Hills and buggies

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Saint Mary's County, MD, US

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Route Overview

Patuxent Velo Cycling

Road cycling in St Mary's and Calvert Counties MD

55 mi.

1,751 ft.

Yes, we do have a few hills here, including the 20+% grade of Locke's Hill. This route takes you through 55 miles of rolling countryside. Ride ends with a loop through Amish/Mennonite country.

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Route Details

Yes, we do have hills in this county. No epic climbs, but our numerous short climbs will challenge you. This route is completely paved, but requires a moderate level of fitness. Start/finish point is @poi[John Baggett Park](1404587) in Laurel Grove. It has plenty of parking, and offers real bathrooms from mid-Spring through mid-Fall, with a port-a-potty in winter. No cost.

Starts out on the @poi[Three Notch Trail](1404588). This is reclaimed railroad. The good news: it's 8' wide, paved, flat, and has no motorized vehicles. The bad news: acorns and gumballs can puncture your tyres, and there are other people on the trail. Pedestrians (some with dogs or perambulators), runners, skaters, and bike-riders all use this trail. You'll be the fastest vehicle on the trail: be cautious and patient. Be double-extra-cautious going across Morganza Turner Road.

After safely crossing Rt 235 on Flora Corner Rd, I introduce you to some hills. First @slice[New Market Turner Road](d,12254.75,14642.31), then @slice[Locke's Hill Rd](d,16846.97,17547.58) 
with the steepest paved road in the county at 20+%. I have to take you along Rt 235 for awhile, but at least you have a wide shoulder. All Faiths Church Rd has new pavement on it. Back on the Three Notch Trail, and then Mechanicsville Rd takes you into Amish/Mennonite country. If you can get past the smell of the fried chicken (seriously, some of the best on planet) at @poi[Chaptico Market](1404592), I take you into the very rural 7th District- look for Rivendell Rd, home of the elves. Manor Rd brings you past a butterfly maze and back to civilization. The climb on @slice[Colton's Point Rd](d,65987.06,68571) brings you close to Chopticon High School (home of the 72,000 ladybug senior prank), but I take you past an alpaca farm instead. Then it's into Amish/Mennonite country for the final loop before you return to John Baggett Park.

Notable climbs:

* @slice[New Market Turner Rd.](d,12900.77,13589.45)
* @slice[Locke's Hill Rd.](d,16745.3,17443.65)
* @slice[All Faiths Church Rd.](d,27137.24,28267.73)
* @slice[Locke's Crossing Rd.](d,40990.7,41480.13)
* @slice[Maddox & Manor Rd.](d,56028.09,58267.04)
* @slice[Colton's Point Rd.](d,66322.92,67790.24)
* @slice[Friendship School Rd](d,77605.59,78056.32)

[St Mary's County Tourism](http://https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/activities-attractions/hiking-cycling/cycling)

# Important Reminders

Amish/Mennonite country. They are almost universally friendly people. These are our neighbors; they are not actors or freaks. Please do not take photographs of Amish/Mennonites where a person could be identified- that violates their interpretation of the 2nd Commandment prohibition on graven images. Sometimes a buggy driver will try to race you- humor them.

Buggy-wide shoulders. We have plenty of them,and they're great for cycling. In Amish/Mennonite country, stay on the left or right sides of the shoulder. That's where the buggy wheels go, and it's smooth pavement. Avoid the center of the shoulder- that's where the horse's hooves go, so it's rougher pavement. It's also where the horse exhaust goes, but you can figure that out for yourself.

Hills and buggies

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Patuxent Velo Cycling

St Mary's City loop

Chaptico Loop

7th District Loop

Calvert County 50 miler

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