Mountain Biking the Washington, D.C./Baltimore Area, 4th An Atlas of Northern Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.'s Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides

by Adams, Scott; Fernandez, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780762726578
• ISBN10: 0762726571
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-08-01
• Publisher: FalconGuides

Summary

Here is everything bicyclists need to know to enjoy off-road adventures in a region layered in more than its share of pavement. Plunge down steep, rugged singletrack over Maryland's Allegheny Mountains; relax along leisurely lakeside trails minutes from the Beltway; or travel off-road through Virginia's scenic horse country, stopping only for a taste of wine from the region's great vineyards. This guide shows both novice and experienced cyclists how to get out of the gridlock and into the woods. From this book cyclists can expect exhaustive and comprehensive trail descriptions, from beginner to advanced, GPS-quality, digitally designed relief maps detailing each ride and accurate route profiles showing the ups and downs of each ride. In addition detailed directions get them to the ride without getting lost. Detailed mile-by-mile directional cues are also provided with difficulty ratings, elevation gain, trail contacts, and much more.

Author Biography

Scott Adams has written several mountain biking guidebooks, including Mountain Biking Virginia and Mountain Bike Madness in Central Pennsylvania. He is a regular mountain bike contributor to MetroSports Magazine and has competed in more 24-hour races than he likes to remember. A native Virginian, Scott lives with his wife and growing family in Charlottesville. Martin Fernandez is a native of Lima, Peru, and now lives in Virginia. When he's not riding his FAT in the backcountry trails of Maryland and Virginia, he is hard at work designing publications and web sites or trying to come up with an award winning homebrew recipe. He is a graphic designer who enjoys the freedom of cycling more than anything.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Preface	ix
Introduction	xi
How to Use This Book	xi
How to Use These Maps	xii
Map Legend	xiii
The Rides Western Maryland	1	(52)
Deep Creek Lake State Park	3	(6)
New Germany State Park	9	(5)
Green Ridge State Forest MTB Loop	14	(7)
In Addition: The Geographic Regions of Maryland	19	(2)
Green Ridge State Forest Race Route	21	(7)
Greenbrier State Park	28	(6)
Gambrill State Park: Yellow Trail	34	(4)
Gambrill State Park: Blue Trail	38	(4)
Sugarloaf's Scenic Circuit	42	(5)
River Ride	47	(6)
Honorable Mentions---Western Maryland
Swallow Falls State Park	51	(1)
Wisp Ski Area	51	(1)
Whitetail Ski Resort	51	(1)
Frederick Watershed	52	(1)
Maryland Piedmont Region	53	(54)
Cabin John Regional Park	55	(5)
Black Hill Regional Park	60	(6)
Schaeffer Farms	66	(5)
In Addition: Maryland Census Statistics	70	(1)
Seneca Creek State Park	71	(5)
Patapsco Valley State Park: McKeldin Area	76	(5)
Patapsco Valley State Park: Glen Artney/Avalon/Orange Grove/Hilton Areas	81	(4)
Rockburn Branch Regional Park	85	(6)
Northern Central Rail-Trail	91	(6)
In Addition: Rails-to-Trails	96	(1)
Gunpowder Falls State Park: Perry Hall	97	(4)
Gunpowder Falls State Park: Sweet Air	101	(6)
Southern Maryland	107	(44)
Susquehanna River Ride	109	(5)
Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area	114	(6)
Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract	120	(5)
L. F. Cosca Regional Park	125	(5)
Cedarville State Forest	130	(4)
Patuxent River Park	134	(5)
In Addition: Chesapeake Bay	138	(1)
Saint Mary's River State Park	139	(7)
In Addition: Mountain Biking with Your Dog	144	(2)
Pocomoke State Park	146	(5)
Honorable Mentions---Southern Maryland
Calvert Cliffs	150	(1)
Tuckahoe State Park	150	(1)
Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area	150	(1)
Northern Virginia	151	(52)
Waterford Dirt Ride	152	(5)
Ball's Bluff Canal Ride	157	(4)
Middleburg Vineyard Tour	161	(6)
In Addition: Mountain Biking and Wine	165	(2)
Great Falls National Park	167	(5)
Difficult Run	172	(6)
Centreville Power Lines	178	(5)
Wakefield Park/Accotink Trail	183	(4)
Burke Lake Loop	187	(4)
Fountainhead Regional Park	191	(6)
Prince William Forest Park	197	(6)
Washington, D.C.	203	(12)
Fort Circle Trail	204	(6)
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal	210	(5)
The Art of Mountain Biking	215	(18)
Mountain Bike Beginnings	215	(1)
Mountain Biking into Shape	216	(1)
Be Safe---Know the Law	217	(2)
The Mountain Bike Controversy	219	(1)
Etiquette of Mountain Biking	219	(1)
Trail Maintenance	220	(1)
On-the-Spot Quick Fix	221	(1)
Rules of the Trail	222	(1)
The Necessities of Cycling	223	(1)
Be Prepared or Die	224	(1)
Be Safe---Wear Your Armor	224	(1)
Oh, Those Chilly Metropolitan Days	225	(1)
To Have or Have Not---Other Very Useful Items	226	(2)
Types of Off-Road Terrain	228	(1)
Techniques to Sharpen Your Skills	228	(1)
Going Uphill---Climbing Those Treacherous Hills	229	(1)
Going Downhill---The Real Reason We Get Up in the Morning	229	(1)
Watch Out!	230	(1)
Last-Minute Check	231	(2)
Repair and Maintenance	233	(4)
Fixing a Flat	233	(2)
Lubrication Prevents Deterioration	235	(2)
Appendix	237	(5)
Bicycle Clubs and Organizations	237	(3)
Ski Resorts	240	(1)
Fat-Tire Vacations	241	(1)
About the Authors	242