This ride showcases up to 5 of PJAMM Cycling's 22 Top Maryland Climbs, in or near Gambrill State Park outside Frederick. You'll be able to stop any time after the first two climbs if they prove to be too much. Explore all of the the climbs through the links to the PJAMM details below; create your own personalized 'bucket list' of climbs to complete with a free PJAMM account.
Meet up at Gambrill Park Road parking (further south than last week) on Gambrill Park Road, a little south of the intersection with Hamburg Road, outside Frederick.
The 1st climb is a warm up on #21 rated Church Hill Road https://pjammcycling.com/climb/4103.Church-Hill, a 1.8 mile climb with an average gradient of 5.8% and total elevation gain of 557 ft, finishing at 1,173 ft. This is the easiest climb of the day, but it still has pitches over 10%.
The 2nd climb is the toughest of the day, #3 Rated Middlepoint Road. It climbs 790 feet over 1.4 miles at an average 10.6% grade. This is a very challenging, steep climb, with pitches reaching 16%. It's #3 for a reason!
You'll be able to stop by the car to refuel or reconsider your kit choices on the way to the 3d climb, and after each of the remaining climbs.
The 3d climb is #7 Gambrill Park Road https://pjammcycling.com/climb/2858.Gambrill-Park-Road, a 3.7 mile climb including Shookstown Rd, with an average gradient of 6% and total elevation gain of 1,272 ft, finishing at 1,584 ft. This is isn't the steepest climb of the day, but it is the longest & most elevation gain.
The ride leader expects to do at least the first 3 climbs, hopefully 4, maybe 5 if the stars align, BUT . . .
Current forecast of heavy WNW winds after noon will likely rule out the 4th climb on the route, #12 Rated Fisher's Hollow climbs 889 feet over 2.5 miles at an average 6.7% grade - there are double digit pitches included. If you are burned out after this climb, take a right on Gambrill's Park Rd back to the car. Otherwise, continue straight down Hamburg Road on the east side to...
The 5th climb is #11 Rated MD Climb, a 3 mile, 1008 ft, 6.4% average grade (again, there are double digit pitches included) known as Hamburg Road. The second half of this climb runs through the Frederick Municipal Forest. Take a left back to the car on Gambrill Park Rd.
After the ride we'll clean up, and then drive to one of the local breweries to replenish...Smoketown Creekside, ATTABOY BEER, or Idiom brewing are three possibilities. They each have food trucks nearby.
Ride with GPS Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38564011?privacy_code=TLPUG2MnDhnc8f3b
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38564011?privacy_code=TLPUG2MnDhnc8f3b
Ride Leader is Eric Veit. Ride Speed: Pace yourself!
This ride checks off Frederick County for the ABC Tour of MD, as long as you get 20 miles in!
