[X3pilot]

Man, this little gem just keeps getting me fired up. This 8 mile loop around a lake changes and adds a challenge everytime I ride it. I thought PA rocks were tough but those roots down here are pretty bad ass. I ride it about 2 times a week, alternating clockwise and counterclockwise. Changes the whole lay out. Now to my dilemma. I don't know who's maintaining and building but I need to know cause I want to help. I'm riding and enjoying this place and it's kind of like getting free porn on cable; you know it's wrong to be stealing it, but you just can't help watching it. I'd like to help out, get me some contacts. If you're in the DC area or Baltimore area, I'd suggest you take the hour ride and check it out.

 

[urbaindk]

Did you check MORE (www.more-mtb.org)? Seems like konabum was asking the same thing and didn't get much response but he might have found some info out. Check with him. You might see if you can find out who the ranger is or contact DNR as well.

 

[X3pilot]

Thanks for the info, I'll look em up.

 

[spec-rider88]

Um, yeah. I live in Solomons, MD, and I'd drive an hour out of my way to avoid riding St. Marys River State Park. It's maintained by boyscout troops and hikers mostly, but there is some mountain bike influence. The obstacles are poorly built, it's ALWAYS muddy, and the roots just get old. I like to ride it every now and again, but that place will make you burn up bike parts like wildfire because of all the sand and muck grinding on your drivetrain, rims (for those of you running v-brakes or canti's), and every other moving part. If you live in D.C. or Baltimore, why the HELL would you drive over an hour to ride some ****ty 8 mile loop when you have places like Greenbrire (sp?), Gambrills, and Patapsco? Now, those places build technical ability. St. Mary's is a last ditch resort when it comes to finding a place to ride, for me anyway. . However, I do recommend Rosaryville State Park, if you happen to be in the southern MD area. It's about an 8-9 mile loop with an optional advanced inner loop. If you want a trail with good flow, then that's the place to go. You can make it technical by hauling ass or taking the "advanced" loop (which looks to still be a work in progress), but it's such a fun trail no matter who you are. Keep in mind that I primarily do street/park/dirtjump and DH/FR, so it says something when I can have fun on a cross country trail. The bottom line is: don't waste a trip down there if you're from D.C. or Baltimore because you'll just go home pissed off! Rosaryville is worth checking out, though.

 

[X3pilot]

Guess I need to check Rosaryville out then. Funny how 2 different people ride the same trails and come away with 2 different views. That's why I'll check any recommendation out.

 

[Konabumm]

Man, this little gem just keeps getting me fired up. This 8 mile loop around a lake changes and adds a challenge everytime I ride it. I thought PA rocks were tough but those roots down here are pretty bad ass. I ride it about 2 times a week, alternating clockwise and counterclockwise. Changes the whole lay out. Now to my dilemma. I don't know who's maintaining and building but I need to know cause I want to help. I'm riding and enjoying this place and it's kind of like getting free porn on cable; you know it's wrong to be stealing it, but you just can't help watching it. I'd like to help out, get me some contacts. If you're in the DC area or Baltimore area, I'd suggest you take the hour ride and check it out.

I am! I live 3min from DA Lake. HAHA I'll be there tonight if you're up for a ride. Not a fast ride - I'm still getting over my bum shoulder.

That huge skinny and all the man made bridges we put it (we is SMMB Southern Maryland Mountain Biking)

And as far as I know I have the fastest time around the lake 35:20

 

[Konabumm]

Guess I need to check Rosaryville out then. Funny how 2 different people ride the same trails and come away with 2 different views. That's why I'll check any recommendation out.

For the Record - Rosaryville ROCKS!

And yes when it rains it gets REAL muddy -

The big problem we have with work around the lake is everything we build something those dumb fu<ks from DNR take it down. I spent months working with DNR & More to get bridges build over the swamp areas and they wouldn't make any effort to come out and look at the problem area.

So we just build and the take it down - we build again!

 

[Konabumm]

but that place will make you burn up bike parts like wildfire because of all the sand and muck grinding on your drivetrain, rims (for those of you running v-brakes or canti's), and every other moving part.

Go Single Speed - that will fix your problem

 

[X3pilot]

You ride SS around there? I think I may have seen you before. I didn't bring the bike down this week, so I'll have to pass but next week it's coming down for sure. I'm PMing you my email.

 

[Konabumm]

You ride SS around there? I think I may have seen you before. I didn't bring the bike down this week, so I'll have to pass but next week it's coming down for sure. I'm PMing you my email.

Yeah SS is the only way to go.

Normal riding days are Tue 5:15, Thur 5:15, Sat, and Sun (mornings)