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The Bike Tour Oyster Roast—
A local tradition becomes a
Bike Tour Favorite

OystersOyster roasts, in some form, have been a tradition on the Eastern Shore since before Europeans arrived in the early seventeenth century.  Native American’s feasted on the vast quantities of oysters and other shellfish in the tidal creeks of the Shore.  Europeans quickly took to the practice.  In the late nineteenth century, Eastern Shore resort hotels catering to hunters and fishermen from the northeast virtually institutionalized oyster roasts for their customers.  By the early twentieth century oyster roasts were deeply embedded on local culture and tradition.

FeastingTwentieth century roasts were social affairs held for a group of relatives or neighbors—usually in a local oyster shucking house or farm grader shed.  It is this tradition that CBES tries to emulate with its Bike Tour Oyster Roast.

A “roast” can be whatever its hosts want to make it, but most were not intended as a “dinner” but more as a late afternoon or early evening gathering from which one might go on to a dinner elsewhere.  Many roasts served only “oysters and whiskey” (or beer).  Many also include a chowder made from local seafoods.

Band PlaysThe CBES Bike Tour Roast is in a pole barn at Maplewood Gardens—a perfect location for a roast.  When patrons arrive there is a large open fire burning which will later roast the oysters.  People often stand around the fire for conversation and later stand at farm trailers to gorge on oysters.  Sometimes we have music from a local bluegrass band.

Our menu—served in “courses”—includes:  chips and dips, samplings of a local crabmeat dish and chowder and, of course, all the oysters you can eat.  A limited amount of beer is available (after all, we can’t send you out on the road tipsy) and soft drinks.  And, oh yes, for the oyster squeamish, we have fried chicken and coleslaw—but really, if you don’t like oysters…