Adventure Cycling Association Forum
Bicycle Travel => Routes => Topic started by: Ty0604 on February 12, 2022, 04:02:06 pm
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Now that the Delmarva maps are out, has anyone ridden any of it?
Will be leaving Philadelphia on May ~14th with an endpoint of Kitty Hawk, NC.
Will likely double back to Norfolk and fly home from there.
Open to suggestions etc!
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If I ever do an east coast trip, I will do the same thing, stay as close to the coast as possible. For your return, you can take Amtrak directly to Philly.
From VDOT site https://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bikeped/places_to_bike.asp
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is not a VDOT facility, offers a shuttle van for cyclists. The cost is $13, the same as a passenger car toll. You must call ahead at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, contact:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
32386 Lankford Highway
P.O. Box 111
Cape Charles, VA 23310-0111
Phone: 757-331-2960
Fax: 757-331-4565
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If I ever do an east coast trip, I will do the same thing, stay as close to the coast as possible. For your return, you can take Amtrak directly to Philly.
From VDOT site https://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bikeped/places_to_bike.asp
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is not a VDOT facility, offers a shuttle van for cyclists. The cost is $13, the same as a passenger car toll. You must call ahead at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, contact:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
32386 Lankford Highway
P.O. Box 111
Cape Charles, VA 23310-0111
Phone: 757-331-2960
Fax: 757-331-4565
Thanks for the advice. I don’t live in Philly so I’d have to fly home either way. But you did give me an idea… I’ve wanted to do the GAP/C&O again so maybe I’ll take Amtrak from Norfolk to DC and ride to Pittsburgh and fly home from there.
The ACA maps provide the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel information but I appreciate the information!
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I did speak with a Delaware State Park superintendent. He seemed to not know anything about Delmarva so I sent him copies of the maps.
Delaware currently has a two night minimum on all sites on the weekends for advance reservations.
He said he would look into it and see about making accommodations for cyclist at the parks listed on the maps.
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I've driven my car on the section of the route from St. Georges to Leipsic, DE. The road has light traffic. I highly recommend a restaurant called Sambo's Tavern in Leipsic. The steamed crabs are delicious, and the view of the river out the picture windows is beautiful. Here's a link to the restaurant's Facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/sambostavern/
If you want a companion for the portion of the ride from Philadelphia to Leipsic, please let me know. I may do the tour in May, too. My best friend lives in Philly, so I might be able to assist with logistics if you're flying into PHL.
John
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I've driven my car on the section of the route from St. Georges to Leipsic, DE. The road has light traffic. I highly recommend a restaurant called Sambo's Tavern in Leipsic. The steamed crabs are delicious, and the view of the river out the picture windows is beautiful. Here's a link to the restaurant's Facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/sambostavern/
If you want a companion for the portion of the ride from Philadelphia to Leipsic, please let me know. I may do the tour in May, too. My best friend lives in Philly, so I might be able to assist with logistics if you're flying into PHL.
John
Thanks for the info. I’m staying with a host in Philly 5/3 to 5/5 and then have my route planned.
5/5 Lums Pond State Park (Delaware City)
5/6 Delaware Seashore State Park (Dewey Beach)
5/7 Two night minimum so taking an early day off here
5/8 Chincoteague (hotel)
5/9 Cape Charles KOA (Townsend)
5/10 Joe & Kays Campground (Kitty Hawk)
5/11 Day off in Kitty Hawk
5/12 First Landing State Park (Virginia Beach)
5/13 Ride to Norfolk —-> Amtrak to Charolette
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I did speak with a Delaware State Park superintendent. He seemed to not know anything about Delmarva so I sent him copies of the maps.
Delaware currently has a two night minimum on all sites on the weekends for advance reservations.
He said he would look into it and see about making accommodations for cyclist at the parks listed on the maps.
Thank you! I am looking to ride some of the route in Delaware to Chincoteague this summer where my daughter rented a house. The two night minimum for cyclists is frustrating.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I did speak with a Delaware State Park superintendent. He seemed to not know anything about Delmarva so I sent him copies of the maps.
Delaware currently has a two night minimum on all sites on the weekends for advance reservations.
He said he would look into it and see about making accommodations for cyclist at the parks listed on the maps.
Thank you! I am looking to ride some of the route in Delaware to Chincoteague this summer where my daughter rented a house. The two night minimum for cyclists is frustrating.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Maybe the ACA can lobby them a bit for some concessions for cyclists if that doesn't pan out. A group hiker biker site with no turn awya would be nice if possible. Not sure if the route will generagte enough interest to warrant that or not.
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Thank you! I am looking to ride some of the route in Delaware to Chincoteague this summer where my daughter rented a house. The two night minimum for cyclists is frustrating.
Enjoy! I’ll report back after I finish my ride.
The two night minimum doesn’t extend to first come, first served sites, which are only available if the park isn’t 100% reserved online. But the superintendent stated most parks along coastal Delaware are filled by early afternoon.
Jay & Kays Campground (Kitty Hawk) does save space for cyclist. No reservations required.
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Maybe the ACA can lobby them a bit for some concessions for cyclists if that doesn't pan out. A group hiker biker site with no turn awya would be nice if possible. Not sure if the route will generagte enough interest to warrant that or not.
This would be nice. Some states have a no turn away policy for cyclist at state parks. New York I believe is one of them. A few times on my 2016 tour they had me camp in the day use area due to the campground being filled. Never was charged the full camp fee and a few times wasn’t charged at all. The one time I arrived at a national park without reservations they allowed us to camp behind the office for a night until we could grab a FCFS site in the morning. This was at Grand Teton.
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New York is NOT a no-turn-away state. We tried to stay at a State Campground while doing the Eire this past summer and when I called they said that we had to reserve in advance online at Reserve America - 2 night Minimum and a surcharge for out of state users. - A local hotel was cheaper. They said that we could take our chances and just show up and maybe.... But during COVID I did not want to be searching for a place to stay when turned away.
Here is the ACA page with states that have no-turn-away policies.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/no-turn-away-bike-camping-policies/ (https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/no-turn-away-bike-camping-policies/)
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I was able to make same day reservations at the NY state parks this summer without much problem with a one-night stay. If you book ahead a two-day minimum is required. The only qualifier was there had to be openings. Although, I found a call to the park's office usually resulted in a friendly manager telling me to ride in and they would find me a spot.
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New York is NOT a no-turn-away state. We tried to stay at a State Campground while doing the Eire this past summer and when I called they said that we had to reserve in advance online at Reserve America - 2 night Minimum and a surcharge for out of state users. - A local hotel was cheaper. They said that we could take our chances and just show up and maybe.... But during COVID I did not want to be searching for a place to stay when turned away.
Here is the ACA page with states that have no-turn-away policies.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/no-turn-away-bike-camping-policies/ (https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/no-turn-away-bike-camping-policies/)
Stayed at Taconic (Copake) S.P. in NY last year and had the same issue with reservations. I booked two nights even though I only planned to stay for one because it was sort of a lynch pin. The first night was supposed to be a Saturday. Looking at occupancy, the place was pretty close to full. I never made it there for my first night. Since the second night was a Sunday there would have been plenty of space to "walk up."
As alluded to immediately above, even if a state park system does not have an official no turn away policy, certain facilities may be accommodating in that way. Long story, but there is one such state park in NJ along ACA's Atlantic Coast route that often fills up on weekends in the spring, summer and fall. The place is also on the Delaware River and near the AT. They have an area for people arriving by paddle, foot or bike. There is even a bear locker for food storage. None of this is "advertised." I was told to call ahead and let them know I am coming.
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I’ve also asked about the policy at NY state parks, and have been told more than once that the park would try to accommodate cyclists, but no guarantees.
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New York is NOT a no-turn-away state. We tried to stay at a State Campground while doing the Eire this past summer and when I called they said that we had to reserve in advance online at Reserve America - 2 night Minimum and a surcharge for out of state users. - A local hotel was cheaper. They said that we could take our chances and just show up and maybe.... But during COVID I did not want to be searching for a place to stay when turned away.
I stand corrected…. In my experience, they were accommodating. I suspect if a cyclist showed up to a full campground they would also be accommodating. A simple explanation may be needed but haven’t ever been turned away from a full campground in all of my travels.
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I think it boils down to the contractual agreement with Reserve America, which seems to have a monopoly on state park reservations. Once your are past the reservation window it is up to the park staff's judgement. If you have alternatives, just showing up may work most of the time. The Reserve America system is pretty ludicrous - I wanted a single night and there were campsites with people checking out one day and then reserved again only one day out - basically leaving the site empty, but out of play in the reservation system.
Goodwill by staff is a crap shoot. I would take my chances solo, since I could sleep in the bushes on the side of the road, but not traveling with my wife. I also remember being turned away at Lake of the Clouds Hut just below MT. Washington during my AT hike. Big sign says something like "entering an area where the most severe weather in the world has been recorded - turn back now if bad weather." AMC policy is to make room for through hikers if dangerous weather. Weather board in the hut said Severe Thunderstorms Forecast. The Cru Manager at the Hut turned me away. I got to the summit of Washington and checked in at the weather station. They said okay for now but things could change in 15 minutes. You are well above the tree line here on a mountain where hundreds of people have died. I made a dash for the next shelter and got caught in a horrible hail and lightening storm with 65 mph gusts. Lightening was striking the peaks around me and I kept getting blown over. I squatted in some scrub pine I found for an hour.
Some much for relying on the good will and judgement of the person in charge of the facility.
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I haven't ridden the whole route, but I'm planning to ride either the east or west route to Virginia Beach next month, and I've done a fair amount of riding in eastern MD, Delaware, and the Outer Banks. In my opinion, the western part of the route in Maryland seems like it would be better than the Delaware part. I've done a few rides through Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, and it's awesome. Basically a road through a swamp. The coast all looks the same, so to me, that further tilts things to the western route through Blackwater.
Further north, the East Coast Greenway around Wilmington and New Castle is one of the most impressive urban trail systems that I've ever ridden on. I'm not sure if the ACA route goes through there. I don't have the maps yet.
On the coast, the big variable is the wind. I had a 25 mph tailwind heading south through the Outer Banks in May 2020 and it was great, but there was a pair of tourers heading north into that wind, each with a four pannier set up, and they looked absolutely miserable.
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For anyone staying in Chincoteague, the hotels in town are almost the same price as the 3 campgrounds. Each campground is $50-$60/night so we ended up booking at a nice hotel for $66 after taxes.
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Just got back from the Delmarva route. My plan was to do 2.5 days (about 260 miles) on the Maryland alternate from the top of the Chesapeake Bay to the southern tip of the VA eastern shore, where I'd meet my girlfriend, who was running a marathon in Virginia Beach. On the last day, I had some strong headwinds (20-30mph) and knew I wouldn't be making it to the end of the peninsula by dark, so I quit after about 40 miles, just a few miles into VA, and caught a ride with my girlfriend. It was a bummer but that's how rigidly planned tours sometimes turn out.
A few observations:
* Chestertown hotel prices are steep -- $120+ taxes for a Red Roof Inn in March, which is still the Eastern Shore off season. I imagine that all the hotels will be very expensive during the summer. I stealth camped around Chestertown and stayed with a friendly Warmshowers host in Salisbury the next night.
* The roads are generally good quality, and either low traffic roads or busier roads with wide shoulders. I went over the Chesapeake City and Chestertown bridges during rush hour in the rain, and I was fine.
* I highly recommend taking Wildlife Drive through Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. It's just south of Key Wallace Drive. It's a narrow road through a marsh. It's one way, so if you're riding south, you'll have to do a loop.
* There is a road closed on the route SW of Vienna, MD, but there is a well-marked detour.
* The Wicomico River Ferry stopped at 6pm, which I did not make it to, so I went through Salisbury.
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Just got back from the Delmarva route. My plan was to do 2.5 days (about 260 miles) on the Maryland alternate from the top of the Chesapeake Bay to the southern tip of the VA eastern shore, where I'd meet my girlfriend, who was running a marathon in Virginia Beach. On the last day, I had some strong headwinds (20-30mph) and knew I wouldn't be making it to the end of the peninsula by dark, so I quit after about 40 miles, just a few miles into VA, and caught a ride with my girlfriend. It was a bummer but that's how rigidly planned tours sometimes turn out.
A few observations:
* Chestertown hotel prices are steep -- $120+ taxes for a Red Roof Inn in March, which is still the Eastern Shore off season. I imagine that all the hotels will be very expensive during the summer. I stealth camped around Chestertown and stayed with a friendly Warmshowers host in Salisbury the next night.
* The roads are generally good quality, and either low traffic roads or busier roads with wide shoulders. I went over the Chesapeake City and Chestertown bridges during rush hour in the rain, and I was fine.
* I highly recommend taking Wildlife Drive through Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. It's just south of Key Wallace Drive. It's a narrow road through a marsh. It's one way, so if you're riding south, you'll have to do a loop.
* There is a road closed on the route SW of Vienna, MD, but there is a well-marked detour.
* The Wicomico River Ferry stopped at 6pm, which I did not make it to, so I went through Salisbury.
Thanks for your input! Won’t be riding the alternate but good to have some feedback regarding it. Sorry to hear about the headwinds.
Which Wicomico Ferry did you attempt to use? There are two available, the Upper Ferry and Whitehaven Ferry. Regardless, they have the same operating hours and are closed several days a year.
March 1st to May 15th 7am - 6pm.
May 16th to September 15th 7am - 7pm.
September 16th to October 31st 7am - 6pm.
November 1st to February 28th 7am - 5:30pm.
Both closed on:
New Year’s, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans day, Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Day, and Christmas
I leave for my tour on May 5th and will report back after I finish around May 15th.
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Left Philadelphia today and began Delmarva. Did 60 miles to Lums Pond State Park in Delaware.
Will do a full recap when I reach Charlotte next Friday.
One minor detail: The bicycle shuttle across the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel is $14, not $13 as listed on the map.
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FYI...Anyone planning to stay at Cape Henlopen State Park would do well to check availability. I have a dollar to a donut that weekends are fully booked through the summer. I was there for two nights (Friday and Saturday) this Easter weekend. I made my reservation in mid-February and the place was almost booked solid at that time. Also, there is a two night minimum, at least on weekends. (I have never tried to book during the week.) The good news is that the place is worthy of an extra day. Lots of areas to explore in an around the park. Many of them can be accessed via bike trails. And good dolphin spotting during much of the year. I came over from Cape May, NJ via the ferry to Lewes. Nice ride, and we diverted course a bit to get a better look at a whale. Another option during a day off there is to hop the ferry to check put the tony beach town of Cape May, NJ. $10 each way. No surcharge for bikes. About a 90 min. sail. The center of Cape May is about a 5 mile ride from the ferry terminal on flat roads with wide shoulders.
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FYI...Anyone planning to stay at Cape Henlopen State Park would do well to check availability. I have a dollar to a donut that weekends are fully booked through the summer. I was there for two nights (Friday and Saturday) this Easter weekend. I made my reservation in mid-February and the place was almost booked solid at that time. Also, there is a two night minimum, at least on weekends. (I have never tried to book during the week.) The good news is that the place is worthy of an extra day. Lots of areas to explore in an around the park. Many of them can be accessed via bike trails. And good dolphin spotting during much of the year. I came over from Cape May, NJ via the ferry to Lewes. Nice ride, and we diverted course a bit to get a better look at a whale. Another option during a day off there is to hop the ferry to check put the tony beach town of Cape May, NJ. $10 each way. No surcharge for bikes. About a 90 min. sail. The center of Cape May is about a 5 mile ride from the ferry terminal on flat roads with wide shoulders.
Just happened to be stopped for lunch when I saw your reply.
All Delaware State Parks have a two night minimum on weekends and some holiday weekends require three nights but apparently not Easter.
I stayed at Killens Pond for two nights but it was well worth it as a Nor’easter pounded the area. I upgraded to a cabin and took shelter during the storm.
Quick update: I’m about halfway between Chincoteague and Cape Charles, where I’ll stop today to catch the shuttle across the bay in the morning.
The causeway from the mainland to Chincoteague isn’t for the faint of heart. Especially not during the wind and high tide. Nasty ride yesterday.
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Just happened to be stopped for lunch when I saw your reply.
All Delaware State Parks have a two night minimum on weekends and some holiday weekends require three nights but apparently not Easter.
Cape Henlopen did require three nights Easter weekend even though I was only staying for two.
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Okay so we're done with the ride. Here's a recap.
Day 1: Philadelphia ---> Bear, DE: Getting out of the city was fine. Unfortunately, there were a lot cars parked in the bike lanes and the traffic lane paralleling the bike lanes have train tracks as well so going around cars can be dangerous, especially through U Penn's campus. We avoided the section through campus and stayed on the road paralleling the route. You have to walk your bike through campus and didn't care to push a loaded touring bike on my first day. We stayed at Lums Pond SP, a short distance off route. Nice park.
Day 2: Bear ---> Felton: I got onto US 13 after Leipsic. The road, while containing high speed traffic, had a wide shoulder and/or a bike lane. Had our first and only flat near Dover. Highly recommend going into Dover and walking around.The receptionist at the State Archives Visitor Center watched our bikes for us while we did some sightseeing. We stayed at Killens Pond SP for two nights. We originally had a tent site booked but because of the Nor'easter we switched to a cabin. Delaware SP's were really cool about it and just let us pay the difference. Cabins here have full bathrooms and kitchens but no towels, bedding etc provided.
Day 3: Felton --> Milford & Fenwick --> Chincoteague, VA: Rode 10 miles to Milford to attend church and still had 110 miles to ride in a bad storm so we accepted a ride to Fenwick and rode the remaining 65. We drove the ACA route though and looked good. Had a 35mph tailwind that pushed us effortlessly down the MD and VA coast. The bridge from Ocean City to West Ocean City has a pedestrian path across it but if you're going south, it's on the opposite side of the road, going against traffic. It was super windy and I actually got blown off my bike on the bridge about haldway across and ended up walking the rest of the way. The ACA maps warn about the causeway between Wattsville and Chincoteague for good reason. It's narrow with no shoulder and, at high tide, the water is splashing up onto the road. I would not ride this at high tide or when it's windy
Day 4: Chincoteague ---> Cape Charles: I rode the ACA route as far as Modest Town and then headed over to US 13 at Nelsonia which I rode the rest of the way to Cape Charles. Again, high speed traffic with a shoulder and/or bike lane. It was too windy to tent camp so the folks at the KOA put us up in a cabin at no charge. The KOA is 1/4th mile or less from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel offices. We called the day before and set up a ride over the bay. The number is listed on the map.
Day 5: Cape Charles ---> Knotts Island ---> Virginia Beach: When catching the shuttle head into the admin offices near the tollgates and go into the police station to let them know you're there. Our shuttle was scheduled at 8 but we arrived at 7 and they accommodated us. It's $14 per car, not per person. You pay as the shuttle goes through the toll gate. Cash, debit/credit or Apple pay. From there we followed the ACA route to Knotts Island escept for a small section in Virginia Beach due to flooding. Locals said a lot of streets flood daily at high tide. When we arrived in Knotts Island to catch the ferry to Currituck, the end of Delmarva, we were told the ferries were canceled for the day due to high winds. They don't run when the winds are over 35mph and/or the water is too high. They said it'd be Thursday before the ferries were running again. You can check the ferry conidtions on their Twitter. Google "NCDOT Ferry Division." The only way around the ferry closure is to go 26 miles back to VB and take US 168 through Moyock, NC 54 miles. The additional 80 miles didn't seem worth it to us so we went back to VB and called it a trip. Make sure you check to see if the Knotts Island/Currituck ferries are running!
All in all the trip was okay. The weather was terrible but such is life. Tomorrow we're riding to Norfolk and catching Amtrak to Charlotte where we'll be until Monday. Hoping to get a ride in this weekend into SC from the metro area.
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Just happened to be stopped for lunch when I saw your reply.
All Delaware State Parks have a two night minimum on weekends and some holiday weekends require three nights but apparently not Easter.
Cape Henlopen did require three nights Easter weekend even though I was only staying for two.
Good to know! Unfortunate when campgrounds have these minimums. Several times on tour I've not stayed at one because they wanted me to stay two nights. NBD if you need a day off but otherwise unfair IMO.