Atlantic Coast Section 3

In Conshohocken, you'll begin riding on the Schuylkill Trail, then cross the Schuylkill River, and continue on a bike path through the Valley Forge National Historic Park. After the Park you'll enter rural farm country near Phoenixville. You might see horse drawn carriages of the Amish on the quiet roads near Bowmansville. Hills in this area are not severe, but the country certainly isn't flat. You'll cross the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightville. In northern Maryland, you'll find a few short, steep descents; caution is advised because of the short sight distances. Nearing Baltimore, two route options are available. The main route skirts the city to the west, using county roads that are often hilly. The Chesapeake Bay Alternate through Baltimore avoids most of the heavy traffic north of the city. Entering Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, for the most part you'll be riding on Virgina's well-signed and well-surfaced network of county roads. The terrain is rolling, with a few steep hills.