May 29, 2015
This will be a short post: I am exhausted. Again today we followed the Delaware River, first crossing from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, biking for 15 miles, then back across to Pennsylvania, another 15 miles, back to New Jersey, ending in Pennsylvania. However, this time the route was up and down lots of hills. Only took a few photos which I will try to share tomorrow. Early to bed!!
Total mileage: 77.21; 4800 ft of ascent!
May 28, 2015
After riding across the Delaware River yesterday into New Jersey, I spent most of today’s ride in New Jersey. Our route took us back across the river to Lambertville, a quaint artsy town. Of course, we didn’t linger, but continued on SR 29, which parallels the Delaware River and the Delaware & Raritan Canal path (glad to have pavement instead of packed dirt, especially after last night’s rain).
We stopped for a break in Frenchtown at Early Bird Espresso & Mercantile, and met Beth, John, baby Grace and friendly dog Juno. Beth was most excited about WomanTours and maybe planning a ride with her mother and sister in 2016. John told us about the the scenery around Milford, rock walls on our right, railroad tracks and the river on our left.
The countryside was pastoral, though we noticed the pipeline signs; obviously those along the river do not favor any pipeline.
In Phillipsburg, NJ, we stopped for a soda, before crossing back to Pennsylvania. The train goes right through the town. And, due to the grated bridge, we walked across.
Our first stop was at Genesis Bike Shop where we met President Tomias, who provided me with some helpful information for the CIBA Foundation. He directed us to Sette Luna for lunch, yummy paninis. Then I wandered to the ice cream shop and to the Crayola Experience.
Because we entered another state, New Jersey, it was margarita night.
Mileage: 40.2 miles today.
May 27, 2015
Not directly related to my Atlantic Coast bike tour, today is a day of celebration:
First, it is my 43rd wedding anniversary. On May 27, 1972, in New York City (it was a Memorial Day weekend), Don and I were married. There have been a few low moments, and lots of high moments, and we have produced two wonderful children, now young adults. I love you, Don – Happy Anniversary.
Togetherness on the tandem – France, Sept. 2014
And one of our children, Sarah, has helped bring us another celebration for today. For 8 years, Sarah has worked with the Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, to abolish the death penalty in that state. Today, the Nebraska legislature voted to override a veto by the governor to a bill that had previously passed to abolish the death penalty. It was hard, slow work, not unlike my bike ride. But just as I plan to complete all the miles to Bar Harbor, EJUSA continues to work at abolishing the death penalty in all U.S. states.
It’s official! Nebraska’s death penalty is history.
Moments ago, 30 Senators voted to override the Governor’s veto. Nebraska just became the first red state to end the death penalty in more than 40 years.
Congratulations and thank you!
You are a big part of this sea change. People like you recruited your friends, shared updates, gave financially, followed along, sent prayers, and stood with Nebraskans as EJUSA supported our amazing state partners, Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NADP).
If you haven’t done so already, please consider donating to Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) to continue their work in many other states, including Indiana.
Now to my bike ride today:
Less than 2 miles from the hotel, we entered the Schuykill River Trail, headed toward Philadelphia. Much of the time we were paralleling commuter rail lines. We exited the Trail at Conshohocken and were encouraged to stop at the Riverbend Cafe and Cycle Shop where Mark greeted us warmly, prepared lots of coffee drinks and did some quick mechanical work on several bikes.
Our route now took us around Philadelphia to the north and east, with several steep uphills, through several township residential neighborhoods. Due to a mis-turn on our “clue” sheet/cue sheet, we missed the 20 mile sag stop around Ambler, but enjoyed the cold water and restrooms at Horsham Township Library (ever resourceful).
The scheduled mileage today was 43.7, but we were told that New Jersey was only 2 miles past our hotel. Of course, several of us elected to ride on and enjoyed ice cream and lobster rolls (dessert first) in Lambertville, NJ.
Total mileage today: 48.97.