mountain bike rider. Here are a few suggestions on now to get started, with a focus on Maryland trails.
<img align=right src="http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/1/1038347380.jpg" alt="Patapsco Birds Eye View" hspace=10/>Beginner riders can start with Fairland Park in Laurel, Maryland, which has mostly hard packed, easier trails and a few small hills. Black Hills State Park in Germantown, Maryland is also great for the novice rider, which offers rolling hills, singletrack trails, and park roads for gentler riding.
Intermediate riders can enjoy the Patapsco Valley State Park McKeldin area in Marriottsville, Maryland. These packed dirt and gravel trails are wider in most spots and the park offers sizeable hills for those who want to tackle a more challenging ride. Schaeffer Farms in Germantown, Maryland is part of Seneca Creek State Park and a regional favorite among mountain bikers, with fast tight trails, lots of logs and hills, creek crossings, and some jumps.
The most advanced riders take pleasure in the rougher terrain of Patapsco Valley State Park Avalon area and Gambrill State Park in Frederick, Maryland. Avalon is one of the most popular spots and offers rugged, difficult terrain and twisting singletrack with many obstacles on which to practice maneuvers and tricks. Gambrill provides the best challenge of them all, with rocky, steep, and unforgiving terrain that can quickly deplete both strength and energy from the most serious riders.
Necessary Riding Equipment
When cycling, the most important gear to have is a helmet. Protective glasses are also imperative, as tree branches can endanger the eyes or the rider in front of you may kick up some debris. Padded gloves and padded cycling shorts are highly recommended if you will be in the saddle for more than 30 minutes. Other essential items to have when riding are the following tools and supplies: Chain tool, spare inner tube, tire levers (to help lift off the tire from the rim when changing a flat), inner tube patch kit, mini pump, and small allen wrenches that fit your bike. Make sure you also take water and a snack for energy while riding.
Riding Safety and Etiquette
If you have to ride on the road, ride with the traffic, not against it. Use the proper universal bicycling turn signals when turning and stopping to let motorists know your intentions. Obey all traffic signals, as bicycles are legally classified as vehicles.
Once you venture in the woods, stay on the trail to avoid erosion. Stay off wet trails: The deep ruts you’ll leave create permanent damage. Yield to all pedestrians; slow down and let them know you are approaching by verbalizing your presence. If you are riding with a large group of people, it is common courtesy to let hikers and other cyclists know how many in your group are behind you. Most important: if you see horses on the trail, get off the bike immediately, communicate with the horseback riders for any special instructions, and walk past the horses with caution, speaking softly in a reassuring way to let the horse know that it is not in danger. Horses can get spooked very easily by bright colors, certain noises, and shiny objects. The last thing you want is a scared one-ton animal barreling out of control toward you.
Mountain Biking Organizations and References
To enhance the mountain biking experience, there are several organizations you can join that provide a tremendous amount of resources, information, and benefits for riders. Since you’re reading this on the MORE website, you probably already know about the club’s rides and advocacy and discounts on gear. Also consider joining IMBA, the national mountain bike advocacy group that works with local clubs like MORE to develop knowledge of trail building and give back to the land by helping with trail maintenance. By joining with others, you’ll make new friends and discover new places – and have some of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.
If you would like more information on mountain biking trails, parks, and maps, the following references and links are a great place to start.
Places to Ride
Fairland Regional Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1206)
Laurel, MD
http://www.pgparks.com/places/parks/fairland.html
301-699-2407
Schaeffer Farms (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1205)
Germantown, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/senecaguide.html
301-924-2127
301-924-1998 (trail conditions hotline)
Black Hills State Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1201)
Germantown, MD
http://www.dirtworld.com/trails
(then click on Black Hills State Park link)
Patapsco Valley State Park, McKeldin area
Marriottsville, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ mckeldin.html
410-461-5005
Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon area (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1212)
Elkridge, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/avalon.html
410-461-5005
Gambrill State Park (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1208)
Frederick, MD
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/gambrillguide.html
301-271-7574
For information on additional mountain biking trails in Maryland, you can go to http://www.dirtworld.com/trails and click on any one of the links.
In addition to the above references, I highly recommend a book called The Washington Baltimore Mountain Bike Book, by Scott Adams and Martin Fernandez. It contains information on places to ride, including maps, trail descriptions, and directions to the different parks. The book also includes helpful tips on bike maintenance, safety, equipment, and riding techniques.
Well, now you’re all set with no excuse not to ride! With a little practice, you’ll be launching over obstacles in front of you with the grace of a cheetah. (Well, maybe a little more practice than that.) Now, if only you could perform such maneuvers in rush hour traffic…