CYCLING GUIDE - Visit Dorchester · 2018-12-29 · CYCLING GUIDE TO DORCHESTER COUNTY On Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Welcome to Dorchester County! We’re known for our quiet roads,

CYCLING GUIDE TO DORCHESTER COUNTY

On Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Welcome to Dorchester County! We’re known for our quiet roads, unspoiled landscapes and waterscapes, and wildlife. We are home to two IRONMAN triathlons. This is also the birthplace of Harriet Tubman of Underground Railroad fame. Find out more at VisitDorchester.org.

BIKE RENTAL: • Blackwater Adventures, bike rentals and guided tours. Two locations: 2524 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge (near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge). Also at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge. 410.901.9255, blackwateradventuresmd.com.

• RIDE Cambridge, cruiser and scooter rentals. 409 Muir St., Cambridge, 240.855.7038.

• On the Rivet, beach cruiser rentals, 2833 Ocean Gateway East (Route 50), Cambridge, 410.221.9981.

• Dorchester Visitor Center, cruiser rental, 2 Rose Hill Pl., Cambridge, 410.228.1000.

BIKE SALES AND REPAIR:• On the Rivet, 2833 Ocean Gateway East,

(Route 50), Cambridge, 410.221.9981.

• Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge) has a self-serve “fix-it station” with tools.

1 Cambridge to Neck District – Out and Back 32-mile ride past windmill; some water views

MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO

0.00 S Straight on Somerset St. 0.69

0.69 L Left on Glasgow St. 0.26

0.95 R Right on Leonards Ln. 0.80

1.75 R Right on Rt. 343 1.31

3.06 L Bear left on Hudson Rd. 8.12

11.18 L Bear left on Hudson Rd. 0.93

12.11 R Bear right on Hills Pt Rd. 1.90

14.01 L Left on Ragged Point Rd. and follow until the end

1.83

15.84 U U-Turn and retrace steps above 15.84

31.68 End at Great Marsh Park

Choptank RiverHudson Rd

Horn Pt Rd

LittleChoptank

River

Morris

Nec

k

Ross N

eck R

d

Todd

s Pt

Rd

Hills P

t Rd

Rag

ged

Pt R

d

Cas

sons

Nec

k R

d

Bar N

eck

Rd C

astle

Hav

en R

d

Town Point Rd

Town

Po

int R

d

Dailsville Rd

SpocottWindmill

Horn Pt Lab

VisitorCtr

U

343

16

341

CAMBRIDGE

Great Marsh Park

Ride the northwestern part of the county known as the Neck District, so called for all the little peninsulas (or necks) jutting into the water. Ride through small com-munities, farmlands, and enjoy great water views at the turn-around point. Take in some history at Spocott Windmill & Village (at about mile 6.9); open dawn to dusk daily for self-guided tours. For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.

Starting Point Great Marsh Park, 1 Somerset Ave., Cambridge, MD

Approx. Miles 32 miles

Approx. Time 2.5-3 hours (at 12mph)

At A Glance Watch for traffic on parts of Route 343. Course can be windy. Not much shade. Highlights include Spocott Windmill and Village. Great views at far point of route at Ragged Point.

2 IRONMAN Loop 55+ miles following the same course as Eagleman triathletes


0.00 S Straight on Somerset St. 0.70

0.70 R Right on Glasgow St. 0.19

0.89 L Left on Jenkins Creek Rd. 0.58

1.47 L Left on West Side Bypass (Road may not be marked. Look for concrete barriers and ride between them.)

0.67

2.14 R Right on Route 343 1.15

3.29 R Bear right on Horns Point Rd. 1.67

4.96 L Left on Lovers Ln. 0.68

5.64 L Left on Route 343 0.40

6.04 R Right on Town Point Rd./Dailsville Rd. 4.44

10.48 R Right on Church Creek Rd. (Rt 16) 12.41

22.89 L Left on Smithville Rd. 7.10

29.99 L Left on Hoopers Island Rd. (Rt 335) 1.93

31.92 L Left on Golden Hill Rd. to stay on Rt. 335 5.90

37.82 R Right on Key Wallace Dr. 2.26

40.08 L Left on Egypt Rd. 7.08

47.16 L Left on Rock Dr. 0.48

47.65 S Cross Route 16 to Dailsville Rd. 4.44

52.09 R Right on Route 343 1.18

53.27 L Left on West Side Bypass 0.67

53.94 R Right on Jenkins Creek Rd. 0.58

54.52 R Right on Glasgow St. 0.19

54.71 L Left on Somerset St. 0.70

55.41 End at Great Marsh Park

Buttons Neck Rd

Dailsville Rd

Little ChoptankRiver

Har

risvi

lle R

d

Whi

te M

arsh

Rd

Town

Pt

Rd

Town Pt Rd

Hudson RdHorn Pt Rd

Hip Roof Rd

Key Wallace Dr

Maple Dam

Rd

Gol

den

Hill

Rd

Smithville Rd

Egypt Rd

Golden

Hill R

d

B l a c k w a t e rN a t i o n a lW i l d l i f eR e f u g e


Ta y l o r ' sI s l a n dW M A

Ta y l o r ' sI s l a n dW M A

343

Taylors I

sl Rd CHURCH

CREEK

CAMBRIDGE

16

16

Old Field Rd335

335

335

335334336

BlackwaterVisitor Ctr.

HarrietTubman

Visitor Ctr.

Hooper Island Rd

Starting Point Great Marsh Park, 1 Somerset Ave., Cambridge, MD

Approx. Miles 55+ miles

Approx. Time 4.5-5 hours (at 12mph)

At A Glance Course can be windy. Not much shade. Highlights include Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (at mile 38.5). (Harriet Tubman lived and toiled in this area for her first 27 years.)

This is the course that IRONMAN triathletes have used for the bike portion of the 70.3 Eagleman race that happens here each June. For specifics on the bike route of IRONMAN Maryland (a 140.6-mile triathlon), go to ironman.com and search for IRONMAN Maryland. For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.

3 Blackwater Wildlife Refuge – Out and Back 24-mile excursion in and around scenic wildlife refuge


0.00 S Straight out driveway of Blackwater Visitor Center

0.07


1.67 R Right on Maple Dam Rd. 8.39

10.06 U U-Turn at intersection with Andrews Rd.

8.39

18.45 L Left on Key Wallace Dr. 1.04

19.49 L Left into entrance of Wildlife Dr.; nominal entry fee, cash only ($)

2.52

22.01 L Left to continue on Wildlife Dr. 1.00

23.01 R Right on Golden Hill Rd. (Rt. 335); note Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park & Visitor Center across the street

0.25


24.29 R Right into Blackwater Visitor Center 0.07

24.36 S End at Blackwater Visitor Center Parking Lot

Hill Rd

Golden

Maple Dam

Rd

Blac

kwate

r Rd

Robbins Rd

WildlifeDrive

Key Wallace DrGreenbrier Rd

Andrews Rd

Lakesville RdLiners Rd



F i s h i n g B a y W M AF i s h i n g B a y W M A

BlackwaterVisitor Ctr.

Harriet Tubman

Visitor Ctr.

U

335

This out-and-back route explores parts of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, with 28,000 acres of protected marshland, wooded areas, and fields. Start at the ref-uge’s Visitor Center at 2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge, with restrooms, exhibits, and a self-service bicycle “fix-it” station. Center is open daily 8am-4pm Mon-Fri; 9am-5pm Sat-Sun. More at friendsofblackwater.org. At the end of Wildlife Drive, across Route 335, is the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center. Cross carefully. Open 9am-5pm daily. Free admission.

Starting Point Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, 2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge


Approx. Time 2 hours (at 12mph) (allow extra time for wildlife watching)

At A Glance Route travels through dramatic marsh-land before entering the refuge’s 4-mile Wildlife Drive with beautiful vistas and wildlife. Nominal fee per bicycle at the drive’s entrance; cash only.

West Side Byp

Roslyn Av

Fran

klin

St

¯Great Marsh Park

U

LighthouseSkipjack

Visitor Center

DorchesterHeritageMuseums Hyatt

ChesapeakeRichardson

MaritimeMuseum

Harriet

Tubman Museum

Choptank River

Glasgow StLocust St

School St

Washington St

Water St

Hambrooks Blvd

Bellevue Av

Bay View Av

Sandy Hill Rd

Hig

h St

Maryland Av

Cedar StJenk

ins C

reek

Rd

Leon

ards

Ln

Som

erse

t St

Talb

ot S

tG

lenb

urn

Av

Mill

StHam

broo

ks B

lvdRi

vers

ide

Dr

Oak St

Woo

ds R

d

Cru

sade

r Rd

Rac

e St

Acad

emy

St Dor

ches

ter A

v

Pine

St

Her

on B

lvd

Moo

se L

odge

Rd

16

343

Map

le

4 Cambridge Waterfront Out and Back 12-mile city ride with lighthouse, great Choptank River views, restaurantsThis ride offers beautiful views of the Choptank River waterfront, the Choptank River Lighthouse (open May-October, 9am-6pm), a marina, parks, and more. It passes by the Dorchester Visitor Center, where you can stop for restrooms and information about the area. (Open daily, 8:30am-5pm.) The ride starts at the Hyatt Chesapeake Resort; you don’t have to be a guest to park there. Be aware and ride carefully on busy city streets. For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.

Starting Point Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge. Park in River Marsh Golf Club parking lot (first lot on your right).

Approx. Miles 11.5 miles

Approx. Time 1 hour (at 12mph)

At A Glance Some streets can be busy. Route crosses a narrow drawbridge on Maryland Avenue and travels for a few blocks on a brick-cobbled street (High Street). Note orientation of map.


0.00 L Left out of parking lot, then left to exit Hyatt 0.69

0.69 R Right on raised cycle path at Route 50 0.57

1.26 R Right on Woods Rd. 0.39

1.65 L Left on Roslyn Ave. 0.26

1.91 R Right on Crusader Rd. 0.15

2.06 L Left on Maryland Ave. 0.02

2.08 R Right on Hiawatha Rd; becomes Radiance Dr. 0.29

2.37 R Right onto fishing pier. Walk bike up ramp on left and under Rt 50 bridge

0.13

2.50 S Follow boardwalk along waterfront 0.29

2.79 L Left on Franklin St. by boat ramp 0.28

3.07 R Right on Maryland Ave.; carefully follow over narrow drawbridge

0.33

3.40 R Right on Academy St. 0.16

3.56 R Right on High St. (brick-cobbled street) 0.26

3.82 L Left on Water St. 0.25

4.07 S Dogleg; road changes to Hambrooks Blvd. 0.85

4.92 S Road changes name to Bellevue Ave. 0.31

5.23 L Left on Maple Ave. 0.13

5.36 R Right on Oak St. 0.15

5.51 L Left on Riverside Dr. 0.28

5.79 U U-turn; retrace steps above 5.79

11.58 End at Hyatt Chesapeake

Rav

enw

ood

Rd

Drawbridge Rd

Stee

le N

eck

Rd

Steele Neck Rd

New Bridge Rd

L e C o m p t eW M A

L e C o m p t eW M A

Tripp

s Nec

k Rd

Kraft Neck Rd

Drawbridge Rd

DecourseyBridge Rd

Layton’sChanceWinery

5 Layton’s Chance Winery Loop Easy 10 miles of country roads through farmland


0.00 S Straight out winery driveway 0.07

0.07 R Right on New Bridge Rd. 1.55

1.62 R Right on Steele Neck Rd. 2.98

4.60 R Bear right on Drawbridge Rd. 1.90

6.50 R Right on Ravenwood Rd. 2.41

8.91 R Right on New Bridge Rd. 0.83

9.74 R Right into Layton’s Chance Winery 0.07

9.81 S End at Parking Lot

Starting Point Layton’s Chance Winery, 4225 New Bridge Rd., Vienna


Approx. Time 45 mins to 1 hour (at 12mph)

At A Glance Course can be windy. Not much shade. Nice waterviews of the Chicamicamico River.

Ride quiet, flat country roads through the farmland that surrounds Layton’s Chance Vineyard and Winery. Start and end your ride at the winery and stay for a wine tasting! (Winery is usually open daily; check laytonschance.com for hours and info on free tours.)

This brochure is sponsored in part by the Dorchester County Health Department and is made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Maryland Department of Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control.

“Dorchester County’s country roads gently turn and twist through flat, vast coastal marshes and over scenic Chesapeake waterways. The roads near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge are well paved and ideal for cycling. You’ll be rewarded with bald eagle sightings too numerous to count, history and heritage in every village along the way, and stunning sunsets.”

— Jim Rapp, naturalist and director of the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center

FIND OUT MORE:Dorchester County Tourism

2 Rose Hill Pl., Cambridge, MD 21613VisitDorchester.org

410.228.1000

6 Vienna to Elliotts Island – Out and Back 39 miles through quiet marshland


0.00 S Go straight on Water St., with river on your left

0.16

0.16 R Right on Church St. 0.18

0.34 L Left on Market St.; becomes Elliott Island Rd.

0.19

0.53 S Straight on Elliott Island Rd. 18.96

19.49 U U-Turn and retrace steps above 19.49

38.98 End at Water Street

Starting Point Water Street, Vienna. Free parking on street by waterfront park.


Approx. Time 3.25-3.5 hours (at 12mph)

At A Glance Flat, sometimes windy ride through wide open marshland in one of Dorchester’s least populated areas

This easy-to-follow ride starts in the charming 300- year-old town of Vienna, and then takes you through wide open marshland with only a few tiny residential areas. You’ll pass through part of the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area. Great water views. Good opportunities to see wildlife including eagles, osprey, and red-winged blackbirds, among others.

Rav

enw

ood

Rd

Buck

tow

n R

d

Steele Neck Rd

Middleton Branch Rd

Drawbridge RdHenrys

Cross Rd

Kraft

Decoursey Bridge Rd

F i s h i n gB a y

W M A

F i s h i n gB a y

W M A

Elliott I

sland

Rd

Elliott Island Rd

Neck RdGriffith

Bestpitch

Ferry Rd

Nantic

oke R

iverFishing

Bay

192

NeckRd

331

UELLIOTT

VIENNA

3

Wicomico County

331

16

16

1414

14

313

392

392

331 307

318

577

192

334336

335

335

335

Choptank River

Honga River

Fishing Bay

Nantic

oke R

iver

Chesapeake Bay

Little Choptank River

Blackwa te r Na t i ona lWi ld l i f e Re fuge

BloodsworthIsland

LinkwoodWMA

Fishing BayWMA

Fishing BayWMA

TaylorsIslandWMA

North

Tara

Rd

Lone

Pin

e R

d

Eldo

rado

Rd

Williamsb

urg R

d

Bobto

wn Rd

East

New

Mar

ket E

llwoo

d R

d

E New

Mark

et Byp

ass

Wesley Rd

Harrison

Pine Top Rd

Ferry Rd

Reliance Rd

Wrights Wharf Rd

Sharptown Rd

Osborne Rd

Cokesbury Rd

Mill Rd

New

hart

Indian

town R

d

Centennial Rd

Cloverdale Rd

Jones Thicket RdHawkeye Rd Maiden Forest Rd

Thom

pson

town

Rd

Rho

desd

ale

Vien

na R

d

Hic

ksbu

rg R

d

Mt Holl

y Rd

Link

woo

d R

d

Puckum R

d

Decoursey Bridge Rd

Bucktown RdBestpitch

Ferry RdGriffi

th Neck Rd

Ellio

tt Is

land

Rd

Drawbridge Rd

Aireys Rd

Neck RdSteele

New Bridge RdFork

Nec

k Rd

Indian

Bon

e Rd

Beaver Neck

Villa

ge R

dPe

rcy M

ay R

d

Middletown Branch Rd

Egyp

t Rd

Rac

e St

Luthy Rd

Town Point Rd

Tow

n Po

int

Rd

Taylo

rs Isl

Rd

Dailsville Rd

Washington St

Horn Pt Rd

Rd

Hudson

Maple Dam

RdM

aple Dam Rd

Greenbrier RdKey Wallace Dr

Oldfield Rd

Pig Neck RdBrannock Neck Rd

Brooks Rd

Golden H

ill Rd

Buttons Neck Rd

White M

arsh Rd

Lake

sville

Rd

Lakesville Rd

Hip Roof Rd

Liners Rd

Hill Rd

Golden

Wildlife Dr

Kirwans Neck Rd

Robbins RdHooper Island Rd

Hooper Island Rd

Hoopersville R

d

Robinson

Meekins

Neck Rd

Neck Rd

Smithville Rd

Shore Rd

Bay

Pine

Top Rd

Hoopers Neck Rd

Harrisville R

d

Bar N

eck

Rd

Rag

ged

Pt R

d

Cas

sonN

eck

Rd

Ros

sNe

ck R

d

Morris

Cas

tleH

aven

Rd

Nec

k R

d

Stone Boundary Rd

Willeys Neck Rd

Cedar Creek Rd

Wesley

Chu

rch

Rd

Toddville Rd

Crocheron R

d

Henrys Cross Rd

Kraft Neck

Rd

Drawbridge Rd

Rave

nwoo

d Rd

Stee

le N

eck

Rd

Talbot County

Somerset

Calvert County

Gravel Branch Rd

E New Market Rhodesdale Rd

River Rd

Baker Rd

Andrews Rd

16

16

16

343

CAMBRIDGE

¯ Ellio

tt Is

land

Rd

DELAWARE

CHURCHCREEK

GOLDENHILL

TAYLORSISLAND

NECKDISTRICT

HOOPERSISLAND

FISHINGCREEK

HOOPERSVILLE

VIENNA

ELLIOTT

HURLOCK

SECRETARY

EASTNEW MARKET

U

U

U

U

SpocottWindmill

Horn Point Lab

VisitorCenter

Layton’sChanceWinery

BucktownGeneral

Store

HandsellHistoricHome

BlackwaterVisitorCenter

TubmanVisitorCenter

KEY

Restaurant/Food

Restroom

Attraction

Downtown Cambridge with Restaurants, Shops, Galleries, Museums

Trail 1

Trail Turn-Around Point

Trail Starting Point

Trail 2

Trail 3

Trail 4

Trail 5

Trail 6

U

5 6

4

2 1

For Cambridge, see inset map below

DORCHESTER COUNTY CYCLING ROUTES

IMPORTANT NOTES• Cell phone reception is spotty in some rural areas of the county. Be prepared.

• Some routes have very little shade and there may not be anyplace to buy water or snacks, so be sure to bring enough to get you through.

• While most roads are quiet and lightly traveled, there are still vehicles. Always be aware and stay close to the right side. Some roads do not have wide shoulders, so use your best judgement on the safest route.

• Restaurants/shops are not necessarily open daily, especially in the cooler months. It’s best to call ahead. Find out more about local restaurants, shops, and attractions at VisitDorchester.org.

1 2

4

16

¯Choptank River

RdHudson W

est

Sid

e By

p

Washington St

Roslyn Av

Leon

ards L

n

Somers

et S

t

Mac

es L

n

Rac

e St

Woo

ds R

d

Pine

St

Dor

ches

ter A

v

Fran

klin

St

High St

Bayly Rd

Mill St

Glenbu

rn A

vLocust St

Glasgow St

Sandy Hill Rd

Riverside Dr

Hambro

oks B

lvd

Creek Rd

Jenkins Water St

Oak St

Handle

y Rd

Tate

s Ba

nk R

dM

oose

Lod

ge R

d

Heron

Blvd

343

341

Choptank RiverLighthouse

Great Marsh Park

Skipjack Nathan

Visitor Ctr

HarrietTubman Museum

RichardsonMaritimeMuseum

DorchesterHeritageMuseums

HyattChesapeake

U

Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park

Talbot County

12

4

CAMBRIDGE

For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.

For upcoming cycling rides and events, go to VisitDorchester.org and click on See and Do > Outdoor Activities > Endurance Events.

CYCLING GUIDE - Visit Dorchester · 2018-12-29 · CYCLING GUIDE TO DORCHESTER COUNTY On Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Welcome to Dorchester County! We’re known for our quiet roads,

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