For the first time, the Tour du Port will offer a 36-mile “Urban Adventure” route for mountain biking and cycle-cross enthusiasts— through little-known local streets and single-track paths in Herring Run Park, Stony Run, Druid Hill Park, Dickeyville, and on the Gwynns Falls Trail.

“We’re really excited about it. Every year we want to do something to broaden the appeal of cycling in the city,” said Nate Evans, executive director of Bike Maryland, which hosts the Tour du Port, a major fundraiser for the organization. “Knobby tires are recommended. There’s some loose gravel and natural paths that they’ll definitely work better on.”

Other rides include a 14-mile, family-friendly “Harbor Loop” that passes through Patterson Park, the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill Park, South Baltimore,
Silo Point, and Tide Point; the “Port to Peninsula Loop,” which provides riders with a 31-mile ride option from Canton,
through Dundalk to North Point State Park, and back; and the 50-mile “Raven Challenge” through Baltimore City, around Loch Raven
Reservoir, through Long Green Valley, and back to Canton. All the rides are fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.

Afterward, of course, there’s a post-ride celebration at the Canton Waterfront Park, with food trucks—tentatively including Aladdin Grill, Gypsy Queen, Kommie Pig, Koopers Chowhound, Pizza di Joey, and Green Bowl—plus vendors, music, canoe rides, and beverages, courtesy of New Belgium Brewing.

Walk-up registration, which includes two beers, is available the morning of the event.

Exhibitors at Tour du Port include a number of the region’s bike clubs and bike shops. Also, on display at
the Bike Maryland tent will be Tom Palermo’s last bicycle frame. An accomplished bicycle
builder and married father of two, Palermo was killed in a tragic crash on Roland Avenue last December.

Schedule of Events:

7 a.m: Registration begins

7:15 – 7:45 a.m: Raven Challenge and The Urban Adventure riders leave

7:45 – 8:15 a.m: Port to Peninsula Loop riders leave

8:15 a.m: Harbor Loop riders leave

10:30 a.m – 3:00 p.m: Lunch with food trucks, New Belgium Brewing, and music at
Canton Waterfront Park.

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This year’s recreational ride, per usual, offers something for everyone, including a 14-mile family ride on the Gwynn Falls Trail, and longer treks of 25, 36, and 64 miles. The popular, 36-mile “Le Grand Tour” hits all the city’s major parks, including Patterson Park, Druid Hill Park, Herring Run Park, and Leakin Park—as well as Fort McHenry. All rides start and end in Carroll Park, include snack and rest stops, and wrap up with a BBQ lunch and live jazz.

Proceeds support Baltimore City’s parks, and local environmental, “friends of parks,” and bicycling groups.

Last year’s ride attracted more 1,100 registrants online and more than 1,300 riders overall, including walk-ups. Online registration ends Thursday, so hurry, because official Tour Dem Parks, Hon! ride T-shirts may sell out. So far, the weather looks good this weekend. There may be rain Sunday night, but with an early start, we think we’ll be okay…

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Currently, the bicycling and walking path ends at the Cylburn Arboretum.

While the Jones Falls Trail terrain varies greatly—from rough sidewalks to smooth, beautiful vistas of Druid Hill Park—parts,
including the Fallsway dedicated bike lane in East Baltimore and Falls
Road area below Hampden, are well-trod bike commuter routes.

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Department spokesman Gwendolyn Chambers told The Baltimore Brew the hope is for construction to start in September, taking an estimated 18 months to complete the trail.

This
trail system follows the Jones Falls stream valley and will ultimately
connect 20 neighborhoods, including the cultural and arts districts of
Mount Vernon and Station North with the Inner Harbor, Druid Hill Park,
and Lake Roland in Baltimore County, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The trail also links with the Gwynn Falls Trail near the Baltimore waterfront area.

A detailed map of the Jones Falls Trail, including local destinations on or near the trail, can be found at www.baltogreenmap.org.

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