Cumberland, MD

[Snowbird]

Is Cumberland the most difficult city in the world to make sense of the traffic routes? Or does it just seem that way?

Perhaps there were some route signs missing due to construction-- like that's an excuse for missing signs     -- but I tried finding my way from MD 51 East to US 220 North and felt like I was riding in a maze with no directions. And this isn't the first time I've had trouble there.

Cumberland 2
Snowbird 0

 

[R Doug]

I'm a victim of Cumberland, MD too.  Also, Geneva, NY gave me fits (FWIW).

[jschmidt]

I'll never forget the cop in Cumberland who told me, "Oh, you can't get to that road from here."

I'm sure like everyone else, your route got SNAFU'd down by the tracks right?

[keystonejenks]

Man, you're not lying. I think it's a cruel joke.

[Bigfoot]

Both Cumberland and Frederick suck as far as this goes.  

[Snowbird]

Morgantown, WV is bad, too.

Pennsylvania small cities tend to be bad because the original routes came in from all directions like the spokes of a wheel. In modern times, that caused too much traffic at the convergence of the routes. To rectify that, a larger square or rectangle of streets was chosen around the core if one was available (see "tracks" above) and the routes then went around and off what amounted to a large traffic circle. (This is my theory, and I'm sticking to it.     )

Unfortunately, in PA, signs go missing when construction happens and no one seems to ensure that the route signs remain up during road work.

[SLK50]

Re. Cumberland: Maps are worthless. GPS is a crap shoot. Attempting to follow the original U.S. Route 220 North or South THROUGH Cumberland WILL get you lost unless you're a local, in which case you wouldn't be on Old 220 in the first place. Since it was built it appears ALL roads lead to the Interstate ( I-68 ) to help you get out as quickly as possible.
BTW, to get to 220 North from 51 I believe you do indeed get on I-68 Eastbound for a few miles.

[R Doug]

Morgantown, WV is bad, too.

Hey, there's no need for mud slinging here just because I picked on a town from NY (which I just realized you're from NY).  

Besides, if you got lost in Mo-town, you must have been gawking at the college girls walking by and not paying any attention to where you were going.  Hell, I live here and that happens to me all the time.  

[BABOU]

I have always said that if God wanted to give the world an enema he would start in....

CUMBERLAND MARYLAND !!

[Snowbird]

Hey, there's no need for mud slinging here just because I picked on a town from NY (which I just realized you're from NY).  

Besides, if you got lost in Mo-town, you must have been gawking at the college girls walking by and not paying any attention to where you were going.  Hell, I live here and that happens to me all the time.  

I'll expect you to be my tour guide next time through. I like M-town.... just hard to get through, but not as bad as Cumberland.    And, yes...       .... college girlz.

[Snowbird]

I have always said that if God wanted to give the world an enema he would start in....

CUMBERLAND MARYLAND !!

Cumberland has some really terrific looking buildings and some day when I'm there and not feeling overwhelmed by being lost, I'm going to stop, dismount and do a walking tour.  

[Snowbird]

Re. Cumberland: Maps are worthless. GPS is a crap shoot. Attempting to follow the original U.S. Route 220 North or South THROUGH Cumberland WILL get you lost unless you're a local, in which case you wouldn't be on Old 220 in the first place. Since it was built it appears ALL roads lead to the Interstate ( I-68 ) to help you get out as quickly as possible.
BTW, to get to 220 North from 51 I believe you do indeed get on I-68 Eastbound for a few miles.

Yes, definitely true. I think that's a part of the problem: the traffic routes are not intuitive since you have to get onto elevated I-68, high above the actual city. The place is a civil engineer's wet dream.  

Are you familiar with the motel/bar/pizza joints right where you get off I-68 E  and then take the short section of road that puts you onto US220 N? On the face of it, it'd seem to be a good place to overnight... it has it all, food, beer, and a bed.  

[thatguy]

Cumberland was a rondezvous point in the old days.So like refered to earlier roads came from everywhere and went everywhere.68 is a late addition and just confuses things.Slow down and ask someone dammit.GPS    ...........................jeezus can't any of you fucks read a map anymore?

[keystonejenks]

Cumberland was a rondezvous point in the old days.So like refered to earlier roads came from everywhere and went everywhere.68 is a late addition and just confuses things.Slow down and ask someone dammit.GPS    ...........................jeezus can't any of you fucks read a map anymore?

Man, where you been? I missed ya!  

[Snowbird]

Slow down and ask someone dammit.

Hey, grumpy, first you have to find a spot to park.    But, that's what I intend to do... walk. Meet the locals. Smell the daisies.  

[thatguy]

Hey, grumpy, first you have to find a spot to park.    But, that's what I intend to do... walk. Meet the locals. Smell the daisies.  

Uhmm.............errr............ahhhhh hhh...................Bite me.

[thatguy]

Man, where you been? I missed ya!  

You know how to find me.Come by the dealership Sunday.I'm leading demo rides.But we don't sell Buell at this shop.

[keystonejenks]

You know how to find me.Come by the dealership Sunday.I'm leading demo rides.But we don't sell Buell at this shop.

Man I'd love to but I have a Sunday AM flight to Atlanta for work.

[STJockey]

I taught a BRC out in Cumberland last weekend - drove my car because I didn't want to hear banjos playing at night. Just kidding. Are there any good routes out there?

[basco]

I taught a BRC out in Cumberland last weekend - drove my car because I didn't want to hear banjos playing at night. Just kidding. Are there any good routes out there?

Yea, there are plenty. Just look out for the cops like bigfoot and you will be ok.