Cycling - Somerset County, Maryland

If you plan to drive off the beaten path next time you visit Maryland's Eastern Shore, there's a helpful guide you may want to take along.

The free guide for the Beach to Bay American Indian Trail includes a map and information on attractions. "People loved to take the shortcut between Crisfield and Ocean City through the Pocomoke State Forest, but they kept getting lost," remembers Kathy Fisher, executive director of Furnace Town, a historic site near Snow Hill and one of the attractions along the trail. "The guide was done in an effort to help them find their way."

Some of the natural areas along the 70-mile-long route still seem almost as pristine as they must have looked to Indians of the Algonquin tribes who first traveled the trail centuries ago. "The Algonquins would stay in the interior during the winter, and in the spring move out toward the ocean and the bay," says Kathy.

The guide includes information on hiking trails and parks such as Assateague Island National Seashore and the Nature Conservancy's Nassawango Cypress Swamp at Furnace Town. It also lists historical sites such as the Governor J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum in Crisfield, where exhibits include the workshop of famed Eastern Shore decoy carvers Lem and Steve Ward.

Along with the guide, there is new signage in place to help travelers find their way.

1. Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum www.ocmuseum.org
2. Assateague State Park www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html
3. Assateague National Seashore www.nps.gov/asis
4. Calvin B. Taylor House Museum www.octhebeach.com/museum/taylor.html
5. Queponco Railroad Station Museum www.octhebeach.com/museum/Queponco.html
6. Julia A. Purnell Museum www.purnellmuseum.com
7. Mt. Zion One Room School Museum www.octhebeach.com/museum/Zion.html
8. Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum www.furnacetown.com
9. Teackle Mansion www.visitsomerset.com/heritage.html
10. Janes Island State Park www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/janesisland.html
11. J. M. Tawes Historical Museum www.crisfield.net/museum.cfm
12. Smith Island Center www.smithisland.org/museum.html
13. Sturgis One Room School Museum www.octhebeach.com/museum/Sturgis.html
14. Costen House Museum www.octhebeach.com/museum/Costen.html
15. Pocomoke River State Forest & Park www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/pocomokeriver.html
(Map © Copyright 2005 - University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Gerlitzki Design with Moonshell Productions. All rights reserved.)

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Cycling Resources

The Maryland Department of Transportation Bicycling Page has lists of trails, biking laws, events, and clubs, as well as MBPAC pamphlets and brochures.

The Great Delmarva Biking Map is for any cycling enthusiast looking for the best roads locally. For a small fee DLITE will send it to you. Visit their site www.dliteonline.net or call: 443-944-8097 or 800-852-0335

Seagull Century Bike Ride is Delmarva's premiere cycling event. The ride starts and finishes at Salisbury University. Various bicycle shops, clubs and other vendors will be available throughout the weekend. The ride benefits groups like Habitat for Humanity, Leukemia Team In Training, the Salisbury University Scholarship Fund, and other local civic organizations.

Skipjack Bike Tour - 15, 30 & 50 mile rides through some of the most beautiful landscapes on the Eastern Shore. T-Shirts for all riders, three rest stops, EMS available, Sag Wagon. Helmets required. Sponsored by the Deal Island - Chance Volunteer Fire Company. Applications can be found at this website: www.webauthority.net/lions.htm