Western Maryland Rail Trail Relaxing Ride

Although I love to ride singletrack, an occasional ride on a rail trail or towpath is an enjoyable change of recreation and exercise. A ride on the Western Maryland Rail Trail is relaxing and gives this over-the-hill mountain biker a different kind of workout. Unlike mountain biking where a rider is constantly changing the amplitude of exertion, rail trail riding requires a steady amount of effort, and the heart rate just gradually increases as the miles mount up. #railtrail #bikepacking #biketour #biketouring #mtb #seniorworkout #mountainbiking #maryland #seniorlife #biking #gravelbike #workout #exercise

[@allisonfrederickharteis7525]

Nice video! I just biked this a few weeks ago. It is a good ride!

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

Thanks for the comment. I haven't been on the WMRT since I did that video. I have been trying to get an old friend back into biking and I am planning on taking him on the WMRT this weekend. I think he will enjoy it.

[@salmonella508]

If you’re doing the GAP/C&O, check your map for the location of this parallel trail. If you’re not a purist, its a nice 25(?) mile reprieve from the bone shaking C&O.

[@epiren]

Just did the eastern terminus to Hancock and back today. Beautiful place. Bunny-hopped a rat snake and a box turtle. Great video. Thank you!

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

Glad you had a good time riding and bunny hopping on one of my favorite rail trails.

[@JimNastic316]

Looks like a real nice ride. I'm about 2.5 hours away, in Pittsburgh PA. Will have to check this out soon. How are your videos so smooth? I would think it would bounce.

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

I use a GoPro 11 Black for my videos. No need for a gimbal to smooth out the video. I normally use a chest mount and sometimes a helmet mount. I am amazed at how well that little camera keeps things looking smooth even on the roughest of mountain bike trails. The stabilization is all done electronically by the camera's tiny processor.

[@JimNastic316]

Ah cool! Thanks!

[@rickhagen433]

Pavement looks pretty smooth, do you think it would work to do this on a road bike?

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

Yes, I see many people riding road bikes on the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT). The pavement begins at Big Pool, MD and runs about 25 miles to Indigo Tunnel. At the tunnel you must take the ramp down to the C&O Towpath if you want to continue to Little Orleans. The towpath is hard packed crushed limestone and is fine on a road bike unless there has been recent rain. The towpath section is two miles long until you can take the ramp back up to the paved WMRT. The paved trail continues for about a mile to Little Orleans and ends about a half-mile beyond the town.

[@rickhagen433]

@@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker Thanks. I had seen some reports that there were a lot of root heaves and other rough pavement, but they must have done work on it since those people rode it.

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

The last time I rode it, I did see some root heaves. However, they did not cross the entire pavement and could easily be avoided.@@rickhagen433

[@outdoorswithstevewilliams6027]

where is the access point to 2:27 and which direction are you going.

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

You can get on the trail at the parking area in the town of Little Orleans, Maryland. You go east less than a mile to the ramp at 2:27.

[@an_over-the-hill_mountainbiker]

To get to the trail at Little Orleans, you take the Orleans Road exit off of Interstate 68. I hope my reply is helpful. Let me know if you need more information.