Biking Along the WB&A Trail: A smooth ride

It’s 8:05 am on a Saturday morning as I wheel my bike out of the parking lot of a business about .5 mile south on route 170 off 175 in Odenton.  I stop briefly for the traffic light, then pause to admire Babington Green.

The small  park is lush with vegetation and carefully tended plants.  A bench hugs the shade and a gazebo stands ready to welcome any who are ready to pause and relax after a trip along the trail.  It serves as e perfect entry point to the trail.

I begin to pump my legs as the trail leads slightly uphill with the early morning hum of traffic . The trail is quite safe, separated from the traffic by a curb and guardrails. As I begin my bike ride, I glance overhead and notice that is overcast and threatens rain. I am glad for the overcast, as I will make my ride cool, but I pray for no rain.  At least until I am done with my ride.

After about a half mile, the trail levels out and has the first of several crossings into a neighborhood. The street is lightly traveled. I can hardly ever remember having to stop for a car here and  have ridden this trail dozens of times.  The trail has numerous access points for people whose back yards touch the trail.

I stop for a moment and look at the bulletin board alongside the trail. It has some information and announcements from Friends of Ann Aurndel Trails, a non-profit group that helps enhance and beautify the trails in the county.  The map indicates the trail is 3.8 miles one way.  I plan to add an additional loop, to make the trip about 10 miles.

As I glide along the trail, the sound of traffic is gone, replaced by chirping birds. I think they are enjoying the morning as much as I am. I glide along smoothly, glad to be outside. I am not traveling the pace that my spin instructor demands in my twice weekly spin class but he is far away and I am here for enjoyment as much as exercise today.

The path leads slightly downward and I coast through an enormous storm drain under Old Waugh Chapel Rd. I pause briefly at Strawberry Creek Lane, then pedal across the street to one of my favorite parts of the trail. This section of the trail leads across two sturdy bridges,  over two lazy streams that are heavily wooded. The trail also has an entry point to the Piney Orchard Nature Preserve. This is a delightful hiking area through woods and streams.  I could stop for some hiking.  There’ s a bench along side the road and a bike rack.  Often when I am with friends I stop, rest, get hydrated and enjoy some conversation.

I pass about a dozen people on this part of my “out and back” loop this morning. Some are walking their dogs, others are walking themselves, some joggers and a couple of bicyclists. One of the joggers is a serious exerciser. She has a purple t-shirt from a local half marathon.

I reach a stopping point at Patuxent River Road. Three cars are parked at a gravel spot.  This is another excellent point of entry for the trail. The other side of the road is Bargers Rd. This is the steepest part of the road and has several homes set back from the road. The path here is a smooth road, continuing a smooth trip. The WB&A Trail is by far the smoothest trail I have ever biked on.

I have  shifted gears a couple of times as this part of the road is the steepest climb.  I get to the end of the paved trail and grind along a gravel/rock path for a couple of hundred yards that is not part of the trail.  I climb around a fence at the end of the trail and I am on Conway Rd. Turning right I bike for another mile or mile and a half to the end. A white clapboard AME Baptist Church is at the end of the Road.  A car is parked out front.  The pastor is probably putting finishing touches on tomorrow’s sermon.

A dirt trail beckons at the end of the paved road. I have taken it before.  It leads downward to the train tracks and is strewn with sticks, logs, rocks and fallen limbs.  It’s a nice hike or good for a short trip on a mountain bike.  But I have a schedule to keep this morning and have to get back.

After once again admiring the stillness of the morning and the trees dripping from last night’s rain, I turn around to retrace my steps.  I am back to the trail entry point in eight minutes.  It took me 10 to get here.

I worm around the gate again – watch out for the thorns on the bushes! Then once again I’m back on the WB & A Trail. Keeping a steady pace, I smoothly bike along. Again I pass about a dozen fellow exercisers including a “warrior mom” who is pushing a baby carriage while running. It is made for two, but carries a young blonde haired boy of two. When I ask why just one, she says, “When I take both of them they fight all the time. “  Jogging is tough enough!

I coast down toward Babington Park as I end my trip.  My clock tells me that I have been gone exactly an hour.  This lovely, 10-mile trip got my Saturday morning off to a wonderful start. Maybe next time I will go faster. But I doubt it.

The WB& A Trail is part of the system of trails in Anne Arundel County.  The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails take part in the enhancement and beautification of the trail system.  For more information, go to http://friendsofaatrails.org.