indyfabz

Caught an early train yesterday morning from Philly to Hammonton, NJ, the state’s blueberry capital and ride about 42 miles to Belleplain State Forest, with a short trip into nearby Woodbine for a few things. Nice tailwind most of the day and abundant sunshine. A bald eagle flew about 45’ above my head as I was about to leave camp this morning.


Currently on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry about to shove off for Lewes, DE and two nights at Cape Henlopen, SP. Going to keep my eyes peeled for dolphins.


Yesterday evening.

Shower companion.

Campground has a raccoon problem.

Sunrise.

indyfabz

Sadly, no dolphins.




Not going to cook tonight. It’s off to town for dinner and vino.

While Friday now looks to be cloudy, 0% chance of rain the rest of the week. Think I’ll ride around the park and nearby town and be a beach bum.

BobG

Back in my high school years (60s) we had a very active "hostelling" club. (Cycling, hiking, caving). A popular drive-to beach destination was a youth hostel in Cape May NJ. We would take the ferry across from Lewes DE.

jamawani 

Wish they had a Chesapeake ferry like the Lewes - Cape May ferry.
(Of course they have the bridge which prohibits bicycles ...)

indyfabz

This thing was in an MUP in the park. I almost hit it coming around a curve.

saddlesores

They're playing against Buffalo in Miami tomorrow.

ignant666

There is a ferry from Crisfield, Md. to Tangier Island, where you can get ferries onward to Onancock, Va. (i swear i am not making up that town name), or Reedville, Va.

But then you are in Virginia, where the roads have no shoulders, and the people speeding by in giant SUVs and pickups may playfully shoot at you.

That trip across the Cape May ferry from NJ is gorgeous and there is much nice riding to be done on the DelMarVa peninsula. Unlike Virginia roads, the Delaware roads have wide shoulders and frequent bike lanes.

indyfabz

The park and town has lots of miles of bike paths and bike lanes. It really got things right. The beaches are also nice.

Paul_P

Looked like a city on an island till I zoomed in and saw it was a cargo ship.

indyfabz

Yeah. A good number of them go by.

jamawani 

And to Smith Island then to Point Lookout. The Point Lookout Ferry only runs on summer weekends.
And pricey - the Cape May - Lewes ferry is $10; bikes free. Via either Tangier or Smith Island is $60 + bike charges.
And to hire a shuttle across the Bay Bridge at Annapolis is $40 - not sure if that is per cyclist or each.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could ride to Cape May - take the ferry to Lewes -
ride around the Delmarva peninsula - take a ferry to the Western Shore -
then ride into DC or Baltimore and hop on Amtrak to get back home?

pdlamb

Last time I crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (by car), they had signs for where to call to have the bridge authority shuttle a bike across. Ride downtown to Norfolk and hop on the train. Though you might have to change trains in Richmond to get to D.C. -- not sure how that works.

indyfabz

Just discovered why there were a lot of motorcycles on the ferry. The Ocean City (MD) bike weekend started yesterday. There were easily 60 bikes yesterday. I had probably seen 3 or 4 during my several sailings over the years. I heard a bunch more arrive as I was riding into town.

thumpism 

They used to have ferries when now stand the CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel) and the HRT (Hampton Roads Tunnel).

indyfabz

My ship has come in.

Saw my second fox of the trip this morning.

indyfabz

The final day turned out to be tough. There was a constant headwind. While not as bad as April’s gusts up to 30 mph, it was not insignificant. Ended up altering the route because I realized it would be too late in the day to ride the Ocean City Boardwalk, but I did ride the boards in Ventnor and Atlantic City and snap a quick photo of Lucy in Margate. One thing about riding in that area is that there is very little coasting because, except for a few bridges, the elevation changes are minimal and gradual. Pedaling into the wind can wear on you.

But there was one pleasant surprise. A few miles after I got off the ferry I started up an MUP. Less than a mile later, a woman passed me and called out my name. It was an occasional riding partner from BITD. We stopped and chatted for a while and rode together for a bit. Small world.


View from the ferry.

Lucy is the world’s largest elephant and served as a speakeasy during prohibition.

Dunes in Ventnor City.