Adventure Cycling Association Forum
Bicycle Travel => Routes => Topic started by: John Nettles on February 06, 2021, 04:33:02 pm
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According to the map page on the Spring 2021 Cyclosource, it appears a new "Delmarva" route is going to be available in "Summer" 2021, thus offering routes in all of the lower-48 states.
It appears it will start in Philadelphia but split immediately into a New Jersey or Delaware option before reconnecting in I assume Lewes, DE, from which it hugs the coast before ending in Currituck, NC, where it connects to the Atlantic Coast Route. It should make for a nice Atlantic Coast alternative.
It does not connect to the TransAm route (somewhat understandable due to metro road layout) nor does not it appear to have a spur to connect to the Potomoc Tidelands Route which is a shame as it would be very easy and would allow a coast to coast option for those wanting to use Eastern Express TransAm Route (non-ACA) and desiring maps the entire way.
Somewhat interestingly, the discontinued routes still show up and are presumably counted in their "network mile count" though that is a bit misleading.
Perhaps ACA will officially announce this route soon.
Tailwinds, John
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Since I live in Philly and ride to S. Jersey to camp a couple of times/year I am quite interested to see the route. You could ask 50 people from this area what route they take to get "down the shore", as we say in these parts, and you would likely get 50 different answer. (But only mine would be the correct one. :))
And also assuming it goes to Lewes via the ferry, Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes is a great place to visit/camp. Great repurposing of a WWII military base after it had served its purpose, which was guarding the mouth of the bay from Nazi invasion. Some of the military installations still exist. Very bike friendly. Just don't arrive to camp on a weekend in spring-fall without a reservation. During high season the campground can be booked solid months in advance for weekends. I rode down there one Easter weekend in early April. The place was probably 80% full, if not more.
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For whatever it is might be worth,
Cape Henlopen State Park is the eastern terminus for the coast to coast American Discovery Trail.
Related link: https://discoverytrail.org/states/delaware/
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Delaware is one of 4 states I haven't ridden through so will be looking forward to this map set!
Will plan to ride it in 2022 along with a section of the Northern Tier from Glendive to Fargo as North Dakota is another one of those 4 states.
Will only be left with Alaska and Hawaii after these two rides next year.
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There's a road in DE called Green Giant Road, but it's more to the north.
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Any update on when this route will be available? I'm planning a ride this fall that could use part of this route. Thanks!
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DE Hwy 1 & MD Hwy 528 are very, very busy during summer.
They have shoulders, but lots of side road traffic, turning traffic, and intersections.
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Yeah. DE 1 outside of Lewes was really busy and lined with businesses so lots of people turning in and pulling out, and it wasn’t even summer. Still Cape Henlopen State Park is a great facility and a nice place to ride.
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Thanks! I'm most interested in the far southern end- Norfolk, Virginia to Currituck, NC. The roads that Google Maps puts bicycles on appear to be narrow with no shoulder at all, I'm hoping that ACA has some secret route that is more bike-friendly.
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Thanks! I'm most interested in the far southern end- Norfolk, Virginia to Currituck, NC. The roads that Google Maps puts bicycles on appear to be narrow with no shoulder at all, I'm hoping that ACA has some secret route that is more bike-friendly.
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The geography and geology dictate the road network.
Most of the Delmarva / Carolina coast is a series of drowned river valleys and lowland swamps.
Most often you have a slightly higher ridge or hummock (hammock in regional dialect)
that is like a tree trunk with smaller branches leading out to various coastal hamlets.
So a single road follows the ridge line - with dead-end brach roads.
Any other through road would go through swampland and be very expensive to build.
This was fine when there was almost no traffic -
But will all the development, traffic has gotten to be a problem.
And there are not many good alternatives out there.
Wetland habitats have been so thoroughly destroyed over the past century.
If someone from 1921 saw what we have done to the coast they would be shocked.
Vacation homes, golf courses, hotels, restaurants - and a whole lot of roads, too.
Many of the smaller coastal communitiees didn't have land connections until after WWII.
<<<>>>
It would be nice if VA & NC did, at least, provide a shoulder for these roads.
Write 'em and let them know.
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We predict the Delmarva Route will be available this fall. We had to delay research due to travel restrictions around the pandemic.
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We predict the Delmarva Route will be available this fall. We had to delay research due to travel restrictions around the pandemic.
Thanks for the update! Can’t wait. It’ll be one of two tours for me next year.
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It would be nice if the ACA took over the Eastern Express route from Frank before he shuts down his website since they are using it on their van supported tours.
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Carla, thanks for the update!! I'll check back in the fall.
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We predict the Delmarva Route will be available this fall. We had to delay research due to travel restrictions around the pandemic.
Any update on this route? Been waiting impatiently since the spring. Eager for the maps to plan an upcoming tour :)
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Would also love to know when ACA is going to pickup the very popular Eastern Express Route https://www.easternexpressroute.com (https://www.easternexpressroute.com) since Frank is closing down the website at the end of 2021. Seems like a no brainer, since it is already mapped and has cue sheets. Plus, it already appears to be endorsed and advertised by the ACA as a route which they use for their very popular and very oversubscribed Van Supported Trans AM ride.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/ (https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/)
TransAm Express Westward | May 13-Jul 26 | $7,999.00 | JOIN WAITLIST
https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/transam-express-westward-van/ (https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/transam-express-westward-van/)
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Would also love to know when ACA is going to pickup the very popular Eastern Express Route https://www.easternexpressroute.com (https://www.easternexpressroute.com) since Frank is closing down the website at the end of 2021. Seems like a no brainer, since it is already mapped and has cue sheets. Plus, it already appears to be endorsed and advertised by the ACA as a route which they use for their very popular and very oversubscribed Van Supported Trans AM ride.
Thanks for the heads up about it being shut down. Do you know why? I’ll need to get on and download everything before to long.
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I spoke with him several months and I got the impression it was due to the amount of work updating the site with corrections, changes, etc. and that he is wanting to retire fully. I offered to take over the website if ACA did not but my computer and editing skills were not up to his liking so he politely turned me down and said he would just let it go away. I have downloaded all the maps in case someone needs them in the future.
I too think ACA should take it over but they would probably have to map it so it matched their other maps and that would not be an inexpensive undertaking. I would guess the offer was been discussed and or thought about it. While the website is nice, it is not nearly the caliber of ACA's maps.
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I plan on doing most of it next spring (totally bypassing Pittsburgh) and would love to help in the effort.
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The new Delmarva Bicycle Route will be available in early December. It is 2 map sections.
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I spoke with him several months and I got the impression it was due to the amount of work updating the site with corrections, changes, etc. and that he is wanting to retire fully. I offered to take over the website if ACA did not but my computer and editing skills were not up to his liking so he politely turned me down and said he would just let it go away. I have downloaded all the maps in case someone needs them in the future.
I too think ACA should take it over but they would probably have to map it so it matched their other maps and that would not be an inexpensive undertaking. I would guess the offer was been discussed and or thought about it. While the website is nice, it is not nearly the caliber of ACA's maps.
Thanks John. My computer and editing skills are lackluster so won’t even offer. Appreciate the information. I too have downloaded all the maps.
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The new Delmarva Bicycle Route will be available in early December. It is 2 map sections.
That’s exciting :) Thanks for the update!
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These maps are listed on the ACA Cyclosource store but they’re out of stock.
A note below says they’re on order and expected to arrive on December 20th.
Would love to preorder these if the ACA would allow.
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Our Sales Dept. doesn't take preorders, but send an email to cyclosource@adventurecycling.org. Ask to be put on the list to be notified when the maps arrive in the office.
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Our Sales Dept. doesn't take preorders, but send an email to cyclosource@adventurecycling.org. Ask to be put on the list to be notified when the maps arrive in the office.
Thank you. Was hoping to have them in time for Christmas as a gift so just a little bummed out.
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You can always give a card saying that they will receive the maps soon. Publishing this route has been one delay after another - due to COVID research was delayed more than a year, and after the maps went to the printer they had shipping delays due to paper being out of stock. When it arrived the paper was sent to California first.
I'll be so happy when the map arrive in house.
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You can always give a card saying that they will receive the maps soon. Publishing this route has been one delay after another - due to COVID research was delayed more than a year, and after the maps went to the printer they had shipping delays due to paper being out of stock. When it arrived the paper was sent to California first.
I'll be so happy when the map arrive in house.
Many thanks.
Your Sunday reply on behalf of ACA kinda says it all.
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I spoke with him several months and I got the impression it was due to the amount of work updating the site with corrections, changes, etc. and that he is wanting to retire fully. I offered to take over the website if ACA did not but my computer and editing skills were not up to his liking so he politely turned me down and said he would just let it go away. I have downloaded all the maps in case someone needs them in the future.
I too think ACA should take it over but they would probably have to map it so it matched their other maps and that would not be an inexpensive undertaking. I would guess the offer was been discussed and or thought about it. While the website is nice, it is not nearly the caliber of ACA's maps.
Anyone know the actual status of this route (Eastern Express) is WRT the websites maintenance/closing and the ACA? There is a note on the site that seems to imply that the ACA is taking over maintaining the web site in the at the end of the year (or at least keeping it open). There is quite a bit of demand for this alternate route and the ACA themselves use it on some of their supported trips.
The note reads:
"PLEASE NOTE: In order to ensure that this website remains available to the cycling community, the ownership and operation of the site will be taken over by the Adventure Cycling Association at the beginning of 2022. The Eastern Express route is now in its final form, and because of staffing limitations, Adventure Cycling will have limited ability to respond to suggestions or queries about alternate itineraries, or to logistical questions from individual cyclists."
It sounds like the route remains in some kind of weird limbo where the ACA is and isn't actually promoting /supporting it, but has taken on some minimal responsibility for keeping the site open. Can anyone clarify it's status at this point? Is it going to be an official ACA route? Is that yet to be determined? It seems like it should be a slam dunk as a choice for a future ACA route.
Probably a good idea to download all sections just in case if you are interested in the route.
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I emailed Frank about a month ago asking about the maps, etc. in Word format, (easier to edit) and he indicated he could no longer release any more information and that ACA was going to assume responsibility. I just noticed that announcement on the TAEE site as well. The good thing is the site will remain up and route information available.
I was actually going to ask about a timeline, you beat me to it. I know the ACA has been using it for their van supported TransAm tours for a few years now, so I would hope they have been collecting information. We plan to use it next year and I have pulled apart a lot of the trip maps and info from the website and built out 8X11 landscape formatted Word documents with as much detail as possible. I have been able to reduce about 10 to 12 days of the route down to about 10 pages (5 double sided) using an 8 pitch font and tables. Still not ACA level map production, but with COVID I would not expect to see full ACA mapping of this route for at least another year, maybe more.
I would be glad to collect information for the ACA when we ride if that would help the effort.
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If ACA does map it, I hope they update some of the sections to take lesser traffic roads. For instance, between Indianapolis and St. Louis, it just follows US-50, the National Highway, for much of the route. While nice in places, there are quiet country roads just to the north and there is even a section with almost two dozen covered bridges near Rockville, IN.
Anyway, I hope ACA does map it as it would be a nice edition.
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I emailed Frank about a month ago asking about the maps, etc. in Word format, (easier to edit) and he indicated he could no longer release any more information and that ACA was going to assume responsibility.
Frank took over our '99 unsupported Northern Tier tour when our original leader did not work out. Great guy. And a fabulous cook.
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Delmarva maps are now available. Mine came in the mail today.
Will be doing the ride this fall and continuing onto Kitty Hawk. Debating on biking out to Greenville or back to Norfolk to fly home. Norfolk would be easier since it’s part of the route but not a big fan of backtracking.
Happy riding!
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Hi John,
Do you have a link for the Indiana Bridges route between St. Louis and Indianapolis.
Thanks in advance.
Lynn
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Hi John,
Do you have a link for the Indiana Bridges route between St. Louis and Indianapolis.
Thanks in advance.
Lynn
John is out of town and off the forums until the end of July but I have his email. I will shoot him a message and see.
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Hi John,
Do you have a link for the Indiana Bridges route between St. Louis and Indianapolis.
Thanks in advance.
Lynn
Hey Lynn. John replied with: “Basically if they do a Google search for covered bridges near Rockville, IN, they will show up. Note a lot a gravel in that area but doable gravel.”
Good luck.
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I haven't had a lot of luck with Google search or RidewithGPS finding this cross country route through the covered bridges area. The postings are all for short loop rides. Has anyone ridden this area as part of a cross country trip and could share a route?
Thanks
Lynn
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Back on the original topic: I received the Delmarva maps a few minutes ago.
A couple of things:
1. Camping at Cape Henlopen State Park is not listed as an option, at least that I can see. Maybe it's on the addendum? Much of the time it can be a tough place to get into without a reservation, but it's still worth a mention.
2. From the park there is an alternative route from Lewes to Rehoboth. It uses a path (Gordon's Pond Trail) that passes through a neat tidal area. The on-street section has a nice bike lane and easily connects with the Rehoboth boardwalk that takes you by the main drag in town. You can get a copy of the terrific area bike map from the park office or campground entrance station. The entirety of the park is really great for cycling and has a good number of path miles. Dolphins and sometimes whales can be seen from the beach. (Saw a whale during the ferry ride from Cape May to Lewes on Good Friday of this year.) If you have the time it's worthy of a day off to explore. You can use the trail mentioned above and combine it with the J&B Trail shown on the map to create a loop through Rehoboth, which is a great place to have lunch.
3. Do some research on Big Oaks Campground between Lewes and Rehoboth to determine if it might offend your sensibilities.
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Back on the original topic: I received the Delmarva maps a few minutes ago.
A couple of things:
1. Camping at Cape Henlopen State Park is not listed as an option, at least that I can see. Maybe it's on the addendum? Much of the time it can be a tough place to get into without a reservation, but it's still worth a mention.
It’s not. I submitted it as a correction after finishing the ride in May but they haven’t added it to the addendum.
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The campground at Cape Henlopen State Park has been added to the online map updates and corrections page.
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Send me PM if you are planning to ride this route starting in Philadelphia and would like an option through NJ that gets you to Lewes, DE, avoiding all the urban/busy areas of Philadelphia, its suburbs and the Wilmington, DE, area. Just rode much of it again last weekend. After an easy, $3, 25 minute train ride from center city Philly to Woodcrest, NJ, its 65 mostly flat miles to a state park campground. The next leg is about 25 flat miles to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. About 4 of those miles are on a paved trail.