Maryland: Eastern Shore & Chesapeake Bay

VBT provides a shuttle from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to the Tidewater Inn in Easton, departing at 1:00 p.m.

Travel to Easton and the Tidewater Inn where your group and trip leaders will meet at 3:00 p.m. for a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a short warm-up ride. At 5:00 p.m., meet up with the group for an orientation and welcome reception before a 7:00 p.m. dinner at the inn.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon Warm-up Easton — 6 miles

What to Expect:

Your warm-up ride gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with the bicycle that will be your stalwart companion for the week. Leave the Tidewater Inn and enjoy a ride on the quiet Easton Rails to Trails path.

Cumulative Distance Range: 6 miles

Included Meals: Dinner

Today you are in for a treat. The Oxford/St. Michaels loop is considered one of the premiere biking routes on the East Coast. You will ride a clockwise route from your inn, through Oxford, a 17th-century town with a long tradition of boat building. Cutts and Case Boatyard has number of classic wooden boats on display, two short blocks from our rest stop.

The modest Oxford-Bellevue ferry, the oldest privately owned ferry still in operation in America will carry you across the Tred Avon River. From Bellevue, you will ride through the small town of Royal Oak, stopping for an included lunch in St. Michaels, a small bayside town on a long, narrow neck of land.

Then board the HM Krentz and sail the Eastern Bay. Our skipper, Captain Ed, has spent more than 35 years dredging oysters and sailing skipjacks and his boat is a broad-beamed former working skipjack. Her stable decks are perfect for enjoying the bracing sea air. There is time to visit the impressive Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for a self-guided tour. The museum has over 10 exhibit buildings, the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, a working boatyard, and the world’s largest collection of Bay boats. St. Michaels also offers wonderful shopping, snacking, and plenty of people-watching opportunities.

Mileage hounds may increase your ride total by riding toward Tilghman Island from St. Michaels after lunch before backtracking to St. Michaels.

Easton has been featured on many “best small towns in America” lists. The village is small in scale, but packed with great dining, antique shops, galleries, and stores. The Tidewater Inn has played a central role in the village since 1712. The hotel features great eating and drinking at Hunter’s Tavern.

This evening meet for a walking tour of Easton and then you will be on your own for dinner and additional exploring. Your VBT trip leaders or your walking tour guide will be happy to give you suggestions for great local restaurants.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Easton to St. Michael’s — 19 miles

Afternoon St. Michael’s to Claiborne Landing to St. Michael’s — 10 miles

What to Expect:

The St. Michael’s Loop is recognized as one of the premier bike trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. The popular tourist destination of St. Michaels has many shops. Here, you will enjoy lunch and a self-guided tour of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

This afternoon’s route delivers more scenic views of the water at Claiborne Landing before returning back to St. Michael’s.

Cumulative Distance Range: 10 — 29 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Leaving Easton this morning, shuttle 30 minutes to nearby Cambridge. Today’s ride starts in front of the town’s Harriet Tubman ‘take my hand’ mural (note that the museum is not open on Tuesdays).

Our scenic ride takes place in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Called one of the “Last Great Places” by the Nature Conservancy, these 32,000 acres offer quiet roadways, ideal for cycling. Established 90 years ago, this preserve was created as a haven for migrating birds and to protect endangered birds and animals. Here, nature lovers will enjoy stepping off their bikes for strolls along the marked trails through protected marshland.

You may also stop in the recently established Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad State Park, with an opportunity to tour the visitor center.

After exploring and relaxing over a picnic lunch provide by your trip leaders, you’ll shuttle 90 minutes to Rock Hall and our inn, where a swim in the saltwater pool and a cool drink on the dock may be in order. Your hosts Jim and Joanne welcome us. Dinner is at the inn tonight.

Please note: guests who have driven to the start of the tour will collect their cars as we pass back through Easton, and will accompany our shuttle to Rock Hall where cars may be parked at the inn for the remainder of the tour.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge — 20 miles

What to Expect:

Your morning ride takes you to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge for some bird-watching. Scenic riding is on paved, quiet roadways. Stop to enjoy a picnic lunch provided by your trip leaders, and for a chance to visit the newly established Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park before shuttling north to Rock Hall and our inn for the next three nights.

Cumulative Distance Range: 20 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

More than half of the land in Kent County is devoted to farming. Spend the morning riding through its peaceful agricultural terrain.

Pedal past rows of wheat, corn, and soybeans on shaded lanes leading down to rewarding views of the Sassafras River and Turner’s Creek. Stop at Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area for a relaxing respite. This area is noted for its views of the Sassafras River and Chesapeake Bay from the high banks that face south. The river’s edge is an active birding area, and you may spot a mix of songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors.

Later, ride to the Crow Vineyard & Winery. This 365-acre, third generation working farm produces award winning wines, among other things. After a tour and tasting here, shuttle back to the inn (30 minutes).

This afternoon’s ride option from the inn is a quiet ride out into a peaceful wildlife refuge with views of the Chester River all around. You might want to take a walk along the wooden Tubby Cove Boardwalk which extends over the marsh to a wooded island. Once on the island, the boardwalk continues to two viewing platforms and a rough walking trail off the main path which ends at an elevated viewing platform providing vistas of Chesapeake Bay and into Tubby Cove and Calf Pasture Cove.

Dinner is on your own tonight in one of Rock Hall’s restaurants.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Rock Hall to Kent County — 29 or 37 miles

Afternoon Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge — 13 miles

What to Expect:

Today’s morning ride will take you deep into the farmland of Kent County.  Approximately 60% of the county land is devoted to a variety of crops. You’ll stop for a picnic break at Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area. After lunch, visit the Crow Vineyard & Winery for a tour and a tasting of the family’s award-winning wines. After a shuttle to the inn, the afternoon ride option takes you to the Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge for some bird-watching.

Cumulative Distance Range: 13 — 50 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, ride north today to Chestertown, a historic colonial town located on the Chester River. Chestertown was founded in 1705 and was one of Maryland’s six Royal Ports of Entry. In the mid-18th century, it was the second leading port in Maryland. With this important designation and the resulting shipping business, the town became quite wealthy, which becomes evident as you pedal past the brick mansions and townhouses along the waterfront. Your VBT trip leaders will offer you a self-guided cycling tour of the historic section of Chestertown.

Continue exploring along the town’s brick sidewalks, visiting shops and galleries along the way. Take the time to enjoy lunch on your own at a local cafe, bakery, or one of the town’s numerous restaurants. Your VBT trip leaders will provide you with some great recommendations.

If you prefer a non-riding option, you may spend the day at the inn or enjoy browsing the charming shops and relaxing in the cafes in Rock Hall.

Tonight, we gather for a festive farewell dinner to celebrate your trip biking the Eastern shore.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Inn to Chestertown — 19 miles

Afternoon Chestertown to Inn — 14 miles

What to Expect:

Today’s ride is in the country. Cycle along quiet roads surrounded by farmland into Chestertown, a historic colonial town on the Chester River. Once there, enjoy lunch on your own and explore the town.  You have the option of taking a self-guided architectural tour by foot or by bike. Your leaders can provide you with a locally-produced map and brochure.  After your exploration, cycle back to the inn or shuttle back with your leaders in the van.

Cumulative Distance Range: 19 — 33 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Your biking the Eastern shore vacation concludes mid-morning at the inn. Your included shuttle is available to take you back to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), arriving around 12:00 p.m. We suggest a flight out of BWI no earlier than 2:00 p.m. For guests who parked at the Tidewater Inn, a shuttle will be provided leaving the Inn at Huntingfield Creek at 10:00 a.m. arriving in Easton around 12:00 p.m.

Included Meals: Breakfast