Patuxent Adventure Center (PAC) is a locally owned and operated bicycle and kayak sales, service, apparel, and accessories store.  PAC has been in business 5 years in Calvert County in Southern MD, located just about ¾ miles north of Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge on Solomons Island Road.

PAC is here to help in any way with your kayak or bike purchase, including the following buying basics.

Basics of a Kayak Purchase
First you will need to determine what type of kayaking you will do.  It might be:

Types of Kayaks

Recreational
These are all-around boats designed for mild river trips and casual use on bays and ponds.  They are wider and shorter making it easier to turn but harder to keep in a straight line.

Touring
These are designed for longer distance paddling, are very stable, have good carrying capacity, but do not turn as easily as shorter boats.  They are sometimes called sea kayaks.

Kayak Dimension FAQs

Length
Longer kayaks are easier to paddle, are more stable, handle heavier loads, with less loss of performance.  They track better, move faster, and glide further with each stroke, allowing greater efficiency with less effort.

Shorter kayaks are lighter, less expensive (depending on material choice), less cumbersome, and easier to transport.  A short hull allows for quicker turns which are preferable for smaller people and children and when paddling on narrow streams.

Width
Kayak width directly correlates to the boat's handling capabilities and stability.  Extra width reduces handling since more effort is required to push aside a lot more water, but a narrow kayak does not move well in strong currents.

Hull Differences
The basic principles of kayak design are quite simple. Hulls with flat bottoms, hard chines (sharp nearly right-angle edges where bottom and sides meet), and greater flare (outward side curvature), have greater stability.  Conversely, round hulls with soft chines (gradual curve where bottom and sides meet), and less flare have less stability, but are more nimble and easier to roll if they should tip over.

Symmetry
Kayaks may have the same shape in the front half and back half, or may not.

Symmetrical boats are better for quick maneuvering in small streams or whitewater.

Asymmetrical boats have a longer and more streamlined bow for more efficient and faster passage through the water. While increasing directional control, it decreases turning ability. There are two types of asymmetrical boats:

• Fishform  (more volume ahead of the midpoint)
• Swedefrom  (more volume behind the midpoint)

Rocker
The upturn of the kayak's hull from one end the other (as viewed from the side of the kayak) is called rocker.  The choice is to have a lot or little rocker. Kayaks with a lot of rocker pivot easy since ends are higher in water and offer less resistance to waves.  However, they do not track as well.  Kayaks with little rocker track much better since they resist the turning forces of waves, current, wind and inefficient paddling strokes; hence they do not turn as easily when the paddler applies a proper turning stroke or lean.

Bottom Shapes

Chines
The transition of the bottom of the kayak and its sides is called the chine.  It is either a hard (a nearly right-angle transition) or soft (a smoother more rounded transition) chine.

Flare
Flare is the angle of a kayak's sides outward from the hull.  Kayaks with flared sides have more stability but are more difficult to roll.

Volume
A kayak's volume is literally the amount of space expressed in terms of gallons or liters.

Hull Materials
Composites (Kevlar or Fiberglass) are handmade so they are stiff, light and typically more expensive. They are performance oriented and expected to be cared for.

Plastics are injection or roto-molded which provides more damage resistance and ability to flex but tend to be heavier which decreases performance.

Thermo-composites (or TCS, Trylon, Airalite) are made from several composite materials injected into the mold which make them stiffer and lighter than plastic with a investment between that of plastic and composite.

We carry the following brands of kayaks:

For more info on these kayaks, click here.

Since there are many kayaks to choose from, paddle as many models as you can and look for the one that fits your most frequent style of paddling. Remember, no one says you cannot have more than one kayak!

Bicycle Buying Tips

First, you will need to determine what you want to use the bicycle for.

Second, where will you be riding the most: on road, off road or both?

There are five basic types of bikes in three categories:

Road Bikes formerly known as ten-speeds they now range from 18 or 20 or 27 to 30 speed. There are three groups of Road Bikes:

• Touring Bikes are designed for the long haul not speed.  It is an excellent choice for long distance rides.  The drop handlebars provide comfort, control and allow multiple hand positions.  The 18 or 20 speeds will get you over any incline and the brakes can stop you even if you are heavily loaded.
  
  
• Racing Bikes usually have an aerodynamic, thin, ultralight frame which makes it built for speed. The bike will respond to the slightest moves with its short wheelbase and the 18 or 27 gears will get you and keep you at top speeds.
  
  
• Sport Bikes are not as light as a racing bike but responds better than a touring bike so it is categorized as in between the touring and racing bike.  Drop handlebars provide comfort and control and the aerodynamic design allows for faster speeds.

Mountain or All Terrain Bikes are rugged with a sturdy frame, straight handlebars, and fat knobby tires which allow it to handle off road riding.  It has an upright riding position which makes it comfortable while giving you leverage for steep inclines.

Hybrid Bikes are lighter than mountain bikes, but not as fast as road bikes.  It has straight handlebars, medium width tires, 24 gears, and an upright riding position.

Bicycle Fitting
Once you know the type of bicycle you want you should make sure it fits you properly.  For a perfect fit, you can have quality bicycle shop like PAC calculate your bike size for about $75 using a computer program called the Fit Kit. 

Or you can follow these guidelines to determine the basics or ballpark frame size (height and length):

Frame Height
Straddle bike so that you have 1-2 inches of clearance between the top bar of the bike and your crotch for road riding (3-4 inches if off-road riding).

Frame Length
Make sure you can comfortably reach the handlebars.  If you are too far away, you will not have control, or if too close you will be uncomfortable and tire easily.

Or just ask one of our employees about a quick fit to determine frame size (height and length). This doesn't cost anything and will provide assurance that you will be getting the correct size bike frame for your inseam and torso.

Seat and Handlebar Adjustment
A quality bike shop like PAC will make all the necessary adjustments to fine-tune the fit of the bike.  Seat height is critical so your knee should have a 25-30 degree bend when the ball of your foot is on the pedal at its lowest position.  The handlebars should be one inch lower or the same height as the seat.  Make sure you can easily reach the brakes and that the width of the handlebars is approximately the width of your shoulders.

Professional Bicycle Fitting
You can have a quality bicycle shop like the PAC perform a professional bicycle fit using a fitting system called the Fit Kit. This system will make the small adjustments that you will really appreciate after hours in the saddle. A professional bike fit will take about an hour and will cost about $75.

Last, but not least take a...

Test Ride

You should feel comfortable and in control with your elbows relaxed with a slight bend; and squeezing the brake levers should be easy.  While the bike is in motion, slide off the seat, stand on the pedals, flex and round your back then move your hands to several positions to assure you can move about easily.

PAC has the following choices of bicycles:

For more info on these bikes, click here.

Accessorize

Most importantly: choose a helmet. PAC can help with proper fitting.  PAC can also recommend a tire pump, tube repair kit, pressure gauge, seat pack, water bottle, cage and a lock.

ENJOY THE RIDE!
When you are looking for that new or used bike or kayak, call us first!

Patuxent Adventure Center (PAC) proudly serves the following communities: Abell, Avenue, Budds Creek, Sandgates, Hermanville, Beachville, Bushwood, California, Callaway, Chaptico, Charlotte Hall, Clements, Coltons Point, Compton, Dameron, Drayden, Great Mills, Helen, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Loveville, Maddox, Mechanicsville, Morganza, Park Hall, Patuxent River, Piney Point, Ridge, Scotland, Oraville, St Inigoes, St Marys, St Marys City, Scotland, Tall Timbers, Valley Lee, Barstow, Broomes Island, Chesapeake Beach, Dowell, Dunkirk, Lusby, North Beach, Owings, Prince Frederick, Port Republic, Solomons, St. Leonard, and Sunderland.