Touring - Cape May Lewes Ferry

Do cycle tourers use this ferry alot for trips down and up the east coast? Just wondering because it looks like a better option than riding closer to Philly or so. I know adv. cycling has a route from Maine to Florida but I haven't seen the details.

Just saying because my sister and I usually go to my father's house in Lewes by driving to Cape May (we're about 2.5 hours by car from Cape May) and then parking for free in Cape May and taking our bikes on the ferry. A lot cheaper than by car and no reservations needed in the peak times. My father's house is only 9 miles from the terminal in Delaware and it's an easy 1/2 hour ride. We did that again this past weekend for my parent's anniversary and had a great time, saw dolphins on the ferry.

BTW, has anybody ridden to Ocean City Maryland from the ferry terminal. My father says OC is about 30 minutes by car which I gather it would be about 30-40 miles by bike or so.... Thinking about a day trip from my father's house

Jay

If touring bicyclist don't use this ferry then they are really missing out. There are plentiful campgrounds on the Jersey side, not to mention the bed and breakfast capitol of the world, Cape May. On the Delaware side there is Cape Henelopen State Park, which offers camping, and recreation right on the bay. From there you've got the entire Eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia to explore. Flat to rolling and beautiful. Lots of great bicycle roads leading to same towns. Back on the Jersey side a cyclist could ride up the coast, head for a bay route or head inland. About 40 miles from the ferry is one of New Jersey's best kept secrets, the Pine Barrens. The largest undeveloped land area between Massachusetts and North Carolina. Great biking roads. For anyone needing to traverse the Philly area, this area of Jersey offers much better options than the routes west of the city.

BTW, has anybody ridden to Ocean City Maryland from the ferry terminal. My father says OC is about 30 minutes by car which I gather it would be about 30-40 miles by bike or so.... Thinking about a day trip from my father's house [/B]

Haven't ridden it myself, but beware between Lewes and Dewey Beach. There have been a slew of bicyclists hit on that stretch of Rt 1 this summer. Granted, most of them foreign students and not properly protected either. Just a very high traffic area with all kinds of commercial entrances along the road. Once you get past Dewey it's clear sailing, nice shoulder and flat. However, the winds could be against you and they can be pretty fierce. When you hit OC you've got major traffic to deal with so be alert.

Yeah, I've gone down on Rt 1 in a car. I was thinking more of the backways until you get to the little inlet section by Assawoman or some weird name like that...

Also, I'd beware of the elderly there to, apparently they have a nice elderly population due to the low taxes and beach community. I know I almost got plowed into by an old lady making a left across the bike path on 9B on the way back to the ferry. Did not even look!!

Jay