Poolsville Loop - 60 mile route

Updated 6/10/06

This ride begins and ends at Sugarloaf Mountain, in Dickerson MD.

Maps:

Area map of the ride, by bobbyc (dial-up warning! 255KB).
Google maps map (you may need to pan and zoom a bit)
Elevation Profile

Parking is available at the base of the mountain, although if it's full, you can drive up the mountain road where there's even more parking. But you'll have to ride up to get the car at the end of the ride. It's a short but challenging climb.

The following is the 60-mile version of this ride. A shorter 45-mile version can be found here.

Start: Base of Sugarloaf Mtn

Proceed east on Comus Rd.
Straight across Old Hundred Rd (MD 109) and continue on Comus Rd
Right at Peach Tree Lane.
Straight across Old Baltimore Rd
Straight across Barnsville Rd
(60) Left on Moore Rd (this change from Whites Store increases the original 57 miles to an even 60).
Left on Bucklodge Rd
Right on Old Bucklodge Ln (seldom travelled raod - watch for debris)
Right on White Ground Rd (MD 121)
Left on Shaeffer Rd
Right on Burdette Ln
Right on Black Rock Rd (Steep downhill, beware of gravel at bottom)
Prepare for moderate climb on Black Rock Rd
Left on Darnestown Rd (MD 28) (Keep to bike lane on right side)
Right on Berryville Rd (Downhill turn, watch for gravel)
Prepare for moderate climb on Berryville Rd
Right on Seneca Rd (MD 112) (Watch for traffic)
Seneca Rd becomes River Rd
Right on Old River Rd (Stop for food/water at Poole's country store)
Bear Left at circle in front of store and continue on Old River Rd (seldom travelled raod - watch for debris)
Right on Montevideo Rd
Left on Sugarland Rd
Straight across Partnership Rd
Right on Sugarland Rd (at white church)
Left on Hughes Rd
Right on River Rd
River Rd becomes Mt Nebo Rd
Four short consecutive climbs at this transition
Straight Past W Offutt Rd
Mt Nebo Rd becomes W Offutt Rd
Right on Edwards Ferry Rd
Optional right turn on Westerly Rd to Bob's Bikes - Free water refills - see below
Left at Westerly Rd onto Edwards Ferry Rd
Immediate Left onto Club Hollow Rd
Right onto Elmer School Rd
Right onto Whites Ferry Rd (watch for traffic!)
Left onto Martinsburg Rd
Bear Right onto Wasche Rd
Left onto West Hunter Rd
Right onto Darnstown Rd (MD 28) (watch for traffic from left!)
Immediate left at light onto Bealsville Rd
Left onto Big Woods Rd
Prepare for fun curves and descents
Right onto Darnstown Rd (MD 28), proceed under Railroad bridge
Immediate Right onto Mt Ephraim Rd

End: Base of Sugarloaf Mtn

Optional turn-off to Bob's bikes (required for full 60 miles):

Right onto Westerly Rd

Left onto West Willard Rd
Right on Fisher Ave. Bob's is immediately on the left behind the hardware store
Leave Bob's and return down West Willard
Right on Westerly
Right on Edwards Ferry Rd
Resume at step 28 above