staehpj1

I am toying with the notion of a West to East unsupported trip across Maryland. Before I dig too deep into this I figured, why reinvent the wheel? So is there an established route from maybe Oakland to Ocean City? Or should I just start from scratch?

Anyone know what Route CAM used when they did Oakland to Ocean City?

raybo

This link at www.biketouringtips.com contains two links to Maryland information. One is to routes going to Washington DC and the other is a list of public campgrounds in Maryland.

Ray

jamawani 

It depends what the meaning of "Maryland" is.
Also when you might do it.

First off, MDOT publishes a bike map of the state with suggested routes.

Would going thru corners of WV, Penna, DC or Delaware be unthinkable?
The C & O Canal Trail remains my favorite from Cumberland to Georgetown.
Heading east out of DC is tough, though.

You do know that the Bay Bridge is really a hassle, right?
There used to be an Annapolis bus twice a day, but that was eliminated.
Maryland DOT refuses to run a public shuttle.
You have to arrange private taxi service at a cost of about $40.
I think that is obscene and that any future $$$ for the bridge should be held up.
Since you live in Maryland - -
Would you consider putting some pressure on MDOT?

Another option in late spring thru early fall is from Point Lookout via Smith Island.
The passenger ferry runs four or five days per week. (daily Smith Island to Crisfield)
A very pleasant, low traffic option for the Eastern Shore.
Traffic from DC to Point L is moderate, dropping as you get away.

Been a long time since I rode west out of Cumberland on old US 40.
The ridges one after another were brutal -
And I was a much younger guy then.
West to East you'll get the big downhill from Frostburg to Cumberland.
The ATA is finished in this stretch, now.

foamy

A taxi? That's silly.

Hang at one of the gas station/quickie marts before the bridge and ask someone with a pick-up truck (the official state vehicle) to give you a lift and offer to pay the $2.50 toll. It's easy.

That, and once you get on the Eastern Shore stay off Rt. 50. I've seen tourers and radonneurs on 50 and I have no idea what the hell they're thinking. The shoulder is filthy with the tiny bits of tire wire and other micro debris that specialize in giving flat tires. Not to mention the traffic. It is after all a two lane highway. The back roads are beautiful, safer and offer a fairly straight shot to Ocean City. It's about 100 miles via backroads to OC from the bridge. There are at least 3 state parks on or just off the quickest backroads route. If you'd like more specific directions from the bridge, PM me and I'll e-mail you the exact road numbers.

"The Land of Pleasant Living" isn't just a cliche.

staehpj1

I had one of the MDOT maps, but it is MIA. I ordered another though.

I haven't decided what amount of leaving Maryland I would consider acceptable, but I guess that I want to make an effort to be at least mostly in Maryland.

Yes I am aware of the Bay Bridge problems. I consider the situation to be a disgrace and have written MDOT to say so.

I was aware of but had forgotten about the ferry as an option. I know that the AC Tidewater Potomac route uses it, but didn't think about it right away when considering this trip. It sounds like a pretty cool option.

It looks like the western part is the hardest part to figure out. I wonder if it would be easier to start in Friendsville instead of Oakland. Once in Cumberland I know that the C&O is nice if it is dry. From Washington DC to the Ferry looks like it might make sense to just use AC's Tidewater Potomac route. Once on the Eastern Shore it should be easy to find a route.

FWIW: This may wind up being just an exercise, since I am not sure what my Summer plans are yet. At this point I am still considering a bunch of options in various locations. I know that I am somewhat limited on time since I burned all of my accumulated leave last year to do the TA. I am not complaining though as it was well worth it.

DuckFat

Hey cool... I grew up in this area.

I would start in the Oakland / Deep Creek area and then go east towards the beautiful Savage River Lake. Use Big Run Road to Big Run State Park for nice camping on the lake (https://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclan...rn/bigrun.html). Route 135 to Bloomington is an alternate but it's a nasty road with lots of traffic.

Or go to New Germany Park and take the Off Road Vehicle Trail (look at the end of the main parking lot or ask around) downhill. Only use the ORV trail if you have a mountain bike as there are mild water crossings and it's a dirt road. There are paved/packed alternatives (Westernport Road).

The road along the Savage River is really beautiful but still hilly. From the Savage area it's best to probably go to Westernport and up Route 36 to Frostburg. Beware that the Luke area is industrial and rather dangerous for bikes... consider walking around the 90 degree turns you see. It's only a couple miles to Route 36 which is new road with good shoulders. Sundays are best for this road as there are a few coal trucks that really zoom. It's not bad with it being a wider/safer road now though.

From Frostburg take the GAP trail to Cumberland (smooth downhill on rail trail) and then the C&O to Georgetown.

From there I have no idea but I have heard that it's not hard to get someone driving a pickup to throw a bike in the back to cross the Bay bridge.