Brokebike mountain (and other outdoor events)
by Ben Pillow | April 30, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Posted in Baltimore, Uncategorized, health, sports, travel
It took me a long time to get comfortable with mountain biking. The rocks, the roots, the water, the falls … the blood, sweat and tears of it all. As many newcomers to the sport do (I’m told), my first few times out I wondered, “What exactly is fun about this and how much farther to the car?”
But then you start to get in better shape. And meet really cool people on the trail. Where there was once misery, now it really is exhilarating. The basics of bike maintenance aren’t even that difficult to learn. Walking three miles out with a busted chain will make you learn.
About eight months ago, I moved back to my home state of South Carolina, to my hometown deep down on the Atlantic coast — where there are no mountains (but great beaches). Now I have to reacquaint, re-shape-up, re-motivate myself for mountain biking all over again. But this time I can’t wait. Hopped on the bike one day earlier this week before work for a leisurely ride in Robert E. Lee Park off Falls Road in Baltimore. Yep, I’m rusty. Too tentative. Breathing too heavy after too short a time. And there’s nothing technical about the trails in that park.
But I’ll get there; maybe even compete in a couple of races later this year — the Cranky Monkey series in Northern Virginia was a favorite in my time as a District of Columbian.
Now, my point: When I previously lived in Baltimore, my favorite local tracks to ride were the Avalon area of Patapsco and Loch Raven. Schaeffer Farms closer to D.C., maybe. But clue me in to your favorite local spots. Across the state? I don’t mind driving four hours for a weekend of good riding. I ask this, one, for personal reasons; two, to share with other bthesite.com readers who may (gasp) want to get away from the TV, the bar, the city, etc., once in a while.
And while you’re at it, I’m also trying to create and maintain a list of weekly outdoor events in the area, so e-mail me at ben@bthesite.com with your tips and contact info at least two weeks ahead of the event. I’m talking hiking, fishing, kayaking, birding, camping — whatever. We’ll do our best to get them into b’s printed edition on Thursdays. Thanks in advance, and be safe out there.
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May 1st, 2008 at 2:12 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Bro:
Another good one is the McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park, off of Marriottsville Road. Sort of in the Howard County/Baltimore County nexus. In my earlier riding days, I used to live off of Route 40 in Howard County, a few miles from McKeldin. Close enough that I could bike there, ride the trail, and (assuming no mishaps!) ride back home to clean up and wipe off the blood. Great stuff! There were some technically very challenging spots: steep inclines, lots of rocks, streams, etc. One time I almost ran into a horse heading the other direction. Good thing I ran into the trees instead.
I think my epiphany came the day I was heading full tilt down a slope, on a trail covered with rocks the size of loaves of bread, and I bottomed out my front shocks: it left me seeing stars, but I recall skidding into a muddy turn just after and thinking "Man, this is LIVING!" I'll have to get the old Trek 480 out of mothballs and get back on the trail. Maybe when my daughter can stay home unattended...
Happy trails! Thanks for the inspiration, and good luck with the search.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:36 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Hey, Ben.
As you know, Glen Ellen at Loch Raven and Avalon at Patapsco are the two most popular spots locally. Supposedly Avalon is some of the best mountain biking in the eastern US. The piedmont offers a lot of great rolling hills and thick forests that are perfect for the sport.
Prettyboy has some of the best hiking around in my opinion and every AT trailhead in Maryland is about 1hr and 15 min from downtown.
I was in Marin County, Ca last week mountain biking in the foothills of Mt Tam... that was amazing.
I'm ready when you are...
May 1st, 2008 at 4:34 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Thanks guys — will def check out McKeldin, and Adam, let's plan a ride soon. Keep the events coming ...
May 1st, 2008 at 4:43 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Started mt. biking at age 34. Had many bikes due to breakage and modern day technology. At age 40 now, hurt knee and unable to ride the way I'd like. Therefore I'm interested in selling my bike. Santa Cruz heckler, all xtr parts custom made bike. purchased new 2 years ago for around 2700, like to sell and buy something a little less extreme. if interested reply and we could talk price
May 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Hey,
I know everyone has been leaving comments about mountain biking, but I was wondering if anyone has tips for biking newbies. My bf and I haven't rode bikes since we were little kids. We aren't looking to be the next Lance Armstrong nor do we feel ready to mountain bike(yet). However, we would like to exercise around the towson/cockeysville area and tackle some novice bike trails. Any recommendations on bikes/shops/trails?
Thanks
May 6th, 2008 at 12:40 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
c,
If you and your bf are game, the Jones Falls Trail in Baltimore extends from Penn Station to the Woodberry light rail station. Eventually, the trail is to connect more than 25 city neighborhoods and extend 12 miles from the Mount Washington light rail station to the Inner Harbor. Good way to see the city. As far as bike shops, Mt. Washington Bike Shop at 5813 Falls Road in Baltimore is my favorite — they can give you good advice on a starter bike.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:12 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Hi c!
Hi c, hey that's a good music pun. Sorry..
As to trails, another good one for novices is the Northern Central Rail Trail. It runs from just north of Cockeysville all the way up to Pennyslvania. It follows an old railroad bed (hence the name) and goes through some pretty countryside. I wouldn't suggest trying the whole thing when you are just starting out, but even the stretch from the trail head up to Monkton is pretty easy to do for beginners (about 7 miles one way, I think). At Monkton there is a pit stop of sorts with a little store that sells drinks, sandwiches, and stuff like that. They even rent innertubes so you can go tubing on the nearby river. Most of the trail is flat packed dirt and/or gravel, with the occasional divot or puddle. During the summer it can get pretty crowded on the low end, but usually starts to thin out above Monkton and especially as you get close to PA. The trail does have some 'false flats' but no big slopes.
Happy trails and enjoy!