Suggestions for a Bike ride between Philadelphia and Washington DC
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Suggestions for a Bike ride between Philadelphia and Washington DC
Hi there,
I am new here so I apologize in advance if my question is posted in the wrong thread. I’m looking for advice for a bicycle ride I’d like to do in the summertime, between Philadelphia and Washington DC (well a town close to philly). Ill be riding to the area from northern nj the night before and plan to stay the night and continue from philly to dc. I would like to know if anyone has done this route before and if so, what was it like, do you have any suggestions? I’ll be using a trek marlin 5 mountain bike for the ride, I’ve previously done a ride between My town in northern nj near the border of ny state and Philadelphia which totaled 100 miles. The route I calculated says it will be about 150 miles to dc from Philly.
I am new here so I apologize in advance if my question is posted in the wrong thread. I’m looking for advice for a bicycle ride I’d like to do in the summertime, between Philadelphia and Washington DC (well a town close to philly). Ill be riding to the area from northern nj the night before and plan to stay the night and continue from philly to dc. I would like to know if anyone has done this route before and if so, what was it like, do you have any suggestions? I’ll be using a trek marlin 5 mountain bike for the ride, I’ve previously done a ride between My town in northern nj near the border of ny state and Philadelphia which totaled 100 miles. The route I calculated says it will be about 150 miles to dc from Philly.
Last edited by Roadracer100; 01-30-20 at 02:13 PM.
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Hi there,
I am new here so I apologize in advance if my question is posted in the wrong thread. I’m looking for advice for a bicycle ride I’d like to do in the summertime, between Philadelphia and Washington DC (well a town close to philly). Ill be riding to the area from northern nj the night before and plan to stay the night and continue from philly to dc. I would like to know if anyone has done this route before and if so, what was it like, do you have any suggestions? I’ll be using a trek marlin 5 mountain bike for the ride, I’ve previously done a ride between My town in northern nj near the border of ny state and Philadelphia which totaled 100 miles. The route I calculated says it will be about 150 miles to dc from Philly.
I am new here so I apologize in advance if my question is posted in the wrong thread. I’m looking for advice for a bicycle ride I’d like to do in the summertime, between Philadelphia and Washington DC (well a town close to philly). Ill be riding to the area from northern nj the night before and plan to stay the night and continue from philly to dc. I would like to know if anyone has done this route before and if so, what was it like, do you have any suggestions? I’ll be using a trek marlin 5 mountain bike for the ride, I’ve previously done a ride between My town in northern nj near the border of ny state and Philadelphia which totaled 100 miles. The route I calculated says it will be about 150 miles to dc from Philly.
Use that as a marker. Also, if you plan for 50 miles per day, then you'll need two hotel stays (or overnights). Finding accommodations will also be a limiting factor through much of the back country, so choose waypoints that include those overnights. The rest is just road selection. Mt. Airy is a good 2nd night point. BelAir might be a good first night. Good luck.
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Pros to urban routes:
- Generally more direct
- Ready access commerce of all types
- Quicker response for taxi/emergency assistance
Cons to urban routes:
- Greater congestion with attendant dangers
- Much more road debris
- Noise and exhaust
Did I get those right?
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This is one of the most curious things I've ever read here. You'll have to explain why that would be so. Let's summarize the pros and cons as I understand them.
Pros to urban routes:
- Generally more direct
- Ready access commerce of all types
- Quicker response for taxi/emergency assistance
Cons to urban routes:
- Greater congestion with attendant dangers
- Much more road debris
- Noise and exhaust
Did I get those right?
Pros to urban routes:
- Generally more direct
- Ready access commerce of all types
- Quicker response for taxi/emergency assistance
Cons to urban routes:
- Greater congestion with attendant dangers
- Much more road debris
- Noise and exhaust
Did I get those right?
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I've ridden it (approximately), and there are many fabulous back road routes to get you there. You're constraining factor is crossing the Susquehanna River, where bicycles are ONLY permitted on the Route 1 (dam) road. Other bridges require you to be transported across by a four wheeled vehicle.
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So....
1. Where, exactly, are you planning to start from, and what route have you ridden between home and Philly. 100 miles seems pretty short. The way I have gone several times includes a segment from Upper Black Eddy, PA to Philly proper. That's over 60 miles in and of itself.
2. Not sure why you think U.S. 1 is rural. There are plenty of high-traffic, highly developed sections south of Philly. A portion of it in Philly is one of the more dangerous roads around. Barely a week goes by that you don't hear of a serious crash or a pedestrian being struck.
3. I would avoid the ECG, at least in PA. There is very little that is green about it. For example, there is a lot of busy street city riding north of the center of Philly. South through places like Eddystone and Chester it uses PA 291, which is called Industrial Highway, and for good reason.
4. Are you familiar with Adventure Cycling Association? If not, you should check out its maps. It's Atlantic Coast route comes down the river from Port Jervis to Lambertville, NJ/New Hope and then heads to Philly. The route along the river is really nice. The section from New Hope to Consohocken is a tried and true way used by local clubs. There is then a bike trail spur into the city, or you can continue south, also using some trail at first. Ultimately, there is a spur into D.C. I also believe it passes through or close to Baltimore. It's certainly not going to be the most direct way, but there are some nice sections.
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Or N. DuPont Highway (U.S. 13/40). 50 MPH speed limit. Looks lovely, but it's up to you.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6648...7i13312!8i6656
Good luck.
Last edited by indyfabz; 02-04-20 at 08:15 AM.
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That’s wasn’t my point.
But since you ask....For safety reasons. PA 372 is not that far up river and has a decent shoulder heading in that direction. IIRC, U.S. 1 has no shoulder heading south and is narrower, but it's been a long time since I have ridden it.
But since you ask....For safety reasons. PA 372 is not that far up river and has a decent shoulder heading in that direction. IIRC, U.S. 1 has no shoulder heading south and is narrower, but it's been a long time since I have ridden it.
Last edited by indyfabz; 02-04-20 at 11:42 AM.
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I see. Sorry about that. I thought that he was envisioning sticking to the Philadelphia to Washington corridor. The inland routes would be longer and more scenic. We've ridden through central and western Maryland toward Delaware, and that is some nice riding.
The entire concept of running straight down Rt 40 would hold no appeal for me, and my wife would not do it due to the dangers.
The entire concept of running straight down Rt 40 would hold no appeal for me, and my wife would not do it due to the dangers.