Maryland Takes Center Stage

The weather was perfect this weekend for an exciting and eventful array of sports around the state. From horse racing to cycling to extreme races, there was something for everyone to participate in. Here is a snapshot of why Maryland is a growing Sports destination:

Maryland will have another, as the 137^th Preakness featured the largest crowd ever. Over 120,000 people donned their snazziest outfits, partied, jammed and celebrated horse racing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore City. The horse racing did not disappoint either. I Will Have Another narrowly defeated Bodemeister to put itself in position to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Stay tuned to see if I Will Have Another attempts to make history at the Belmont Stakes on June 9^th.    

City of Frederick Bicycle History Trail

We’ve written before about the City of Frederick and their commitment to bicycling.  They are already building trails that connect the community and its various amenities.  They are engineering bike lanes on existing streets, following a comprehensive bicycle-friendly transportation system.  Now, they are taking their initiatives in yet another direction – heritage tourism.

Leveraging a $3,000 grant from the Tourism Council with some City funds and in-kind services, The City of Frederick has designated a ten-mile loop that connects 21 of the most significant points in their four centuries of history.

Autos, Bikes & Boats, Oh My!

Winners at the IHRA Junior Dragster Final

There were many exciting sporting events that took place this past weekend in our great state.  From fishing to cycling, Maryland had something to offer all sports fans.   We’ll be covering auto racing in Southern Maryland, bicycle road racing in the suburbs of DC, tuna fishing down the beach and youth lacrosse in and around Baltimore.

First up were the IHRA Junior Dragster Finals.  Held at the Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, the three-day event featured practice sessions, special races, games, and the final points-based competition on Sunday. The Junior Dragster racers from Northeast Dragway in North Carolina won the IHRA Junior Team Finals against 26 teams from 18 different tracks.

Race Across America Spins Through Maryland Again

There is an ultramarathon for competitive cyclists that makes even a 100 mile foot race seem civilized.  It’s called the Race Across America , and for the second year in a row it will end at City Dock in Annapolis after taking competitors through Allegany, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties.

Look at the bright side — at least it’s all downhill at this point.  After travelling 3,000 miles from Oceanside, California in approximately eight days in June, they can use a little breeze in the home stretch.

I’m mentioning it now because the route has just been finalized.  We still have a few months before this display of endurance rolls past us, but it does show Maryland can handle and enthusiastically support these increasingly popular bicycle events.

(Can you even imagine what the desert must be like in June?  What about the Rockies?  Ouch!)

So visit the website and learn more about the Race Across America.  Their last waystation before Annapolis is Mt. Airy, so that is another place to watch the parade pass by. 

Break out the grenola bars and garden hoses, this sounds like an occasion for Maryland hospitality.

Cycling Season

I picked up the latest edition of Spokes Magazine last week.  This periodical, based in Frederick, covers bicycling interests throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  I find it interesting because every issue has articles or commentary which relate to bicycling as a transportation option, recreational pastime and competitive sport.

This is becoming more relevant to Maryland as we develop trails and incorporate them into commuting options along with their amenities as parks and open spaces.  The most recent issue has a calendar of recreational excursions, advocacy events (remember the “Wear What You Dare” to Capitol Hill last year?) training exercises and professional competitions.

It’s amazing how many cycle centric activities there are in Maryland.  And how many opportunities this time of year to combine fitness with heritage tourism via the historic trails (think:  C&O Canal, Allegheny Highlands, Capitol Crescent.)

I have to give a shoutout here to Nate Evans, the bicycle and pedestrian planner with the City of Baltimore, who is working with us to make Camden Yards more bicycle friendly for the fans and commuters who pass through our transit center.  You’ll be reading more about that this spring, along with a potential major statewide event Team Terry is working on.

As the days get longer and the weather warmer, more people are thinking about cyling events.  Pick up a copy of Spokes, or read the online edition to catch up on some activities of interest here in Maryland.

Reading in the Rain, July 23, 2009

I’ll read anything. Compulsive habit. If my eyes are open, they need to read. I pick up a lot that way, whether I want to or not.

Today I learned some pretty interesting stuff while awaiting steamed shrimp in my favorite haunt. The first was in the latest issue of “Spokes,” a monthly tab devoted to all things cycling in the Mid-Atlantic region. It has great information on trails in Maryland, strength and conditioning for bicycle events, and a comprehensive calendar of events for bicycle adventure in the region. Be sure to check it out, whether you are a competitive, recreational or commuting cyclist. Lots of good information about trails, training, safety, and events.

This month’s cover story was about cycling demonstration in Washington called Naked Bike Ride. It wasn’t really as risque as it sounds (nothing like the hikers on summer solstice,) but fifty scantily attired advocates pedaled from 14th and K to the White House in their fourth annual “wear what you dare” ride to gain respect for bicycling commuters. Fascinating.

The other interesting thing I read was on the back of a firefighter. They’re having a convention here in town and a few drifted in our direction. Couldn’t help but admire (and read) his t-shirt, which celebrated an annual Rocktoberfest. The giant striper under the title suggested this might be a fishing tournament instead of a Bavarian heritage festival. I couldn’t read the fine print without violating personal space, so I politely inquired and learned that, indeed, the Rocktoberfest is held every fall in Ocean City. It’s one of the biggest tourneys of the year, with about 300 boats and sports fishermen of all ages. Contestants can fish in the bay, off the pier, or in the ocean. Prizes are awarded for the largest rockfish, but trout and skate have categories too. Rocktoberfest runs concurrently with hurricane season, so weather conditions offer an additional element of suspense. The fireman said the rocking and rolling was a gas last year.

See what you can learn while waiting for shrimp?