This Summer, Don’t Miss This Philly-Area Cycling Destination—and All the Quirky Flair It Has to Offer

People in Philly love to bike. But we all know that to get the best biking, you have to leave our little grid of streets behind, get out of the city, and hit some wide-open trails. Fortunately, the wild is never far away from us—and there are some fascinating, top-tier biking spots within easy reach.

Case in point: The cycling fanatics among us might already know about Frederick, Maryland, a beloved spot in East Coast biking culture. It’s been home to cycling clubs since the origin of the bicycle, influenced by its proximity to Baltimore, which is widely considered the birthplace of biking in the United States. And though that background speaks for itself, biking in Frederick has evolved, and just a quick road trip away, its appeal to Philly-area visitors continues to grow.

Today, Frederick’s scenic trails and celebratory attitude towards the art of biking make it a fun, bustling destination for experienced bikers looking for a challenge, newbies looking to appreciate beautiful views and slow paces, and those looking for a family-friendly activity—but there’s more to do than just pedal.

Against the area’s landscape, visitors can hike, kayak and enjoy some beautiful views of the waterways at the eastern edge of Maryland’s Appalachian Mountains. Frederick’s historic downtown is also a main attraction for visitors to eat, spend and explore, spanning 50 blocks with more than 200 locally owned shops, boutiques and restaurants—complete with museums and other local gems (both cycling-themed and not).

Downtown also boasts a seasonal calendar of summer events, including live music and festivals, and the most distinct event of all is their one-of-a-kind antique bike race. Known as the National Clustered Spires High Wheel Bike Race (and taking place this year on July 12th), this annual extravaganza draws racers and spectators from various states and even from other countries, such as England, Sweden and Belgium. The race gets its name from historic “Clustered Spires” of Frederick – its historic 19^th century church steeples that remain the highest points on the city’s skyline today.

Riders compete for a national title and do so not only on antique or replica 19th-century bikes, but also, more often than not, in costume. It’s safe to say you haven’t seen anything like it before.

All these activities give Frederick a unique flavor, and they allow visitors to experience both exciting outdoor activities and some more low-key unwinding. Here’s what to expect from your trip to see the only high-wheel bike race of its kind—and where to get in your own cycling, exploring, eating and shopping while you’re there.

Frederick’s High Wheel Bike Race

According to Eric Rhodes, founder of the National Clustered Spired High Wheel Race, the idea for Frederick’s High Wheel Bike Race came from the Knutsford Race in England, which is held every ten years and features penny farthing bicycles. High wheel bikes gained their popularity in the late 1880s, and some of the wheels are up to 58 inches tall.

As a spectator, Rhodes says, there’s nothing like not only seeing these 19th-century bikes bicycles, but seeing riders take them swiftly down the street en masse. Inspired by the flair of this race, its entertainment value and the impressive skills required of racers to maneuver these large bicycles, Rhodes brought it to Frederick, where the community and local businesses—including the race’s sponsor, Brewers’ Alley Restaurant—embraced it.

Today, this race is the only one of its kind in the United States, so its racers are speeding down the streets of Downtown Frederick in competition for a national title. Though those stakes are high, there’s an undeniably fun atmosphere to the race for both riders and spectators.

“Some of our racers aim to please crowds with unique outfits, some donning vintage garb and antique accessories, and others appearing in memorable character-like themed costumes,” says Rhodes. “You never know what will show up on the course.”

That’s why it’s worth coming to check this race out for yourself.

Find Your Own Favorite Places to Cycle and Explore

Being a cycling spectator might inspire you to get to pedaling yourself—and luckily, there are plenty of opportunities for you to hop on a bike in Frederick County. Gravel & Grind is a local favorite spot for bike shopping and renting, and it doubles as a coffee shop with artisanal roasts and light bites, so it’s a great place to kick off your morning in Downtown Frederick.

Then, if you’re looking for a family-friendly ride, one place that Jake Wynn, senior marketing and communications manager of Visit Frederick, recommends is Baker Park near downtown. The first thing you’ll notice about the 58-acre Baker Park is its stunning lakeside views, but try not to just lounge and gaze at the water. There’s also a ton to do there, with a public swimming pool, numerous playgrounds, tennis courts, and more. The summer also features concerts, outdoor events and children’s theater shows—and the July 4th Independence Day celebration has all-day entertainment and a fireworks show.

Wynn also points families looking for exciting, yet leisurely rides toward the gravel towpath at the C&O Canal National Historical Park in southern Frederick County. The towpath is mostly flat and runs over 184 miles, and it’s accessible from various points of entry in Frederick County. If you’re not done exploring, the canal path even connects up to the Appalachian Trail through scenic Harpers Ferry, home of a national historical park, in the west and the village of Weverton in the east.

There are also spots designated for skilled mountain bikers and hikers looking for a challenge, and, Wynn says, one fan-favorite is atop Catoctin Mountain just west of Downtown Frederick. The paths to see the mountain’s scenic vistas and viewpoints range from easy to strenuous, and there’s wildlife and scenic overlooks to see along the way. Trails span the Frederick City Watershed (a forest land known as “The Shed”) and Gambrill State Park—and Wynn also points visitors interested in mountain biking to the River’s Edge Trails near Brunswick, which are challenging but rewarding.

There are plenty of other parks and trails to check out, too, for bikers of any level. Plus, you can skip the cycling if you’re just looking to take in some stunning landscapes. The Covered Bridges Tour in northern Frederick County is designed for cars, and it’s approximately 33 miles (round-trip) featuring three bridges listed as Historic Places by the National Park Service.

Downtown Frederick’s Accommodations, Eats, Events and Festivals

According to Wynn, the summer is festival season in Frederick—so it’s likely that anytime this season that you choose to visit, there will be something going on. With nationally branded hotels to stay in and many local-favorite restaurants that you’ll want to try, it’s worth taking an overnight trip.

Start off your weekend getaway with Alive @ Five, a regular summer event from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday, which features live music in the Carroll Park amphitheater. For some events to schedule your trip around, June 21st is the Spirits of Maryland festival in Downtown Frederick that gathers distilleries and drinks from across the state and celebrates famous Maryland Rye Whiskey along with vendors, live music and local food trucks. On June 28th, Frederick Pride in Carroll Park is one of Maryland’s largest Pride celebrations, with performances, hundreds of local vendors, nonprofit organizations and food trucks, musical numbers and more.

“Frederick is home not only to these events and more, but has an incredible art scene, great wineries, breweries and distilleries—more than anywhere else in the state of Maryland—and family-friendly attractions,” says Wynn.

To get started planning your trip to Frederick today, head to visitfrederick.org.