Two More Excellent Sunny Day Rides

We are always looking to discover a new ride. Not too long ago, I provided some information on great rides: Lighthouse Run and Sterling - Front Royal - Charles Town Loop. See my previous post for more information about those rides. Customers are always coming into Pete's Cycles to get some ideas on good rides, so I figured I’d share some info.

This week I’d like to share some information on two additional rides. First is the Winchester VA to Deep Creek Lake MD, coming in at 104 miles. This ride gets 5 stars for just about everything, from scenery to road quality to available amenities. For those based in Baltimore, the start of this ride is indeed far away, but it makes for a great section of a weekend ride or just a long day in general.

One rider said it best on Motorcycle Roads when he commented: “As you're climbing up through the hills and coming back down, you are surrounded by trees (GREAT in the fall colors!!!) you pass through plenty of quaint towns, cross over and run along rivers. As you cross over the tops of the mountains you get some GREAT valley views along the way.” See the map for its beginning and end. And click here to learn more.

The second ride is the Catoctin Mountain and Frederick County, a 64 mile figure eight loop through some absolutely beautiful country. Unlike the previous ride, this one is easy to do from Baltimore, and it will keep you in Maryland, though you will near the PA line. The ride begins in Libertytown, MD. Click here to learn more.

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The Best Road Riding in Maryland

Ever wanted a website that listed the best road rides in each state, with easy to read maps and rides that were rated by people who have actually ridden them? Well, Motorcycleroads.com does just that.

With the warmer Spring weather seemingly here to stay, this website lists a few great rides through Maryland’s scenic coasts and rolling hills. As any Marylander knows well, it only takes a few minutes to get out into some beautiful country. Which means that you have no excuse to go out riding this weekend.

Here are two highly rated rides that the website lists. First is Lighthouse Run. This modest 17 mile ride will take you through the winding roads of Elk Neck Woods, and you will be given great views of the bay, especially since the leaves are not on the trees yes.

Here are the directions: “From Elkton, MD: go south on landing lane, turn right at the stop sign on old field point road. In about a mile, turn right on Johns Chapel Rd to transfer to Old Elk Neck Road. Take left (south) on Old Elk Neck Rd for a few miles. Look for an intersection with McKinney Town Rd, turn right on McKinney Town. The road will dead end at Turkey Point Rd. Turn left on Turkey Point which takes you all the way to the light house.” The website has more specifics on the route.

The second ride is Sterling - Front Royal - Charles Town Loop, a 133 mile loop that offers just about everything, flat country roads, mountains, and nice curves.

Here are the directions: “Starting at the Sterling Park Shopping Center, head south on Sterling Blvd. Cross over Rt. 28 and turn left on Pacific Blvd. Turn right on 606 and take that all the way to Rt. 50. Head west (turn right) on 50 until you get to Rt. 15. Turn south on 15. In Haymarket, head west on 55 to Front Royal. Take 340 north to Charles Town where you pick up Rt. 9. Head east on 9 to Rt. 7. Go east on 7, turn right on Sycolin Rd. Sycolin changes names several times (Sycolin, Ashburn Farm Pkwy, Farmwell Rd, Waxpool Rd and Church Rd). Turn right off of Church onto Holly to get back to Sterling Blvd.”

View their Maryland page here.

Also be sure to see their nicely designed Google maps of the rides.

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