Originally Posted by cydewaze

After looking at that route, I think I'd make sure to have my will up-to-date before trying it. Most of the roads on that route are 50mph+ for cars with not much shoulder and a lot of blind curves and crests. Very non-bike-friendly stuff.

The alternates to this are almost countless. From Damascus (where I currently live) I'd probably try to stay on the east side of 27, where there's less traffic. Something like Howard Chapel Dr to Gue to Long Corner to 144, where there's around 6 feet of shoulder on each side. 144 west of Mt Airy isn't as good, but at least it's straight-ish and the sight distance is better than 80.

I actually think that using Old Annapolis Rd to cut of that one corner would be better, as it would save some time on 144 and also on 75. Anything marked as a MD state road (27, 75, 80) is going to be pretty busy, and the only reason 144 isn't bad is because 1) it has the shoulder for a good portion, and 2) most of the traffic going that way uses I-70.

Just my two cents as someone who rides that area year-round.