J.Lockdown

The Gaithersburg area is some what limited to finding a nice flat road that is longer then 10 miles. I am all for a little hill action but I really want to find a route or location were I can just do some flat out biking without any hills.

So are their any routes around Maryland that have a nice flat road that goes for 10+ miles? The only places I really can think are out in Salsbery which I don't mind driving to one weekend if I had to. But is their any places closer or better places to go?

FatguyRacer

The Church Creek TT course outside of Cambridge, MD (eastern shore) has approx. 10' of elevation gain over a 25 mile loop. Some of the course goes thru the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge and is very scenic. Very few cars too. I like to go there by myself to do testing.

J.Lockdown

That is a nice route, just looked it up on bikely.com. This is a good place to park your car, like a lot around a park or something?

Its about 2 hours 30min from my house but it would be nice to go out their one weekend soon. Going to cost a good amount in gas but it will be a nice trip and a go way to spend a Saturday.

I am tempted to actually go out their Saturday but not 100% sure if I want to this weekend. A lot of traffic heading to the beach which means the bridge is going to be busy possibly.

cc_rider

Try New Design Road, just north of Monocacy and south of Point of Rocks. Not totally flat, but not hilly.

Or out to the western Maryland Rail Trail.

mponchione

Try MacArthur Blvd from Old Angler's Inn to around the Delacarlia Resevoir. It's about 7 miles one way and pretty flat. You could park at Old Angler's at the entrance to the Bear Island Trail (Great Falls) and make it a nice roundtrip.

FatguyRacer

Friday evening is the worst for beach traffic. Early Saturday is not too bad.

There is a small park and ride lot on the corner of Rt-16 and Rt-335. About 100 yard down rt-335 from the P&R you will see a line painted on the shoulder. Thats the start line. There are painted makers every 10k on the route. They may be faded out a little, but you'll see them. The route goes thusly:

Church Creek-Golden Hill Rd (Rt-335) to r/t on Hip Roof Road
Hip Roof Road to r/t on Smithville Road
Smithville Road to r/t on Taylors Island Road (Rt-16 north)
Finish line is on Taylors Island Rd about 1/4 mile from P&R

Two days you may wanna skip: Sat, June 8 and Sat, June 14. The Eagleman Triathalon is going on the 8th and a MABRA TT event is on the following weekend on the 14th.

There are a couple rides comming up in the summer too to check out. The Betterton Bay To Bay Century ride in late June and Atlantic Cycling has a Easton to St. Michaels Metric Century in the summer. You could actually do that one on your own.

J.Lockdown

Yeah I might try early Saturday but probably not this weekend. I would also definitely consider coming out for a event. I don't have any exp. riding in large groups (never done a pace line or anything) but want to do a century at some point. Have to see since the longest I have done so far is about 30 miles in a day because the I have not found a good route.

Also anyone know if River Rd is flat most of the way? I forget if it was or really hilly?

mponchione

River Road is a bit of a roller, with a few short, but somewhat steep, climbs. The road has a pretty wide shoulder, however, and the surface is smooth. As long as you don't mind fast traffic buzzing by.

cc_rider

There is always Hains Point. Can't get much flatter.

J.Lockdown

I though river road might be like that. I am going to do a 10 mile route on 28 because if I remember their is just 1 large hill and thats really it. I also want to figure out how long this bike lane goes for and the large shoulder. We will have to see.

rizz

Come out and ride with us on the June 14th time trial. It may cost you a few bucks but it'll be less than most charity century rides and you'll even get an official time as a bonus.

Heck, look for a bearded, unattached cat 5 rider -- that's me. Say hi.

Edit: Forgot to mention, a rather nice flat route is from Easton to Tilghman Island. If you visit some of the side roads that lead towards the water (e.g., Claiborne and Sherwood), you'll easily turn it into a 60 mile ride. Wide shoulders and so little elevation gain that you'll be beginning for a speed bump so you can experience a climb and descent.

J.Lockdown

Thanks for the invite. I am some what worried because I dont know the rules or ways to ride in large groups. Like what to do, what hand signs mean what, and such.

Also I am going to try the Peach Tree Loop which is actually right near my other house. I modified it to work for me but its around 20 miles loop and from what it said its mostly flat and nice. Might try it tomorrow, to many routes ha to decide to take.

rizz

It's a time trial. Racers start one at a time based on a specific interval. They all run the same course and the one who finishes faster gets The Prize(tm). Basically like a typical boring solo ride but with a somewhat closed course and a bit more challenge since you're actively racing against the clock relative to the other riders.

J.Lockdown

That sounds cool. do you know were the location is? Or a website for the race?

ken cummings

I have never ridden the path along the Potomac. If it is not paved I can see what you have not considered it.

J.Lockdown

A couple people at work have done it and they said most of it is crushed gravel. So with my 700 x 23 tires I dont think it will be a fun ride. But I might try it with my mountain bike one day well at least when I get a new tube for it.

Kineticycle

Just about anywhere on the Eastern Shore is flat...Easton to Tilghman is one of the nicest rides to do and my second favorite is the Blackwater loop (38miles long, or 20miles short) where there is alot of wildlife to see. Easton to Denton is also a good trip (30 miles) and the Easton to Oxford is also a local favorite (22 miles).

Unfortunately, Atlantic Cycling is no-longer in operation. They were trying to get a 2008 season together, but current economics prevailed. It was a great group!! Maybe they we be back soon...when the economy improves. Ride safe!

cc_rider

Sorry to hear about Atlantic Cycling. I always meant to try to join in on one of their rides.
Being a regional bike group, I guess it became too expensive to drive across the region.
With the price of gas, I've been staying closer to home for more of my rides. Try to limit significant travel to a ride start to just once a month. Luckily the DC area has enough ride choices that it'll take me a while to get bored.

Speaking of boring, while I like the C&O and I like riding in nature with no cars in sight, after about 30 miles I find myself ready for some road riding.

WJ13US

You may want to check out the Western Maryland Trail. It's 22 miles long, straight shot, flat and very little in the way of other bike riders, walkers, etc.. Just keep an eye out for deer and snakes. It's about an hour from where you are but worth the trip. Take 270 north to 70 west. Exit 12 off 70, make left trail head/parking is about a mile down the road on right. Clean potta potties on each end of the trail and it goes through the town of Hancock at mile 10 for places to get something to eat.

Bill

J.Lockdown

I have the same issue with current gas prices and taking trips. Its about 2 hours and 30 mins out to Easton which with my case millage figures out to around 5 gallons. So thats around $20 each way which at this moment could go into my new saddle fund. I plan to make a trip out their sometime but as most things now its not at the top of the list to spend my much needed gas on.

My friend said similar things about the C&O, that theirs not enough to keep him interested. I like riding on the road because their are other cars, and it has a little more going on. Not that trails are bad its just the C&O is not that eventful after a couple miles.

I might hit up the trail that was mentioned in western Maryland. Its a little closer then Easton but still a little bit of a drive. I guess I will have to put up some money to get a really flat road for a good distance ha.

cc_rider

The WMRT is a good one. Flat, pretty, the scenery varies at bit and Hancock is a nice town to explore. If you want to vary the out-and-back then ride the C&O part of the way. Maybe explore Fort Frederick.
Closer to DC, Georgetown to Great Falls on the C&O and MacArthur Blvd back is a nice run with just few hills on the return.

Another flat rail-trail is the North Central and York Heritage Trails - Timmonium, MD to York, PA. The terrain varies nicely, passes thru several interesting towns, the trail is in better condition than the C&O. There are also lots of rural roads parallel to the trail that you can switch to.
From where you are the North Central might be a good option.

If I'm driving two hours to a ride start, it had better be a special ride. For me, the May drive-to-ride was Bike New York (combined with a visit to my parents and a vacation in NYC.) June will probably be Tour Dem Parks in Baltimore. Other than those, I'm starting most rides within a few miles of my front door.

emcb1230

Flat road in Maryland? Didn't think that was possible once you get west of the Bay. I'm with CC_rider on this one, Hains Point is definitely the flatest road in DC area. It can be windy though.

J.Lockdown

I was out at OC a couple weeks ago but could not bring my bike cause I was going with a couple friends. However at the end of the month I will be at the Outer Banks in NC and I am considering taking my bike with me. It is very flat out their and I figure since I am staying a couple days I might as well bring the bike to work out in the mornings. The only thing I am dreading is having to take apart the bike when I get back to completly clean it from sand that is on the road and in the air.

balto charlie

Try riding in Southern Maryland. Close and great riding. Not as flat as the eastern shore but darn close. Here's a couple of Bikely routes
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Maryland-Tour
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...yland-Point-42
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...g-Breakin-Tour
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Galesville-MD

Just a few of the many options Charlie

carolync321

A little closer than Salisbury... there are two bike trails on Kent Island, both are only 6 miles in length, but you can go from one to the other easily for a 24 mile loop. The Cross Island trail is from Kent Narrows to Terrapin Park and the South Island trail goes from Matapeake State Park to the Romancoke Pier.

Only problem will be the other people on the trail, it gets crowded with walkers on the weekends.

Bike Doctor sponsors a ride in the fall in St. Michael's, 25, 62.5 and 100 mile routes.