Celebrate National Bike Month This May
- Laura Scharle
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
This article was originally written by Laura Scharle (Creator of Delmarva Trails & Waterways) for the Delmarva Courier newspaper.
After the rough winter this area has seen, everyone seems like they are itching to get outside and explore some of the trails on the eastern shore. May is right around the corner and it happens to be National Bike Month. It’s a great time to start planning some biking adventures and participating in community biking events.
Even before May is officially here, the Maryland’s Coast Bike Festival kicks off on Saturday, April 26. Riders can choose between a 19-, 33-, or 48-mile route through Worcester County, all finishing at Assateague.All registered participants will receive a t-shirt, course maps, and lunch.
If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, the Ocean Pines Association is hosting a spring community bike ride on Saturday, May 10. The 7- or 14-mile courses begin and end at the Golf Clubhouse. Participants must be at least 12 years old and wear a helmet. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required by calling 410-641-7052. All participants will receive a free drink ticket—alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
For an all-ages event, Ocean Pines will also be hosting a free Bike Rodeo on Sunday, May 18 at the Swim & Racquet Club. Volunteers will be teaching bike safety skills, conducting bike safety inspections, and participants will get a chance to practice new bike handling skills. Participation is free, but pre-registration is also required by calling 410-641-7052.
As part of National Bike Month, Friday, May 16 is National Bike To Work Day. If your daily commute is on safe roads and avoids highways, or if you can take an alternative route that’s safe, be sure to participate in this national movement. The idea behind National Bike To Work Day is to promote exercise and community health, highlight bicycling and road safety, and to bring awareness to a more environmentally-friendly form of transportation.
If joining a community cycling event doesn’t fit in your schedule, consider celebrating National Ride A Bike Day on Sunday, May 4. While Worcester County doesn’t have too many off-road bike trails aside from Assateague’s bike path and the mountain biking trails in the Pocomoke State Forest, there are plenty of other bike trails on Delmarva that are worth checking out.
There is a 15-mile bike loop in the Lewes/Rehoboth area that is almost completely separated from roads. Between the stunning Gordons Pond Trail, the bike loop within Cape Henlopen State Park, and the wooded Junction & Breakwater Trail, this loop offers a lot of variety. You will need to pedal on the roads through the towns of Lewes and Rehoboth, but riding through town provides excellent opportunities for a lunch break or happy hour spot.
In addition to the 15-mile loop, the construction of the Lewes-Georgetown bike trail is also well underway, with over 7 miles of trail completed and open to cyclists.
Neighboring Somerset County has a great rail trail connecting Marion Station to Crisfield. The trail is currently about 4.5 miles long, with plans to extend several more miles, all the way to Westover.
While the Maryland district of Assateague has a great off-road bike path, the Virginia district also has some great paved trails to ride. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge has a 10-mile trail system including the Wildlife Drive loop, Woodland Trail, and a ride out to the Tom’s Cove Visitor Center.
Find even more bike trails with our bike trail search engine our our interactive bike trail map!
