To earn the merit badge with a road bike, Scouts use a road map to plan and ride 50-mile route that avoids main highways. Since Scouts must plan the ride, detailed route are not provided here. It is appropriate, though, to offer suggestions of places that offer relatively safe roads that can be connected into a safe ride.
Scouts planning their 50-mile ride should consider several important factors. These include terrain, traffic, road quality, and logistics:
Terrain: Fifty miles is a long way, so hills will matter. To many ups-and-downs can be very tiring, so Scouts may prefer flatter terrain. As a general rule in our region, places that are southeast of Great Falls are flatter than those to the northwest. The flattest rides will be in the DelMarVa Penninsula, accross the Chesapeake Bay.
Traffic: The merit badge requires Scouts to avoid busy highways. Incorporating a rail-trail or other major bike route is an excellent way to avoid traffic.
Road Quality: Road quality covers both width and condition. Unquestionably, Maryland has the best roads for cyclists in our area. Many roads have wide margins on the sides that allow bikes to ride in relatively safety. Virginia's roads, regrettably, frequently have only a few inches to the right of the white line.
Logistics: Logistics refers to the many tasks needed to support the ride. How will you get to the start? Who will pick you up at the end? What repair shops might be along the way? Are there good parks or other places to take a rest? Can we make this a circuit ride, meaning it starts and ends at the same spot?
As mentioned, some of the best areas for long distance road rides can be found on the DelMarVa. Another good area can be Southern Maryland.