Building the sport of mountain biking and new trails in Anne Arundel County
When the weather turns nice, there is nothing better than heading outside, enjoying the fresh air, and getting some exercise. Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are full of gorgeous waterways, so there is never a shortage of opportunity to enjoy a day on the water. But, if you want to take to some trails in the woods on a mountain bike or nice hike, the options had been fairly limited. Until five years ago.
Local mountain bike enthusiasts have taken the initiative, gathered volunteers, and worked with the county and city to build miles of trails close to our own back doors. In 2014, Phase One began on building bike trails in Bacon Ridge, located in Crownsville. Mike Klasmeier, owner of Trailwerks Cyclery Inc., decided to gather individuals and pursue the project. “I wanted to design an environment so that I, and other enthusiasts, could make this an area that I want to live in,” Klasmeier says. A longtime mountain biker and racer since the early 1990s, he wanted to be the solution for all mountain bikers in the area.
For anyone who mountain bikes, the passion for the sport can reach epic levels. “Mountain biking provides an opportunity to get outside and explore nature in an environmentally-friendly way,” Klasmeier says. “You are getting exercise, breathing fresh air, reducing stress, and unlike most other sports, you can do the activity with your whole family or by yourself in a meaningful way. It makes all the hard stuff easier to deal with.”
Getting the trails in order was, and continues to be, no easy feat, however. Klasmeier worked as an agent with M.O.R.E. (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) to get the Bacon Ridge project off the ground. In order to make proper and sustainable trails, Klasmeier and a team of volunteers make sure that all trail building is done to avoid erosion and work within international guidelines for environmental sustainability. Working with the county, they were able to create the trails on easements on county property.
When people think of building trails, the first image might be bulldozers, or pavement, maybe even bulk wood chips. But that is not how trails are built in the mountain bike world. “We walk the woods and consider soil types, incline grades, naturally occurring sight lines, and making sure to use trees as anchors,” Klasmeier explains. “It is essential to maintain the integrity of the woods.” No machines or bulldozers are involved. Instead, teams of volunteers, sometimes over 100 at a time, venture in with rakes and get to work. The key is to rake away the soft topsoil, and reach the harder mineral soil underneath to create trails. Nothing is brought in for the trails, and nothing is removed. Building the trails leaves nature intact. In the last five years, that volunteerism at Bacon Ridge has yielded roughly 17 miles of trails for use for mountain biking, hiking, running, and nice walks through the woods.
With the success of Bacon Ridge underway, the group next worked with the City of Annapolis in 2018 to begin work on trails on what is now known as the Waterworks Trails—at Waterworks Park, the site of the City’s former dam and aquifer. Within a year of discussing the project with the Mayor Gavin Buckley, the volunteers were able to build close to nine miles of trails. A short ride on the road currently allows bike access between the Waterworks and Bacon Ridge trails, but the team is hoping to be able to connect those two trail systems with a dirt path in the near future.
Volunteers and private funding not only plan and build the trails, but also maintain them. “It’s a real group effort,” says Steve Harper, trail liaison with M.O.R.E. for the upcoming Severn Run trails, which will become 12 miles of new trails, running near the Arden on the Severn neighborhood, behind Indian Creek School, and close to Arlington Echo. “You will see teens and adults all working together on trails with leaf blowers and rakes,” he says. “Everyone is excited because they’re creating the best possible environment for everyone.” In order to keep the trails environmentally sound, riders will often post Facebook messages to spread the word if trails are too muddy and wet to ride. Riders do not want trails harmed by careless users. When maintenance is due, an online call to action will garner many volunteers to help. Trail users are passionate, and the community spirit robust, about upkeep to make sure trails are in good condition for years to come.
“Mountain biking is my favorite thing to do and I enjoy cheering on younger kids from our team in races and seeing them improve. High school sports nowadays are very competitive and high pressure, and it’s nice to be a part of an inclusive sport where everyone can participate.”
With new mountain bike trails come new ways to engage the sport. Harper, the trail liaison, also works with the new local youth mountain bike team, the Anne Arundel Blur, which competes within the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League (MICL). Using Bacon Ridge, and now Waterworks, as practice trails, the Blur will enter its third season of competition in the fall of 2020. “Mountain biking is my favorite thing to do and I enjoy cheering on younger kids from our team in races and seeing them improve,” says Garrett Miller, a sophomore at Broadneck High School and racer with the Blur for the past two seasons. “High school sports nowadays are very competitive and high pressure, and it’s nice to be a part of an inclusive sport where everyone can participate.” The Anne Arundel Blur is comprised of middle- through t high-school-age children and is coed.
Jon Posner, co-Founder and League Director of MICL, which is part of the nationwide organization National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), echoes the positivity the sport brings to families. “I cannot even list all the positive aspects of mountain biking as a sport,” she says. “The inclusivity and welcoming environment is really special. Everyone participates and nobody feels threatened because all the riders’ efforts count toward their team. But it goes beyond the bike. There is intentional family involvement. Unlike other sports, you don’t drop your child off and stand behind a fence. You can ride in practices with them; help work the events. Mountain bikers make better food choices, so they feel good on the bike. They make better sleep choices, so they will be in good form for racing. Mental organization, cognitive abilities, and overall clarity improve.” During a NICA race weekend, 60–70 minutes will be active riding of the course, but the rest of the day is quality time spent with families and teammates, camping, socializing, and strategizing the course.
The local trails are designed for all levels of riders. Beginners can feel completely comfortable at Bacon Ridge and Waterworks. “We’ve built these trails to be the best for everyone,” Klasmeier says. “We want people to feel comfortable trying it for the first time, but as you go deeper, you will find fun jumps and steeper terrain for the more experienced. Everyone can have fun. We are lucky because unlike more rocky northern trails in Maryland, these trails are part of the coastal plain, which means sandier soil with maybe some roots. This makes it easier for riders and a little less technical.”
Casual riders, as well as competitive mountain bike riders, seem to appreciate the influx of trails. They are easily accessible, often with the option of riding directly to them without having to drive. “There are so many trails available now in Anne Arundel County, which cater to all skill levels,” says Lisa Lauer, a local rider and bike enthusiast. “It allows my family to get outside and ride together, even though some of us are more seasoned riders than others. Finding common ground with teenagers is often challenging, but this activity has brought us together in such a positive way.” Posner put it another way, saying, “Mountain biking has been a savior to me.”
While the trail system is growing, it’s important to note that the work is far from over. Klasmeier, and the rest of the volunteers, continue to build and improve. “We are creating maps, more online presence, safety markings on the trails without interfering too much with the nature of the trail, GPS reporting in case people are injured on the course, and community education about the trails,” he says. There are Facebook groups for Bacon Ridge, Waterworks, and Annapolis Trails to stay informed of the projects and options for helping out. Youth riders ready to compete can look into the MICL website, marylandmtb.org, or the NICA website, nationalmtb.org, for more information.
In an otherwise busy, cluttered, and often overwhelming world, it’s nice to have the natural refuge of these new trails to better your mind, body, and family life all at once. Mike Klasmeier and all the volunteers and bike enthusiasts have so much more in store for us to look forward to in the near future. Grab your bike and hit the trails.
