OUTDOORS For those looking to hit the road, Maryland’s varied terrain—from flat to mountainous—offers something for bikers of all abilities. The Viewtrail 100 connects numerous small towns on the easy-pedaling Eastern Shore, while Biking Carroll County has 10 different loops through rural, rolling hills. For a thigh-burning, gear-changing outing, take on the Catoctin Mountain Challenge from Gambrills State Park. And for fat tire fans, Patapsco Valley State Park near Baltimore, Rosaryville State Park in Upper Marlboro, and Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County are just some of the places offering stump-jumping, mud-splashing mountain bike thrills. Charter fishing on the Chesapeake Bay fantastic freshwater lake fishing at Deep Creek, the Liberty Reservoir and Loch Raven Reservoir near Baltimore with largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye and lots of pan-fish. Fly fishing fans shouldn’t miss Maryland’s world-class brown trout runs on the Savage and Gunpowder rivers. Or, fish in Western Maryland’s pristine mountain streams for native brook trout. The water’s so clear, it’s like the “brookies” are swimming through a rippling sky. If you’re looking for something a little different, try your (preferably gloved) hand at ice fishing on Deep Creek Lake. All winter long, you can pull in pike, bluegill, perch and crappie. Or, for the true adventurer, take a shot at bow fishing. One of the fastest growing outdoors sports, bow fishing is perfect for catching snakehead and massive, 40-plus pound blue catfish. Crabbers can drop their nets from April through November all around the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries, creeks and rivers. Want some company in the saddle? All are welcome to Baltimore’s monthly Bike Party, a spirited mass ride where the main goal is to have fun. All manner of annually organized cycling outings, races, rallies and fundraisers can be found throughout the year and across the state. Consider the Sea Gull Century and Soft Shell Metric Century (both in Salisbury) or Southern Maryland’s St. Mary’s Century. The Ice Cream Century in Frederick and Washington counties has a number of lengths—and all bikers get free ice cream. Tour de Frederick offers various mileages and fundraising opportunities, and Baltimore’s Tour Dem Parks, Hon! has riders rolling between the city’s loveliest parks. After a day pedalling Baltimore’s many cycle trails, dismount and unwind at the quirky HandleBar Cafe in Baltimore’s Fells Point, which offers pizza, beer and bike repairs all under one roof. Swap the saddle for a bar stool in this unique bike-friendly venue. For those on four wheels, gear up and head to the St. John’s Rock Road Trail, the new, modern, off-road vehicle trail in Garrett County’s Savage River State Forest. Two Wheels Up For Fun Whether your brand of pedaled pleasure is a quiet journey along a leafy bike path, an ambitious cross-country road trek, or a pulse-pounding plunge down a muddy mountain trail, Maryland has you covered. With hundreds of miles of mixed-use cycling trails, including numerous rails-to-trails conversions, you are never too far from biking bliss. The bucolic, 21-mile Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail follows the historic Northern Central Railway from suburban Baltimore to the Pennsylvania border. At nearly 185 miles long, the spectacular C&O Canal Towpath connects Washington, D.C., to Cumberland along the Potomac River. Enjoy gorgeous riverside vistas and admire the historic lockhouses as you wheel along in leafy splendor. The BWI Bike Trail loops for 11 pleasant miles around the airport, providing great spots to watch the planes land, before intersecting with the Baltimore Annapolis Trail and continuing on to the state capital. The Indian Head Rail Trail, meanwhile, cuts a 13-mile swath across some of the loveliest land in Charles County. Patapsco Valley State Park, near Baltimore 30 ✥ VISITMARYLAND.ORG | 1-877-333-4455 PHOTO: JAY FLEMING
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2018 Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 30
