I have never done anything close to this distance before, but I have been thinking about it since last season. It would be around 150 miles one way, which would definitely be a challenge but I think it is very doable.

I am wondering though on how to go about it and looking for some general tips. What I am wondering about most is the route to take. What is the best way to research this to find the safest and most efficient roads to take?

I'd seriously consider going down the eastern shore of maryland instead of on the baltimore side. MUCH less congestion, nicer roads. The only problem is that I don't think you can get across the bridge to Annapolis on a bike. You might have to get a ride of some sort, or there might be a ferry somewhere.

Actually, looks like you could get a ride across: https://www.examiner.com/a-728467~Motorists%20can%20get%20help%20when%20crossing%20the%20Chesapeake%20Bay%20Bridge.html

It sounds like a great, very doable trip. Good luck
EDIT:

Here's how you get across the bridge:

https://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bi...e-bay-tour.cfm

Taken from that site:

"'ve had this advice from Thomas Frohlich, a gentleman in the Tidewater Bicycle Assoc., about crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel with a bike:Although I've also heard from a few people who stop before the bridge/tunnel, hoist a sign that says "will pay your toll for a lift", and often they get a free lift."

I think that both Pennsylvania and Maryland's departments of transportation will send you a bicycle map on request.

Google maps has an "avoid highways" check box on their directions page. That combined with the ability to drag the route away from roads you want to avoid to better ones is useful.

Are you thinking of doing this as a tour or a 1 day ride? Camping? Moteling?

Do you need a place to stay just north of Baltimore?

Feel free to ask about specific routes in MD. I have probably ridden most of the ones that are north of Baltimore.

Different strokes I guess. I am not crazy about riding long distances on the Eastern shore. If you like it flat and don't mind the wind, you may like it.

I think that many of the potential western shore routes in that area can be wonderful riding. I am not sure of the area around Philly, but the route between Baltimore and Newark De is delightful, if hilly. I have ridden that quite a few times. I recommend crossing the Susquehanna on Rt 1 over the Connewingo dam. Use the Belair Bypass and then maybe take Harford Road or one of several alternate routes. Balancing directness, hills, traffic and scenery you can vary the route a lot, but I find the area very pleasant to ride in.

Below Baltimore... I have ridden less but there are nice scenic and fairly rural options a lot of the way. I hope someone who has ridden more there will pipe up otherwise i can make some suggestions.

BTW: You could use the Adventure Cycling Atlantic Coast route if you wanted.

I guess i just prefer to be further away from civilization if possible. The wind can suck, but usually do my touring on a recumbent and I don't notice it nearly as much as on my other upright bikes.

For someone who is new to touring i'd think it would be easier to take longer, less conjested, flat roads, but to each his own.

Yes definitely personal preference, but I think that much of the area I mentioned is less congested and more of it rural and scenic than most folks realize. It is pretty hilly though and that might be a bigger negative factor for some than the other factors.

In no way am saying that your suggestion of using the eastern shore is a bad idea, just that the western shore options can be quite nice and that I prefer them myself. I think it is a good suggestion that he consider it (the eastern shore). The distance isn't too much different between the eastern shore and western shore options so either will work fine. It will depend on which terrain he prefers.

i admit I'm not completel familiar with the good roads on the western side. I might have to hit you up for some info on that. I'm going on a tour late next month into june which will bring me back home through that area and I havent figured out how I'm going to go yet. I'd like to get a rough idea beforehand.

Let me know if I can help.

Are you suggesting the area around 301? I would love to go down that area as I have never been down that way before. It looks like I could cross through Kent Island - is that doable on a bike? What is that area like? I imagine it to be very nice and peaceful in my head, but I really have no idea. How bad is the wind if I took the Eastern route down? The flat ground is definitely preferred.

Either a 1 day ride or a 2 day ride. I would probably be camping. If I came down the Western side then I could possibly use the place to stay, or at the very least stop in and say hello and wash up a bit. However, if I go the Eastern route that would not be too logical. Perhaps I could go one way up and one way down though?

It can be widely variable. Some days it is nice others it can be very bad. Of the days I have ridden on the shore 3 out of 4 have been at least somewhat OK, but there always seems to be wind.

If you want to avoid hills the route I suggested isn't the best. It is definitely hilly. For me the western side is easier and more relaxing, but I like hills and find flat terrain makes me more sore and tired and I find the flat rides kind of boring.

The roads on the eastern shore tend to have nice wide shoulders and light traffic. If you don't mind some wind and like to ride on the flat terrain it is very nice.

Not sure if it helps but I think the following route might help with the portion by the Bay Bridge:
https://www.bikewashington.org/routes/beach/index.htm

I would recommend taking at least two days each way. Last Summer on the TransAmerica our longest day was 115 miles. It was flat for all but the last 15 or 20 miles and we were in shape from being on the road for the previous 58 days. It was still a grind.

If you decide to stop by you are welcome at my house in Parkville, assuming I am not away or something. Lots of folks helped us on the TA so I like to help other cyclists when I can.

i like the idea of going different ways down a back, a loop. I'd plan on at least two days each way.

Yeah, I think I would rather do the Eastern coast on the way down. Do you recommend crossing at Kent Island like I mentioned? Also, any detours or stops I should schedule for scenic areas or things to stop and do?

Thanks, everyone has been a huge help to me.

You can ride onto Kent Island, but you have to take the Chesapeak Bay Bridge that you cant ride over that we mentioned before.

Sight seeing on the eastern shore? I'm not so sure about that It's not that it's ugly, there just isnt much there. Plus if you have two days to get to DC you wont have much time for detours.

You might want to ask these DC cycling forums.

https://groups.yahoo.com/group/BikeWashingtonDC/messages

https://groups.google.com/group/pedalers

Joe,
For the D.C. portion of the route try this:
https://www.americanmap.com/catalog/p...oducts_id=2042

Good luck.