Quick Trip to North Beach

Laurie and I needed to get out of town and ride on some different roads. I know I'm a little burnt out from a summer of riding the same rides around home. So we headed out to North Beach, MD where we rode once before with WWO. That post is here.

We used the WWO cue sheet and started at Herrington Harbor where there is a deli and small grocery. For future reference, they open at 8am, so if you want to ride early, don't plan earlier than that if you want to use the bathroom or fill up water (it's a 50 minute drive to get there).

 Almost immediately, the views opened up. The ride is surprisingly hilly for a coastal route. But this part of Maryland is not flat. One of the neighborhoods we passed was called the [something] Cliffs.

From the "cliffs," we came pretty quickly down to the waterfront.

The ride alternated between seashore and shaded, wooded streets.

This looked like a serene spot, but if you zoom out, you see it's private property. Something about that on the waterfront just rubs me the wrong way. But I know if I lived here, I also wouldn't want people stopping at my bench and leaving their trash, etc.

 Below is the Harbor Master's house.

We stopped around mile 20 for a snack at a pier where a man was fishing. He caught a blue catfish in the channel. I nice size fish that he kept because they are an invasive species. Catfish for dinner!

The channel where the guy was fishing. The water was moving fast.

I love graffiti.

Bowen's Grocery is pretty awesome. Porta potties out back, but homemade eclairs inside, an entire aisle of candy, and an assortment of ice cream. Don't go in there unprepared to say NO! And you gotta love the cow on the roof.

At the end of the ride, as you're coming into North Beach, there is a little bike path leading up to Bayside Road. It was lined with flower boxes filled with blooming flowers. Very charming so I took too many pictures.

This art instillation was pretty cool. Here's what the plaque said:

"When the invaders came, the Shore people fled to the north. The Sun sent Fire Angels to provide light and warmth when summer faded and cold winds swept across the bay."

The water front was a little deserted. Was this typical for Labor Day weekend because kids have gone back to school? Or really slow considering it's a holiday weekend?

Cute little beach area right in the middle of downtown North Beach.

We stopped at the Hook and Vine Kitchen and Bar for lunch. The porch was breezy and shaded and set up for a party of 16. Lucky for us they had one extra table in the corner, so we got to sit out there too.

Here is Laurie considering the menu. Hmmmm. What beer should I get? (even though I drink stout and there is probably only one good option, I still have trouble deciding!).

Hmmmm. The waitress has left and I'm still struggling. Which of the 1 stout beers should I get?

We got the crab cake sandwich (we are on the Eastern Shore after all!), homemade mac and cheese (with Old Bay - yum!), and caramelized brussel sprouts. I got a strawberry beer which was about as good as it sounds, and Laurie got the...stout. Of course.

Then we drove home without falling asleep - a miracle!

Distance: 45 miles
Speed: 14.2

C&O Canal Revisited - Quick Trip

Lisa, Deb, Katie, and Katie's friend (who's name I've forgotten, darnit) met on the Maryland side of the Potomac to ride the C&O Canal. It was a straightforward day: 15 miles out and 15 miles back. I rode my new bike, which was fun. I forgot how nice the towpath can be on a hot day. 

We passed the Canal Quarters which was only about 5 miles into our ride. I took a picture of the sign (but not the house?) in case we ever want reservations. But honestly, it's too close to home to be of use. Still, it's a pretty cool thing (an old building made available for campers).