Tuesday down the Delmarva peninsula in Virginia

Tuesday morning began at 6:40 at sunrise. On the road early we were hungry in a very rural area looking for some breakfast. We found the small fishing village of Wachapreague, VA and bingo. 

We met some 4th generation fishermen and other locals and debated the challenges of marriage, work and women before hitting the road again.........

.....flat and on deserted back roads we soon passed an unmarked point into Virginia. 

We passed through mostly agricultural land where corn, tomatoes and wheat ....vast, flat but still with the annoying persistent south wind. 

Most towns definitely had a church, some nice old homes, few still occupied and a few mostly closed storefronts.

Here is Horntown where my father in law could likely afford the whole town. 

.....and always one or more churches. 

As we went further south the terrain became even more deserted as the peninsula narrowed to only a few miles wide. As we were off the main drag the roads were beautifully deserted and scenic. 

....one of the few if not the only time that Nick was out front breaking the wind. 

When we came to the end of the road with only the 17 mile long Chesapeake Bay bridge/tunnel before us, Nick attempted hobo style to cross to the "other side". 

 

Off in the distance I watched while he got no bites for almost an hour until the VA state police arrived. They were very nice and friendly and happily gave us a ride over with only the charge for the $17 toll. 

The bridge/tunnel was an engineering marvel from the 1960's. 

Arriving in the now densely populated Norfolk and Virginia Beach area there was no spot for Nicks pup tent so I checked us into a Howard Johnson's motel and we had a great Mexican dinner and a tall dos eques at a local spot next door and turned in. But not before I was able to stay up late and catch up on posting.

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Easter Sunday in Delaware

Having slept out under the stars we were up early on Easter Sunday. It had been a pretty chilly night with temperatures that dropped to 38F in a sleeping bag rated for 36F, I was marginally warm having put on almost every bit of clothing I had during the night.

But the day was sunny and warmed up quickly, a fine day except for our old friend the south wind blowing steady with gusts that had to be 30 mph+.

After the morning ride we passed into Maryland and travelled most of the day on deserted back roads as we headed further south. 

Passing a lot filled churches before lunch at a small local cafe that was filled with folks from church in their Easter finery having Sunday buffet. We were welcomed and joined in. 

Nick choose our lodging again tonight this time deep in a pine forest. 

We turned in early. 

Saturday to the Cape May ferry

After a great nights sleep we departed moderately early headed for the Cape May ferry. 

It was a return to beautiful weather but our old nemesis the south wind had returned and the going was slow.  As we progressed south we bypassed Atlantic City having seen enough of the Jersey coast and not wanting to be depressed to see what likely was in store for MA where the polititions were betting that the vice of gambling would restore the city of Springfield. 

In spite of the wind and because we were a few hours early for our ferry i ventured a few extra miles into the beautiful old town of Cape May which had some beautiful beaches that I didn't photograph and benches which I did. 

Then to the ferry which was large and very comfortable with big screen TV's where I watched Duke unfortunately trounce Michigan. 

Nick with our bikes safely stowed below. 

I caught another lighthouse; Cape May light, for my collection.

We saw a beautiful sunset. 

Then at dark we made a mad dash on the Delaware side and I followed NIck for my first lesson in "life as a hobo" and slept out under a beautiful starlit sky before watching an almost full moon rise in the east. 

Rainy Day of rest in New Gretna

After waking in the Barnnaget Motel with a dismal forecast for the day, we decided to complete the 20 miles we didn't manage due to the wind the day before and spend the day at a the home of a very generous warm showers host Tom in New Gretna. 

It was a rainy ride 

 

That ended quickly with a dry and very comfortable place to ride out the storm and get a good nights rest. 

The town had next to nothing in terms of culinary offerings except a local pizza shop which it turns out had a lovely Mexican family who were very hospital and friendly. I ordered up some delicious mussels with sauted garlic and tomatoes. This went well with Nick's pasta and onion. 

The weather looked god for the next day and we were headed for the Cape May ferry. 

Leaving NY City and the Jersey shore

I met Nick at 8AM sharp at the Wall St Pier 11 We heed out on the twin hull catamaran

that had just discharged about 150 or more Wall Street commuters and boarded for the ride out NY Harbor. 

Right past the Statue of Liberty. 

And another in my Lighthouse collection. 

In the elevation of the ride however we didn't notice the headwind and thought it was just the speed of the boat. But once we arrived at the Jersey shore and started to head south the very powerful 20 to 30+ wind from the south became very readily apparent  

The going was slow and we only could average 10 mph  

That being said it was a beautiful day though at sunset we had not reached our intended "warm showers" destination. Instead we stayed at the very quaint and classic Barneget Motel. 

We had a great nights sleep and could check the weather which did not look good for the following day. Heavy rain starting at 9AM. 

Day of rest in NY City

After a hard days ride on Tuesday and a late dinner with Hannah when I was over tired and not at my best I got a good nights rest. 

The next day I slept late and did some EV business before setting out for a day in the City. I started with a stop at my favorite bike shop in Brooklyn. Silk Road cycling. 

Then a trip over the Brooklyn Bridge and a stop to check out the Wall St pier 11 where I will meet Nick for our departure tomorrow. After that I met Hannah for coffee and to see her new work office. A very impressive work place and I was so proud to see my daughter with such a prestigious and professional job right in the center of Manhatten. 

I will post photos later as I cannot access them now. 

Day #2 from Good to bad - Hyde Park to Brooklyn

The day began early under a clear sunny sky, cold but with a beautiful sunrise. I headed south through Poughkeepsie. I found the NY state bike route 9 a well marked route for through cyclists. The day was getting warmer with the bright sun.

The marked route took me down the east side of the Hudson River with this view across of West Point.

But something ominous was happening and the sky was becoming overcast. I crossed the Bear Mt. bridge about noon having made good time. Now the sky was defiantly gray. 

When I stopped for my #2 lunch at about 2PM in Congers, Rockland Co. It started to rain and as I rode on intrepidly toward NY City it turned to snow. Now I was wet from the rain and it was cold. The route was wooded and remote through the Palisades Park.  Something I would normally consider nice, but today when I needed shelter it was a drag. 

I struggled through into NJ and limped into a bike shop/coffee shop in Fort Lee the Jersey side of the GW bridge. Feeling a little better after warming up for over an hour I crossed the bridge in the diminishing rain.

 Looking down at an overcast Manhatten shy line.

Having had some limited experience riding around the City I knew I needed to find my way down to the path along the Hudson River to be able to get down town so that i could get to the Williamsburg bridge to Brooklyn. 

 

I made it to the bike path and made it downtown to Houston St and after a chaotic ride across Manhatten where fortunately I followed a commuting local rider I made it to the Williamsburg bridge to Brooklyn and a short ride up to my daughters apartment in Green Point. A long day that went from good to bad and was a lot longer at 99 (not 100) miles than I had anticipated.