Northeast - Pittsburgh to DC to Annapolis to DE to NJ to...

I've finally worked out the route for my summer tour. Here's the night-stop itinerary:

Leaving from Mckees Rocks, outside Pittsburgh, and traveling via the Montour Trail and Great Allegheny Passage:
June 13 - Boston, PA
June 14 - Adelaide
June 15 - Rockwood
June 16 - Cumberland, MD
Transferring to the C & O Canal Towpath:
June 17 - Hancock
June 18 - Harper's Ferry
Crossing the Potomac at Lee's Ferry and then taking the Washington and Old Dominion Trail:
June 19 - Northern VA (hosted by a BF poster)
June 20 - NOVA (hosted by a BF poster) - rest day touring DC
June 21 - Annapolis, MD
June 22 - Tuckahoe State Park, MD
June 23 - Southern Delaware
Riding to Lewes, and taking the ferry to Cape May
June 24 - near Cape May, NJ
Taking the ferry back again
June 25 - near Lewes, DE
June 26 - Killian's Pond Park, DE
June 27 - Lum's Pond Park, DE (near Wilmington)
June 28 - home (Northern Chester County, PA)

I'll be camping and pulling a trailer.

I have several questions:

1. Any suggestion for a good route from DC to Annapolis?
2. I see MD suggests a shuttle company to get me over the Bay Bridge. Anyone have experience using them? Is it as easy to hitchhike as a couple of posters on the Touring Forum made it out to be?
3. Any "must see" items along my proposed routes?
4. Is it possible to camp in DE or NJ without paying a fortune? Campsites near Cape May are outrageous! I'm bringing a bike and a tent, not a house on wheels.

And

5. Anyone want to ride with me? :)

DC (Greenbelt) to Annapolis
http://bikewashington.org/routes/greentobay/index.htm
(I haven't tried this route so I can't vouch for it, but bikewashington routes are usually pretty good)
I think you mean White's Ferry and not Lee's Ferry. Picks up the W&OD in Leesburg.

I had heard that the Bay-Bridge shuttle ceased operating a few years ago. Maybe someone else will post current info.

I had heard that the Bay-Bridge shuttle ceased operating a few years ago. Maybe someone else will post current info.

Yes, it has been gone for a while.

You have a couple of options. There is a LBS that will take you across for very little. I forget their name but it should not be hard to find. You can stop at the SP post and play stupid and ask for a ride. I have heard stories that they will almost always toss your stuff in the back of an SUV and take you across. I suppose that will only work once:thumb:

Hitching a ride is probably possible, but it will be tough with all the equipment you have in tow.

Good luck

If you are any kind of a history buff, even very low grade, go see the Antietam Battlefield. It is very pretty countryside, and Antietam was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War (other battles had worse casualties,but were spread over two or more days), and I believe it remains the bloodiest day in American history, period. It's also the day that McClellan had a chance to wipe out Lee's army and had an entire Union corps in reserve to exploit the opportunity, and wussed out. Mind you, this was September, 1862 --could've saved the bloodiest two and a half years of the war.

They have a good Visitor's Center, and the battlefield itself is close to perfect for cycling.

The best way to do it is to get off the C&O path at Williamsport, head east on Maryland 68, and then south on Maryland 65, which takes you right to the battlefield. When you are done, Harper's Ferry Road south out of Sharpsburg will take you back to the C&O pretty much directly across the Potomac from Harper's Ferry.

When I did the C&O (Cumberland to DC), it was shrouded by trees and other vegetation, to the point where I usually could barely see the Potomac even though it no more than 50-100 yards away. Taking this detour puts you into open, rolling farm country, and makes a nice break. It is also much more direct, goving you extra time to poke around Antietam.

Just a thought. Have a great trip.

i live like 10 min away from boston...i'll ride with you the first day...how many miles is it?

I saw a car shuttling someone across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge just a few days ago. Unfortunately, I did not catch the name. But it proves that someone is still doing it. There's also a sign about escorts along the road before one of the spans with a phone number, I bet they could give you some info. Hopefully someone here will see it on their next trip and write it down for you.

Contact Michael Jackson Maryland's Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access and he should be able to tell you who is the current contractor for cyclists to cross the Bay Bridge. It was $20 when I did it a few years back. mjackson3@mdot.state.md.us 410-865-1237

by the way shoot me a pm,if you want me to ride with you. i dont often check these forums in this section....

i live like 10 min away from boston...i'll ride with you the first day...how many miles is it?


The first day, Saturday June 13, is from McKees Rocks to Boston, 60 some miles. I'm camping at the Yough Shore Inn. Sunday, June 14, we and a group of about 10 guys are riding to Connellsville, 32 or so miles.

DC (Greenbelt) to Annapolis
http://bikewashington.org/routes/greentobay/index.htm
(I haven't tried this route so I can't vouch for it, but bikewashington routes are usually pretty good)
I think you mean White's Ferry and not Lee's Ferry. Picks up the W&OD in Leesburg.

I had heard that the Bay-Bridge shuttle ceased operating a few years ago. Maybe someone else will post current info.

How do I get to Greenbelt from Vienna, VA? I assume take the W & OD to the Custis, cross the Key Bridge, and ride through DC? I'm pulling a trailer so taking Metro is out.

If you are any kind of a history buff, even very low grade, go see the Antietam Battlefield. It is very pretty countryside, and Antietam was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War (other battles had worse casualties,but were spread over two or more days), and I believe it remains the bloodiest day in American history, period. It's also the day that McClellan had a chance to wipe out Lee's army and had an entire Union corps in reserve to exploit the opportunity, and wussed out. Mind you, this was September, 1862 --could've saved the bloodiest two and a half years of the war.

They have a good Visitor's Center, and the battlefield itself is close to perfect for cycling.

The best way to do it is to get off the C&O path at Williamsport, head east on Maryland 68, and then south on Maryland 65, which takes you right to the battlefield. When you are done, Harper's Ferry Road south out of Sharpsburg will take you back to the C&O pretty much directly across the Potomac from Harper's Ferry.

When I did the C&O (Cumberland to DC), it was shrouded by trees and other vegetation, to the point where I usually could barely see the Potomac even though it no more than 50-100 yards away. Taking this detour puts you into open, rolling farm country, and makes a nice break. It is also much more direct, goving you extra time to poke around Antietam.

Just a thought. Have a great trip.

I saw Antietam last year on a trip. I'd visit it again, but I'm pulling a heavy trailer and it's hilly terrain.

How do I get to Greenbelt from Vienna, VA? I assume take the W & OD to the Custis, cross the Key Bridge, and ride through DC? I'm pulling a trailer so taking Metro is out.

Vienna, eh? That's close to where I work.

W&OD to Custis to Mount Vernon Trail and across either the Roosevelt or Memorial Bridges. (or for fewer hills and only 3 extra miles take W&OD to the Shirlington end, cross Shirlington Rd (and slightly to the right) to the trail to the new tunnel under I-395 and take the Four Mile Run Trail to the river, then north on the MVT past the airport to the bridges.)
Where you go next depends on when you are passing through.

Here's part of a route I took a couple of weeks ago without too many hills and ok neighborhoods -
Go to the Mall by whatever route you want. I usually take Independence Ave for speed, Jefferson Dr for scenery and less traffic.
Go around to the east side of the Capitol.
Take East Capitol St and L on 6th NE.
BR on Brentwood Parkway (hill)
BL on 9th
BR Brentwood Road (hill) straight onto 13th St at Rhode Island Ave
L on Franklin
R on 4th St
(From Franklin you could go up 12th or 13th or 14th St, but I don't know how those neighborhoods are, and it involves a big climb up to Fort Bunker Hill)
R on Michigan Ave at the National Shrine (the BIG church in front of you)
I've ridden Michigan in this area, but never past North Dakota Ave into Chillum and Hyattsville so my direct knowledge is about to run out. Maybe someone else knows this area better.
If you go straight on Michigan Ave it turns into Queens Chapel Rd at the Maryland line. I have no idea how bike friendly Queens Chapel is, but it eventually meets route 1 a little south of the University of Maryland.
Take route 1 north past the campus main entrance.
R on Lakeland
L on Rhode Island Ave (there is a little L/R/R/L at Berwyn to stay on RI)
R on Greenbelt Rd to the other side of the tracks.
L on Cherrywood to the Greenbelt Metro.

I'll be at UM weekend after next. I'll try to either bike or drive this part of the route to check it out for you.

Have fun.

I've been looking into this (I'm still toying with that 4th of July Ocean City trip! :)) and I believe this is the outfit that now has the contract to shuttle bikes across the Bay Bridge:

http://www.kentislandexpress.com/

The number at MD State Highway Administration to confirm, though, is 1-866-713-1596.

How do I get to Greenbelt from Vienna, VA? I assume take the W & OD to the Custis, cross the Key Bridge, and ride through DC? I'm pulling a trailer so taking Metro is out.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Balto-to-DC-Fireworks
This shows my two favorite routes through DC as a loop, Northern (longer) route is mostly trail, southern route is more direct. Once you hit Greenbelt Rd make a right to the Greenbelt Park entrance.

I've been looking into this (I'm still toying with that 4th of July Ocean City trip! :)) and I believe this is the outfit that now has the contract to shuttle bikes across the Bay Bridge:

http://www.kentislandexpress.com/

The number at MD State Highway Administration to confirm, though, is 1-866-713-1596.

I think they are the folks too.

There's also the hitchhiking option. It seems to work for tourists posting to CrazyGuyOnABike, but I don't know if I'm brave enough to try it.

FWIW the time I went across I hung out at the McDonald's waiting for the ride to show up and someone came up to me and asked if I needed a lift across. It is considered a normal thing to do, the locals see it as a way to get a free pass over the bridge and cyclists see it as 25%-50% ($5-$10 vs $20) cheaper then using the service. If I do it again I would go and see if I got a lift offer, if nothing materialized then I would call the service. As long as the request is not during peek travel time I assume the delay would not be too bad.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Balto-to-DC-Fireworks
This shows my two favorite routes through DC as a loop, Northern (longer) route is mostly trail, southern route is more direct. Once you hit Greenbelt Rd make a right to the Greenbelt Park entrance.
I think I like your route better then mine, except maybe for that ramp up to Taylor.
I was going to bike into the city for some of the Earth Day stuff on the Mall, so I might try out your route, see how the two compare.

FWIW the time I went across I hung out at the McDonald's waiting for the ride to show up and someone came up to me and asked if I needed a lift across. It is considered a normal thing to do, the locals see it as a way to get a free pass over the bridge and cyclists see it as 25%-50% ($5-$10 vs $20) cheaper then using the service. If I do it again I would go and see if I got a lift offer, if nothing materialized then I would call the service. As long as the request is not during peek travel time I assume the delay would not be too bad.

I'll be in Annapolis during the morning rush hour. And Monday morning at that. :-)

When I had to go across the Bay Bridge on my bike, I called a taxi service and asked for a minivan that they said they had. When the taxi came, it was just a five seat car. It took awhile to get two bikes and 3 people to fit into that car. Including the toll and the extra charge for the bikes, it costed about $20.

Hey Neil...you know I would absolutely LOVE to do this with you...of course my job would have none of it. I envy your ability to ride as much as you do. How have you been my friend?

Cheers,

Brian

Hey Neil...you know I would absolutely LOVE to do this with you...of course my job would have none of it. I envy your ability to ride as much as you do. How have you been my friend?

Cheers,

Brian

I've been well. Join me for a day when I'm in Delaware. Please.

There are camping spots along the C & O every five miles. Some require a small fee. Many have fire rings and there is plenty of wood on the ground.

I did try Humancar's route this weekend and I like it better than mine, with a couple of exceptions.
Here's a google map with the route from Memorial Bridge to Greenbelt Metro.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2766492
Since you are coming through early on Sunday, traffic should be fairly light.
Take your best route to Memorial Bridge. W&OD to Custis to Mount Vernon is shorter but would have a few hills. W&OD to Four Mile Run to Mount Vernon would be mostly flat but would be a couple of miles longer.
If traffic is light, you can take Independence to 3rd, but taking the path next to the Reflecting Pool, going through the Washington Monument Grounds and taking Jefferson is much more scenic.
1st Street is a bit grungy and the road is a little rough due to recent construction, but it is fine above M street.
Keep following the green signs for bike route U. One sign will say bike route R but ignore it.
4th Street is a long but easy hill up to the National Shrine (the big dome and tower straight ahead)
If Michigan isn't too busy, use the road over the bridge. Otherwise there is a sidewalk on the north side. Once you are over the tracks, Michigan is an easy down hill.
Varnum is a little ways after you cross South Dakota Ave.
Varnum turns into Ann Arundel into Allison. Allison becomes one way, so if you cut over one block you can pick up 38th Street and cross the creek. The Northwest Branch Trail will be on your right.
The various Anacostia trails are new and in good shape. Asphalt and not crowded.
Stay on the NW Branch Trail. It will go cross a busy road and follow a sidepath for a short ways, then rejoin the creek.
From the NW Branch take the NE Branch Trail, not the Anacostia Trail (otherwise you'll be headed back towards the city.) The trail signs seem to be pretty good.
I didn't see too many portajohns or toilets along the way, but there are some in Riverdale Park (look for the parking lots and ball fields.)
After you pass the College Park airport, you'll be nearly at Lake Artemesia. The lake is pretty and might be worth a rest stop.
Yesterday I went left on the Paint Branch Trail to U of Maryland, but you will want to go right. I don't know if the trail is still marked at NE Branch after the lake.
At Berwyn Road you can switch to streets. 60th Ave turns into Cherrywood. Take it to the Greenbelt Metro where the cue sheet to Annapolis starts.

Have fun.

....
June 20 - NOVA (hosted by a BF poster) - rest day touring DC
June 21 - Annapolis, MD
.....
5. Anyone want to ride with me? :)

If you're still up for some company, I can try to keep the 21st clear and ride with you to Greenbelt. Looks like Sunday will be my ride day that weekend and I've been looking for a reason to ride back up to Lake Artemsia.

If you're still up for some company, I can try to keep the 21st clear and ride with you to Greenbelt. Looks like Sunday will be my ride day that weekend and I've been looking for a reason to ride back up to Lake Artemsia.

Sure, I'd like that. Keep in mind that you escorting this Clydesdale and his 40 pounds of gear in a trailer is like a yacht escorting the Queen Mary out of the harbor. :)

My revised itinerary once I leave DC on the 21st:

June 21 - Vienna, VA to Annapolis, MD
June 22 - Annapolis to Trappe, MD
June 23 - Trappe, via Cambridge, to Laurel, DE
June 24 - Laurel to Harbeson, DE
June 25 - Harbeson to Fenwick Island to Delaware Seashore State Park
June 26 - DSSP to Killians Pond State Park
June 27 - KPSP to Lum's Pond State Park
June 28 - LPSP to norther Chester County, PA, via Wilmington and Kennett Square.

Anyone care to ride with me? Also, any suggestion on where to stay around Trappe, MD? It's the only place I don't have a campsite arranged.

My revised itinerary once I leave DC on the 21st:

June 21 - Vienna, VA to Annapolis, MD
June 22 - Annapolis to Trappe, MD
June 23 - Trappe, via Cambridge, to Laurel, DE
June 24 - Laurel to Harbeson, DE
June 25 - Harbeson to Fenwick Island to Delaware Seashore State Park
June 26 - DSSP to Killians Pond State Park
June 27 - KPSP to Lum's Pond State Park
June 28 - LPSP to norther Chester County, PA, via Wilmington and Kennett Square.

Anyone care to ride with me? Also, any suggestion on where to stay around Trappe, MD? It's the only place I don't have a campsite arranged.

I now have a place to stay in Trappe, MD. Any suggestions on where to stay around Laurel or Seaford, or in Central Delaware? I'm trying to avoid the state parks to cut costs and avoid setting up a tent amid hundreds of RVs.