My stomping grounds.
I often ride a big loop over Holtwood (PA 372) and either Conowingo Dam (rt 1) or the Hatem Bridge (rt 40).
No tolls on Hatem going south, $5 going north.
Some fun... if you get to Rt 1, then pass Rt 24 Bel Air. Next light is rt 147. (car dealership on rt, MD St Police on left) Make a right on 147 and stick on it for 2 lane and some twisty all the way into Baltimore. If you want to go to the Inner Harbor, just follow 147 through the hood, right on North Ave/Rt 1 and Left on St Paul. St Paul is a straight shot to the Harbor Area. To leave the city, head north on any north south street til you hit North Ave... make a right and follow it til it turns to Rt 1 North.
Or skip rt 1 for the ride down. Head for Buck, then 372 over Holtwood. Left on 74. PA 74 becomes MD 165. right on either Long Green Pike (takes you to 147) or straight on Fork Road and then right on 147.
North of Bel Air MD I prefer Route 1. South of Bel Air I run on 2 lane Rt 7 (in between 40 and 95)... or I just take route 40.
Either way, once you get inside the beltway on 1 or 147 it gets interesting in some places. I've never had a problem anywhere in the city on the bike, but it never hurts to remember you're driving through Murderland. Keep it in gear at the lights and make sure you have some space to manuver in case you want/need a quick out. I've heard shots/seen fights, but never stuck around to see what was going down.
Crab suggestion? Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn (200 Eastern Blvd., Essex, [410] 687-5994), If you want Mr Bills, bail off your southern route at the beltway 495 and run it around the city to dundalk, then mapquest...
Sadly I'll not be available this weekend... hope you have some fun.
