bike BWI and slug Sunday
I did the BWI loop trail the other day. It’s detailed here and elsewhere. Because working at the startup really cuts into my workout time, I had the same second-day nausea and loss of appetite from having a hugely calorie deficient bike ride. With regular exercise this does not happen, but you gotta bike and bonk a bit after slacking off.
I’m trying to get some motor-vation today but all I can manage is this post. The problem with the first link above is that there’s no data that would let you know how old the info is. Blogs, or at least mine are immune because every post is dated.
I did this trip about a year ago, and I’m happy to report that someone has put up signs so it’s a bit easier to keep on the loop. I’ve felt the urge before to spray-bomb the entire loop in orange marker paint. Still, in my GPS notes that follow, I’ve tried to mark out the major turns to keep you on track.
It was a nice day yesterday. The average “serious” speed cyclists on the trail were as rude as ever (I swear, it’s like the bastards think you are fscking Lance Armstrong and the only way they can beat you is to sneak up and pass you silently and suddenly). These idiots are probably only eclipsed by the typical Young Hippie Bicycle Fanatic (of Critical Masshole fame). Motto: “share the fucking road except for those god-damn pedestrians!”
Now you know why I like to keep off the beaten track.
Anyway, I ought to make a clue sheet or something. Tough. Assume the following is going around the loop clockwise:
39.16260,-76.66355 – Start and end point. Parking. Good plane-spotting area.
39.15938,-76.68412 – A 7-11 with gas pumps. All the usual stuff here but be extra careful crossing the high-traffic street. Better yet, stop here first, before parking at the trailhead.
39.17782,-76.69032 – Left turn here
39.17822,-76.69305 – Right turn here
39.19095,-76.69146 – Left turn here
39.19035,-76.68082 – Bear left. Do not bear right and cross the bike-bridge over Aviation Loop unless you want to do the dead-end spur that goes to the main terminal.
39.19132,-76.68034 – If you want, you can go off the trail at this point, and go left on Elkridge Landing Road for 550 feet, (there’s a trail on your side of the road, no need to cross), to a McDonalds (food, free refills, tap for water at the soda fountain) You are about half-way around the loop at this point.
39.19349,-76.67067 – Bird watchers might see an Emu or two behind the chain link fence.
39.19389,-76.66678 – Not a lot of plane action, because of a less popular runway, but otherwise an outstanding overlook.
39.19626,-76.66509 – Farm. Horses. Sculpture in stainless steel.
39.19478,-76.65619 – Rail track crossing
39.16141,-76.64547 – Decision time. If doing the loop clockwise, veer off to the right at this point. If going on to the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail, then go ahead and cross the bridge across I-97 (a/k/a Glen Burnie Bypass).
