Messages

1

Routes / Re: Delmarva

« on: February 14, 2022, 04:13:10 pm »

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

2

General Discussion / Re: Amtrak Bike Travel

« on: February 08, 2022, 04:43:26 pm »

Amtrak has made it easy to bring bikes on trains in the State of New York.  All Amtrak trains traveling from New York City to Niagara Falls, NY have a bicycle rack in each passenger coach. The bicyclist can now embark and alight at any station along this route. These bicycle racks are the result of more than three decades of advocating for bicycle carriage infrastructure on Amtrak’s New York State trains by the New York Bicycling Coalition’s representative to the Amtrak/Adventure Cycling Association Bicycle Task.

The bicycle racks in the Empire Service passenger coaches allow the bicyclist to roll/carry their bicycle into the passenger coach and hang their bike on the bike rack. No box or bag required. These bicycle racks are now in all Empire Service trains.

3

New England / New York's Empire State Trail

« on: February 08, 2022, 04:05:00 pm »

I'm planning a tour this spring on the Empire State Trail.  While I was researching my tour, I discovered that there are no designated public or private camping areas on the trail between Albany and New York City.  I live in Hudson, NY, and the Empire Trail runs through Charles Williams Park in the city of Hudson.  I sent a letter to the editor, which was published recently, advocating the creation of a designated camping area in the park.  Here's the text of my article and a link to the newspaper that might be of interest to those who ride the Empire Trail.

"To The Editor:

The City of Hudson, in partnership with The Spark of Hudson, is seeking suggestions from the public about ways to redesign and improve Charles Williams Park. I am writing to recommend that a portion of the park be designated as a camping area for long-distance bicyclists and hikers on the 750-mile Empire State Trail, which passes through the park.

Unfortunately, designated campsites are few and far between on the epic bike ride from the beginning of the Empire Trail in Buffalo to the end of the trail in New York City.
Part of the Empire Trail is located along the Erie Canal. According to the state-run website (www.empiretrail.ny.gov), the New York State Canal Corporation has designated “primitive” camping areas at many of its locks along the canal. However, no public or private campgrounds are available along the significant stretch of the Empire Trail in the Hudson Valley from New York City to Albany.

Ideally, bicycle tourists passing through Hudson could find lodging at a hotel in the city. However, some cyclists cannot afford a hotel room in Hudson. In addition, hotel rooms might not be available on many nights at the height of the summer and fall tourist season. Under such circumstances, cyclists would be grateful for a designated place to pitch a tent.

By incorporating a camping area in Charles Williams Park, we can encourage people to have fun, get physically fit, and support environmentally friendly forms of transportation."

https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/opinion/letters/making-a-suggestion-for-charles-williams-park/article_b30a8b76-9f33-5c1a-b5f4-baee23201dfd.html
https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/opinion/letters/hudson-should-market-bicycle-tourism/article_28e287e4-c4f0-57c5-9e76-65cb155ca544.html

4

Urban Cycling / Re: Advice for New York city

« on: September 02, 2015, 11:29:13 pm »

The most enjoyable route into Manhattan would be slightly circuitous.  Route 9W skirts the west bank of the Hudson River north of New York City.  It has far less traffic than the other thoroughfares leading into Manhattan.  Route 9W crosses the river on the George Washington Bridge, giving you stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.  So, that's what I recommend.

5

Urban Cycling / Re: Advice for New York city

« on: September 02, 2015, 08:27:56 pm »

Please provide more information.  Are you coming from North Jersey, or South Jersey?  What town are you near today?  And, what is your ultimate destination?  I live in the East Village in Manhattan.

6

Cycling Events / National Day Of Climate Action Ride (New York NY)

« on: March 16, 2007, 03:02:50 pm »

Future Sea Level Ride
New York, NY
April 14, 2007 01:00PM to 02:30PM

Event Description:
FUTURE SEA LEVEL BIKE RIDE In conjunction with Step It Up, the National Day of Action on Climate Change, Times Up environmental group is organizing a bike ride which will address climate change and global warming in our local communities and highlight meaningful responses. Non-polluting trasportation is one part of the solution. Dress like you are underwater. Bike ride ends at Battery Park to link up with Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir.
Location:
New York City Union Square Park South Saturday April 14th, 1PM
Directions:
Take bike or subway to Union Square Park. We will meet on the Soouthside located on 14th Street between Broadway and University Place.


John Hunka
Manhattan

7

Routes / Vermont

« on: August 31, 2006, 02:52:01 pm »

I highly recommend visiting the islands in the northern half of Lake Champlain.  The scenery is fantastic, the terrain is flat to gently rolling, motorists are generally considerate, traffic is fairly light, and the roads are in good condition.  It's one of my favorite places for cycling.

John Hunka
Philadelphia, PA

8

Routes / Bike Lanes For Cape Hatteras

« on: August 15, 2006, 01:03:38 pm »

This article has some very good news for those of us who have cycled, or plan to cycle, on Cape Hatteras in North Carolina:

"Hatteras plans bike lane on its main road"
Star News Online
August 14, 2006
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060814/NEWS/608140386/-1/State


John Hunka
Philadelphia, PA

9

Routes / NYC to Outer Banks of NC

« on: August 15, 2006, 01:10:15 pm »

The AC route through New Jersey and Pennsylvania is far more scenic than a ride along the Jersey Shore.  In particular, you ride through the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country on the AC tour, which is absolutely beautiful rolling farmland.  In addition, the Amish lead a very interesting lifestayle, and you get to meet and observe the Amish in a non-intrusive manner on a bike ride.  In short, I think you'd be missing alot if you stuck to the coastline.

John Hunka
Philadelphia, PA

10

General Discussion / German doesnt know where to go... Recommendations?

« on: March 16, 2007, 03:06:39 pm »

For a ride in September, I'd suggest a ride in northern New England and/or Southern Quebec.  The fall foliage is spectacular.

John Hunka
Manhattan

11

General Discussion / Cycling on the Cheap . How low can you go?

« on: March 09, 2007, 03:11:38 pm »

I own a Trek 520 that I bought around 8 years ago for $1,000.  Last summer, my wife, two friends, and I rode our bikes from Manhattan to Philadelphia using a map I bought from Adventure cycling for about ten bucks.  We took New Jersey Transit from Penn Station to Raritan, NJ.  We cycled from Raritan to New Hope, PA, where we stayed overnight at a small hotel run by a French-Algerian couple.  The following day, we rode from New Hope to Doylestown, where we hopped on the SEPTA train with our bikes to Center City Philadelphia.  We had some Chinese food for dinner, threw the bikes on the roof rack of my car, piled in, and drove back to Manhattan.  I would estimate that the entire trip, including the hotel rooms, gas, train fares, meals and tolls for four people was under $500 for the weekend.  We had a blast!

John Hunka
Manhattan

12

General Discussion / Randonneur Handlebars

« on: March 08, 2007, 03:00:31 pm »

I am thinking about trying randonneur handlbars on my bike, which is a Trek 520.  Could anyone enlighten me on the pros and cons of this type of handlebars?

John Hunka
Manhattan

13

General Discussion / Where are you touring to 2006

« on: January 04, 2006, 11:09:52 pm »

My wife and I have two tours planned.  In May, we're going to do a loop tour from the Lake Champlain Islands to Montreal.  During the summer, we're going on the Bon Ton Roulet tour in the Finger Lakes region with some friends.

John Hunka
Philadelphia, PA