July 3rd Ferry Boat Spectacular - 100 & 60

All,

To celebrate the 4th of July weekend, we are planning another Eastern Shore adventure ride. How many ferries are there in Maryland? Hint: This ride will utilize 50% of them; the Whitehaven Ferry and the Upper Ferry, both to cross the Wicomico River. There are two routes planned, a century and a metric.

Please ensure to bring a mask to enter any businesses along the route, and a little bit of extra cash in case of unplanned expenses. The ferry's are advertised as a free service by Wicomico County. 

Century 

• Start: 0730. We tend to average close to 18MPH.
• Ride Leader: Chris Higgins 
• Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33190862

Metric

• Start: 0900
• Ride Leader: Mark Jones
• Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33196639

Start location for both rides is Mardela Spring Park (Mardela Springs, MD 21837) on the west side of Bridge Street immediately after crossing over Barren Creek. 

The century route explores farmland, forest, and estuary on the east side of the Nanticoke river and east of 13. It starts on Athol Road (watch out for Athols here) to the town of Quantico, Wetipquin and Cedar Hill Park before stopping for a view of the Nanticoke at Bivalve Wharf. The ride then proceeds to take Nanticoke Rd to the end of the road at the mouth of the Wicomico River, and then follows the river upstream to the Whitehaven Ferry, hopefully via paved roads. After crossing the Wicomico the first time, the route continues through the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Area and the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area en route to the end of the road (again) for a view of the Tangier Sound. Backtracking leads to Princess Anne, and the southernmost Royal Farms on the Eastern shore (maybe). 10 miles later is Wicomico crossing #2 on the Upper Ferry (get there before 5PM), followed by a 10 mile sprint to the finish. 

The metric route is similar to the century route, has two stops one at 27 miles in and the next at 45. 

FUTURE PLANNING: CAUTION, THE UPPER FERRY CLOSES AT HIGH TIDE. THAT IS NOT ANNOUNCED ON THE WEBSITE OR ELSEWHERE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTACT THE FERRY OPERATOR. CHECK THE TIDE TABLES...PERHAPS REVERSE THE ROUTE BASED UPON THOSE. ARBY'S ON DEAL ISLAND IS A GOOD LUNCH STOPPING POINT.