Cycling

We’ve got inclines and winding roads to make things interesting and broad stretches through farmland to keep things relaxed. We’ve gathered some of our favorite rides for you.

Scenic Cycles

Here are several scenic cycles which offer a variety of terrain and suit varying levels of ability. Click the Dynamic Ride link for more ride info and a dynamic map. If you have a bike with GPS installed (Garmin Edge 705 and 800, for example), you can download the ride!

7th District Loop

17.8 miles, 232 feet of climbing
Other than the start and finish, this course is very flat.

Cycle through early Maryland history. This ride takes you to the Potomac River site of Maryland’s founding and along beautiful country roads.

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Park at: 7th District Community Park
23035 Colton Point Road Bushwood, MD 20618

Bathrooms: at the park, at the museum.

From the park, turn right onto MD-242/Colton’s Point Rd, then right onto Maddox Rd. After a bit over ½ mile, turn left onto Bushwood Rd and follow this until you see water. This is Bushwood Wharf on the Potomac River, previously Port Wicomico, which was an important port in the early history of St Mary’s County. Returning from the water, turn right onto MD-239/Bushwood Wharf Rd, and then right onto MD-242/ Colton Point Rd. Follow this very flat stretch for over 4 miles until you see water. Enjoy the view- that is St Clement’s Island, where Maryland was founded in 1634. Turn left onto Point Breeze Rd - the St. Clement’s Island Museum is on your left. On summer weekends, there is a water taxi to the island: call the museum at 301-769-2222 for details. Follow the road around to the left onto Bayview Rd, then turn right onto MD-242/Colton Point Rd. In 3 miles, turn right onto MD-470/Oakley Rd and follow it for its full length. At the T intersection, turn left onto MD-242/Colton Point Rd and return to the 7th District Park.

Points of Interest Along the Way

• Quade's Store, Bushwood Wharf Road
• St. Clement’s Island and St. Clement’s Island Museum, Route 242, Colton’s Point
• All Saints Episcopal Church, Route 470, Avenue

Find out all there is to see and do in the Seventh District Region

Chaptico Loop

25.5 miles, 701 feet of climbing
These roads are either lightly-traveled, or have buggy-wide shoulders.
Mid-ride rest stop.

Take in War of 1812 and Civil War history, cycle past tobacco barns and historic churches. Stop at Chaptico Market for a snack.

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Park at: Chaptico Park
26600 Budd’s Creek Road
Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Park does not show up on Google maps or Mapquest. It is opposite Indiantown Road. Chaptico Park gate is closed in the winter, but you can park on the roadside in front of the entrance.

Bathrooms: at the park.

From the park, turn left onto MD-234/Budds Creek Rd. At the roundabout, turn right onto MD-238/Maddox Rd, and follow this for 6.5 miles through the rural 7th District. Make a right onto Bushwood Rd, and follow this until you see water. This is Bushwood Wharf on the Potomac River, previously Port Wicomico, which was an important port in the early history of St Mary’s County. Returning from the water, turn right onto MD-239/Bushwood Wharf Rd, and then left onto MD-242/ Colton Point Rd. On MD-242, just after the intersection with MD-238, is the 7th District Community Park, which is your mid-ride rest stop. After a break, continue left on MD-242. Go straight at the blinker light in Clements. Turn left onto Dr Johnson Rd, opposite Chopticon High School, and then left onto Chaptico Rd. Enjoy the descent. At the roundabout, turn right onto MD-234/Budds Creek Rd and return to Chaptico Park.

Points of Interest Along the Way

• Chaptico Market, Route 238, Chaptico (Maryland Civil War Trail wayside marker across from the market)
• Christ Episcopal Church, Route 238, Chaptico (War of 1812 wayside marker)
• Notley Hall (private), Route 238
• Bushwood Post Office, Route 238 and Bushwood Road

Find out all there is to see and do in the Seventh District Region

Amish & Mennonite Loop

14.5 miles, 408 feet of climbing

Ride through the heart of St. Mary’s and along back roads only the locals (and devoted cyclists) know. Encounter rolling roads and slow-moving buggies.

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Park at: John V. Baggett Park at Laurel Grove
26929 Three Notch Road
Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Bathrooms: at the park.

Our Amish/ Mennonite neighbors are great people - please respect them. Ask permission before taking photos which could identify a person. Oh, and watch out for horse ‘leavings’.

From John Baggett Park, head along the Three Notch Trail - this section was completed in 2011 and features flat pavement through a forest. Make a left on Laurel Grove Rd, and at the T-intersection, turn left onto Kavanagh Rd. Turn right onto MD-247 S/Loveville Rd, which features buggy-wide shoulders. Turn left onto Bishop Rd - the auction house is on your left, and if you’re there on a Saturday morning, you may see a livestock auction in progress. Continue along Bishop Rd, and enjoy the scenery of genuine Amish & Mennonite country. At the T intersection, turn right onto Friendship School Rd, which becomes Parsons Mill Rd, and enjoy more pastoral settings. At the T intersection, turn right onto MD-247 N/Loveville Rd, and return to the auction house intersection. Make a left onto Busy Corner Rd, and follow that to its end. Please be cautious on the downhill - there’s a stop sign at the bottom. Turn right onto MD-5 N/Point Lookout Rd, and see historic Morganza featuring St Joseph’s church. In about 200 yards, turn right at the blinker light onto Morganza Turner Rd. Travel 3 miles, and make a right onto the Three Notch Trail, and return to John Baggett Park.

Points of Interest Along the Way

• Three Notch Trail, Route 235
• Loveville Produce Auction, Route 247, Loveville
• St. Joseph’s Church and Cemetery, Routes 5 and 238, Morganza

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St Mary’s City Loop

9.7 miles, 214 feet of climbing

The loop may be short but the history is deep. Take your time and explore the site of Maryland’s first capital and travel across the peninsula on Mattapany Road, the oldest road in Maryland.

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Park at: Spring Ridge Middle School
19856 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD20653

Bathrooms: Historic St. Mary’s City adjacent to Farthing’s Ordinary which is near the State House.

The descent on Snow Hill Manor Rd is a blast, but it is technically challenging, and not for beginning cyclists - slow down, or take Rt 5 south instead.

Head north on MD 235/Three Notch Road toward Lexington Park. Turn left onto Maryland 489/Park Hall Rd, then left onto MD-5 S/Point Lookout Rd. Turn right onto N Snow Hill Manor Rd, and enjoy the descent along the St Mary’s River. At the end of Snow Hill, turn right onto MD-5 S/Point Lookout Rd and descend into St Mary’s City with beautiful views of the St Mary’s River on your right and the campus of St Mary’s College of Maryland on your left. Make a slight right onto Trinity Church Rd, then turn left onto Old State House Rd. You are now in historic St Mary’s City, first capital of Maryland. Take time to look around. When you’re finished, turn right onto MD-5 S/Point Lookout Rd, then left onto Mattapany Rd, past more of the campus of St Mary’s College. At the T intersection, turn left onto MD-235 N/Three Notch Rd and return to Spring Ridge Middle School.

Points of Interest Along the Way

• St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Route 5 and Trinity Church Road, Historic St. Mary’s City
• Trinity Church, Trinity Church Road, St. Mary’s City,
• Historic St. Mary’s City, Route 5, St. Mary’s City (Visitor Center on Rosecroft Road)

Find out all there is to see and do in South County