Delmarva

[Ty0604]

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!

[canalligators]

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

[Ty0604]

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!

[Ty0604]

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.

[John Hunka]

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

[Ty0604]

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

[donald.stewart.92]

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.


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[staehpj1]

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.


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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.

[Ty0604]

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.

[Ty0604]

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.

[HikeBikeCook]

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/

[rwinot25]

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.

[BikeliciousBabe]

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/

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.

[canalligators]

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.

[Ty0604]

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.