Author Topic: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC  (Read 12893 times)

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Offline kizarmynot

Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« on: December 07, 2023, 07:24:39 pm »
It's not an ACA route, but I'm looking for suggestions on getting from the Atlantic Coast route to the southern point of the Empire State Trail in lower Manhattan (Battery Point). I know I could take the New York Spur, then likely an NJT train in, but wondering if there is another alternative route.
Any suggestions (even - are you crazy!) would be appreciated.
Thanks

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2023, 02:14:31 pm »
It's not an ACA route, but I'm looking for suggestions on getting from the Atlantic Coast route to the southern point of the Empire State Trail in lower Manhattan (Battery Point). I know I could take the New York Spur, then likely an NJT train in, but wondering if there is another alternative route.
Any suggestions (even - are you crazy!) would be appreciated.
Thanks

Somewhere I have a roundabout route from Lambertville, NJ to the Staten Island Ferry, which will take you right to The Battery in Manhattan. It's actually a fairly low to moderate traffic route with some nice stretches (including one through the Great Swamp) until you reach Kenilworth.  You end up going through Elizabeth and over the Goethels Bridge to Staten Island, where you ride along the north "coast" to the ferry dock. Pretty long, though.  Maybe 80-85 miles to the ferry terminal on Staten Island.  Probably best ridden on a Sunday.

Offline kizarmynot

Re: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2023, 07:42:59 pm »
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look at RWGPS to see if I can make it work. The suggested travel day (not a surprise) may be the problem since this will be towards the end of a multi-week tour.

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2023, 08:26:56 am »
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look at RWGPS to see if I can make it work. The suggested travel day (not a surprise) may be the problem since this will be towards the end of a multi-week tour.
I think I am a bit confused.  From where will you coming?

If you will be heading south on the Atlantic Coast route from above Port Jervis, NY, you could hop on ACA's Chicago to NYC route there, take that the GWB and then ride down the Hudson to The Battery on the Empire State Trail.

Offline kizarmynot

Re: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2023, 07:39:26 pm »
This leg of the trip I'm coming up from DC. I missed the connection to the Chicago-NYC route from AC until you mentioned it, so that now looks like a great option from Conshohocken.
Thanks!!!

Offline BikeliciousBabe

Re: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2023, 09:14:58 am »
This leg of the trip I'm coming up from DC. I missed the connection to the Chicago-NYC route from AC until you mentioned it, so that now looks like a great option from Conshohocken.
Thanks!!!

Check on the status of PA 611 north of Portland, PA.  It is still closed between Portland and Delaware Water Gap after a rockslide last December.  Work to repair things has not started.

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/business-calls-it-quits-after-road-closure-delaware-water-gap-route-611-national-park-service/523-a5912638-9663-4ac4-807d-15d9b2cbda92

You might be able to get through on a bike, legally or not. If you cannot, you will have to detour up into the hills.

Also, I have toured south from PJ may times and have taken to using U.S. 46 between Portland and Belividere.  It is not as scenic, but the roads on the PA side have some bad site lines and little or no shoulder.  Plus, there is a short but very nasty little hill shortly after you cross into PA.

Heading north, you would stay on Market St. in Belvidere and bear right onto Manuka Chunk Rd. At the traffic light, make a left onto U.S. 46, which has a good shoulder.  When you approach the overhead highway bridge, bear left onto Washington.  You will be going the wrong way on a one-way street, but the street is very wide, and I have never seen a car on that street. After a couple of blocks, at the intersection of Washington & Green, make a left onto the ped/bike bridge across the river to Portland.  Make sure to stop and look upriver.  You will see the bridge that is the west end of the Paulinskill Viaduct.  When it was completed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in 1910, the Paulinskill Viaduct was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world.

Another fun fact:  Portland is home to the guy who wrote "All I want for Christmas in My Two Front Teeth."

Try to get a campsite site at Worthington State Forest after you cross back into NJ via the walkway along the I-80 bridge.  Sites 11 and 12 are the best.  No RVs allowed at that end of the campground, and those sites have direct river access.  I would suggest trying to make a reservation if you are going to end up there during the week as the place is very popular.  (Unfortunately, NJ state parks require a two-night minimum to reserve for Friday and Saturday.)  Even if the place is full, ask about unadvertised space for people arriving by bike, boat or foot.  Try to talk to a real ranger and not just some "intern" who might be working the booth.  Secure your attractants in either a food storage locker or restroom.  There are most definitely bears in the area.  Saw a young cub in camp back in 2018.  Back in July, I was driving the route north of there on my way to NY when I encountered twin cubs playing in the road.

Further south, Dogwood Haven in Upper Black Eddy, PA, across from Milford, NJ (decent grocery store and several places to eat out), gives cyclists a discount.  IIRC, it's still only $10/night.  (Have some cash.)  The owner is a very nice guy.  Don't expect a fancy KOA, but it's a quiet, shaded place with mostly mature, seasonal campers who are very pleasant.  Cross the bridge from Milford into PA, make a left on PA 23.  Second right onto Canal Lane then make the easy walk down to the canal path before you cross the bridge.  The first road crossing you come to is Lodi Hill Rd.  Make a right there, cross the canal and the campground entrance will be right on your right.

Offline kizarmynot

Re: Atlantic Coast to Empire State Trail in NYC
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2023, 01:13:26 pm »
Wow, so much to think about. Thanks for all the tips. I'm still in the early planning stages so I may post again in the future.
Thanks again!