Delaware?
07-15-18, 12:06 PM
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Delaware?
Anyone out there from lower Delaware? We are thinking of retiring to DE - specifically the Millsboro/Lewes area - seriously looking at Pot-Nets. What the cycling like? Pretty flat right? But how’s traffic- bike lanes and such? Group rides and charity rides?
07-16-18, 02:17 PM
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I'm spent a week a number of summers in the Bethany area, which is south of the Indian River inlet from Lewes, and towards the ocean from Millsboro. I think it's all flatter than Holland. Delaware has made an effort to promote cycling - https://www.deldot.gov/Programs/bike...g_in_delaware/ - which also has some maps showing different roads with bike lanes and such.
Other than the main roads, which have a lot of traffic especially in summer, the cycling is very good. There are a lot of back roads with minimal traffic, and I've found cars to be generally respectful. The major roads have wide shoulders. It's always a bit disconcerting to have an 18-wheeler rip past, but for the most part it's just passenger cars/SUVs.
It might get a bit boring after a while - I've generally tried to stay away from crossing the US 113 - the main highway - and in ~10 summers I've probably biked a sizable percentage of the roads east of 113, south of Indian River, and north of Ocean City. That said, if you like flats, it's definitely pleasant. But you won't have the legs for hills (I think the biggest elevation gain may be the Indian River inlet bridge).
Not sure about charity rides etc., but there is an annual century from Salisbury in the Fall - Welcome to Sea Gull Century - Sea Gull CenturySea Gull Century
Other than the main roads, which have a lot of traffic especially in summer, the cycling is very good. There are a lot of back roads with minimal traffic, and I've found cars to be generally respectful. The major roads have wide shoulders. It's always a bit disconcerting to have an 18-wheeler rip past, but for the most part it's just passenger cars/SUVs.
It might get a bit boring after a while - I've generally tried to stay away from crossing the US 113 - the main highway - and in ~10 summers I've probably biked a sizable percentage of the roads east of 113, south of Indian River, and north of Ocean City. That said, if you like flats, it's definitely pleasant. But you won't have the legs for hills (I think the biggest elevation gain may be the Indian River inlet bridge).
Not sure about charity rides etc., but there is an annual century from Salisbury in the Fall - Welcome to Sea Gull Century - Sea Gull CenturySea Gull Century
07-17-18, 05:51 AM
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In Lewes there is Cape Henlopen State Park. Great place on the water. Former military base that served to guard the bay during WWII. There are miles of bike paths in the park, including a cool boardwalk part through a tidal area. So many people ride there that they have those bike repair stations with tools and air pumps. Extremely popular campground there as well. You can ride to Rehobeth almost completely on paths and bike laned streets. There is a also a trail system that was recently expanded to reach right into Lewes itself. Some of it goes through a marsh area and is very pretty. You can also take your bike on the ferry and ride to Cape May, NJ. The center of Lewes itself can get clogged with traffic in the summer, but people are used to seeing bikes. The free beach is also decent.
