Short Grinders in Montgomery and South Frederick Counties

 

                                                West Harris Road, Montgomery County Maryland

 
Here are 3 Shorter Grinders. The first two routes are in Sugarloaf Mountain area. All are good after work or quick rides. The first two start at Monocacy Elementry School. The third Starts at Whites Ferry.

The first, the Sugarloaf Figure 8 

This 18 mile ride around Sugarloaf Mountain takes advantage of most of the gravel roads in the area. It has approximately 8.4 miles of gravel roads and 9.6 of paved roads. Also about 1,200 ft of climbing. The only real climb is on Park Mills rd. It is short but kinda steep, sorta sucks when you are out of shape. The rest of the route is climby but nothing bad. Mt Ephraim rd is a series of short climbs until the peak then a smoking downhill. No need for water stops on this short ride.

The second route Sugarloaf Side Piece 

This route runs along the west side of Sugarloaf Mountain to Tuscarora, Md to the C&O canal then back to Monocacy ES. The route is about 22.1 miles with 1,400 ft of climbing. It has approximately 10 miles of gravel roads and 12.1 miles of pavement. Starting from Monocacy ES, the first gravel is W. Harris (pictured Above) and Mt Ephraim Rd about a mile into the ride. This route is an up and down affair for the most part. especially Park Mills rd. The gravel sections are broken into 3 sections. W. Harris/Mt Ephraim rds, Page/Greenfield rds and Nolands Ferrys/C&O canal.  

                                         River Rd, Montgomery County, Maryland

The third route Whites Ferry Figure 8

This easy 20 miler starts at Whites Ferry. It is flattest route I have. Good for an easy spin. It has only 465ft of climbing. Pretty much all on Martinsburg and White's Ferry roads. It has approximately 14.4 miles of unpaved roads with 5.6 of paved roads. This Figure 8 route can be rode in any direction. As described here the route breaks up the C&O sections. Out of the Whites Ferry parking lot head north on the canal for a flat warm up of 4.1 miles. Then turn right off the canal into Dickerson Conservation Park. Then onto Martinsburg Rd. then right onto Whites Ferry rd. This is the only paved section of 5.6 miles back to the canal. Then take the canal to Edwards Ferry. The route then take you back on River rd. Which a nice fairly flat gravel road. 

Enjoy!