Race Across America Spins Through Maryland Again

There is an ultramarathon for competitive cyclists that makes even a 100 mile foot race seem civilized.  It's called the Race Across America , and for the second year in a row it will end at City Dock in Annapolis after taking competitors through Allegany, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties.

Look at the bright side -- at least it's all downhill at this point.  After travelling 3,000 miles from Oceanside, California in approximately eight days in June, they can use a little breeze in the home stretch.

I'm mentioning it now because the route has just been finalized.  We still have a few months before this display of endurance rolls past us, but it does show Maryland can handle and enthusiastically support these increasingly popular bicycle events.

(Can you even imagine what the desert must be like in June?  What about the Rockies?  Ouch!)

So visit the website and learn more about the Race Across America.  Their last waystation before Annapolis is Mt. Airy, so that is another place to watch the parade pass by. 

Break out the grenola bars and garden hoses, this sounds like an occasion for Maryland hospitality.

Cycling Season

I picked up the latest edition of Spokes Magazine last week.  This periodical, based in Frederick, covers bicycling interests throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  I find it interesting because every issue has articles or commentary which relate to bicycling as a transportation option, recreational pastime and competitive sport.

This is becoming more relevant to Maryland as we develop trails and incorporate them into commuting options along with their amenities as parks and open spaces.  The most recent issue has a calendar of recreational excursions, advocacy events (remember the "Wear What You Dare" to Capitol Hill last year?) training exercises and professional competitions.

It's amazing how many cycle centric activities there are in Maryland.  And how many opportunities this time of year to combine fitness with heritage tourism via the historic trails (think:  C&O Canal, Allegheny Highlands, Capitol Crescent.)

I have to give a shoutout here to Nate Evans, the bicycle and pedestrian planner with the City of Baltimore, who is working with us to make Camden Yards more bicycle friendly for the fans and commuters who pass through our transit center.  You'll be reading more about that this spring, along with a potential major statewide event Team Terry is working on.

As the days get longer and the weather warmer, more people are thinking about cyling events.  Pick up a copy of Spokes, or read the online edition to catch up on some activities of interest here in Maryland.

Reading in the Rain, July 23, 2009

I’ll read anything. Compulsive habit. If my eyes are open, they need to read. I pick up a lot that way, whether I want to or not.

Today I learned some pretty interesting stuff while awaiting steamed shrimp in my favorite haunt. The first was in the latest issue of “Spokes,” a monthly tab devoted to all things cycling in the Mid-Atlantic region. It has great information on trails in Maryland, strength and conditioning for bicycle events, and a comprehensive calendar of events for bicycle adventure in the region. Be sure to check it out, whether you are a competitive, recreational or commuting cyclist. Lots of good information about trails, training, safety, and events.

This month’s cover story was about cycling demonstration in Washington called Naked Bike Ride. It wasn’t really as risque as it sounds (nothing like the hikers on summer solstice,) but fifty scantily attired advocates pedaled from 14th and K to the White House in their fourth annual “wear what you dare” ride to gain respect for bicycling commuters. Fascinating.

The other interesting thing I read was on the back of a firefighter. They’re having a convention here in town and a few drifted in our direction. Couldn’t help but admire (and read) his t-shirt, which celebrated an annual Rocktoberfest. The giant striper under the title suggested this might be a fishing tournament instead of a Bavarian heritage festival. I couldn’t read the fine print without violating personal space, so I politely inquired and learned that, indeed, the Rocktoberfest is held every fall in Ocean City. It’s one of the biggest tourneys of the year, with about 300 boats and sports fishermen of all ages. Contestants can fish in the bay, off the pier, or in the ocean. Prizes are awarded for the largest rockfish, but trout and skate have categories too. Rocktoberfest runs concurrently with hurricane season, so weather conditions offer an additional element of suspense. The fireman said the rocking and rolling was a gas last year.

See what you can learn while waiting for shrimp?

Tour Dem Parks, Hon

For two years I’ve longed to bike the Gwynns Falls Trail. GWT, a 14 mile passage connecting parks, schools and neighborhoods from Northwest Baltimore to the Inner Harbor, passes through Camden Yards. It is a unique linear park, encompassing beautiful natural scenery, fragile ecological systems, and a close look at Baltimore’s industrial past and cultural heritage. Since learning about the trail and its origins here: www.gwynnsfallstrail.org/ and working with volunteers to mark our own history here: http://www.gwynnsfallstrail.org/images/pics/Panels/Exhibit_31.jpg. I’ve wanted to experience it myself.

On June 14th, I had my chance at the 5th Annual “Tour Dem Parks, Hon” celebration of Baltimore’s biking community. The prospects of a beautiful day, lots of company , an apres-tour cookout and the inescapable commemorative t-shirt were almost all the incentives I needed. (Assurance I wouldn’t be the only middle aged matron in pedal pushers sealed the deal.)

Alas, at 8:00 AM, the entrance to Carroll Park was a sea of spandax -- vivid neon and jeweltones, like a school of tropical fish. Sponsor logos and health club insignias identified this crowd as Serious Cyclists, like the Patterson Park pros a few weeks ago. Not an ounce of adipose in sight.

The intimidation factor faded at the registration table where I saw a little more diversity in age and body mass. As promised, the 5th annual “Tour Dem Parks, Hon” offered something for every age, interest, shape, and skill level. Maps identified designated routes of 12, 25, 36 and 64 miles. Helpful volunteers explained the features of each.

By 8:15, the spandex had split, headed for a spin through Howard, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel County before returning to collect their t-shirts. I learned later that these cyclists were not so much interested in the scenery and historic markers as they were in challenging the terrain and each other.

(NOTE: Maryland has a substantial triathlon community, which includes several clubs, major events, and a network of participants. Triathletes participate in non-competitive tours like this for their training regimen. More on Maryland triathlons later this summer)

Many experienced recreational riders opted for the routes within the City, beginning and ending on the Gwynns Falls Trail and incorporating Druid Hill Park, Cylburn, Herring Run, and Patterson Park. For them it was an opportunity to see progress made in the past year – new trail segments, designated lanes, and better signage – while enjoying familiar scenery.

My friends and I fell into the third category – the family route – which took us up and back a six mile stretch of the Gwynns Falls Trail. This was ideal for aspiring cyclists, curious explorers, and friends sharing light exercise with a touch of adventure.

In other words, the bunny slope of the spin set.

With me were two Gwynns Falls veterans. Beth Stromman, universally regarded as the godmother of the Baltimore bicycle master plan, is a long time City planner who worked on the Gwynns Falls Trail project for the fourteen (!)years it took to complete. Margaret Martin, a City engineer, worked on the GWF plan with Beth many years ago when she was with the Army Corps of Engineers. Margaret (like me, a City of Annapolis expatriate) is now with Baltimore’s Department of Central Services. They take great pride in the popularity GFT enjoys, and made the ride more enjoyable with stories about obstacles overcome and partnerships forged to make the trail possible.

Beth took the lead as we headed north, passing Montgomery Park on our way to the Carroll Golf Course and our path along the stream.

It’s hard to say what part of the experience was most rewarding. Maybe it was the beautiful irony of the woodland stream Olmstead envisioned as a park more than 100 years ago. After being deferred by industrialization for more than 100 years, his plan was revived -- incorporating that history and the lessons learned into an educational experience.

Sharing the trail with people of all ages, studying the history on the markers along the way, talking with the volunteers and enjoying the beautiful weather makes me to want to explore another trail. One of the best things about Maryland is the number of different opportunities just a short drive away.

WHY MARYLAND – The birthplace of American railroading enjoys a legacy of wonderful trails. Many rightaways, trestles and tunnels have been incorporated into linear parks which connect communities and recreational facilities. Inter-urban trolley systems once operating in the Baltimore-Washington-Annapolis triangle now mesh schools and ballfields with trails. Every region in Maryland has rail trails in addition to fitness trails and community connectors.

Geography – the mountains of Western Maryland, foothills and rolling farmlands in the central state, and sandy flats of the Eastern Shore offer variety for recreational riding, training, and competitive events.

Culture, Advocacy – Maryland cities are behind vanguards like Portland or Chicago when it comes to incorporating bicycles into their transportation plans. Give Baltimore a lot of credit for jumping in with both pedals to catch up. Having an avid cyclist as Mayor, and a bicycle-pedestrian coordinator on the planning team has helped immeasurably.

Political clout -- Friends in high places have brought many other projects to fruition. One visionary is longtime DNR Secretary (and Warehouse neighbor) Dr. Torrey C. Brown. He was instrumental in restoring the North Central railroad bed from Baltimore County to the Pennsylvania line into a trail that now bears his name. It comprises a major segment of the proposed Grand History Trail connecting Washington, DC, Annapolis, Frederick, Baltimore and Gettysburg, PA.

Congressman (now Senator) Ben Cardin was a huge factor in the creation of the Gwynns Falls. Senator Barbara Mikulski championed Allegany Highlands in Cumberland. As with the Torrey Brown Trail, each is a segment in a much larger network that brings visitors through Maryland. Among the national trails that pass through Maryland are the East Coast Greenway, from Maine to Florida, and the American Discoverty Trail, from Delaware to California.

Higher education – Bicycling and activism tend to flourish in college communities. Maryland has a bumper crop of both, including a multicultural international scene that elevates awareness of cycling as responsible, sustainable transportation.

Vigorous volunteers – Maryland abounds with bicycle enthusiasts who patrol trails, testify at hearings, write grants, support events, and generally wave the flag for bicycle causes. I’m beginning to recognize faces as I go to different activities. Cycle advocates are partnering with the health and wellness community, city planners and transportation officials, and recreation officials as they incorporate bicycle-centric design into every lifestyle and occupational plan.

It must be working: Maryland was recently recognized as one of six “bicycle-friendly” states by the League Of American Bicyclists for taking initiatives to improve conditions for bicyclists.

Check out this bicycle publication:

Spokes, a free monthly tab, for an about cycling in the Mid-Atlantic States. Cover feature for June showcases trails and cycling events in Dorchester County. Very interesting stories, pix, and columns about every aspect of cycling.

http://www.spokesmagazine.com/

Interesting links:

Talbot County recently launched a bicycle brochure with six themed routes. You can see a map and learn more about the attractions and activities along the trails here:
http://www.tourtalbot.org/PDFs/talbot_county_bicycle_map.pdf