Local Riding Areas

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Ernest

The February Arundel Voice Article I wrote.

Local Riding Areas

Hard to believe we are six weeks into 2013. I trust your plans for a more healthy 2013 are moving along for you. Before you know it, it will be warm and you’ll be looking for places to ride outdoors. Good news you live in an area that has lots of choices. If you are just looking for a basic trip, there is one. Looking for more adventure? Got that too. Whether you are looking for paved or unpaved options our area has many choices

A  popular option are bicycle trails, sometimes called rails to trails – Generally bike trails are paved and free from cars.  The terrain is gentle or almost flat.  Many trails are great places to ride with children or have a fun ride with families or friends

Do you want to get closer to nature? Unpaved trails similar to bicycle trails are a good option. Two that are close are the C&O Canal or the Torrey C. Brown Trail (formally the NCR Trail). If mountain biking is your preferred type of riding Patapsco State Park and Rosaryville State Park are short drives. Patapsco offers a little more variety in terrain where Rosaryville is an ideal place for the beginner to intermediate rider.

For the road cyclists there are many great roads that offer the cyclist routes of ten to greater than a hundred miles in length. There are many weekday and weekend rides for those looking to ride in a group. Baltimore Bicycle Club and Potomac Peddlers all have rides that leave from nearby areas.

I’d be happy to help you find the perfect place for your next cycling adventure. For more information please visit my blog or send me a message on Twitter.

A few local areas to get out and enjoy your bike:

Paved Trails:

W B & A Trail: Odenton, MD – It is 3.8 miles long and it runs from Piney Orchard Parkway and Odenton Road to Bragers Road, while passing through the Piney Orchard Nature Trail.  It is accessible from the bike shop, via Waugh Chapel Road. Though this road is not recommended for children, the bike trail is fine for them.

Baltimore & Annapolis Trail: Runs from Annapolis, MD to BWI Airport.  It is 10 feet wide and follows an old railroad route for more than 13 miles.  There are many places to start a ride.  Do any distance you like.  It has a rural feel, generally, and is suitable for wheelchairs and rollerblades.

It also joins the 12.5-mile Baltimore Washington International Trail (BWI), which loops the airport.

The BWI Trail: This 12.5 mile trail is popular for its distance, workout and amenities.  There is access from the Airport Observation Area, on Dorsey Road (parking, playground, picnic tables, planes right overhead). Ask us how to link the trail with local back roads for a long road ride.

Unpaved Trails:

C&O Canal Trail – This gravel trail runs 184 miles, from Cumberland to Georgetown on the old canal towpath. A bucolic, 10-mile stretch along the Potomac River begins at White’s Ferry, near Poolesville.  Many cyclists take a few days and ride its entire length. Lots of history and scenery, all the way.

Mountain Biking:

Patapsco Valley State Park:  Nationally known for advanced off-road trails, its nickname is “Moab of the East.”  But there are trails here for all skill levels, like the paved, circuit trail to the Swinging Bridge, a 300-foot walkway over the river. We can recommend trails, based on skill and trail conditions.  This park is just off Route 1 South.

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What Is Your Plan to Become Healthier in 2013?

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Ernest

This is a copy of my article that appeared in the January Addition of the Arundel Voice

What is it in our life that causes us to wait until the last minute? We seem to want to use every minute to procrastinate to the last possible moment.  Recent examples; our leadership with the “fiscal cliff” or the NHL hockey lock out. I can think of a few things that we really can’t wait to the last minute on, one of them being our health.

I’ve come across some alarming statistic about just how much we procrastinate or don’t take our health as seriously as we should.

  • Nearly 30% of Anne Arundel County residents are obese and another 39% are overweight!
  • In 2005-2006 AA county topped the nation in prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure!
  • In 2012 AA county obesity rate topped the state average

For me one of the most concerning statistics is that today one-third of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, more than triple the number 40 years ago. (Bikes Belong)

There are plenty more  statistics, but deep down I think many of us know that we can do more and should do more to improve our health/take care of ourselves.

There is some good news. You can start today and take a small step each day to improve your health. It isn’t hard but you have to start. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends we get a minimum of 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity for physical health.

Exercising with your family is a great way to motivate each other to get in shape while connecting with them more. There are many ways to get in shape and one of my favorite ways is to ride my bicycle. Cycling is a great low impact aerobic activity. Whether young or old many people have the ability to ride a bicycle. In our area we are very fortunate to have lots of great places to ride.

With a little bit of effort and time the results to your health can be quite great and rewarding.

Three hours of riding per week reduces the risk of heart disease & stroke by 50%. (People for Bikes )That’s just thirty minutes a day six days a week or an hour a day for three days. Women who bike 30+ minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Adolescents who bicycle are 48% less likely to be overweight as adults. Have you ever thought of riding your bicycle for that errand instead of using your car?

Biking for transportation is listed as the safest way to get physical activity.  Did you know that 49% of trips Americans make are less than 3 miles? 39% are less than 2 miles and 24% are less than 1 mile. How many of your trips could you take by bike? Some ideas might be to ride your bike to school with your children, ride your bike to get the grocery items you forgot or to the hardware store. Need to get your kids to sports practice? Let them warm up by riding their bike with you to practice.

In upcoming articles I will introduce you to some of the many places to ride locally. I will also share with you some of the many things I have learned over my years of riding to help make your riding more fun. So now take some time to plan your riding for 2013 with your family or your friends. Set an obtainable goal that you can measure by either days of riding, (a favorite of skiers) miles of riding, or hours. I have one friend who tracks her athletic activity by the minute across all of her sports.  I wish you and your family a healthy and happy New Year. What is your plan to become healthier in 2013?

 

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Fall Riding

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Ernest

As I write this it is near 80 degrees outside! The weather this week is going to be simply amazing! I hope you are having a chance to get out and enjoy it. My ride yesterday was simply perfect.

I like riding in the fall for many reasons, the cooler weather, the changing colors. More importantly I use it as an excuse to change up my rides. I try new routes, like I did yesterday. On cooler days I get on my mountain bike to avoid the added wind chill of the road. My rides seem more relaxed this time of year, likely because I am taking in all of the scenery. Many of the staff are changing up their riding habits by really getting into cycle cross racing. John, Nathan and Michelle all have been racing on a regular basis.

How do your riding habits change in the fall season? I’d love to hear from you about it. Drop me an e-mail.

I just love the fall. While it is an ending to so many things in nature I feel it is a new beginning in so many ways of my life. I hope to see you on the road or trails this fall.

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Wow! Way to Long on a Post

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Ernest

I have a whole long list of things to be writing on. I’ll be back soon I promise!

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Training Plans 2012 – A Return to Utah

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Ernest

In September of 2005 myself and one of my friends took a Trek Travel trip to Utah. We rode and saw some amazing scenery, Boulder, Bryce and Zion Canyon. It was an amazing trip. There was one problem. I was not prepared for what I found when I got to Utah. I was not adequately prepared for the mountains and the effects that altitude had on me. When I left I knew I wasn’t in the best shape but I certainly thought I was in better shape then I realized when I got there. One of the issues was the altitude and my asthma.

I had a great time on the trip and as I suffered on the mountains I vowed I would come back and conquer those mountains.

2012 is the year of my return to Utah. I have already started to prepare for my return. I’ve been getting to know my indoor trainer again. I am already lighter then I was when I traveled to Utah in 2005 but will focus on more weight loss once we roll into January. I also have a trip or two planned to the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland to get some hill climbing in. Some will be day trips and at least one will be an overnight trip so I can condition my legs to multiple days of climbing in a row.

If you are interested in joining me in Utah in September let me know. Trek Travel does an amazing job and you won’t be disappointed.

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