HANCOCK, MARYLAND
Twenty-five years ago, this was a premier paved rail trail. Created in two sections, the older one ran 10 miles from Big Pool to Hancock, Md. Eventually, the western portion expanded and the difference in the pavement between the two was striking. The eastern portion was rooted, while the western portion was smooth asphalt.
But Mother Nature slowly overtook the western portion, and by 2024 there were long sections that were almost unridable, the pavement was so bad. Not potholes or decaying pavement. But rather, tree roots working their way up to the surface of the trail.
I would ride the trail often as Hancock was a convenient place to ride when I drove to Pennsylvania to visit family. But I rode it less frequently in recent time because of the many roots. When I did ride I worried about damaging my bike. If I didn’t see a root it would hurt my hands as well. It’s a beautiful trail, but it had becomeunridable in 2024.
In late Fall 2024, the entire trail was repaved. I discovered this last month and began planning a road trip for myself. I opened it up to the Prince William Cycling Club and had four people join me on a beautiful sunny day.
We met at the Park and Ride lot on Main Street, which is at Mile 9. We could have parked at Big Pool, Mile 0, but I wanted a bailout option for riders who may not want to do a 27-mile out-and-back from Big Pool. By starting riding west, it would be 18 miles or 36 total for those who wanted a shorter day.
Parking at Mile 9 gave us another benefit. On our way back through, we all stopped at our cars. For some, it was to grab another gel or more water for their bottles. For me, it was also to offload clothes, arm warmers and a t-shirt.
The weather started out nice, although a bit cool. It was in the mid-50s. We started west and stopped at Mile 20 for a natural break. There was a port-a-john in pristine condition. After a short break, we continued on the trail to the diversion point.
The trail continues to Mile 27 at Little Orleans, Maryland. However, if one wants to get there, they have to ride two miles on the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal tow path. To continue straight would be to go through the Indigo Tunnel which is not open and doubtful will ever be opened. It is home to eight different species of bats including the Maryland state endangered small-footed myotis and the federally endangered Indiana bat. The Indigo Tunnel has been identified by Maryland Department of Natural Resources as one of the largest bat hibernacula in the state. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)
At Mile 24 there is a ramp that takes the WMRT users over the C&O Canal to the tow path. The tow path in this section that it shares with the WMRT has a packed crushed limstone surface. For those with a fear of gravel or dirt there’s no need to fear. It’s actually an enjoyable ride.
The distance of the trail detour is a little more than two miles. Another ramp leads to the last finished section of the trail at Little Orleans.
We went to the end of the trail. I looked at that beautiful trestle and imagined how nice it would be to put a deck on it. It would become a destination trail just for that trestle. Hopefully some day.
We turned around and discussed taking the High Germany Road back instead of the C&O. Stewart joined me although I couldn’t hold his wheel up the hill. Too much winter eating for sure.
We regrouped at the parking lost at Mile 22 and rode back to the parking lot at Mile 9. Everyone was able to grab something for the next 18 miles – an out and back to the trail start at Big Pool.
Passing over the Tonolay Creek at MP 8, we noticed the decking appears rotted in some sections. It is the only place on the trail one needs to exercise caution.
It was a nice ride down to the eastern end of the WMRT. On the way back I was able to organize our group of five into a chain gain, or a rotating pace line. You can’t do this on open roads because of traffic but the trail was so lightly traveled that we could take up most of the trail. Only when someone appraapproached did we go into single file.
It was a beautiful day on the bike.
Just six days later I went back. My plan this time was to take Old US 40 over Sideling Hill Mountain, climb to Town Hill. From there it was mostly downhill to Little Orleans.
I stopped at Bills and noticed it was closed and for sale. But the closure seemed to be just limited days or hours and had nothing to do with the sale.
I got on the trail looking forward to completing a metric century (100 km or 62.14 miles). I went the first mile to the Indigo Tunnel then took the ramp to the C&O Towpath. There were no indications of why lie ahead.
Shortly after getting back on the WMRT at Mile 24 I noted a tree had fallen and broke a fence. But it had been removed. I kept going.
Within the next half mile I notice branches and twigs on the trail although half seemed to have been cleaned. I soon came up a crew blowing off the debris. There was a tractor with a blower followed by two guys in a work cart. Then they came to a stop. There was a tree blocking the enrtie path.
I carefully passed them then dismounted and carefully ducked under the fallen tree. I started to ride but 100 meters ahead were two more fallen trees. And so it went.
I had no choice. The old railroad bed was the only direct path between Little Orelans and Hancock whish is where my car was parked. Maybe the C&O Tow path was a more viable option but it, too, may have had fallen trees. In all I counted more than 50 trees that were fallen. I dismounted and went over, under, and in one case, around the trees.
When I got back to my car I decided to ride to Big Pool and finish my metric. I had only gone one mile when I came to another downed tree. In Hancock I stopped at the bike shop and was told all the trees were on the western portion. But that information was wrong.
I was tired from going through all the trees. A cyclist was walking past the downed tree and I asked him if that was the first downed tree. He told me there were many ahead. I decided that it wasn’t worth it to continue to Big Pool.
He was Mike from Williamsburg. Recently retired he just took up cycling and was riding the TransAmerica Trail to Oregon. We rode into Hancock and I took him another two miles on the road past the trail. Then turned around and wished him luck as he continued to his campground. I’m not sure how his body will hold up riding 60-70 miles every day but hope he rides into shape.
The trail had been hit with a small tornado. Or wind sheers. It is beautiful and has a great surface. Go visit if you can.
