Atlantic Coast 2015: Over and Back to PA (May 28)

Today was one of our shortest and easiest rides. Just 40 miles in total. Another hot and humid day, though. We crossed from PA (New Hope) over the Delaware River to NJ (Lambertville) and then headed due north. The first few miles had me wondering what kind of day we were in for - no shoulder, lots of traffic, poorly surfaced roads, etc. But then life got much better. We had either a good shoulder or minimal traffic pretty much the rest of the way. We paralleled the Delaware River most of the day, only veering away from it with less than 10 miles left. It was a pretty ride - a few small towns, the D&R Canal State Park, some residences and a few farms. Lots of trees and greenery to provide much-appreciated shade much of the day.

A few pics from D&R Canal State Park.

Bike and pedestrian bridge over the Delaware River.

Remnants of the old canal - no longer in use.

Sighted this in the little town of Frenchtown. With a horse and a TD Bank, I thought for a moment that maybe I was home.

A nice house, home to a photography business.

Typical road du jour. River on the far left, then abandoned railway track, then quiet road.

Another small town.

With a great bridge.

And a boat left high and dry several decades ago....

The town of Carpentersville

Some remnants

And some modern-day carpentry.

It was interesting that we started to see some substantial rock cliffs beside the road toward the end of the ride today. I never would have guessed that I would see those first in New Jersey!

Most of our climbing was in the last 5 miles or so, once we got away from the river a bit. We made our way back to the river's edge at the town of Phillipsburg.

Then back over the Delaware River to Easton PA.

We were in well before noon, so lots of time for a relaxed lunch and a walking tour of town. Easton is at the confluence of the Lehigh and the Delaware rivers.