What we’re about
The purpose of this group is to give our fellow Maryland bike riders opportunities to:
- explore familiar and new bike trails mostly in MD, and occasionally in DC, VA, DE, PA, NJ and NY.
- socialize and make new friends.
- have fun while exercising.
- travel with a familiar group to participate in day trips and weekend getaways for bikers
- travel with a familiar group to participate in larger bike events such as "Bike Philly"
- volunteer for bike events
- support bike advocate groups such as Bike Maryland and WABA.
Although most participants have been in the over 40+ age range, we welcome bikers of all ages, as well as all skill levels, gender identifications, ethnicities, races, etc.
Most of the events are for casual bicycle riding on scenic trails. We target rail and greenway trails, which are bicycle-friendly trails that tend to parallel old train tracks, canals, and rivers. Since trains did not do well on anything over a 3% grade, these trails are amazingly flat. They go through some beautiful areas and quaint towns, often where food and drink are plentiful.
We avoid streets as much as possible, although some of the trails may include a bike lane or shoulder for a small portion of the ride. Only a small number of routes use roads more than 25% of the time. Any route that is mostly on roads will be titled with "ROAD RIDE " so they can be easily identified.
Although we are mainly interested in "day trips," We also like to schedule at least one overnight each year.
Most rides will have distance options such as 10, 15, 20, etc., that you can choose from. And we'll range between 8 - 15 mph (some of us are slower, some are faster). This will make for a pretty laid-back ride and riders of just about any skill level should be fine. This is not about performance!
Group Fees
At this time there is no event fee or annual group fee. But please consider making a small donation to offset the $300 annual Meetup fee, the $80 annual Ride with GPS fee, and the huge number of hours the organizer's use to research destinations, check for trail construction, parking, writing, answering member questions, etc. in lieu of doing their personal errands.
Volunteer organizers are needed
If you’re in the mood to ride a particular trail and would like to let others join you, let me know and I’ll gladly add your event and put you as the organizer - even if there’s already a bike trip listed the same day. The more the merrier!
What do I need to bring?
Bike details: A proper-fitting bike that has had a maintenance check. Hybrids, mountain bikes, and road bikes (as long as they don't have the ultra-thin tires); the trails tend to be a mixture of asphalt, crushed limestone, and gravel.
Helmet: Required to be worn when seated/riding a bike.
Some other gear that is almost mandatory:
- Water (water bottles or a backpack style hydration system)
- Spare tube: Even if you don't know how to change a flat, someone in the group will be able to do it for you and it's MUCH easier to change a tube than to patch one
- Bike tools (a tire repair and patch kit and spare tube is always a good idea)
- Bike lock (we do stop for food and drink and the bike is not always in view)
- A payment method
- Good attitude (we're fun people!)
Other things to consider:
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small first aid kit
- Bike bag to hold everything
- Biking shorts (padded shorts may look strange to the uninitiated, but they sure do the trick)
- In cooler seasons, wear an upper layer that can be removed when you get warmed up.
- Please read our group rules
Please Note
We place limits on the number of riders that can join any single ride. Be aware of this when you join a ride. If you find you won't be able to make the ride, please move yourself from ‘Going’ to ‘Not Going’ ASAP and no later than 24 hours before the event start time to give others the chance to join. If you wait till the day of the event then you’re not giving others the time to take your place. Please don’t RSVP to an event just to add it to your calendar; only RSVP if you truly feel you will make it.
Make sure you get to the Meetup location before start time. Give yourself enough time to get your bike off/out of the car and ready by the start time (at least 15 minutes). Especially in summer, it’s too hot to stand around waiting for late arrivals to get ready. If you’re running late, please message the group on Meetup so we know whether to leave or wait a bit.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- South Island Trail, Kent Island, MDMatapeake State Park, Stevensville, MD
**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride may be postponed if the chance of rain is above 40%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 15 mph (per Accuweather) or if temperature is above 96*F at noon **
Credit goes to Howard Eckert for suggesting this trail and providing details and photos.
DESCRIPTION
Join us for a cycling adventure on Kent Island, just to the east of Annapolis. Consider bringing or wearing water shoes so you can enjoy the beaches.The South Island Trail is a paved, fairly flat trail that runs parallel to Route 8 on Kent Island. It is 6 miles long and runs from Metapeake Public Beach down to Romancoke Pier Park. It winds through forest and fields and offers water views.
Note: There is a $4 toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
BATHROOMS
There are bathrooms at both ends of the South Island Trail.PARKING AND MEETUP SPOT
There is public parking at Metapeake Public Beach.
Meet us at the trailhead.OPTION A – 12 miles total, +/- 130 ft
South Island Trail only:OPTION B - Up to 31 miles total, +/- 327 ft
South Island Trail + Extension (road cycling to the southern point of the island).
The road that branches off of Romancoke Rd is a two-lane road with no shoulders, but it is lightly traveled and a nice ride.
BIKE RENTALS
NA
BIKE REPAIR
NA
RECOMMENDATIONS
Bring: Water bottles, snacks, biking gloves, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat.
Clothing: Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you do fall, your skin is protected. Avoid wearing all black, all dark grey, all dark brown, or all dark blue, which blends in with pavement, especially while riding through a shady segment. Consider wearing something lighter to help others notice you.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must wear tightly secured helmets when on their bike.
Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:
· Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them.
· Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop.
· Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel.
· Slowing down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction.
· Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps
· When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc.
· Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground.OPTIONAL GROUP LUNCH
If interested in having a group picnic or group lunch at a retail establishment afterwards, let us know.MEETUP POLICIES
Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. Participation is at your own risk.
An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies, esp. section 6 “Release” and section 8.2 ” Limitation of Liability,” found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ - WB&A Trail: Southern End up to Northern EndpointJafe Cycling, LLC, bowie, MD
Note: This Isn’t the same as the W&A trail.
**The date may change due to weather or other circumstances **
The long-awaited bridge over the Patuxent River was opened May 2025. This will be our first time starting from the southern end and riding up over the bridge.
TRAIL INFO
The Baltimore, Washington & Annapolis Trail was originally a railroad line. It has existed as two unconnected trails, until the bridge over the Patuxent is completed. Artifacts & history can be found all along this trail. It passes through these towns: Lanham, Glenn Dale, Bowie, Piney Orchard, and Odenton.
The trail is split into the NE portion in Anne Arundel County (5.7 miles long) and the SW portion in Prince George's County (6.1 miles long) making it a total of about 12 miles long one way, but once complete, it will be about 13 miles total.Map of the North trail: WB&A Trail - Anne Arundel County Trails | The Friends of AACo Trails (friendsofaatrails.org)
Trail video: WB&A Trail by Thelsh Experience
THE PLAN
Arrive 15 minutes early. Meet us at Jafe Cycling.
**OPTION A: **
Bike up to the bridge and back. Distance Is about 6 miles to the bridge.OPTION B: **
Bike up past the bridge towards the northern trailhead. Turn around anytime you feel you’ve had enough. The distance to the bridge Is about 12 miles.Expect some elevation gain going up and then overall elevation loss on the way back.
We estimate that it will take 1.5 hours going up (we'll stop for water breaks and to read historical markers, etc. and 1.25 hours to return. Participants are welcome to turn around at an earlier time, or go faster or slower than the organizers.Speed limit is 12 mph.
Option to have lunch together on the trail or at an end point.BATHROOMS
There are no bathrooms on the trail.
There’s a McDonald’s at the start and retail options off of the northern end.
WHAT TO DO & BRING
All participants must wear a helmet while riding.
All participants should stay on the right and pass on the left whenever possible.Saying "passing on your left" and using a bell to warn walkers /bikers as you approach from behind is good practice (to avoid people moving out in front of you as you attempt to pass them).
**Suggestions: **Water bottles, snack, bike chain, bike bell, bike gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, spare tire, change of clothes or items for wiping down before you get back into your car afterwards.
I will have first aid items (acetaminophen, antibacterial cream, bandaids, gauze, alcohol) in my backpack.
Participation is at your own risk.
