The Adventure Cycling Association Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route is a loop
rather than a point-to-point route. The route introduces the cyclist to an area rich in scenic
beauty, ecological diversity, and early American colonial history. Museums and points of
interest give ample opportunities for sightseeing. Several historic sites are connected to
George Washington, the "father of the nation." They include Mt. Vernon, George
Washington's Ferry Farm, where he lived from age six until early adulthood, and the
George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The route is a total of 397.5 miles
(640 km) .
This loop route lies within a portion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
corridor. The route begins in Washington, D.C., and traverses both sides of the Potomac
River in Maryland and Virginia until it reaches the Chesapeake Bay. To complete the loop,
riders must take a cruise ship across the Bay to Smith Island, where connections can be
made to reach Point Lookout in Maryland or Smith Point in Virginia.
The lower Potomac River region has very warm weather and high humidity during the
summer months, which is when this route needs to be ridden to complete the loop. Only
privately owned cruise ship companies cross the Chesapeake Bay, so working within
their schedule is a must. Occasionally, delays can occur due to inclement weather -
thunderstorms and Atlantic storms lasting a few days
ROUTE
This loop route begins and ends at Union Station in Washington, D.C. A spur route
connects to the eastern terminus of the C & O Canal Towpath for those cyclists who may
want to continue up the Potomac River. The route crosses the Potomac and heads into
Virginia along the Mt. Vernon Trail. It is approximately forty miles of riding before the route
leaves the suburbs behind and gets into the rural countryside. The route skirts the
Quantico Marine Corps Reservation on its way to Fredericksburg, Virginia. This town has
its share of museums and historic sites, so riders might want to plan to spend a day
sightseeing.
Leaving Fredericksburg, the route heads eastward into the peninsula known as the
Northern Neck. Traffic decreases as the route heads farther east, and then it's pleasant
riding on smaller back roads. Stratford Hall Plantation, the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, is
located on the Potomac River, and there are several museums to visit in the small towns
along the route. For further exploration, there's a 25-mile spur to the Rappahannock River
bridge.
The route in Maryland meanders along smaller roads through fields and woods. There
are many points of interest, museums, and state parks to visit along the way, so days
should be planned accordingly. Nearby towns offer full services for riders. Automobile
traffic increases closer to the Washington, DC area. Riders will need city-riding skills as
they share the road with traffic entering the District of Columbia.
Terrain
The District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland are flat to rolling on this route. A few short hills will be encountered. Rivers and bays create fingers of land called "necks," and the route dips down into the necks, allowing easy access to points along the Potomac River.
