Jim Kukula

I am working on a bike tour plan... one day's ride will go from Swartswood State Park near Newton, NJ to Ringing Rock campground in Upper Black Eddy, PA. The first part of the ride I have sketched so far uses a lot of the Paulinskill Valley Trail, from Stillwater Rd. in Fredon Township to Station Rd. in Hainesburg.

Some of the photos and reports I have seen make the Paulinskill trail look like tough going in many places, but that data may be outdated. The Strava heatmap makes it look like people do use the trail a fair amount.

Anybody care to share recent experience? I am mostly riding on 47-559 Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour tires, FWIW.

Jim Kukula

here's the whole route for the day... any advice on improvements would be much appreciated!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12344688

Jim Kukula

hmmm, I'm thinking, from Belvidere to Phillipsburg, better to take River Rd instead of that up and over Marble Hill. A few extra miles to avoid a big hill, seems worth it!

indyfabz

Portland, PA is the home town of the man who wrote "All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."

I have ridden in that area numerous times and have done Belvidere to P'burg probably a half dozen times. Leaving Belvidere you want to make the right on Foul Rift Rd. which becomes S. Foul Rift Rd. and then take River Rd. I just went that way last fall during a three-day tour from Port Jervis, NY to Philly. It was Columbus Day weekend, which meant the 13 or mile stretch between Belvidere and P'burg was relatively busy since I saw maybe 10 moving vehicles. I usually see half that many. And it's really pretty with some nice river views. Look for the houses on stilts and the tree on the right with flood water level markers. There are a few hills. One of them is pretty steep, but it's short, and there is nothing long. There is good signage. Make sure you walk your bike across the bridge between Riverton and Belvedere or the bridge troll on the NJ side will get you. Belvedere is worth a look. There is a large, main square in town fronted by an old court house. Surrounding the square are some nicely restored Victorian houses. Skoogy's deli near the town theater makes good sandwiches. Don't go to the other location on Water St. as it has no bathroom. Uncle Buck's is just o.k. Thisildous, on Front St., is a funky place which I am told has good food.

During my fall trip I took the canal path from Easton, PA like you plan to do. I found it slow. It's not all smooth, crushed limestone. It also seemed monotonous. I usually stay on the NJ side and take S. Main St. through P'Burg to Carpentersville Rd., cross I-78 and then go down to River Rd. and CR 627 to Milford. Most of that section has little traffic and is quite scenic. When doing so, I take Old River Rd. shortly after I get on CR 627. That eliminates a short climb, and it's incredibly nice back there. It dumps you back at CR 627.

Where are you going after Ringing Rocks? I ask because if you plan to continue down the canal path there is a more conveniently reached campground right off the path at Lodi Hill Rd. The place is definitely not as modern as Ringing Rocks, but the owner Mark) is very nice. He charges cyclist only $10/night. It's completely wooded and used mostly by seasonal campers.

Jim Kukula

Is that Dogwood Haven on Lodi Hill Rd? Not much out of my way... I will have to study the hills around there! Here is my plan for the following day:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12344059

Thanks a million for the detailed tips, indyfabz! I may be bringing my partner's son along, so it gets really important that I don't screw things up too much!

Jim Kukula

It looks like maybe Headquarters Rd could be my friend & a nice way to avoid hills!

Here is a strange thing. Google Maps seems to show two segments of Headquarters Rd with no connection. But looking on the Strava Heatmap, I see a bridge across Tinicum Creek, connecting Headquarters Rd. Maybe that bridge was closed recently for repairs? Doesn't really matter - Sleep Hole Rd. will get me to Ottsville and on my way.

... even funnier, Google Street View will take you across the bridge, even though the bridge is not on the map!

indyfabz

Yes. Dogwood Haven. If you are going that way the next day it probably makes sense to stay at Ringing Rocks.

indyfabz

BTW...I should have mentioned one issue with the D&L Trail on the PA side south of Easton....If there is trail damage/construction and part of it is impassible, you are stuck riding on PA 32, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. During last year's trip, they were replacing/repairing a large drainage pipe under the trail. A portion of the trail as cut away and was officially closed. Since it was a Sunday and a holiday weekend, no one was working. I was able to negotiate the cutaway section with a fully loaded bike, but it was tough walking. Had the cutaway been much larger I probably would have had to resort to the road.

Also, they are building a new bike-only bridge to cross the river from the Betzwood side of Valley Forge Park to the main side. They are making progress but I don't know the expected completion date. Once it's done we won't have to use that scary, narrow walkway along U.S. 422 like we have been doing since the 90s.

Jim Kukula

Thanks again for those tips, indyfabz! Staying in NJ south of Easton seems very practical so I will plan on that. Bike paths are fun enough but I bet I will get my fill on the Paulinskill!

My parents live right by Valley Forge park so that's what makes it a fun ride for me. I have been quite a few times across that scary walkway along 422! I was there, hmm, I think in November. Rode out to Phoenixville on my Brompton. They had I beams half way across the river at that point. It'd be grand to cross the river on the new bridge having ridden from the Catskills!

indyfabz

Another nice thing about staying on the NJ side is that you get to see the Roebling bridge to Riegelsville. You can't see it from the D&L path in PA.

Forgot I have this:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/10794322

Mile 47 is Portland and 88.4 is Milford. The bridge is at 81.4. Note that the map doesn't show the Old River Rd. alternative I mentioned previously. To take that you simply hang a right at mile 81.8 and then make a right again back on to CR 627 when the road ends.

Some other tidbits. Portland used to have almost nothing service-wise, but the market has re-opened and there is a relatively new bagel shop/deli. Both are on 611 just south of the pedestrian bridge. Nice views from that bridge.

Are you cooking? If so, the market in Milford has a good selection of stuff for a place of its size. If not, the pizza place is good. I would avoid The Ship Inn. It's not that good, and it's overpriced. If you want something nicer but still casual (you can eat at the bar), this place is pretty good:

Milford Oyster House restaurant

If you decide to go to Dogwood Haven, you cross the bridge into Upper Black Eddy, PA, ride south on PA 32 for about .2 miles and make a right onto Canal Ln. Just before you cross the canal you will see a little path you can easily walk your bike down to get onto the path. Head south until the first road crossing, which is Lodi Hill Rd. Turn right, cross the canal and you will immediately see the sign for the campground and a gravel road on your right that takes you up to it. The owner has a day job, so he doesn't show up until around 6 p.m. or so. If he's not there, head straight to the back of the campground on the gravel road you came in on. Site A at the back is the best.

If money is no object, stay at the Bridgeton House right at the PA side of the bridge. A room will only set you back around $300/night, or maybe a little more.

Jim Kukula

ha! I'll be sure to keep that in mind!