South Island Trail, Kent Island, MD - NOT OPEN TO RSVP YET

**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride will be postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 29%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 14 mph (per Accuweather) or if temperature is above 96*F at noon **

Credit goes to Howard Eckert for suggesting this trail and providing details and photos.

DESCRIPTION
Join us for a cycling adventure on Kent Island, just to the east of Annapolis. There's plenty to see and do out there, so consider making it a day trip or weekend trip.

South Island Trail, Kent Island, MD
The South Island Trail is a paved, fairly flat trail that runs parallel to Route 8 on Kent Island. It is 6 miles long and runs from Metapeake Public Beach down to Romancoke Pier Park. The trail is paved the entire way and runs parallel to Roanoke Rd (Route 8).
It offers beautiful water views. The path winds through forest, alongside the road, and travels through fields.

BATHROOMS
There are bathrooms at both ends of the South Island Trail.

PARKING
There is public parking at Metapeake Public Beach.

OPTION A – 12 miles, +/- 130 ft
South Island Trail only:

OPTION B - 31 miles, +/- 327 ft
South Island Trail + Extension (road cycling to the southern point of the island).
The road that branches off of Romancoke Rd is a two-lane road with no shoulders, but it is lightly traveled and a nice ride.

REQUIREMENTS
A helmet must be worn while seated on a bike.
A fully charged cell phone with nav app installed.
You must be comfortable following a nav app/cue sheet on your phone.
NEW: Wear light color top and/or bottoms. Avoid grey and black so you stand out from the road.
Post when you have returned to your car in the event.
BIKING ETTIQUETTE FOR THIS ROUTE
- Many sections of roads won’t have a shoulder. Please ride single file and notify others of oncoming cars by yelling “car up” or “car back”
- If you’re going to pass another biker, yell “ passing on your left”
- Don't make sudden stops on the road. Instead, yell "slowing down" and pull over onto the side.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Extra drinks/water, snacks and packed lunch (there are picnic tables at each of the three parks nearby each covered bridge).
Backpack, sunglasses or visor, sunscreen, biking gloves, change of clothes, washcloth, spare tire, tire patch, tire pump
Clothing (this is just a guideline).
If weather forecast is below 60*F layer with long-sleeves under a jacket (consider windproof), long comfy pants (add tights if it's below 45*F), and thicker gloves, thicker socks and windproof shoes.

If weather forecast is above 60*F, you may feel comfortable with a T-shirt and shorts, thinner gloves, thinner socks and shoes.

Electrolytes to avoid cramping. If you get leg cramps after long bike rides, consider having Mg and salt the day before as during the ride and the day after.

Use a flashing light on your helmet or on the rear of your bike.

OPTIONAL TRIP IDEAS
TBD

OPTIONAL SOCIAL EVENT AFTERWARDS
Food options nearby:

**PARTICIPATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK**