Maryland Eastern Shore Rides on Cross Island Trail and Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
#1
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Maryland Eastern Shore Rides on Cross Island Trail and Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
My wife and I did a hybrid vacation week, first staying in Staunton VA and hiking Crabtree falls and then staying in Cambridge MD, biking the Cross Island Trail on Kent Island on the way out and the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge on the way home.
Pictures and writeup here.
Pictures and writeup here.

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I love riding on the Eastern shore near Blackwater, many quiet roads. Kent Island trail continues to increase in length. I hope to tour there later this fall. Usually early November is peak fall color.
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They were saying end of October/first week in November is predicted peak - we were definitely a bit early.
In normal years, I would have done the Six Pillars Century ride out of Cambridge and another metric century (they changed the name, used to be Special Riders or something like that) out of Easton - great roads and well run rides. But both were cancelled this year, so my mileage may be down but my climbing is up - not much climbing on the Eastern Shore!
In normal years, I would have done the Six Pillars Century ride out of Cambridge and another metric century (they changed the name, used to be Special Riders or something like that) out of Easton - great roads and well run rides. But both were cancelled this year, so my mileage may be down but my climbing is up - not much climbing on the Eastern Shore!
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Looks like a great trip!
I didn't realize there was a bike map for Blackwater. I live in Salisbury, MD and have been wanting to head up there for some riding.
I didn't realize there was a bike map for Blackwater. I live in Salisbury, MD and have been wanting to head up there for some riding.
#5
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A version of the map I posted can be found here. The northern 20 mile loop is less scenic, the southern loop (especially Maple Dam Road) is where the high tide road flooding happens fairly often with winds from the south.
It was cancelled this year but a really nice way to ride the area is to do the Six Pillars ride, which has 37/56/100 mile options. You can see/download the routes from RideWithGPS - look here.
It was cancelled this year but a really nice way to ride the area is to do the Six Pillars ride, which has 37/56/100 mile options. You can see/download the routes from RideWithGPS - look here.
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I'm assuming the 25 mile southern loop is a bit more scenic?
I've not heard of the Six Pillars ride before. I'm new-ish to the area so still learning! I'll have to check the ride out next year (hopefully
).
I've not heard of the Six Pillars ride before. I'm new-ish to the area so still learning! I'll have to check the ride out next year (hopefully

#7
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I've done three good charity rides in your area: The Salisbury Century, Six Pillars, and the Positive Riders Spring Classic Bike Tour (used to be called Talbot Special Riders) from Easton. Lots of others, but these have nice routes and lots of home made goodies at the rest stops.
The 25 mile southern loop is definitely more scenic.
The 25 mile southern loop is definitely more scenic.