PGC250 BICYCLE TOUR – PASSAGE TO THE PAST
Event Recap
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Passage to the Past Bicycle Tour by the numbers
- 6 Stops
- 63 Total RSVPS
- 25.6 Miles Biked
As part of the year-long PGC250 initiative to celebrate and commemorate the U.S. Semiquincentennial in Prince George’s County, the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA) together with Sankofa IMPACT, and M-NCPPC Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a 25-mile commemorative bicycle tour of iconic historic sites as the group continues to explore the theme of “We the People” and to explore the historic and complex nature of southern Prince George’s. The route was designed by volunteers from the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, and support was provided by Prince George’s County’s District 5 Police Department and Zoaroo SAG.
The tour started at the Patuxent River Park Pavilion, where bicyclists of all ages checked in. They were then invited to visit information tables, where they could learn about local trails and history with ATHA, the Middle Passage with Sankofa IMPACT, and community events with the District 5 Police.
The next stop was Selby’s Landing, a place on the Patuxent River where ships traveled the Middle Passage across the Atlantic Oceans and docked to sell in the mid-18th century with enslaved Africans. Janis Hagey, CEO of Sankofa IMPACT, provided the bike riders an informative lecture on the site’s significance.
The tour continued to the Historic Site of Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church, a Gregorian church from the 1740’s, where riders took a brief pause and Oxon Hill Bike & Trail Club leader Joan Oppel remarked on the site. This church honors the legacy of Pauli Murray, the first African American female priest in the Episcopal Church who worked to address injustice as an advocate and lawyer.
After the St. Thomas Church pit stop, several riders noticed a small turtle crossing the road and stopped to let it pass, an important reminder of the area’s natural setting.
A significant stop halfway on the tour was at Nottingham. Snacks and beverages were provided to refuel riders. Janis Hagey and Fred Tutman, the Patuxent Riverkeeper shared illuminating history about the importance of this site in time and ongoing conservation efforts. Together, riders explored the history of Nottingham as a port town and tobacco inspection site where more than 1,800 enslaved Africans stepped foot into the United States. Riders were also encouraged to explore the one-room schoolhouse on the property built in 1911.
Participants briefly stopped at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, where they could enjoy the wildflowers. Thanks to the work of conservationist Edgar Merkle, this site hosts several thousand Canada geese every winter, the largest concentration on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
Next, the group enjoyed a much-needed rest stop at the Patuxent Rural Life Museums, a collection of buildings dedicated to the agricultural heritage of southern Prince George’s County. They enjoyed a beautiful view from the observation tower and warm apple cider, a nice reprieve from the cold and drizzle that persisted. Before departing, the group was given a tour of the 1880’s Duckett Cabin and 1923 Sears House by M-NCPPC Park Guide Sue Brockman.
While returning to the Pavilion, the bikers rode past Columbia Air Center, the first Black owned Airport in the United States constructed in 1941 and used frequently for various events such as air shows.
At the end, riders were greeted with streamers and music, and then enjoyed a variety of sandwiches and snacks catered by Mama Cole’s Café, a locally-owned restaurant. Several people were talking about how much they loved that the bike ride incorporated historic stops and would love to participate in a similar ride again. Thanks to all our partners who helped make this event a success.
