Montgomery County MD North Branch Trail
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Montgomery County MD North Branch Trail
If you are a gravel biker or mountain biker, there is an awesome off-road trail loop that Montgomery County MD has built, mostly dirt and with several stream crossings: the North Branch trail, map here.
My wife and I have section hiked most of the 30 mile loop - nothing super challenging for real (TM) mountain bikers, easily doable on a hybrid or gravel bike. A friend did the entire loop in under 3 hours on his Jamis.
It has signs that say please stay off when muddy, so far it has stayed in pretty good shape as those who know about it seem to do so.
My wife and I have section hiked most of the 30 mile loop - nothing super challenging for real (TM) mountain bikers, easily doable on a hybrid or gravel bike. A friend did the entire loop in under 3 hours on his Jamis.
It has signs that say please stay off when muddy, so far it has stayed in pretty good shape as those who know about it seem to do so.
#2
Senior Member
Thanks for the link. I want to check this ride out. I can't get the link to work. I turned off my blocker yet it still doesn't load.
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#4
Full Member
That doesn't go all the way down to lake needwood does it? Nice area around there.
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
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Interesting and not far away for me. I have not yet tried out my "gravel bike" on actual gravel yet.
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
#8
Senior Member
I just rode this trail last Wednesday, beautiful. Nice ride. I used my old toruing bike that I often use on gravel. Unfortunately I did not put on my gravel tires. This trail is fun but a handful on my style bike. It is better suited for my old rigid Mnt bike with thicker tires. hybrid would work and a gravel bike with ~45 tires. Tires I used were slick urban style, 35 (or 32's??). I would not go smaller, some places had roots and rocks. I didn't realized I could have connected to Lake Needwood. This would have made a great loop including Rock Creek and Lake Trail, next time. The northern part of the trail, where I parked is the way to access the northern section of Rock Creek trail. Its kinda strange, riding between homes and cornfields but it is obvious. I will ride this again, probably use my rigid bike with 40-45 tires. Thanks jpescatore
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,547
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano
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And, after last night's storms, is the trail still there?
__________________
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
#10
Senior Member
It will be muddy. It was a little muddy when I rode it but not bad. There is a section of pavement between miles 8-10. I went off course to explore MoCo suburban bike lanes and rejoined the trail miles 12-14.5. I just wanted to see how the other half lives.
My bike was a 1985 Miyata 1000, did fine though not the best choice.
Here is my Ridewithgps ride map.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/130073621
My bike was a 1985 Miyata 1000, did fine though not the best choice.
Here is my Ridewithgps ride map.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/130073621