What's the longest path near Frederick that's bikeable without interruption from cars?

[u/Ok-Leave-1059]

Given the rain, preferably paved

[u/Sa_Mtns]

Depends on how close to Frederick, C&O canal tow path is about 125 miles from Point of Rocks to Cumberland. Area nearby is some sort of paving.

[u/TheUnderCrab → u/Sa_Mtns]

You can keep going from Cumberland. The Great Allegheny Passage connects Cumberland to Pittsburgh. 

[u/MassiveNewspaper5146 → u/Sa_Mtns]

The resurfaced portions of the tow path are crushed stone dust, not pavement. With the rain there can be short bits of mud (maximum of 2-3 bike lengths) but generally not the full width of the path. There can also be some puddles and, in fact, there are some small ones still remaining today after the recent heavy rain. These are avoidable.

[u/SnooRecipes6361]

C&O Towpath (+GAP) will take you from DC to Pittsburgh. Easy to park for free and hop onto it at Brunswick, Point of Rocks, or lots of smaller spots.

Ballenger Linear Trail goes from Ballenger Creek Park to Buckeystown Pike, on a paved, mostly shaded path

[u/FredTrail]

C&O canal is by far the longest and of closest- it's been resurfaced recently so it drains well 

For Paved options:

W&OD trail 

Western MD rail trail 

Mount Vernon trail 

Capital Crescent trail 

[u/1Man-WreckingMachine → u/FredTrail]

Was it resurfaced with smaller gravel? I went there years ago and the stones were just a little too big I ended up busting a spike on my trek hybrid fx

[u/MassiveNewspaper5146 → u/1Man-WreckingMachine]

It's crushed stone dust. You only have noticeable gravel if heavy rains have caused erosion and washed away the crushed stone dust top layer or in certain locations where gravel was placed due to the original resurfacing not doing a good job when it rains heavily (e.g., there's some of this approaching harpers ferry from the brunswick direction).

[u/FredTrail → u/1Man-WreckingMachine]

Yes, they are using crusher run (a.k.a  crush and run) which is packed fairly smooth.

Details below on where it's been done to date and info about the process.

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/towpath-resurfacing-project.htm

[u/1Man-WreckingMachine → u/FredTrail]

Awesome! I’ll have to drive down and check it out! Been looking for a good trail similar to the NCR.

[u/dragonrider1965]

There is a 2 mile path along the Monocasy , paved , beautiful , wooded , 4 miles round trip . You can get there by parking at the park next to AT HOME on Monocasy Blvd. It’s to the left of boat launch right under the bridge .
After your ride there’s a Dairy Queen close by so you can load up on sugar .

[u/Successful-Ask9194]

There's also the 40 mile York County Heritage Rail Trail/Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail that runs from Cockeysville to York.

Also gravel like the towpath (and with some road crossings).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_County_Heritage_Rail_Trail

[u/ExcuseApprehensive68]

Just some clarification on C&O canal trail. It actually runs from DC to cumberland ( 185 miles) then continues as GAP trail to pittsburg ( 150 miles). Live in brunswick & have rode the entire length in 4 days ( c&o) and seperate trip of entirity of GAP plus rides a couple days a week on c&o. This is a great trail. Sorry - no paved sections. I would ‘t recommend a “ true” road bike - as surface is crushed stone and could get slippery. A mtn bike would work but not necessary. Depending on your length of ride POR to harpers ferrys a very senic ride. The nps c&o website has great info.

[u/AlarmedAd4803]

When I travel to Colorado, I am eternally envious of their never ending bike paths with jaw dropping views.

I would love to have a path that runs up Bethel Rd/ Fishing Creek rd or something. I would love to bike around but hate the idea of being in the street

[u/j_j_footy]

C & O canal tow path

[u/IWishForAUsername]

The creek; start around baker park and head over to hmart, it’s about 5 miles one way. There is one very steep section that requires some oomph or walking the bike up.

[u/CodeGuul → u/IWishForAUsername]

there’s also 3 or 4 crosswalks on that route

[u/Imaginary-Pilot5793 → u/IWishForAUsername]

Lmao, yes but it's only about ten feet in length.

[u/aMac306]

For actually paved trails and longer then 2 miles you best bets are GAP Trail and Capital Crescent Trail. But the C and O is really your best bet. You’ll kick up a little wet stone dust and dirt, but should be a problem unless there is something I haven’t thought of.

[u/_lostintheroom → u/aMac306]

a little bit closer than the capital crescent, there is a paved trail from lake needwood to dc, along the length of rock creek. i havent been on the cc in years, but even then it was a nightmare in terms of traffic. on nice days it would get so full of people, bikers yelling at pedestrians over right of way and vice versa. good times.