Places to ride outside of DC Metro?

[MCL1981]

So I just bought this $400 platform articulating super-hitch-rack for my truck. I think it also doubles as a land mine sweeper. Now I need to justify it's purchase by using it. I'm looking for places to ride that are within an hour of home (Bethesda). The kind of place I can do a loop type of ride at, since I will need begin and end at my truck. Suggestions?

[SilverSpring]

Matt,

If you haven't already tried it, the BWI Airport loop is pretty neat. It's 40 minutes or so from Silver Spring (so a touch longer from where you are, perhaps) with at least a couple of places for parking. The loop itself is 12 miles and runs around runways (so like Gravelly Point), through a sculpture garden (so like Storm King), and by horses (so like Middleburg). It's a fun ride. Plus, it's the terminus of the WB&A (or is it W&BA) trail that goes most of the way to Annapolis (although I haven't been on that yet).

[TwoWheelsDC]

I like the Poolesville loop. Hardly any traffic, decent hills, and great scenery. You can actually ride out there from DC, but it's like a century ride to do it round trip, so I drive up there and park at the high school. http://bikewashington.org/ has lots of other routes with maps and cue sheets, so it's a great resource.

[off2ride]

www.ridewithgps.com
www.mapmyride.com
www.garminconnect.com

Type in the keyword of the ride and the location and badabing!!!

[Dirt]

Potomac Pedalers has arguably the best catalog of cue sheets in the area. Take a few minutes to drop some into RideWithGPS.com, drop them to your Garmin and go! Printing cue sheets old school style works too. Rides can be accessed by starting location. Loudoun County High School, Marshall Park and Ride, Thurmont, Poolsville and many, many more provide great starting points for rides and there are many loops available at each of these places.

You have to join to see the cue sheets, but in my view the money is well spent. Their cue sheets are the only reason I stay a member.

Pete

[PotomacCyclist]

I like the Poolesville loop. Hardly any traffic, decent hills, and great scenery. You can actually ride out there from DC, but it's like a century ride to do it round trip, so I drive up there and park at the high school. http://bikewashington.org/ has lots of other routes with maps and cue sheets, so it's a great resource.

BikeWashington can be a useful intro to cycling in the DC area. But the site hasn't been updated in at least a few years. Some newer trails, bike lanes and connectors do not appear in the recommended routes.