ABC Adventure Rides

Besides the numerous local bicycle rides that Annapolis Bicycle Club leads, ABC also has a number of
Adventure Rides each year that help to earn your credits towards the Tour of Maryland! Some of our Adventure Rides have become very popular, annual events like the  St. Michael’s / Oxford ride, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, Thurmont Covered Bridges, and Chestertown Downrigging. 

What is an Adventure Ride?

An adventure ride is simply a ride, outside of the local area, that is planned and led by one of our ABC
members. An adventure ride typically is designed to explore areas we do not typically ride, and often are
based on exploring one or more locations or themes, such as the Wicomico River Ferries, the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, or the Savage River. The rides may also have planned lunch spots
during or afterwards.

The rides are given the term ‘Adventure’ for multiple reasons. Sometimes the locations the ride passes
are areas the riders want to stop and explore a little more. Sometimes the roads may be new roads to all
the riders…and occasionally a RideWithGPS road is no longer there… But all adventure rides see areas
where we don’t typically ride.

In 2020, ABC riders biked on 21 Adventure Rides (12,000 miles!), due in part to the cancellation of many
of the typical SAG supported sponsored rides that ABC members participate in, and all in accordance
with COVID guidelines. ABC will continue to follow all state and local guidelines as they evolve.

• Confirm your level of fitness / ability matches the ride. Some rides are mountainous, some are centuries. All adventure rides have a ride leader and they would be happy to answer questions.  
• Check the weather and dress accordingly, in layers as appropriate. The Ride leader may cancel the ride base upon a grim weather forecast.

• Make sure you are comfortable riding on the road and in a group
• Download the route on your bicycle computer, or print out a copy of the cue sheet
• Bring a spare tube or two, air, and a bike tool to repair any mechanicals that may arise
• Charge your bike lights / check your batteries. Both a rear light and a front light are highly recommended.
• Bring ID, cash to purchase food / fluids along the route.
• Bring your phone for emergency calls or taking photos of the ride
• Bring your water bottles and food that you would need
• Wear your helmet and your ABC jersey!
• Get to the starting location prior to the start time in time to prepare and attend the pre-ride meeting (normally 15 minutes prior to riding time)

Interested in leading an adventure ride? Send a message to the Adventure Ride Coordinator at rides@annapolisbicycleclub.org and they will be happy to help. 

• Give the ride a theme
• Prepare a route on RideWithGPS, and if they are unfamiliar roads, verify the roads are roads using satellite views of the route and/or heatmaps. The Adventure Ride Coordinator will be
• happy to assist reviewing or helping to plan the route.
• Plan routes to have a food/ water stop about every 20 to 25 miles
• Let the ride coordinator know to add it to the ABC calendar.