Terry Precision Cycling Wild Goose Chase - A Bicycle tour to benefit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

2010 Wild Goose Chase Ride Information

The 2010 ride will take place on Sunday, October 17, 2010. You can register for the ride by clicking on the "Register" link above.

We will update this page with 2010 information as it becomes available, so please bookmark it! More information is available on our Terry forums. That's also a great place to ask questions and connect with other riders.

Start/Finsh
The ride begins and finishes at the Cambridge/South Dorchester High School, 2475 Cambridge Bypass (Route 16), Cambridge, MD 21613.

The Rides
Four rides will be offered in varying lengths, typically from 15 miles to 62 (a metric century). The terrain is perfectly flat, with the exception of bridges! The riding is through a very rural area, meandering in and out of Blackwater Refuge. For the most part, you will see very few cars on the route. Cell phone service in the southernmost part of the area is spotty; Verizon and AT&T have the best coverage.

Here are some self-guided bike rides to historic spots in the area for those who want to explore on their own. All rides start at the High School. Click on the links below for PDFs of the ride maps.

11 mile tour of historic Cambridge: Cambridge Tour
28 mile loop around the area northeast of the Refuge. Decoursey Bridge Road crosses the Transquaking River where you can see waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds and perched raptors in the tree line. Just past the River, the ride passes through some of the best deciduous forest in the area: 28 mile ride
30 mile loop which takes in the Spocott Windmill and Old Trinity Church: 30 mile ride
45 mile loop out to Taylor's Island. Passes the Old Trinity Church. This ride returns past the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center: 45 mile ride
50 mile loop to the "Bridge to Nowhere" on Hooper's Island. This ride returns past the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center: 50 mile ride
Century Ride. This ride follows a counter-clockwise route around Blackwater NWR and includes the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center: Century ride

Rest Stops
Each rest stop will have bagels, peanut butter and jelly and fruit in addition to energy bars and drinks and fresh water. Basic repairs, like flat tire repair and gear adjustment will be available. First aid kits and porta potties are at each rest stop.

Porta Potties
Porta potties will be available at each rest stop. "Real" toilets are available at the Blackwater Visitor Center and the High School.

Sag
Sags with tools and first aid kits will be on the course at all times.

With the $24,500 contribution from the 2009 ride, the Friends of Blackwater built boardwalks along wet portions of the Tubman Road Trail on the Refuge. We hope to raise $35,000 for the Friend in 2010.